Bible Reading: Psalm 53-55; Acts 27:26-44.
“For it was an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hide myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance” Psalm 55:12-13(KJV).
The above focal scripture was part of the Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son and was informed of his acquaintance Ahithophel joining forces with his son to overthrow him. This scripture applies in twofold: First as a reference of the betrayal of David by his bosom friend Ahithophel and secondly as a prophecy of the betrayal of Christ by His personal disciple and chosen Apostle Judas. Ahithophel is the father of Eliam who is the father of Bathsheba the wife of Uriah the Hittite that David eliminated. This action of David did not go down well with one of his closest friend Ahithophel who joined forces with Absalom to pay David back. Going through the whole of Psalm 55 you can feel the pain and deep hurt of David as he prayed to God against him and his action.
Ahithophel broke the covenant of intimacy and friendship which he had with David. Hear the words of David. David requested for judgment against Ahithophel for his betrayal in verse 15, “Let death seize upon them and let them go down quick into hell for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.” From verses 20 and 21 enumerated the five evil of betrayal as follows: 1. Refuse to live at peace with his neighbor, 2. He does not keep his word, 3. He is a liar, 4. He plots the destruction of an acquaintance and 5. He is a deceiver and a destroyer with his tongue. The pain of betrayal can be very troubling and excruciating. It is called back stabbing and can be very demoralizing. It is betrayal because the action is from a very close friend whom you have trusted and shared secrets with. He uses the secrets he knows about you to cause your hurt. Betrayal is a very terrible act that can lead to unsurmountable depression. This was what Julius Ceaser suffered in the hands of Brutus.
The second aspect of this scripture is its prophecy concerning the evil acts of Judas. Jesus knew that Judas was a betrayer, but He lived with it for prophecy to be fulfilled. In the case of Christ, it is more painful knowing and living with it. In the two instances both betrayers died the shameful death of committing suicide. In 2 Samuel 17:23(KJV) the bible says, “And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his house in order and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulcher of his father.” In like manner, the scripture said concerning Judas, “Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out” Acts 1:18 (KJV). What a shameful and dreadful end this two men had in answer to the prayer of David in deep agony. No betrayer ever goes unpunished.
In Proverbs 6:16-19 the preacher enumerated the six things God hates and the seventh which is an abomination unto God as follows: -1. A proud look, 2. A lying tongue, 3. Hands that shed innocent blood, 4.A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, 5. Feet that be swift in running to mischief, 6. A false witness that speaketh lies, and 7. He that soweth discord among brethren. These seven evils are all embedded in the act of betrayal.
My dear reader, you must of a necessity avoid any act of betrayal in your dealings because you will be working against God Almighty who will recompense your action of betrayal speedily. Jesus the Son of God was sent by God to pay the price of our sin, He was betrayed by one of His disciple in order to fulfill prophecy. Paul said “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward man.” Act 24:16(KJV). You can only achieve in Jesus Christ when you accept Him into your life as Lord and Saviour.
Prayer: Oh Lord, give me the grace to live with my conscience void of offence toward God and toward man.
Pastor Joel Ezeugo