June 8, Day 159 – You Are the Man!
- Dr. Eric Stricker
- Jun 8
- 3 min read
We come now to 2 Samuel 11-12, and we see David’s great sin. In the past, we have addressed the compounding nature of sin. Nowhere is this problem better illustrated than here in 2 Samuel 11, where we see that, “in the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and with the whole Israelite army … but David remained in Jerusalem” (verse 1). Notice how this sin began and then how it progressed: “David saw Bathsheba bathing; he sent for her; and he slept with her” (verses 2-5). We recall from our readings in Judges that this is quite similar to what Achan did. He saw, he coveted, and he took what was not rightfully his, and for this, Achan was put to death. But notice also how the sin compounds itself: “The woman sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant” (verse 5). It gets worse, as David sent for her husband, Uriah; then David intended but failed to cover up his sin; subsequently involved Joab by duplicity, and then, finally, murdered Uriah (verses 6-21). We see here that even great believers – like David – are not immune to committing sin, to perpetrating deeper evil, and to carrying out cruel, violent acts. Sin is so insidious and deceptive that it leads us to commit selfish acts of jealousy, theft, adultery, and even murder. Then, to lie about it, cover it up, and to say indifferently, “the sword devours one as well as another” (verse 25) is monstrous. These were all David’s sins, and we see that “the thing David had done displeased the LORD” (verse 27). In chapter 12, we see that God uses Nathan the prophet boldly to address these compounded sins head-on: “You are the man!” (verse 7). The consequences of David’s sin will be long-lasting. How long? God tells David, “The sword will never depart from your house …” (verse 10). Although David confesses his sin (verse 13), and the child dies, nevertheless, this is only the beginning of David’s long line of consequences for his sins. How desperately we need to heed the Scriptures! Before the chapter ends, we see the birth of Solomon to Bathsheba and then the capture of Rabbah – the citadel of the Ammonites.
Psalm 71 can be divided into three sections that encourage us to engage in each of the following postures for our lives – [1] prayer (verses 1-4); [2] patience (verses 5-6); and [3] praise (verses 7-8). Verses 1, 3, and 7 reveal to us that God is a “Refuge;” He is a Place where we can find safety, security, shelter, protection, and care – away from “those who are evil and cruel” (verse 4). We live in a world – in a total environment – that is surrounded by horrible evil and cruelty. But our God is a “Rock” and a “Fortress” to Whom we can always go, and He will provide “deliverance” from these evils (verse 4). I am so thankful for the truth of this Psalm, and because of it, we have an obligation to “praise” God and “declare His splendor” (verse 8).
In Acts 4:1-22, we see how “evil and cruelty” carry out their treachery. Peter, who was “filled with the Holy Spirit, said to the rulers and elders, ‘we are being called to account today for an act of kindness …’” (verse 8). This incident begs the question, “why would anyone want to prevent any “acts of kindness?” (verses 8-17). They helped and healed a crippled man. What’s wrong with that? Of course, the correct answer is “nothing,” yet, this is the twisted world in which we live. Such conduct is especially true in our culture today. People face persecution, arrest, and prosecution for righteousness and doing good, and it is shameful. Peter and John realized this opportunity to communicate a clear message about Jesus Christ – “Salvation is found in no one else” (verse 12). And what did the Sanhedrin do? They said, “We’ve got to stop this thing from spreading” (verse 17), but they understood that “everybody knows they have done an outstanding miracle” (verse 16). Finally, “because all the people were praising God” (verse 21), “they let them go.” Peter and John also recognized their obligation to praise God when they stated, “We cannot help speaking about” Him (verse 20). That’s how things should be.
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