Standing and Sent

After Joab and David's men routed Absalom and his army, the biblical narrative shares an insightful interaction between the general and Ahimaaz.  2 Samuel 18:19-21 reads, "Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, "Let me run now and take the news to the king, how the LORD has avenged him of his enemies." ²⁰ 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."  Ahimaaz was keen to run to the king with news, but Joab sent a Cushite (a man of Ethiopia) who was an eyewitness of the events of the day.  The Cushite was obviously a trustworthy man and well-spoken, for Joab did not put words in his mouth or coach him at all.

Ahimaaz, however, would not be deterred.  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."  Ahimaaz continued to pester Joab to allow him to run as well--even though he was not sent with a message.  Joab questioned Ahimaaz why he would run without news, yet this did not matter to Ahimaaz.  He was good at running, and thus he wanted to run.  Joab finally allowed Ahimaaz to run, and it seems he was not behind the Cushite before long because he took a short cut across the plain and passed him.  It wasn't a race, and Ahimaaz was given no news, yet he wanted to be first.

The watchman saw a man running at a distance by himself, and then a second runner came into view.  2 Samuel 18:27 tells us, "So the watchman said, "I think the running of the first is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok." And the king said, "He is a good man, and comes with good news."  Like Jehu who drove his chariot with a distinctive, furious style, so the running style of Ahimaaz was known to the watchman so he recognised his running gait long before his face was distinguishable.  2 Samuel 18:28-30 states, "And Ahimaaz called out and said to the king, "All is well!" Then he bowed down with his face to the earth before the king, and said, "Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king!" ²⁹ The king said, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" Ahimaaz answered, "When Joab sent the king's servant and me your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I did not know what it was about." ³⁰ And the king said, "Turn aside and stand here." So he turned aside and stood still."  Though Ahimaaz ran well, he lacked knowledge to answer the one question asked by his king.  Ahimaaz claimed to have been sent by Joab (when it was Ahimaaz who insisted he run), and ironically ran all that way to expose his own ignorance before his king he wanted to impress.  David told Ahimaaz to stand aside, seeing he had nothing of importance to say.

2 Samuel 18:31-33 reads, "Just then the Cushite came, and the Cushite said, "There is good news, my lord the king! For the LORD has avenged you this day of all those who rose against you." ³² And the king said to the Cushite, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" So the Cushite answered, "May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise against you to do harm, be like that young man!" ³³ Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept...".  We are never told the name of the Cushite, but having been sent as an eye-witness of what took place that day, he masterfully held forth truth that moved David to tears.  Ahimaaz had a reputation and distinct style as a runner but lacked substance as a messenger.  The contrast between Ahimaaz and the Cushite is an illustration of the word of the LORD through the prophet Jeremiah which is relevant for us today.

Though the nation had forsaken God, there were false prophets who spoke a "vision of their own heart" and not from the mouth of the LORD.  They promised peace when God intended to bring judgment upon His people for their wickedness.  God said in Jeremiah 23:21-22, "I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. ²² But if they had stood in My counsel, and had caused My people to hear My words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings."  There are many self-proclaimed prophets who claim to speak for God, and they can be recognised by their television programs, stage presence and best-selling books.  Genuine prophets can be popular, like John the Baptist was.  But the point is, it is possible for charismatic and gifted speakers to prophecy a vision of their own heart without a message from God--like Ahimaaz who was intent on running when he had no message from Joab.  Rather than running to speak at a conference or write a book without a message from God, they ought to have stood in His counsel and spoken forth God's word.

This is an important principle to take to heart in Christian ministry, whether we are recognised for our style of speaking like Ahimaaz was known for running or like the Cushite who was unknown and remains nameless.  It may be our role is to preach a sermon every week, lead Bible studies and speak at conferences on a regular basis.  Let us be intentional to stand in God's counsel and cause people to hear God's words--not the vision of our hearts.  As eye witnesses of our great God, let us examine our hearts and motives to ensure we have been sent by God and He has spoken to us words we have received before we run to speak to others.  Ahimaaz never answered the question why he wanted to run so badly when he didn't have a message, and the same question could have been posed to the false prophets in Jeremiah's day.  It is a question best left unanswered if we are unwilling to give an honest answer.

Let us be those who stand in God's counsel, and when He sends us to deliver His message may we run our race with joy.  I would rather stand in God's counsel rather than God telling me to stand aside because my words lack substance.