My Faith

Synopsis     2Sam 15:37-16:8     01/04/2018 

As Absalom approached, David continued to manage the evacuation of Jerusalem from just outside the city.  

While there, he encountered Ziba. Although David had dispossessed him, Ziba had come out with provisions for David and his army. Ziba had recognized the opportunity to help David might also be an opportunity to help himself. And so he mentioned that Meribaal had remained behind hoping that the House of Saul would be restored in the northern tribes. David was incensed and reversed his earlier decision – giving the land back to Ziba.  

As David and the royal guard followed behind the rest of the army, a Benjamite named Shimei came out and mocked David. And even though Shimei mocked him with contemptuous disrespect, David did not rebuke him.  

Ziba’s Faith 

Ziba was a Benjamite and a near relative of Saul. Somehow, he had taken control of most of Saul’s land holdings. When David inquired if anyone of Jonathan’s children had survived, he discovered that Meribaal was alive. And so, David took all of Ziba’s possessions and gave them to the rightful heir. He also commanded that Ziba manage the holdings for Meribaal.  

Now Ziba saw David in trouble. And rather than spitefully rejoice in his difficulty, he saw an opportunity. He thought to himself, “If I help David and infer Meribaal’s disloyalty, then perhaps I can get the land back”.  

And so, Ziba bet on David. He gambled, believing that David would win back the throne. Accordingly, he approached David in his hour of deepest distress and offered help. Accordingly, David restored him to ownership of the land.  

My Faith 

In the gospel of Luke, we receive the perplexing parable concerning the unjust steward. Jesus described a man who lost his job. Realizing he was about to be terminated, the man used his master’s receivables account in order to enrich himself. 

We are the “children of light” – those who have been born again. And while we live in this world, we recognize that we have a dual citizenship. We are children of light. We are, at the very least, provisional citizens of the communion of saints. But we are also in this world. And though “not of this world”, my reality is that I have to deal with the synthetic political community where I find myself.   

So, use wisdom to produce value. Do it even if the primary consumer isn’t yet recognized as a child of light.  

 

“For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light” Luke 16:8