Beware the Perpetrator

Scott Beyer
08/22/24 - Bulletin

“Then Amnon hated her with a very great hatred, for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her.” (2 Samuel 13:15)

If you have read the story of Amnon’s rape of Tamar in 2 Samuel 13 – you have realized that the Bible tells the dark history of man, not just the positive stuff.  Evil exists, and the scariest part about evil is that it feels justified in its evil.

Amnon felt justified when he violated Tamar because he “loved her” and was “so frustrated… he made himself ill” (2 Sam 13:1-2)  He also felt justified when he hated her afterward.  She had rejected his advances, and he felt justified in his hatred because of it.

At every step, Amnon saw himself as the hero or the victim… but never the perpetrator.

Beware self-justification and pride.  Dark things come from that road.

“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” (James 3:16)

This Week’s Reading: 2 Samuel 13-19; Psalm 34; Proverbs 3

This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

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