Unsatisfied Beast

The Unsatisfied Beast – Your Carnal Mind
by py  thomas
© November 6, 2014

 

Psalm 3:1-8 is King David’s prayer regarding his plight when having to flee from his own son and his son’s co-conspirators.   The back story to Psalm 3 contains a lot of family drama, which includes rape, isolation of rape victim, fleeing the law, rebellion against the family patriarch, murder/death of the one who avenged the rape of his sister, by committing murder of his half brother.   That is certainly enough to cause anyone to be on their knees seeking ELOHIM.  Here’s his prayer:

Adonai, how they have increased who trouble me!
Many are they who rise up against me.
² Many are they who say of me,
“There is no help for him in Elohim.” Selah

³ But You, O Adonai, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
⁴ I cried to Adonai with my voice,
And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah

⁵ I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for Adonai sustained me.
⁶ I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me all around.

⁷ Arise, O Adonai;
Save me, O my Elohim!
For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;
You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
⁸ Salvation belongs to the Adonai.
Your blessing is upon Your people.   Selah  (Psalm 3:1-8)

 

This Psalm is a great reminder of YHVH’s faithfulness of how mindful He is of those in covenant relationship with Him.  How many of us have ever felt a level of betrayal from those closest to us?  Has it been to the degree that your own flesh and blood seeks your life, or has very little concern to your personal safety or welfare?  This particular account of the betrayal David was experiencing  was coming from a son he adored,  Abshalom.   Yet, his love for Abshalom did not waiver, even though his son treated him like an adversary (enemy).  Can this be said about us - even if we are fleeing or avoiding one that is oppressing us (a family member to boot!), can we still love them, pray for them?   

Keep in mind this was not David’s first experience of betrayal – remember, he first was being pursued by Saul, the first King of Isra’el – the one he would ultimately replace.  But David never lifted a hand or spoke disrespectfully against ELOHIM’s anointed and appointed authority, even though he had the opportunity to kill Saul – he did not.  David waited and trusted  YHVH.  Many of us would have said, “My mother didn’t raise any fools; or I’m tired of these people in my family,; or worst yet,  I’ll handle this myself…I know how to shut them down…etc.”  The temptation and challenge for Followers of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah is to wait on YHVH.  It truly is not only a good thing to wait on YHVH, but it means we understand that the answers that are for our good regarding our situation comes from Him – and that we BELIEVE that Yeshua is truly seated at the right hand of the Father ELOHIM, making intercession for us.  This is where the rubber meets the road in refining us and teaching us how and why we should trust YHVH to deliver us no matter what.  He did promise to never leave us, nor forsake us.  We need to believe it as David did.

The details of David’s persecution from his son and how it all got started are found in Chapters 13 through 19 of 2 Samuel.    Well worth the read for those of you who have wrongfully suffered at the hands of family and those closest to you. 

The following are some my observations  from chapters 13 through 19 of 2 Samuel, where  the account of King David, daughter Tamar, sons Amnon and  Abshalom and a host of others is left on record for our learning and instruction.  Oh that men would  love YHVH’s Word, His statutes and precepts to the point of  meditating on it during their waking moments…seeking to adorn their soul and minds with godly wisdom – given freely to all who ask.

Observations & Considerations - Chapters 13 through 19 of 2 Samuel

·         Jonadab (King David’s nephew and amnon’s cousin) put the scheme in amnon’s head on how he could sleep with abshalom’s sister, Tamar (see 2 Samuel 13:3-5)

·         After amnon puts Jonadab’s plan into action to lure Tamar to his home; and then his bedroom to rape her, we see later him in verse 32 playing up to David to console him to let him know that all of his sons weren’t killed by abshalom, but only amnon!  Can you believe that!  Amnon was just as responsible for amnon’s death than Abshalom because of the evil counsel he provided amnon.  However, Amnon could have rejected the counsel – he made his choice; and rationalized his sin.

