Join Digi Refera Airdrop Promo | CLICK HERE | for more

BITTERNESS IS DEADLY

Last week, I posted the part 1 of this message, which I titled “Bitterness and the prophetic ministry.”

I have titled this second part “Bitterness is deadly”.  Let me quickly remind us that our key scripture was as follows:

“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” (Hebrews 12:15)

I will start again by reiterating that bitterness is a dangerous and toxic (poisonous) emotion that gives a feeling of deep hatred and anger. It is very destructive and has the power to rob its victims of joy, peace of mind, good health, fulfilment and other good things of life.

The root cause of bitterness is unforgiveness. Failure to forgive those who offend us will lead to anger, hate and finally, bitterness. The only way to overcome bitterness is to forgive.

Are you offended? Please forgive for your own good.

Today’s teaching will focus on bitterness brought a serious curse into the family of Joab, the captain of the Israeli army during the reign of King David.

Who was Joab?

Joab was captain of the Israeli army in those days when David reigned as King over Israel(2 Samuel 8:16; 1 Chronicles 11:6; 18:14-15).

 According to the Bible, Joab had two brothers, Abishai and Asahel. In those days, there was war between the house of King Saul and that of David. On one hand, was a man called Abner who was a captain of the army of Israel loyal to king Saul. On the other hand was Joab the captain of the army under David.

During that period, Asahel, Joab’s brother was killed by Abner in combat. So many years after the battle was over, King Saul had died and David had become the king of Israel, he made peace with Abner. But Joab refused to forgive Abner. So he killed him in an ambush against David’s wishes.

Let us see what really happened.

2 Samuel 3 vs. 22 – 25:

“Then the servants of David came with Joab from a raid and brought a great quantity of spoil with them; but Abner was not with David at Hebron, because David had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. When Joab and all the army that was with him arrived, they told Joab, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he has gone in peace.” Then Joab came to the king and said, “What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you; why did you send him away, so that he is already gone? You know Abner the son of Ner, that he [only] came to deceive you [with flattering words] and to learn of your going out and coming in, and to find out what you are doing.”

Those were the words of Joab to King David when he learnt that the King had made peace with Abner, his sworn enemy. The words Joab spoke to the King concerning Abner were hateful words born out of a bitter spirit. How often do we speak ill of people we hate?

Though Abner fought the people of David during which period he killed Asahel, Joab’s brother; it is important to note that Joab and his men killed more of Abner’s men than Abner and his men did to Joab’s men.

In 2 Samuel 2 vs. 30 –  31, the Bible recorded that during that battle, Joab lost only 20 men including his brother Asahel. Meanwhile,  the same Joab and his men killed 360 Bejaminites, that is, Abner’s men. But it would appear that Joab’s brother Asahel was more important the 360 men of Abner he and his men slaughtered.

In the process of time, Abner forgave Joab and forgave King David and thought it wise to make peace with them. In reaction, King David forgave Abner and made peace with him which displeased Joab. Why? He was bitter because he did not bring himself to a place where he could forgive Abner.

Let me say that this story is a very good example of the harm bitterness can do in the life of people who find it difficult to forgive others.

Based on the bitterness which had filled his heart against Abner, Joab would not accept the peace pact that the King had signed with Abner. That would lead to his rebellion against the King. He killed Abner and that would lead to King David placing a curse upon Joab and his entire father’s house.

2 Samuel 3 vs. 26 – 27:

“When Joab left David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David knew nothing [about Joab’s action]. So when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside to the middle of the gate to speak to him privately, and there he struck Abner in the abdomen so that he died, to avenge the blood of Asahel, Joab’s brother.”

Joab killed Abner for killing his brother Asahel. That was an incident of so many years ago. What was at play here? The spirit of unforgiveness.

Simply put, Joab refused to forgive Abner for killing his brother Asahel. Over the years he became bitter because of his inability to forgive the man who killed his brother.

Note that it was the bitterness in Joab’s heart that made him kill Abner. Bitterness which was given birth to by the spirit unforgiveness which reigned supreme in Joan’s life.

Joab refused to to forgive Abner. He killed him. He however did not think of the consequences of his action having been consumed by the spirit of bitterness. Consequently, the King cursed him and his father’s house.

2 Samuel 3 vs. 28 – 30: 

“Afterward, when David heard of it, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the Lord of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. Let the guilt fall on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house (family); and may there never disappear from the house of Joab one who suffers with a discharge or one who is a leper or one who walks with a crutch [being unfit for war], or one who falls by the sword, or one who lacks food.” So Joab and Abishai his brother murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.”

Please consider the last verse(30):

 “So Joab and Abishai his brother murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.”

Take note that Joab and Abishai his brother murdered Abner because of bitterness which was created by their refusal to forgive him for killing their brother, Asahel.

One can see clearly that Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner for killing their brother, Asahel.

Now let us consider the consequence of their action.

The curse:

“I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the Lord of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. Let the guilt fall on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house (family); and may there never disappear from the house of Joab one who suffers with a discharge or one who is a leper or one who walks with a crutch [being unfit for war], or one who falls by the sword, or one who lacks food.”

That was the curse they brought upon their father’s house for failing to forgive someone who wrong them several years ago.

One thing I will not fail to tell you here is that the curse David declared that day would for ever remain in the house of Joab’s father except deliverance took place in that family.

That means that because of Joab and Abishai’s refusal to forgive, they brought a curse upon everyone in the family. Even children who would be born generations after would also be affected by the curse.

That is a good example of what is called, “Generational curse” which is worrying a lot people today. Many are suffering for the sins of their fathers which only the Blood of Jesus Christ can wash away after genuine repentance had taken place.

Remember what is written lamentations 5 vs 7. “Our ancestors sinned and are no more, and we bear their punishment.”( NIV).

“Our ancestors sinned, but they have died–and we are suffering the punishment they deserved!” (New Living Translation).

So, you can see how the sin of Joab brought a generational curse into his father’s family, all because he was bitter with someone who killed his brother.