Topic: A harvest of unbearable Pain
Text: 2 Samuel 21:1-10
Key verse: All seven sons died together. They were put to death during the first days of the harvest season at the beginning of the barley harvest.
This text is one of the passages that quickly brings tears to my eyes, it\’s one case where life spins out of control, and there is nothing you or anyone can do to stop the disaster. Many times, it doesn\’t make sense!
Saul, in his zeal, killed the wrong people. Then Saul died, and during the reign of David, the judgment for Saul\’s error appeared. Through a prayer of inquiry, God revealed the cause. The people had no room in their hearts for forgiveness. They asked King David to kill the seven sons of Saul.
Reading this story made my head spin with so many questions. How could the death of the innocent appease their wrath? They could have asked for silver, gold, or land. Why didn\’t they enslave the people instead of killing them?
I don\’t believe in karma. I know there is a principle of cause and effect. The Gibeonites wanted their one pound of flesh!
That day was a great day of pain for the house of Saul, the first King of Israel. Merab lost five sons, and Rizpah lost only two. Notice the action of both women. Rizpah mourned day and night – she barely slept! Her pain was unbearable.
Her grief did not go unnoticed; the children were eventually given a burial along with their father and grandfather.
How can there be purpose in this kind of pain? God speaks so loudly through pain. There are consequences for our actions and inactions. God respects covenants, whether made in error or intentionally.
Sometimes people plant seeds and never live to eat their fruit. This whole event happened during the first days of the harvest. Harvest season is usually a time of Joy, but for this family, it was the most painful day in their history because their patriarch took some wrong steps.
This kind of significant loss can occur when natural disasters like Hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes occur and even worse when the events result from the cruelty of men like suicide bombing, terrorist attacks, and assassinations. Whatever may be the cause of the pain you feel, you can find the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
What a wonderful God we have—he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3(TLB)
His anger lasts for a little while, but then his kindness brings life. The night may be filled with tears, but in the morning, we can sing for joy! Psalms 30:5(ERV)
More frequently today, people resort to taking their lives when they experience huge business losses or the emotional pain of betrayal; this response is not the right path to take. Though the loss may never be replaced, God can give you a new beginning from the ashes.
Those in Zion who mourn. I will take away the ashes on their head, and I will give them a crown. I will take away their sadness, and I will give them the oil of happiness. I will take away their sorrow, and I will give them celebration clothes. He sent me to name them \’Good Trees\’ and \’The Lord\’s Wonderful Plant.\’ Isaiah 61:3(ERV)
May the Lord show us how we must choose, and may his fear keep us from actions that will have devastating consequences on others in Jesus\’ name. Amen
Blessings
Pastor Ada
Reflections
What decisions have l made that could affect others negatively?
Who around me is suffering from unbearable pain
What can l do to help?
Photo by Héctor J. Rivas on Unsplash