·         The anatomy of sin and spirit of the anti-Messiah is in full swing and operating through Jonadab, (creating confusion to divert attention from the evil that is really in operation)  - and it continues.

“³⁵ And Jonadab said to the king, “Look, the king’s sons are coming; as your servant said, so it is.” (2 Samuel 13:35)

·         Initially David was very angry to hear of the rape of Tamar, but did not take action…it was his son Abshalom who would later avenge the defilement of Tamar.

³⁹King David then longed to go to Abshalom, for he had been comforted concerning Amnon, because he was dead.”  (2 Samuel 13:39)

·         Joab’s best intentions were based on his concern and loyalty to King David to set up a plan to bring Abshalom home because David was so grieved by his leaving (see 2 Samuel 14:1-21) – Joab had good intentions, but what was the result of those intentions?

o   Joab enlists the help of a wise woman named Tekoa

o   Tekoa was wise enough to tell the truth when David discerned that Joab was behind the ploy (see 2 Samuel 14:18-19)

o   Abshalom waited two years before he avenged his sister’s rape; and after two years of his being brought back to Jerusalem by Joab, Abshalom sent to see his father via Joab (twice), but David did not come either time.  (see 2 Samuel 14:28-29)

o   Abshalom felt that Joab was not being forthcoming in going to King David to deliver the message that he wanted to see him.  How do we know this?  (See 2 Samuel 14:30-33). 

o   After Joab’s fields were burned at Abshalom’s orders, Joab figured out a way to get the King to agree to see Abshalom (self preservation  and self-interest can be an effective motivator).

o   Abshalom’s return to Jerusalem would ultimately lead to treason against his own father – King David.  

Carnality is the Unsatisfied Beast

Why would Abshalom return David’s forgiveness and kindness with treason?  Sound familiar?  Consider what happened to Lucifer at the beginning – his treason and rebellion against YHVH.  It would serve all of us well to consider how Yeshua’s  (Jesus’) forgiveness and kindness is many times returned by us in a form of treason.  For example, when we want to take over and be in control (not waiting on YHVH); when we are no longer willing to respect the authority in our lives because of our own selfish desires (impatience, greed, thirst for power, choosing a mate, etc.), don’t want to wait to on YHVH.

Too much self-love  and pride proved to be major sins and character flaws in Abshalom.  Note 2 Samuel 14:25-26, we see the great adoration Abshalom received from Isra’el because of his good looks.  It is a warning to us to praise people’s outward appearance should be tempered with wisdom because typically, most can’t handle it and it goes to their head – so much so, that they have a difficult time when others don’t continuously give them that type of attention.  It drives a need for more…carnality is never quenched.

Abshalom missed a very important lesson.  It is clear he never embraced the wisdom of  “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6)

o   Abshalom’s treason-based practices continued for the next 40 years  - purely to steal the hearts of the men of Israel.  Doesn’t sound like Abshalom understand that “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”  His soulish man wanted more power, more adoration…not being content with godliness allows one’s carnal nature to be in control – carnality is never satisfied.

o   With Abshalom’s dissatisfaction with his lot in life – he left an opening for deceitfulness (see 2 Samuel 15:8-11)

o   He did go to “serve” YHVH.  Note that the word “serve” is the Hebrew word, “abad” (5647); and it means to be a worshipper, a bondservant, a slave, to serve (see 2 Samuel 15:8)

o   He did become a worshipper because it is confirmed in 2 Samuel 15:12.  Yet we also see that his worship was corrupt and profane, because he continued in his rebellion against YHVH’s appointed authority, which also happened to be his father.  His practice of dishonoring his father, King David, would ultimately prove to be the foreshadowing of his days about to be cut short, and things not going well with him.

