The Eddie Haskel of the Bible

541- Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 13:30-33, “And it came to pass, while they were on the way, that news came to David, saying, "Absalom has killed all the king's sons, and not one of them is left!" 31 So the king arose and tore his garments and lay on the ground, and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn. 32 Then Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David's brother, answered and said, "Let not my lord suppose they have killed all the young men, the king's sons, for only Amnon is dead. For by the command of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. 33 "Now therefore, let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead. For only Amnon is dead." ( 2 Sam 13:30-33) Well, look who we have here. David's nephew Jonadab shows up again in the story. This guy is like the Eddie Haskel of the Bible. Eddie was the guy in the old TV show, Leave It To Beaver, who was always Mr nice guy around the adults but the big instigator of trouble when their backs were turned. If you recall our first meeting with Jonadab in 2Sa 13:3, he was described as a friend of the now deceased Amnon and very “crafty.” It was Jonadab who crafted the plan for Amnon that led to the rape of Absalom's sister. How is it that he is the only one privy to Absalom's plan to kill Amnon? How can he confidently tell the king that his other sons weren't harmed? This guy knew what side his bread was buttered on and played it to the hilt. Given his track record of scheming, it wouldn't surprise me if he was not the one who gave Absalom the plan for killing Amnon! Somehow Jonadab escapes suspicion in all of this and he remains unscathed, and I think this is a very important lesson for all of us. Jonadab escaped the scrutiny of Amnon, Absalom, and David, but the Holy Spirit brings him into the story at these opportune times to remind us that Jonadab did not escape the scrutiny of God!. Job 31:4 reminds us, “Does He (God) not see my ways, And count all my steps?”And in Ps 33:13-15, “The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. 14 From the place of His dwelling He looks On all the inhabitants of the earth; 15 He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works. Eddie Haskel, didn't get away with anything, Jonadab didn't get away with anything, and neither will you and I. Are only hope to escape our sins which have been under the scrutiny of God is to put on Christ through faith in the Gospel. Father, thank You for Your watchful eye.