Blinders Are Bad

“And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.” (2Sa 15:11 AV)

There was a small group of men who went with Absalom to Hebron on the pretext of a religious feast.  They went there believing they were participating in an offering and meal.  What they didn’t know is what was about to transpire.  Had they known, it is anyone’s guess if they would have gone.  It is implied they may not have.  These two hundred men were acquaintances of Absalom.  They were friends.  Perhaps not close friends.  But close enough to feel they should attend this feast.  It is implied by the statement above they were caught in a situation where they had to pick sides.  If they had never gone, then they would be able to remain neutral.  However, once they decided to go, returning while the rebellion grew would have made enemies towards Absalom of them.  If they remained, then they would have been required to be loyal.  Knowing the effect Absalom was having on the people and the current estrangement of Absalom from David, it had to dawn on them there might be an ulterior motive for Absalom to go to Hebron.  We may get caught in something, but it is our responsibility to get out of it.  Joseph did the same thing.  He was so unaware of his surroundings, it led to a false accusation and his imprisonment.

We have all gotten ourselves into these kinds of predicaments.  Before we know it, we have committed to something we shouldn’t have done.  We meant well.  We thought it was the right thing to do.  Years ago, I was caught between a rock and a hard place.  This couple wanted to bet married.  The groom was a recent graduate of Navy Recruit Training command (boot camp) and was on his way to his next school before going to his ship.  He only had the weekend to marry.  Then he would be off.  My pastor at the time wanted me to go ahead and marry them.  Being very green in the ministry, I felt a loyalty to my pastor.  What I wanted to do was to contact the parents to get their input.  They were not elated, but they didn’t forbid it either.  What do I do?  There was no time to adequately counsel them in premarital counseling.  All I could do was give them the materials to look through later.  I couldn’t tell you if it was the right or wrong thing to do.  They were both saved and their parents didn’t object – even though they didn’t support it either.  I was caught.

Naïveté only works a few times.  After a while, we cannot use that excuse any longer.  Just because we are asked to do something does not mean we are obligated to do it.  Failure to ask questions is our problem.  Failure to be a bit skeptical is our problem.  Failure of patience is our problem.  Failure to take one’s time and thoroughly examine before we commit is our problem.  Look before you leap.  Always question.  That is the failure here.  Sometimes, we want to think only the best of a situation.  We see it through those lenses.  We don’t want to see the downside.  Only the upside.  We don’t want to consider what we see may not be all there is to see.  We commit to something or someone without doing our due diligence to discern the wisdom of it.  These two hundred men went up to Hebron with Absalom and because they did, they were forced to make a decision they may not have been prepared to make.  We will never know.  Simplicity can be an excuse for only so long.  After a while, a bit of skepticism is in order.  Had these men taken their time and not been so quick to commit, the decision would not have made itself.