On Justice

"Maintain Justice and do what is right!".... Isaiah 56:1a NIV

I am not too big on "social justice" because it is often code for social-ism. Justice- on the other hand is a precious commodity around here.

I've been reading about King David and I believe him to be a man whose life example is worth following. One can learn tremendous leadership skills from David. However there is at least one area in which we can best learn from David's mistakes:

That is, in his role as father.

Recently my reading of II Samuel has brought me to a very poignant scene: A most powerful and beloved king - still in his prime - fleeing his own throne. He is barefoot as he scales the Mount of Olives - weeping and having his head covered for shame. Some of his trusted friends turn on him, others stay loyal but none of this really matters because deep down he knows that this story will not - cannot end well. The die has been cast, he will have to face his own son on the battlefield and one of them will not return.

With the possible exception of Solomon, David's relationship with his children seems to be -at best - one of cold distance.

It seems that no sooner had David learned the error of his ways in the adultery and subsequent murder surrounding his involvement with Bathsheba, than did God's promised "sword" of judgement begin to reckon its misery on David's life.

That misery was most obvious in the episode with his son, Absalom.

There was passion and lust among his own children and it lead to intrigue and the rape of a sweet girl named Tamar. She was Absalom's sister - the culprit was his half brother.

David had so many wives and so many sons that his role as protector seemed confused. When his daughter was treated so harshly - this man of war was paralyzed.

Perhaps Absalom waited for his father to bring about justice. Meanwhile Tamar resigned herself to a life of solitude.

Absalom waited . . . and waited. . .

. . . and the injustice festered in his heart.

Because the rightful authority would not confront the issue, Absalom took matters into his own hands; he plotted and then pulled off the murder of his brother.

And David was again silent.

It seemed he had always known just what to do ... when Saul was chasing him and David found himself at the advantage ... he knew just what to do. . . he showed mercy.

When he was in exile in the land of a foreign king, and he found he had lost that king's trust - he knew just what to do - he feigned madness and escaped.

But now, when it was family, this man of decision was stymied.

All the while, Absalom waited.

Finally he went into exile, to the land of his mother's family . . . and waited there.

He eventually was allowed to return; but not allowed to see the king . . . so he waited and the seed of injustice seethed in the cauldron of his soul.

When through some tactics of his own he finally was allowed to see King David, the reception was cool. Had David required justice of him for his murder and taken his life - it would have been kinder.

At last, Absalom set his eyes on the throne - and hurting the king; he felt completely justified in using his good looks and charismatic flair to woo the hearts of the people away from David. For some time, that's just what he did.

Absalom built up such a following that he one day declared himself king.

David would not face him, but rather would flee Jerusalem - weeping.



When a Dad is concerned - silence is not always golden.