To this point, the
portrayal of David as being similar to Pharoah, David’s removal as being
similar to Pharaoh’s loss of power over Israel, and Absalom’s exodus from his
own exile as akin to Israel’s exodus from Egypt under Moses, was effective, and
perhaps, knowing what is known about David, even appropriate. However, it
is at this point that Absalom, for some unknown reason, though he was receiving
advice to do this, departs from the epic narrative that he has been creating
for himself.
As one thinks back to
the story of Israel’s exodus, one thing that is not be found in that story is
Moses taking it upon himself to raise his hand against the one from whom Israel
was being delivered. Remember, Moses had attempted to start the
revolution in Egypt on behalf of Israel, with his killing of the Egyptian
taskmaster. This failed to accomplish the goal that Moses had in mind,
and he was sent into his own personal exile. When he returned, he was
gifted with the ability to lead an exodus that was peaceful, at least as it
related to the actions of the people. As has been seen, Absalom has
effectively mirrored this. Though he was not, as far as the story goes,
attempting to start a revolution through his killing of Amnon, it was that
killing that resulted in his own exile away from Jerusalem. It was during
that time, no doubt, that the seeds of a plan to take the throne began to
germinate, perhaps primarily because he was treated unjustly due to his execution
of justice.
Returning to the
exodus story then, it is clear that Israel conducted no demonstrations of
violence against Egypt. The Egyptians, on the other hand, experienced the
violent power of Israel’s God, which serves as a reminder of the fact that
Moses left it to the God of Israel to bring judgment and destruction in the way
that He saw fit. Then, after the death of the firstborn, which saw
Pharaoh finally relent from his stubborn stance and practically demand that
Israel depart from Egypt, the last thing Moses was going to do was turn around
and attempt to kill Pharaoh.
In that case, the
Creator God had already judged Pharaoh, so what good would that do? What
would that prove? Even after Pharaoh came out after Moses and Israel,
Moses did not send men to confront Pharaoh and his army. Rather, he
continued to trust the God that delivers to fight on behalf of His
people. Had Moses and Israel raised their hands against Egypt in any way,
things might have turned out quite differently, as it would have been an
indication that they did not fully trust that their covenant God was able to
rescue them from their foreign subjugation.
Absalom would have
been wise to heed this example. Instead, because he was convinced to
believe that it was incumbent upon him to go out after his father, he essentially
forsook the power of the Creator God to solidify his kingship and to carry out
His promises to David through Absalom. Israel did not turn back and fight
against Egypt, rather, they looked forward, preparing themselves to face the
enemies to come. Absalom should have done the same, looking forward as
well, in a spirit of thankfulness, rather than allowing for the entrance of a
spirit that has to be described as nothing more than vengeful. Had he not
been vindicated already? Had he not been exalted? Had Israel’s God
not fought his battles for him? Absalom should never have turned back so
as to bring further suffering on his deposed father. It is this that
would ultimately bring David vindication through suffering (with his own story
of exile to exodus), while bringing suffering to Absalom in the wake of what
had been his own vindication, and sending Absalom from exodus to exile.
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