Scandalous
Read 2nd Samuel 11, 12 and Psalm 51.
This is the story of David, Uriah, Bathsheba and the prophet Nathan.
David has proven himself as a man after God's heart. He is different than Saul before him. David is patient, loves God, and has proven to be an excellent leader who helps his people to trust God.
But, at some point, David got used to being King, to making life-and-death decisions about people's lives. David got a little too comfortable with being the most powerful man in the nation. David lusts after a woman who is not his wife. While her husband is off fighting in one of his battles, David seduces and impregnates her. David attempts to cover this up but fails to do so. He decides to have Uriah killed instead. Apparently, David did not see anything wrong with his behaviour. After all, he was King and could do as he pleased, right?
So God sent Nathan, a prophet, to tell David a made-up story. It was a brilliant story. David took the bait and passed judgment on the man from the story. And then Nathan said, "You are the man!" God caused David to pass judgment on himself!
I've only told you a part of the story to whet your appetite. I hope you take some time this weekend to read about this scandalous event in the life of David. As you read, ponder these questions:
Do you think God uses the judgments we pass on others back on ourselves? Do you think David's confession and repentance were authentic (read Psalm 51)? What do you observe in David's response when he is confronted with his sin? What do you think about how God dealt with David? We have witnessed so many cover-ups when influential leaders fall. God is not interested in covering this scandal up; He exposes it. Does that reveal His heart to you about His love for those who have been victims?
