The Message That Could Have Saved Joab

639 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 20:10, “ But Amasa did not notice the sword that was in Joab's hand. And he struck him with it in the stomach, and his entrails poured out on the ground; and he did not strike him again. Thus he died. Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri. (2 Sam 20:10 This is the second time Joab has assassinated a rival. He also killed Abner, who had slain Joab's brother in self-defense. These slayings did not go unnoticed by David. On his deathbed he gave Solomon these instructions: 1Ki 2:5 "Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two commanders of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed. And he shed the blood of war in peacetime, and put the blood of war on his belt that was around his waist, and on his sandals that were on his feet. 6 "Therefore do according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray hair go down to the grave in peace. And Solomon didn't. When the time was right he came after Joab, who fled to the temple and grabbed on to the horns of the altar, thinking that the blood that was ceremoniously placed on the horns would spare him from judgment. This was true for sins committed in ignorance, but this was not the case for Joab. Both of his assassinations were per-meditated and he never expressed sorrow for them. And Ex 21:14 says, "But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die.” And that's exactly what Solomon did. While Joab may have been claiming ignorance, it simply wasn't the case. His acts were pre-meditated and never repented of. He never expressed godly sorrow for his sins. This is very important for us to remember. We all have sinned in the pursuit of ambition. We all have sinned in holding grudges against others. We all have sinned ignorantly and with pre-meditation. Don't go to your grave claiming ignorance, rather, admit it! You crucified Christ! God raised Him from the dead! Say your sorry! And follow Jesus! It seems rather simplistic, but that is the heart of the Gospel and the message of the church. It's the message that saves souls, and it's the message that could have saved Joab, had he believed it!