Seeing Through

I read a little bit of a Thomas Sowell article today as he discussed American politics of the past and how the "negative ads" we see today are nothing to compare to the names that Lincoln endured and the innuendo that surrounded the Grover Cleveland campaign.

Times haven't changed all that much in some ways.

This morning in my thinking/praying space on the way to work, I started thinking about a political campaign that occurred several thousand years ago... even then, people were not much different.

A good looking, charismatic guy had his eye on the throne - okay so it wasn't in a Representative Republic like our nation- it was a kingdom. He had his eye on the throne and unfortunately for him, his father occupied that seat.

The "guy" was Absalom - he of the ravishing, curly locks - and his father was none other than king David.

In spite of all the things he did right, and the fact that his heart adhered faithfully to God's, David had some flaws. That's why I like him. It's also why I find common ground with him so often.
David led the nation of Israel like a flock, but he just couldn't lead very well at home it seems.

Intrigue, conspiracy, rape, murder, larceny, ruthless ambition all of these could be found in the household of David.

Now his estranged son, Absalom has come back into town. Yet he can only communicate with his father through his father's general, Joab - and that only after using intimidation tactics to get Joab's attention.

So Absalom takes up politics.

Listen to this...

After this, Absalom bought a chariot and horses, and he hired fifty bodyguards to run ahead of him. He got up early every morning and went out to the gate of the city. When people brought a case to the king for judgment, Absalom would ask where in Israel they were from, and they would tell him their tribe.

Then Absalom would say, “You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it.
I wish I were the judge. Then everyone could bring their cases to me for judgment, and I would give them justice!”
When people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn’t let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and kissed them. Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel.

2 Samuel 15:1-6 NLT

Now I ask you.... can't you see right through him?

Just because a lot of people seem to be buying his soft soap; and just because he is telling folks what they want to hear... vulnerable folks...downtrodden people ... people always feeling like they are victims ... telling them that yes they have been put upon by the "haves". . . you know better don't you?

Don't you see what he's up to?

Of course you do.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.