1 Cor. 10:12.......Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.......
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
His name appears in 151 verses of the Bible–an astonishing number. You can hardly find a failure among his military exploits. Every time he came up against an enemy, that enemy was driven from the field.
He was the nephew of King David. He and his brothers, Abishai and Asahel, served as military officers under their uncle. As a member of the extended royal family!
From his youth, he was taught God’s commandments, statutes and judgments, and he grew up learning the traditions, customs and practices taught by The Levitical Priesthood.
His name meant Jehovah is My Father … He had just as much a chance as any of Gods Children!!
Over time, He developed into a skillful leader, he often gave counsel to the king.
For example, he correctly advised King David not to number Israel, as he understood that nothing good would come from it (I Chron. 21:1-3).
After being promoted to Commanding General He went on to mount successful campaigns against the armies of Syria, Ammon and Edom.
When the Ammonites rebelled against Israel’s dominion (II Sam. 10:1-9), Under His command, they captured the city’s precious water supply, bringing Rabbah one step closer to capture.
But instead of leading the final attack himself, He advised King David to take over: 2 Sam. 12:28 “Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it: lest I take the city, and it be called after my name”. “He wasn't trying to build his own Kingdom”
“ One man can do a world of good for Humanity and Christianty if he honestly and sincerely does not care who gets the credit”
Joab was one of the ablest and one of the most capable men that ever lived. He was a man of great abilities. He never lost a battle, whether he fought against 1, 100 or 10,000; Joab never lost a battle. He was a Great Warrior!
In his whole life, all he did was in obedience to the will of his king, David. “As long as he agreed with it” He fought David's battles.
The beginning of His down fall Joab was a Man pleaser...only loyal as long as it benefitted him..... The man he pleased was himself….
He tried to sense David's heart. And he tried to minister to the great king. And he did it above any other man in the earth... The reason David was the king that he was and had the kingdom over which he reigned was because of the ability and the devotion of his soldiers namely one Joab... ( if we're not careful our skills will take us where our Character will not be able to keep us!)
He loved what he did But! his motives for what he did were questionable
Joab, as loyal as he was, as tactful as he was, as devoted as he was, as mighty as he was; Joab had blind spots of Bitterness, un-forgiveness and he lacked in his relationship with God and used his Gift of Warrior for his Own self Gain
Joabs life came to a brutal and tragic end.
Why?
Despite all his talents, abilities, training and even knowledge of God’s laws, Joab lacked one crucial component: God’s Spirit.
Without the power of God converting his mind, guiding his thoughts, and enabling him to build holy, righteous character, Joab relied upon himself.
Never do we read and Joab Sought God or Joab prayed, or Joab Worshipped...every Battle He Fought He won But you never read about Joab Seeking God or Thanking God….
Sometimes we can do ministry Business as usual But if its not by the anointing and Powerful leading of Gods Spirit we will end up getting in trouble…
The great skills, gifts and responsibilities he possessed convinced him that he was smart enough to direct his own life. And it did for awhile But it was Because of Davids Anointing God gave Him Victories Until He came against The King…… touch not mine anointed and do my Prophet no Harm!!!!!!
Joab was doing “just fine” in his own eyes. He saw no need for turning to God for help and guidance
Joab may have made certain correct decisions and had good intentions from time to time, but his pride, envy and selfish ambition—“spiritual poisons”—elevated him in his own mind, led him to rely upon himself, and caused him to produce the wrong kinds of fruit. Ultimately, this led to his downfall.
Joab witnessed the death of his brother,. Joab wanted revenge. When The King His Leader and Pastor forgave the killer of His brother…. Joab would not and instead developed an evil eye toward s his Leader… Joab Harbored Unforgiveness
Playing It Safe another problem that Joab had was that he played it safe when he should have stood for what was right If you dont stand for something you'll fall for anything!
