Forgiveness and Reconciliation

2 Samuel 14:25-33
    25 Now in all Israel there was no one who was praised as much as Absalom for his good looks. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 26 And when he cut the hair of his head—at the end of every year he cut it because it was heavy on him—when he cut it, he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels according to the king's standard. 27 To Absalom were born three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a woman of beautiful appearance.
    28 And Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, but did not see the king's face. 29 Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. And when he sent again the second time, he would not come. 30 So he said to his servants, “See, Joab's field is near mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire.” And Absalom's servants set the field on fire.
    31 Then Joab arose and came to Absalom's house, and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?”  32 And Absalom answered Joab, “Look, I sent to you, saying, ‘Come here, so that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still.” ’ Now therefore, let me see the king's face; but if there is iniquity in me, let him execute me.”
    33 So Joab went to the king and told him. And when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king. Then the king kissed Absalom.

Forgiveness and reconciliation are not always instantaneous.  True forgiveness takes time to heal past wounds, and here required an attention getting act to move reconciliation along.  To be brought back from banishment at Joab’s insistence, only to have Absalom’s father not acknowledge his presence displayed a partial forgiveness at best; David still refused to come to see him or invite him to be seen.  A rash and destructive act got Joab’s attention after asking Joab to come mediate a couple times.  He set Joab’s fields ablaze.  That got things moving, and then Joab must have realized that he had initiated the reconciliation to save Absalom’s life and restore David’s son to him by bringing him back.  Joab finally told the king, and David called for his son to come see him at last.  This forgiveness and reconciliation took time to heal the wounds of the murder of the rapist son and forgive the perpetrator enough to not take vengeance.  Son and father were together, but what lasting effects did the hesitation to reconcile and reunite have?  This is a lesson for us to not let the day end before seeking forgiveness when we wrong another, or forgive those who have sinned against us (Ephesians 4:26, Matthew 6:12-14, Mark 11:25-26), remembering that He forgives our sin (1 John 1:9) as well.  We then can learn from David and Absalom to forgive more quickly and reconcile sooner to avoid further harm.