Running Well

An odd situation occurred after Joab slew Absalom on the field of battle.  Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok and fleet of foot, offered to run to King David to tell him the news of the battle.  2 Samuel 18:20-21 reads, "And Joab said to him, "You shall not take the news this day, for you shall take the news another day. But today you shall take no news, because the king's son is dead." ²¹ Then Joab said to the Cushite, "Go, tell the king what you have seen." So the Cushite bowed himself to Joab and ran."  Joab said to a Cushite, an Ethiopian who was an eyewitness of what had occurred in the wood, to run and bring the message of the battle to King David at Mahanaim.

Ahimaaz was undeterred, despite lacking a message.  2 Samuel 18:22-23 says, "And Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said again to Joab, "But whatever happens, please let me also run after the Cushite." So Joab said, "Why will you run, my son, since you have no news ready?" ²³ "But whatever happens," he said, "let me run." So he said to him, "Run." Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain, and outran the Cushite."  The burning question is, why was Ahimaaz compelled to run when he had no message ready?  He did not give Joab an answer to his most sensible question.  Joab would have news for Ahimaaz to carry on another day, but he insisted he be permitted to run.  Perhaps the answer to his desire to run was borne out of his great ability shown by overtaking the Cushite.  The running prowess of Ahimaaz, however, served no practical purpose or service to his general or king because he went on his own accord.

I am reminded of what Paul wrote to the church in Galatians 5:7-8:  "You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? ⁸ This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you."  He complimented their quick start in following Jesus, yet at some point their efforts were misdirected because they were persuaded to run in a way contrary to Jesus Christ.  In their zeal to honour God they left the grace of the Gospel behind and returned to the bondage of the Law.  Their efforts estranged them from fellowship with Christ.  They submitted to circumcision, sought justification by the law and gloried in their flesh rather than faith in Jesus working through love.  Ahimaaz was persuaded by his own desire to run, and the Galatians were persuaded by legalistic believers to return to Law as a means of finding favour with God.  These examples show us we can be persuaded by what hinders us from obeying the truth.  Supposed good intentions are misguided if we will not submit to God.

The one who desires to proclaim good news needs to be an eyewitness and have a message ready.  The one who wants to run their race well must be led by the Holy Spirit and God's word.  Much effort and time is wasted and errors are made when we are persuaded by what hinders us from obedience.  Ahimaaz was a fast runner told by his king to stand aside, and the circumcised Galatians received no commendation for the cutting of their flesh because in doing so they coddled the flesh.   Galatians 5:25-26 exhorts us all, "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."  The race we run is to be enjoined at the pace Jesus sets for us, and He will always direct us righteously according to His good purposes.