1st Chronicles 19 WRONG ADVICE The chronicler was conscious of the need of the returned Jews to have a strong motivation to put their strength into the rebuilding work before them. The account of the victories of Israel over their enemies in the past, served to focus their attention on the reason for the task at hand. What they were doing and the opposition they were encountering was to be expected. Even when one's motive is to show kindness, that may be misread, misunderstood or rejected. A suspicious nature makes life very difficult.
There are family characteristics in people we know that we need to take into account when we are interacting with them. People who are strangers to us do give us some signs as to who we are dealing with. If one seems excessively familiar when we first meet them, they may be unsure of themselves and are over- compensating, or have an unspoken motive. A hidden agenda may be the cause of flattering words. A dour disposition lets us know one is suspicious of us and our intent when we show kindness. Likely they have been deceived or hurt in their interaction with people they knew before us.
Not everyone is able to be open and frank with people. When we approach those we do not know, with acts of kindness or something to give for their benefit, the first usual response is. "What's the catch? Nobody does this without wanting something back?" In the story of David's men and Hanun, Hanun's advisers were likely older men that the new king. It seems they were angry, jealous, bitter men who resented David's success. Their bad advice was to humiliate the emissaries David sent to show kindness to the son of an older acquaintance who had died.
When taking action, think before hand about what might happen if a certain course is followed. As those who represent the kingdom of God, we are not going to be welcomed into every home or situation. Even so, kindness is never out of date, but there will be suspicion and a degree of opposition from those who love the world and the things in it. There will always be charges that we are judgmental and unrealistic because we do not fit the mould or do what most people do. Humiliation and embarrassment often follow the rejection of acts of kindness. Our personal response should be like our Lord, "When He was reviled, He reviled not again. When He suffered, He threatened not."
Challenges against the public testimony of an assembly or even a nation is different. we need to defend the truth of God in our outward testimony. Humiliation is difficult to take but by waiting for the effects of the initial event to pass, we can make a proper decision as to how to act after due consideration. Those who opposed and rejected David's men took the first aggressive steps in spending a lot of money to seek to cover up the mistake they had made. When we make a mistake of some kind, it is wise to admit it and seek to compensate for the damage done. It may be all that we can do is to ask the offended party to forgive us.
To avoid admitting to error means that reconciliation will never fully take place. The cost of not honestly facing up to a mistake may be high, but it can be the best way to deal with a problem. That way a long drawn out bitterness and on-going trouble can be avoided. The Ammonites got others involved and the problem escalated until warfare against the people of Israel occurred. Joab was a skilled military leader who could improvise and adapt to situations that were one of a kind. He seemed to be able to discern how best to deal with a serious attack. By making the enemy divided around his army and yet placing his men in such a way that they could fight in two different directions and yet support each other, led to victory. In this event he acknowledged the Lord would do what was good in His eyes.
Those who lead the saints of God need to be mature enough that they have a general strategy in mind before the event happens. That way they are united in how to deal with a problem and can act quickly. Leaders also need to be young enough to have the energy to carry out the defense of the truth. There comes a time when those who have led God's people for years need to pass on leadership roles to others who have the initiative to further the work, and the strength to do it.
Motivation by itself does not accomplish a work. Opportunity has to present itself and faith has to see beyond the opposition to the mind of God about a matter, and the result we are seeking. Encouragement to take advantage of opportunity, when united with faith and motivation, makes possible advancement in the things of God. The wisdom of older men when united with the strength, enthusiasm and faith of younger, makes vicotry possible when we carry out the will of God.
Fear and pessimism often create a deadly pause in the work of God. Fear of making a mistake and a pessimistic view of the situation effectively stops a work of God. overcoming complacency is one of the most difficult tasks of spiritual leadership. Undue optimism can bring great disappointment when it is no grounded in realism. A realistic understanding of what our Lord has called us to do, and a sensible evaluation of ourselves and our assets, prepares us for what God has for us.
Poor David had all of these things in place - and then he stayed home. It was then he got into trouble with his reoccurring "women problem" with his neighbor's wife. It is possible for an older person who knows what is right, and has experienced God using them in his life, to become complacent, or critical, or pessimistic - and fall into sin. The chronicler did not bring up this event in this book because it would have not served any purpose as far as the rebuilding program was concerned. For our learning: lessons from the past are not just stories to be told, but salient points to be made.
David learned the hard lessons and the next time the enemy came against them, he was where he should have been before, doing what he should do - leading his people. Leaders are to be out front leading, not staying safe way behind the action. If one can't do that, then step aside and pass the reins of active leadership of guiding the Lord's people to those who can. One or more victories do not mean there will always be victories. If and when we become complacent, it is time for us to reconsider our role and responsibilities. If we have been lazy, then it is time to put on the armor of God and go back to work. If we have become incapable of fulfilling the responsibilities of leadership, then step back into an advisory role and support those who are able to lead God's people.