Matthew 5:23-24 "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering."
Amnon had greatly hurt his family. He had allowed his lust to get the better of him, luring him to commit incest by raping his sister, Tamar - 2 Samuel 13. After his sin, he pretended nothing had happened, and went about his business as usual.
What we have to realise in life is that no man is an island, and that our actions have ripple effects. When you steal from someone, you create a sense of loss and maybe, even need, for the person. When you insult someone or speak harshly, you could cause emotional scars that may take ages to heal, and affect other relations. We should not behave like Amnon, acting selfishly, and not caring a hoot how any other person is affected or feels about it.
Most especially, as children of God, there are certain behaviours that are beneath us. When Amnon tried to sleep with his sister Tamar, she warned him - “No, my brother!” she said to him. “Don’t force me! Such a thing should not be done in Israel! Don’t do this wicked thing. What about me? Where could I get rid of my disgrace? And what about you? You would be like one of the wicked fools in Israel. Please speak to the king; he will not keep me from being married to you.” But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her.
Though a lot was at stake, King David was furious and yet seemed to have turned a blind eye to this atrocity. So did Absalom who never uttered a word about the ill done to his sister- And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad; he hated Amnon because he had disgraced his sister Tamar.
As Christians, what we do not confront can in the end overwhelm us, destroying us in the process. Most especially if we do not confront offences and hurt. For two solid years, Absalom did not confront the issue. He never spoke to his brother Amnon about it, nor took his grievances to his father, King David. He harboured bitterness until it nurtured into thoughts of murder, and progressed into an act of murder.
Amnon on the other hand did not also confront his sin. He lived in the deception that all was well in spite of his cruel act. Amnon knew that what he had done had certainly displeased certain members of his family and society, and yet chose pride and deceit. We must not wallow in unforgiveness, pride and bitterness, as these make our offerings to God unacceptable.
Unforgiveness, pride and bitterness are evil roots that dispel the presence of God. Let us confront the issues that need confronting, either in person or through prayer, lest these cause harm to our lives and shipwreck our faith.
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