But the king said, "What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD said to him, 'Curse David,' who can ask, 'Why do you do this?'" – 2 Samuel 16:10

Today's Scripture Reading (September 20, 2022): 2 Samuel 16

In our contemporary world, there seems to be an increasing temptation to exist in our echo chambers where everyone agrees with us and dissenting voices are never heard. Critics are all around us. I have my share. And sometimes, it is hard for us to listen to what they have to say. We are often too quick to discount their words. But listening to our critics is an important task. It is a way that we can see ourselves from the point of view of someone else and maybe make the changes in our lives that we need to make.

After the death of Jesus, the early Christian community was thrown into disarray. Even though Jesus had been resurrected on the third day, everything was still – different. It wasn't the same as it had been. The disciples had gone from being students of Jesus to being "Jesus with skin on" to the emerging Christian community.

And they had their critics. Sometimes the record seems to indicate that they were continually threatened with jail or some other kind of punishment. To say "continually" is likely an overstatement, but the disciples felt they were often under a threat of some sort. Once, while on trial, some wanted to kill some of Jesus's disciples until one man stepped up with an important observation.

But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God" (Acts 5:34-39).

It was good advice. If the apostles were false, God would deal with them. But if they are telling the truth, then there is nothing that those who opposed the disciples could do to fight against God.

David seems to have had a similar epiphany. David would listen to his critic, Shimei, and see if his words had some truth. But in the end, the King was quite willing to let God deal with Shimei and the rest of his critics. Ironically, if David had the personality of Shimei, he would have been killed. But luckily for Shimei, David proved that he was not the bloodthirsty man that Shimei expected him to be.

Today's Scripture Reading: Psalm 63