Reading the Bible through with me? Then grab your pen and journal and read 2 Samuel 10-12. Many of you will be familiar with the story of David and Bathsheba. David looked, lusted, and lured Bathsheba into an affair while her husband was on a military deployment. The affair resulted in an unexpected pregnancy. David’s initial plan to cover his sin failed because of the integrity of Uriah. His second plan resulted in Uriah’s death and the deaths of several other soldiers at the hands of the Ammonites. But it was really David’s doing. Over the course of a few weeks, David plummeted from “a man after God’s heart” and became an adulterer, multiple-murderer, and hypocrite.
After an appropriate time of mourning for Uriah, Bathsheba moved into the palace where she received the best of care. For months, we see no indication of remorse or repentance on David’s part . . . until the old prophet, Nathan, arrived. When Nathan confronted David about his sins, David finally confessed. Nathan’s response was, “The Lord has taken away your sin; you will not die. HOWEVER, because you treated the Lord with such contempt in this matter, the son born to you will die.” Though God’s judgement seems cruel and callous, there are some important lessons to take from this event.
1) Every sin we commit towards others is really a sin against God. See 12:13
2) Though God is gracious and merciful, sin often brings painful and difficult consequences. See 12:14. As cruel as this punishment might seem, it reminds us that sin, even when finally confronted, confessed, and removed, bears consequences.
3) Those who genuinely love God and pursue obedience to His words still face the reality of the human sin nature. God’s New Testament gift of the Holy Spirit to those who follow Jesus is to help overpower the sin nature when temptation comes (I Corinthians 10:13). BUT when we fall into sin and refuse to confess and turn from that sin, the guilt will affect us spiritually, emotionally, and physically. When we do confess and turn, He forgives and makes us clean again (I John 1:9). However, the temporal, earthly consequences of our sin might still cause discomfort and pain.
It was David’s submission to Yahweh, including the punishments invoked, that led to his restoration and Yahweh blessing him and Bathsheba with the birth of Solomon. If you want to read a couple of David’s Psalms related to this event, read Psalms 32 and 51. These psalms reveal the physical effects of his guilty conscience and his spiritual, emotional, and physical healing in the wake of his humble confession and genuine repentance. Just remember that sin hurts. It hurts God, it often hurts the innocent, and it hurts us. Because of the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus, there is a pathway to restoration. Need help finding the pathway? PM me on Facebook or contact me at 843-538-1424.
