dear daddy, when will you become a man? [Cont’d]

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………… to a client’s office and Lagos traffic on the Motorway was unkind. He felt the jolt before he heard the bang. Another vehicle had run into his. The driver had been trying to force himself into the lane from the other lane.

Infuriated, he alighted to assess the damage. Just then, the other driver, a younger man in his twenties accosted him

“What were you doing, driving like a woman?”

Joshua stared at him in shock.

“Young man, you hit me and you want to shift blame?”

“I will hit you again if you keep driving like a scared woman on a highway” the younger man was insolent and his friends laughed

“Young man, you should apologise to him. You are clearly in the wrong” An onlooker from those who had gathered hissed

“You shut your trap. What do you know?” the younger man yelled. Again, his friends cackled

Joshua felt the anger rising

“I am in a hurry to a meeting. You would need to give me your Insurer’s details” Joshua walked towards him.

“Why don’t you get into my car and take it?” he taunted, planting himself in front of Joshua

And in that instant, Joshua saw an image of his father walking away from every confrontation. As the rage welled within him, he shoved the other man hard. Staggering, he landed backwards on his car and slid down.

It was all over within a few hours. The younger man was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. And that was how Joshua found himself in prison

“We have heard that the kings of Isreal are merciful. Come let us go to him maybe he will spare your life”

1 Kings 20:31

The Bond Servant

Furthermore, do you see yourself in Joshua’s dad? People think you weak, timid or even foolish? they take advantage of your kindness? Or probably like Joshua, you would rather be that dreaded person? The one known not to forgive a grievance? That one who believes God is too busy to help you settle a score? Team why wait for vengeance when I can take my revenge now?

This story is an adaptation from the Bible. The Isrealites were bound by God to obey his dictates. Unlike their neighbours. And their neighbours capitalised on this humane trait, taking advantage where they can.

While the Gibeonites took advantage of Joshua. The Syrians took advantage of Ahab. Yet, David even in war time was kind to an enemy who was in need.

Unfortunately, King Saul felt he was not bound by such niceties. He would give back more than he got so enemy territories would know not to mess with The House of Isreal. Consequently, that got a backlash from God.

Although Saul lost his life, the entire nation suffered the consequence of that break from Tradition. For three years, there was no rain in the land. Even after his death, seven of his sons were sacrificed to appease the land. And those who had no hand in his proving to be a man, paid for it.

Trust me, I know how foolish it makes you look. How frustrating when you know what you can do but cannot.

Finally, there is a time to play a fool and a time to draw the line. It takes discernment to know though.

I hope you have learnt something from this story?

The whole assembly grumbled against the leaders, ¹⁹ but all the leaders answered, “We have given them our oath by the Lord, the God of Israel, and w

Joshua 9