When Bathsheba became pregnant with David’s child,
King David recalled Uriah from the front lines of Israel’s war against Ammon, and tried to get him to sleep with Bathsheba so that Uriah would be deceived into believing that the unborn child was his own. But the king’s plan backfired.
David, still unrepentant, sent Uriah back to the frontline, along with a sealed letter to Joab.
Joab was surprised by its message. In it, David ordered that Uriah be positioned at the forefront of the battle, where the fighting was heaviest—then Joab was to pull away the troops so that Uriah would be struck down and die.
Joab immediately realized that David had used Uriah—a loyal friend and servant—to unwittingly deliver his own death warrant!
Joab was faced with a life-or-death decision: Do the right thing and risk suffering the consequences for preventing a murder—or play it safe and allow an innocent man to die.
Joab played it safe.... Fearful of losing his Position
Leaders of true character and values are scarce! Sadly, like so many who wield power and authority in today’s world, Joab failed to “stand in the gap.” To stand for Righteousness….
Stubborn Disobedience
Craving power, Absalom King David's Son launched a military rebellion against his father, causing David to abandon Jerusalem and flee for his life. Joab played a pivotal role as the commander of David’s forces, eventually leading to Absalom’s defeat.But despite all that Absalom had done, David could not bring himself to harm his son. The king gave his soldiers strict orders that Absalom should not be killed.
Yet when a man reported that Absalom had been found alive, caught in a tree, Joab ordered Absalom’s execution (II Sam. 18:1-33).
Joab disobeyed his king,The evil eye he had towards King David the one God placed to be the head of His people.
Joab was Callous and Heartless and rebuked David for publicly mourning over Absalom, and, in one sense, he was correct in doing so. Public mourning over the death of a rebellious and murderous son would have set the wrong example for Israel.
Back when Israel wandered the wilderness, God commanded Aaron not to publicly mourn over the deaths of his rebellious sons Nadab and Abihu – Lev. 10:1-7.)
It might have also sent a mixed message, potentially causing the Israelites to feel guilty for supporting their king.
Joab may have given good counsel, but he did so in a callous, heartless manner.
David came to the point where he could no longer trust Joab. But removing his nephew from commanding Israel’s army was not easy, as Joab had used his talents and skills to gain much power and influence and gain a loyal following. Yet eventually the king did remove him from his lofty position.
Not one soldier dared to bring Joab to justice—a testimony to how powerful and influential he was
King David advised his son Solomon, just before his Death, to waste no time dealing with his cousin Joab.
He said, 1 kings 2:5-6 “Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet. Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoary head go down to the grave in peace”.
After the king’s death, Joab—relying upon human reasoning, as usual—supported David’s son Adonijah and his claim to the throne (1:7; 2:28). But Adonijah’s attempt to become king failed miserably, and those who supported him paid dearly for not backing King Solomon.
The name Joab means “The LORD is Father.” Yet, Joab failed to look to God for fatherly guidance and wisdom. He did not rely upon His Creator to direct his life.
Joab had been exposed to David’s unrighteous example, as well as his human weaknesses. Joab should have learned to “trust in the LORD with all his heart; and lean not on his own understanding. In all his ways acknowledge God and He would have directed his paths” (Prov. 3:5-6), and “Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil” (vs. 7). From the latter, he should have learned that even the most righteous servants of God must fight a lifelong battle against the pulls of human nature (II Cor. 10:3-6).
Though we are all responsible for or decisions... Without a doubt we can't avoid the part that King David played in Joabs demise.... It was the fruit of David's sin.......
HAD King David not sinned with Bathsheba and pulled Joab into it..... Sin begets Sin .... Like Shepherd like Sheep ..
Joab was the Fruit of David's favoritism towards his children David chose Family over The People that God chose Him to Protect....... letting them get away with Sin .... As leaders especially Pastors we must be very careful to not deal with Sin because of relationship, God is no Respecter or persons not even our Kids
David did and payed a Great price for it ... David's sin was the root cause for losing what would have been the Greatest of his Mighty men...
