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After Absalom plotted to have Amnon killed, he fled to avoid the wrath of his father, King David. Despite his mourning for his son Amnon, David began to miss Absalom. Eventually, the commander of David’s army, Joab, devised a plan to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem. Once there, David, not ready to see Absalom, hid his face from his son. Growing impatient, Absalom lit Joab’s field on fire to get his attention and be brought before the king. Despite his previous actions, Absalom showed humility before the king and received a gesture of reconciliation from David.

If you’re just now jumping into the story of Joab, you may not realize that he is a man with blood on his hands. Time and time again, Joab let his rage get the best of him, avenging the death of loved ones without David’s consent. Perhaps it was his own need for forgiveness that he set Absalom up to be received by the king. This act of deflection only led to more destruction in his life, this time his property (and if you read on, this is only the beginning).

Sometimes, in my life, instead of asking for forgiveness from someone I have wronged, I try to divert the attention to someone else in the wrong. Out of fear and pride, I make the problem about others instead of owning up to my own mistakes. This can lead down a slippery slope of manipulation and projection, letting sin fester. As hard as it may be, in the long run, it is so much better to own and turn from our wrongs than trying to distract others from our sins.

Final Exhortation: Ask the Lord for courage and humility to admit your mistakes and ask for forgiveness from Him and those you have wronged.

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