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MESSAGE TITLE:
“A City On The Brink: How One Wise Voice Saved Many”
DATE: 12/02/25
BY: EFFIONG ETOK – CARRIER OF GOD’S WORD
SCRIPTURE TEXT:
“Then a wise woman called from the city, ‘Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here so I can speak to him.'”
– 2 Samuel 20:16 (NIV)
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“A single voice of wisdom can silence the noise of destruction.”
MESSAGE
In 2 Samuel 20:16, a wise woman from Abel Beth Maacah called out to Joab, who was about to destroy her city in pursuit of Sheba, a rebel against King David. Instead of allowing destruction to consume the innocent, she stepped forward with wisdom and courage.
She had no weapons, no army, no political influence,-just wisdom. And that wisdom saved her city.
A City at Risk
The people inside the city were terrified. They had done nothing wrong, yet because of one man-just one man-hiding among them, their lives were at risk. One rebel’s actions endangered the whole city.
And then, she spoke.
A woman. Not a warrior. Not a king. Not a prophet.
Just… a woman.
A wise woman.
She did not carry a sword-she carried wisdom.
She did not speak with threats-she spoke with understanding.
She did not seek power—she sought peace.
And with a voice that trembled, yet did not break, she called out:
“Listen to me, Joab! Come closer so I may speak with you!” (2 Samuel 20:16)
Wisdom Over War
“Why will you destroy a city that has always been faithful to Israel? Why will you bring ruin to the innocent?”
And God was with her.
She negotiated, reasoned, and interceded-and Joab, the mighty warrior, the fierce commander, the ruthless leader-paused. He listened.
Had she remained silent, the city would have been destroyed. But because wisdom spoke, destruction stopped.
THE CRY OF THE WISE WILL ALWAYS BE LOUDER THAN THE ROAR OF WAR!
A Call to Wisdom Today
Beloved, how many wars are raging right now?
How many families are divided because no one is willing to speak wisdom?
How many churches suffer because pride silences understanding?
How many lives are broken because leadership struggles overshadow God’s will?
When leaders fight, the people suffer.
When pride rises, the innocent fall.
And yet, where are the wise?
Where are those who will stand in the gap, not to take sides, but to protect the innocent?
Where are the voices that will intercede, saying, “Lord, let destruction not consume the people?”
TODAY, WHO WILL SPEAK FOR THE FLOCK?
Who will be the voice of wisdom when leadership becomes a battleground?
Who will stand in the gap when the innocent are at risk?
It is easy to take sides.
It is easy to let emotions drive decisions.
It is easy to say, “Let the battle rage on!”
But wisdom does not choose war. Wisdom seeks peace.
Will You Be the Voice of Wisdom?
If conflict is raging around you-in your home, in your church, in your workplace…
Will you be a voice of wisdom?
Will you stand between destruction and the innocent, crying out for mercy?
Because Joab came to destroy, but wisdom stopped him.
The city was saved-not by strength, not by battle, not by war..but by one woman who chose to speak wisdom in a moment of crisis.
Today, God is calling for wise voices-for those who will rise above division, stand for peace, and intercede for the innocent.
Will you be that voice?
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me divine wisdom to be a voice of peace in times of conflict. Let my words carry authority, bringing reconciliation and not destruction, in Jesus’ mighty name. (James 1:5, Proverbs 11:14, Colossians 4:6)
2. O Lord, protect the innocent from the battles of the powerful. Let the flock not suffer because of leadership struggles. Raise up peacemakers in this generation-wise voices who will cry out and save the city. (Psalm 91:4, Matthew 5:9)
