Lesson Four

A REBELLIOUS SON

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Memory Verse: Exodus 20:12
Further Study: 2 Samuel 13:28-20:26; Patriarchs and Prophets, 728-745; The Bible Story, vol. 4, pp. 103-111

Do you remember ever reading Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day to your children? Alexander, the main character, has a day where nothing seems to go right. 

Alexander, the main character, has a day where nothing seems to go right.  Recently my daughter had her own “Alexander” experience, but not for a day, for weeks.

Recently my daughter had her own “Alexander” experience, but not for a day, for weeks. She called me the other day with yet another “things-gone-wrong” experience. As her mom, I cheered from the sidelines, but it didn’t change the fact that the waves continued to roll or that she felt like the waves were winning. There’s a point when if knocked down again and again, one questions why you should even try getting up anymore.

There’s a point when if knocked down again and again, one questions why you should even try getting up anymore.

David had his own version of a bad day, but it went to a whole new level. David’s oldest son, Amnon, raped his half-sister. The second son, Absalom, killed Amnon, then betrayed his father by leading a rebellion, which eventually forced David out of his own city. While David was leaving, someone threw rocks and hurled curses in his direction. An army of his own people sought his life. Finally, Absalom, the son he dearly loved, died. 

This should be the place where I write about hope and redemption. An angel shows up or the clouds part or an amazing miracle happens. But, interestingly, this isn’t one of those feel-good Bible stories. Bad things happened and as we discover, they continued.

This isn’t one of those feel-good Bible stories. Bad things happened and as we discover, they continued. 

But don’t stop reading! There is a lesson—two, in fact. The first has to do with what David did. He “refreshed” himself (2 Sam. 16:14) meaning he rested, ate, and drank. He also accepted counsel and got to work organizing his troops. Sometimes it’s the most basic functions that sustain us during bad times. Sleep keeps your mind alert and encouraged. So does eating a balanced diet. Making sure you’re hydrated is surprisingly helpful. Listening, instead of protesting, and returning to work may seem odd prescriptions, but they bring stability and prevent us from poor decisions.

Ellen White adds yet another element—David sang, specifically Psalm 3. Singing praise songs won’t change what is happening, but often it’s all we can do. It enables us to turn and walk toward the light.

Singing praise songs won’t change what is happening, but often it’s all we can do. 

The second lesson is a bit sobering. This unfortunate series of events were direct consequences related to David’s sin with Bathsheba. This cause-and-effect experience is what makes this lesson particularly difficult. Living in a sinful world will bring bad days, weeks, or longer. It’s part of the Christian walk. But yielding to temptation will guarantee a downhill slide into darkness that may be hard to escape.

Having a bad day? Sing. Pray. Eat. Return to work.

Having a bad day? Sing. Pray. Eat. Rest. Return to work. Turn from temptation, go toward the light, and be renewed.

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Digging Deeper 

We’ve had several Bible stories thus far of wayward sons. Absalom is added to that list. It’s a reason to pause and consider parenting the strong-willed child or the child who’s especially handsome or beautiful. Both types of children can be challenging. The first is due to their desire to do things their own way and the second because people are drawn to them, which can cause them to become arrogant or conceited.

The Bible says, “train up a child in the way he should go” (Prov. 22:6). This can only happen when parents are prayerful, consistent, and when needed, firm. David was an overly indulgent father. When the sin occurred with Bathsheba, even though he was forgiven, it caused him to question almost everything he did, making him less judgmental, and therefore overly permissive. It affected his family and most of his children struggled as adults not only in their honor to their father, but to God.

Each day, as Abraham did with Isaac, figuratively place your child(ren) on the altar. Give them to God and pray for patience, wisdom, and discernment. A firm and consistent hand, led by God will guide you in raising children fit for His service.

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Making it Real

I’m guessing something will happen this week that is irritating. Someone will do something from your perspective that seems unreasonable and maybe more than once. Take this week and sing! Here’s a children’s song that isn’t sung much anymore. Try it out for family worship!

Sing and Smile and Pray*

Sing the clouds away, night will turn to day;
If you sing and sing and sing, You’ll sing the clouds away.

Smile the clouds away, night will turn to day;
If you smile and smile and smile, You’ll smile the clouds away.

Pray the clouds away, Pray and pray and pray;
Night will turn to day, No matter what they say.

Sing and smile and pray, that’s the only way!
If you sing and smile and pray, You’ll drive the clouds away.

 

Written by Virgil and Blanche Brocks, 1934

*Don’t know the tune? Check out this Youtube video. It’s an oldie, but goodie! www.youtube.com/watch?v=hes7TagMGpU.

 

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Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being the grandmother of two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus.

 

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