“During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King’s Valley as a monument to himself, for he thought, “I have no son to carry on the memory of my name.” He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day.” (2 Samuel 18:18, NIV)
Absalom was the Son of David, King of Israel. To catch you up to this point in the story, David had many sons with many wives and they weren’t all the best kids. As David declined in years, his son Absalom declared himself King (in his father’s stead…while his Dad was still alive). Naturally, a Civil War erupts and Absalom is killed. The verse above is something of an epitaph…the narrator’s reflection on the life and legacy of Absalom.
As a man, Absalom was strong; he was a leader; he was attractive and wealthy and wise. But he was also self-absorbed. Like many in the Ancient World (and many in our world), he gave quite a lot of thought to his legacy. He thought to himself, “I have no son to carry on the memory of my name.” This is complicated (a bit) by the fact that earlier the writer tells us that he had three sons and one daughter (2 Samuel 14:27). Whether these children were born before his statement (and died) or after, I’m not sure it makes much difference. Because ultimately, Absalom didn’t really care about his kids. Just as he didn’t really care about his Kingdom.
Absalom’s pillar is a monument to a sad and failed life. And it speaks to the state that so many of us find ourselves in today. We build monuments for ourselves in all kinds of ways – our words on social media, our careers, our heaped-up wealth…you name it. But our world has this tendency of inviting us to build monuments rather than invest in people…to erect pillars and not establish relationships.
Given everything that’s happening in our nation and our world, I think it’s all the more reason to spend your time and energy on what actually matters. On one occasion, Jesus’ disciples asked him to explain what the end of the age would be like. It’s worth reading his explanation in full, but I want to highlight something very specific he says, ““Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:12–13, NIV)
The love of most will grow cold. That just seems to resonate with me when I look around right now. There’s so much outright rage and hatred. But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Friends – you can stand firm with Jesus. You can stand firm on the foundation of his Word and with his Spirit. You can stand firm in resolutely loving the people around you. You can stand firm in any and every area of your life because as Isaiah shares with us: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, NIV)
Know that I’m praying for you and with you. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to reach out and let me know!
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