Today’s Tasting: 2 Samuel 13–15 (NLT): David’s son Absalom had a beautiful sister named Tamar. Amnon, her half-brother, fell desperately in love with her. Amnon became so obsessed with Tamar that he became sick. Amnon knew that his feelings for Tamar were inappropriate. He told his cousin Jonadab, who advised him to trick Tamar into coming to see him. When she did, he raped her.
When Absalom found out what had happened to his sister he brought her into his house to protect her. Two years later he took revenge by having Amnon killed, and then he fled from David the king. Eventually he was allowed to return home, but his heart was treacherous. He turned the men of Israel against his father David, who fled Jerusalem to avoid being killed by Absalom.
Today’s Nourishment: In today’s passage we learn about a young man named Amnon who was consumed with desire and led by unwise counsel to trick his half-brother’s sister into taking care of him while he was ill. At his request, she prepared food for him and came to his house to minister to his needs, and then he raped her. All of this led to a family squabble, a murder plot, and the takeover of the kingdom. How one sinful act can snowball into disaster and affect everyone around you!
Today, I’d like to focus attention on Tamar, the young lady who was raped. Tamar was in a place of obedience. She was where she was told to be, doing as she had been instructed, and then her life changed forever.
How many times have you been where you thought God wanted you to be and then it seemed as if disaster struck? Tamar must have felt hurt, distressed, and forsaken.
Let’s talk about how, as children of God, we handle circumstances such as these. First, no matter the circumstance, do not hide it. Find someone who can give you godly counsel, who can prayerfully help you consider what your next steps should be. Stay in the Word of God. You will know you have received wise counsel when what you’re told lines up with what God has given you through His word. Go to a still and quiet place. Yes, a quiet place where you can listen and God can encourage, instruct, and order your steps.
As you continue to read through the story in today’s reading you’ll find that this incident could have been handled differently. For example, even though David found out what had happened, and was very angry, it appears he did nothing about it. In any case, Tamar’s aggressor is murdered by her brother and seemingly her rape is avenged.
How do you think God would desire us to handle a situation like this?
Does God desire us to be passive in response, like David, or to take revenge, like Absalom?
What do the scriptures say about dealing with our enemies?
Join the conversation and share your responses:
Tomorrows Tasting: Psalms 3–4, 12–13, 28, and 55
Sonyita S. Clemons
Website: www.totallifeprosperityllc.com
Email: sonyita@totallifeprosperityllc.com
Twitter: @sonyitais & @mastermoneymgmt
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Sonyita, I don’t see God as passive or revengeful. I feel that our loving Heavenly Father is a just God. He sees things for what they are and deals with us appropriately. If we come to Him with a repentive heart He will forgive but consequence will follow which we bring that on ourselves. But He loves us and wants us to have victory so He helps us walk it out through His tender mercy and grace. We are to love our enemies with the hope of Christ being revealed in and through us that they may come to know Him.