Real Acceptance, No Pawns

2Samuel 19:41

41Soon all the men of Israel were coming to the king and saying to him, "Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, steal the king away and bring him and his household across the Jordan, together with all his men?"

There's nothing like wanting to be recognized or associated with someone high profile that brings out jealousy. This attitude however can be deadly as it proved to be later. Going back to Genesis, Isaac, the promise of Abraham and Sarah had two sons, Jacob and Esau. Jacob out of jealousy and his mother's prompting, tricked Esau and stole his birthright. Jacob was later tricked. The woman he was in love with and wanted to marry, Rachael, was held from him and while he was intoxicated and in the dark of the night his father in law, Laban, brought to him Rachel's older sister Leah. He had to wait another seven years to marry the woman his heart longed for. Between Rachel and Leah, Jacob had twelve sons. The sons became the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. Two of those tribes were Benjamin and Judah. King Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin and at the time of this scripture King Saul and his entire household had already been killed as was prophesied by Samuel. King David had become ruler and he was from the tribe of Judah.  Why all the background? Because it puts in perspective the jealousy taking place. The tribe of Benjamin lost their ruler due to his disobedience. So they felt they needed to be associated with King David since the LORD replaced Saul with David. Those that were associated with the same tribe as David were the ones who actually ensured the safe travel of the royal family across the waters of the Jordan. The tribe of Benjamin approached the tribe of Judah about it. Well one emerged from the tribe of Benjamin and ignited the problem even further. He declared that since the tribe of Judah wanted to lay claim to the King, then the Benjamin tribe should not follow the leadership of the king. Bitterness was still present and then it led to jealousy.  In the middle of all this David played favorites in his own army and it led to the death of one while in pursuit of the man who rebelled against King David. The lesson, remember who you are in Christ regardless of anyone's position or status. Remembering who Christ created you to be is the way for you to keep out of the bitterness, jealousy and anger over wanting to be recognized. The main reason for it is simply wanting to be loved and accepted. When you know Christ loves and accepts you, being played as a pawn isn't necessary, nor groveling for the sake of false love. Real acceptance and love does not require any of what took place. As a leader, it is better to treat everyone as equals. It's what keeps jealousy and bitterness at bay. Treat others as you want to be treated. You always reap what you sow as is God's law.

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