“And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way of the gate. And when any man had a dispute to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, “From what city are you?” And when he said, “Your servant is of such and such a tribe in Israel,” Absalom would say to him, “See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man designated by the king to hear you.” Then Absalom would say, “Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man with a dispute or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice.””
Going through this passage today I could not help but reflect on the way that Absalom setup his rebellion. All it took was a brash show with his chariots and a smooth tongue. It is not possible that every single person with a dispute who approached him had ‘good and right claims’, but that is what they wanted to hear. He essentially setup a proxy kingdom right under his father’s nose and then promised to uphold the judgements in favor of all those who approached him.
This is similar to how the devil (and man by proxy) acts in rebellion. So much of this world is setup as a kingdom apart from God. We all, in our own ways, claim to want justice, but really we just want to be told that we are right and just. So often we claim that God does not hear our claims to justice but in reality, we lack patience, commitment to make the necessary sacrifices, or simply refuse to accept the things that God has instituted. Instead, we lift up people and ideals that tell us what our itching ears and selfish hearts desire. This is pride, the chief of the seven deadly sins, and it is sweet poison.
Father, help us to put away our pride. Help us to humble ourselves in our own hearts, so that we do not fall into temptation in this way. Instead, help us to trust in your provision, and act as your spirit moves us to love others, our enemies and neighbors, as you have called us to. Help us to search out our own hearts and reveal to us the places where we need growth and forgiveness. We need truths that stir us to love, repentance and faith, not comforting lies that boost our egos. I pray that you would guide us as we humbly seek out Your truth, Your spirit, and Your way.