Taken Up Between
Absalom, Absalom!
And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.
…2 Samuel 18:9
It was kind of hard for Bill to imitate Absalom, as he acted out the part of throwing his long hair back; partially bald he found it difficult. As a congregation we really overworked the imagination trying to see Bill with long flowing hair, like the Bible describes Absalom. Now Bill is good looking, only the hair is partially lacking.
The last Sunday Evening I suggested to him he ought to wear a long wig, to look more the part. I hunted all over during the week to find the perfect one. Sunday evening came, and Bill trots into the informal Sunday night setting, flipping his hair back like a natural. It was a bit scary I must say. Of course the congregation took a while to gain composure, after seeing such a sight.
Bill needs no hair piece; I find him handsome the way he is. If he wore a “rug,” I’d probably lose him to himself, like in the son of David’s case. In the end, Absalom’s beautiful hair is what took him down. Interesting isn’t it, after all the trickery of trying to gain his father’s throne, he ends up hung in a tree.
No throne will be seized, no throne will be occupied if God desires it not too, and no presidency is bigger than God. We can make all the deceiving attempts to act like God doesn’t exist, and go on with our own plans, but no power is big enough to go against God Almighty; even United States of America.
God had plans for David, but it was not going to be accomplished through his son Absalom. David knows the acts of his son lay on him, for the sins he committed against God. His sin, selfishness, and pride have cost him much. But God still loves him! Joab finished off Absalom with darts through the heart, as he hung, still alive in the tree.
Hair or no hair, that is not the question--heart or no heart, is! Do you have a heart for God? Or do you have a greedy heart full of selfish desire? Are you like Absalom that through trickery, you will do whatever it takes to get what you want? Watch out don’t let your hair grow too long, and certainly watch out for Oak trees.
Father,
May you help me, to not be deceitful in my ways. Take away the greed that lies in wait for me to eye something, something material that I long for and feel I can’t live without. Show me I can live without it. Turn my eyes away from “ things” that are appealing, so I might see you more clearly.
