Day5
Week18
2 Samuel
“Then Amnon hated her greatly, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Get up, go away.” She said to him, “No, because this great offense of dismissing me is worse than the other which you did to me.” But he refused to listen to her. He called his personal servant and said, “Send this woman out from me, and secure the door behind her.” Now she was wearing a long robe, because the virgin daughters of the king were clothed in such garments. So his servant put her out and secured the door behind her. So Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the long robe that she was wearing. She put her hand on her head and left, wailing as she went. Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? Keep silent for now, my sister. He is your brother. Do not take this thing to heart.” So Tamar stayed in the house of Absalom, her brother, a desolate woman.”
2 Samuel 13:15-20 MEV
Cross references
Genesis 37:3;
Judges 5:30;
Joshua 7:6;
Jeremiah 2:37
The Hamster Wheel
This story is very disturbing and upsetting. It is however, a great lesson for us to the hamster wheel of sin from generation to generation.
Our decisions do not only affect us.
David had been on the hamster wheel of sin and ultimately committed murder and used his power to cover it up.
Now this pattern of sin has fallen on his offspring.
Jesus has given us grace to hop off the hamster wheel by way of His sacrifice on the cross. Once we receive it, we must continue with Him and be careful not to hop back on.
Our God is faithful and just. Even in this story He has restored Tamar by way of her testimony.
Tamar lived desolate, but her testimony does not end in desolation. Tamar’s voice of wisdom and outrage continues to speak today. The biblical writers have honored and preserved her voice for those willing to listen. She offers life-giving sustenance through her words of wisdom and her outrage against evil. Tamar confronts evil with truth and speaks with authority on behalf of the narrator and the laws and wisdom of Israel. The narrator validates Tamar’s voice and bears witness to the multidimensional violence, consequences, and devastation of rape. Amnon represents godless foolishness, while Tamar represents godly wisdom.
Action Step
“And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:5 MEV
What we place our hope in influences our ability to endure difficult times. If we cling to something that is taken from us, our lives will crumble.
What does placing your hope in God mean to you. Share whatever comes to mind with God. Share with the group.
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