When King David was fleeing, those loyal to him in truth went with him.  I say in truth, because note Ittai the Gittite’s response (2 Samuel 15:19-21). 

o   Ittai’s response acknowledged the true and living Elohim.  He had seen and known the Elohim of Israel to be with them.  He recognized truth and victory and wanted that.   

o   This is also true for those who follow and truly obey as Yeshua did.  He is YHVH’s Truth and in truth (the covenant of salvation in Yeshua), we have the promise of victory. 

o   Likewise, those who love the false (lies & deceit) are operating in darkness (sin), which leads to death and destruction.  Selah. 

o   David also took with him the priest Zadok, ALL the Levites; and the Ark of the Covenant of YHVH.  (What do you take aside with you when dealing with persecution?  Habits or Yeshua?)

o   When David makes his destination – the top of the mountain – he doesn’t beat his chest in foolish pride, but instead, humbles himself and worships ELOHIM (see 2 Samuel 15:32).  (Can this be said of us?  (Do we acknowledge YHVH in All of our ways – so we don’t lean/rely on our own understanding?)

o   In David’s worship, YHVH responds with more provision - He provides David not only with strategies to know what to do, but the resources to accomplish the strategy. (LIGHTBULB!!!) see 2 Samuel 15:25-37; and 16:1-2 (resources to sustain David and his men)

The closer David comes to dealing with the challenge at hand with his Son Abshalom, the more distractions are being presented (spiritual warfare tactic of the Enemy).  However, David’s response showed his continued focus, reliance and hope on YHVH for deliverance.  He picked and chose wisely  his battles.  Read 2 Samuel 16:10-12.

However, YHVH does not forget those who are diligently seeking Him, including those seeking Him regarding their enemies.  YHVH is seeking an opportune time to deal with those who are enemies to His people. 

¹⁴ So Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel.” For YHVH had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the YHVH might bring disaster on Absalom. (2 Samuel 17:14).

o   WARNING:  Carnal spirits are drawn to bad advisors and faulty counsel  (see this in 2 Samuel 16:21-23).

o   Joab stuck with David (see 2 Samuel 18:2).  It is important to remember  that Abshalom set his fields on fire because he didn’t think Joab pushed hard enough initially for him to get an audience with his father, David.  Also, Abshalom made the guy (Amasa) who slept with his sister’s daughter the captain of his army instead of Joab (so much for gratitude – no loyalties to others just self – the sign of a carnal-led mind   (see 2 Samuel 17:25)

o   The irony of Abshalom’s death is that his physical attribute that was seen as desireable (his hair) is the thing that got caught in the tree brush and made him accessible to be killed (see 2 Samuel 18:9-15).

In the end, it’s a sobering reminder to us to consider these key points:

1.       Understand that our best / good intentions are not to always be acted upon – take counsel first in prayer and the Word of ELOHIM.

2.       A carnal mind that has not surrendered to the Torah will be drawn to unwise counsel  - it is a mind that has not wanted nor understood that “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

3.       There is great benefit to waiting on YHVH to fight your battles, which means you’ve placed yourself in a place of obedience.  

4.       It is in obedience to YHVH that you will be able to see and hear the Holy Spirit give you the strategies and instructions  to go with the provisions made by YHVH to accomplish His will, plan and purposes for your life.

Joab’s loyalties were based on the statutes of the commandments…he did not allow his emotions from stopping him from the doing the right thing.  However, we have on record of this particular instance of doing “his one right thing” (when mixed with his emotions in trying to bridge the estrangement between David & Abshalom) would ultimately put David’s life at risk, and end Abshalom’s life.

Therefore, look beyond and past your situations until your vision becomes locked and focused on Yeshua, Your Redeemer, pray to Him and He will make intercession for you to the Father in Heaven…your answer is never in your situations or circumstances…it is always found beyond them…the great beyond is Our Father, who is in heaven, so we should hallow His name because He is holy.  adonai hears and answers the prayers of His people – it’s been guaranteed by and through Yeshua’s innocent shed blood on our behalf.

Shalom to those near and to those far off.