someone who knows the title
Contents
♡♥♡ Someone who knows the place / 2 Sam 17:27-29
*** Introduction
One spring day before the American Civil War, a boy named Jim was looking for work on a man named Taylor's large farm in Ohio. The owner, Mr. Taylor, gave the boy Jim a job. Jim did a good job diligently during the summer, preparing firewood and caring for cattle. Jim Boy ate in the kitchen and slept in the hay shed. Less than a year later, Jim fell in love with the daughter of his owner, Mr. Taylor.
However, in insulting remarks, the owner cut it coldly, saying, 'I cannot marry my daughter to someone who has no money, no name, no prospects like you.' Without a word, Jim took his belongings and left the farm.
Thirty years have passed. The farmer, Mr. Taylor, demolished the hay shed and built a new facility. But in the corner where the boy Jim slept, there was a place where Jim had his first and last name carved on a pillar. The name engraved on it was James A. That name was the name of the President of the United States at the time. Garfield was born in Orange County, Ohio, and became the 20th President of the United States in 1881.
When you hear this story, don't you think, 'I'm sorry'? 'If only I had changed my mind a little... ' I regret to say.
Because people do not know the future like this, they choose and make decisions based on their own thoughts and judgment. Christian wisdom shines through this. This is because we do not depend on our own judgment, which we do not know even an inch ahead, but on God who rules the world. True wisdom comes from the fear of God.
However, in today's text, it is not such a pity, but a story that stands out for its wise judgment and choice. The text records the names of three men who helped David and his army when he was in crisis. They are Sobi, Machir, and Barzillai. In particular, Barzillai was also called ‘Barzillai,’ and he was an old Gileadite and a denial. Although this man was a Gentile, he made a good choice, received favor from David, and went down in history as a good person. This time, we would like to take a look at the 'wise man who knows his place', focusing on Barzillai, who was David's favorite.
Basilai was an old man of 80 years old, and he was also an Ammonite, a Gentile. But I chose the good path with good judgment. Under the circumstances at the time, it would not have been easy to choose that path.
Let's take a look at the situation at the time.
When Basilai helped David, David's third son Absalom rebelled against David. David was driven out because of his son's rebellion and fled to Mahanaim. This 'Mahanaim' is a natural fortress east of the Jordan and has been a refuge for many. Absalom deliberately won the hearts of the people for several years, and one day he proclaimed himself ‘King’. Almost all the people supported Absalom. Absalom had won the hearts of the people with his appearance and popularity and betrayed his father.
David, who hastily fled from Absalom’s rebellion, and his followers were very tired. At that time, there were people who did good deeds for David and his companions. They were Sobi, Machir, and Basilai of the Ammonites. They provided washing, shelter and food for David and his companions who were weary and hungry on the way to escape. Their hospitality was very hospitable and plentiful.
Wouldn't it be so easy to do good to a loser? In 2 Samuel 16:5-8, when David was fleeing with his companions, there were people who cursed David saying, “The time is now.” People get busy when times get cluttered. We weigh which side is stronger and lean towards the stronger side. Without looking too far, we can look at our current political world.
However, David was already on the leaning side in every way. Helping a leaning force is certainly an adventure. Because it can be harmed by emerging powers. However, Barzillai did not make such a calculation and did good to David and the others who were in a difficult situation. Look at verse 29. “… This is because we thought, ‘The people will be hungry, weary, and thirsty in the field.’” They record the motives for helping David and his companions. This represents the correct values of Basilai, and that was the place of his life.
A believer must have the right view of life and faith centered on God, regardless of the circumstances of the times or his or her own profit or loss. Values that change according to the fashion of the world or faith that drifts to and fro with the passage of time will never receive God's grace. There are those who hesitate between God and the world, those who falter between wealth and faith, those who hesitate between their own plans and the will of God. He said he would never respond to double-minded people.
1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always diligent in the work of the Lord. For you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” On what should I stand firm and not be shaken? Let's look at Colossians 1:23. “If you abide in the faith and stand firm on the foundation, unless you falter in the hope of the gospel you have heard of. … ” he said. There is the prophet ‘Balaam’, who was eventually killed because his faith was shaken because of material things.
However, Christians are not greedy and deceived by worldly things from the beginning. At first, they have a simple hope in the faith that depends on God, but gradually they become greedy according to need and eventually fall into it.
There is an interesting story told by the Indian saint ‘Baba Haridas’ to his disciples.
A man lived alone in the forest with nothing. Then one day, a friend gave me a copy of the temple and went. The man read the book every day. One day, when I saw that a mouse had shot a book, I got a cat to chase the mouse away. But when they needed milk to feed their cats, they raised cows. Then he could not take care of these animals by himself. After thinking about it, I found a woman to look after the cows. Over the years I spent in the woods, a large house, a wife, two children, a herd of cats, cows, and miscellaneous goods were prepared.
Then I got worried. I looked back on how happy I was when I was living alone with nothing. Now instead of thinking of God, he thought of his wife and children, cows and cats. As he meditated deeply on how he had come to be like this, he sighed when he realized that a single book had caused such an absurd situation.
This saint wanted to teach his disciples how great the results of one possession and attachment to it can be.
Vasillai treated David and his companions the same way he had lived all his life. This makes it clear that he was someone who knew his place. There is work to back up this fact. 2 Samuel 19:31-39 records what happened when David returned from the rebellion of Absalom.
David did not forget Basilai, who helped him in his time of crisis. David wanted to leave Basilai in the royal palace so that he could spend his last years in peace. But Vasilai never refused and recommended a man named Kim Ham in his place. It is not clear who ‘Kim Ham’ is, but it is believed to be the son of Vasilai. This indicates that Vasillai knows where to stay.
No matter the age of the East and the West, how many people would hate the glory of wealth and power? Vasilai was the kind of person who did what he had to do without expecting anything in return. He was never swayed by worldly winds. In Luke 17:7-10, the Lord taught the “servant attitude” and said as a conclusion.
“In the same way, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We just did what we were supposed to do.’ Let it be.”
If there are many people like Basilae in our society, it will taste better. Let us give this flavor to this age. I pray that you will become a saint who will receive praise and fame from God by not being moved by the winds of the world and silently maintaining the position given to you until the Lord comes.