Why did you despise the Word of the Lord?

Why did you despise the Word of the Lord?

Goshen

Study led by Brother Daniel/ 4/11/11

2 Samuel 12, Psalm 51,

Our study on Friday was focused on the event where the prophet Nathan confronted King David and cleverly exposed to him the serious error of his sin via a carefully crafted story. Nathan told King David the story of a rich man with many lambs who took a poor man’s only lamb, leaving him nothing. King David responded in anger to the injustice but was shocked when Nathan told him “You are that man”. King David repented and was forgiven, but his sin still had terrible consequences on him and his family. In Psalm 51, we also see a very deep insight into the repentant heart of King David as he cries out to God for forgiveness and mercy.

Lessons from the study:-

·      Sin has terrible consequences, not only for one person, but for the future generations to come. Nathan’s first prophecy “the sword will never depart from your house”, came true, when David’s son Absalom killed his brother Amnon and was later killed himself by Joab. Later, King Solomon also ordered the death of Adonjiah. Counting Bathsheba’s first son with King David, four of King David’s sons died prematurely. As in David’s own words, he paid for his sin literally “four times over” (vs.6). Nathan’s second prophecy (vs.11-12) –“Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel” came true when Absalom under the advise of Ahitophel, slept with David’s concubines in broad daylight to shame his father David. It is also interesting that Ahitophel could possibly have been Bathsheba’s grandfather (2 Samuel 23:34,11:3)

·      What was the purpose of Nathan speaking to David via a parable and not denounce him directly? David thus far, had shown himself to be a brutal king, a man of war, and such direct confrontation could easily mean a swift death for Nathan. More likely though, Nathan’s parable led David to view the situation from a more objective, third party view. Otherwise, he probably would have thought up some excuse or reason for his actions. Why is it difficult for people to be objective? Pride is a big factor. We just don’t like to be wrong and be vulnerable to judgment from others.

·      How is God’s mercy and judgment revealed in this story? On one hand, David’s sin was severely punished, and the consequences suffered by both himself, especially in the affair of Absalom and his family. On the other hand, the Lord was merciful in still being with David, and delivering him from all his troubles. Later, God showed his supreme grace in allowing David’s son with Bathsheba, Solomon, become the greatest and wisest king of his time. David himself was spared for a specific purpose for God had s destiny for him.

·      What is the difference between brokenness and broken-hearted? Here we revisited the important point brought out by Pastor Lee Choo that brokenness is an attitude towards God while broken-heartedness is an attitude towards self. Broken-heartedness comes as a result of disappointment in a failed dream – a boy-girl relationship that did not work out, a sportsman who trained his best but could not win, an entrepreneur who had great business ideas but failed, a couple who bought a dream home that was destroyed in an earthquake. The focus is on self and can easily lead to self-pity, depression or worse. Brokenness, on the other hand is coming before God in utter humility, knowing full well our depraved sinful state as a sinner, and hoping for the Lord to accept us and help us for we know we are helpless and lost on our own. It is like the tax collector who beat his chest before God and cried “Have mercy on me, a sinner”. It is brokenness that enables us to come close to God. As Jesus declared in the Beatitudes “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth”. In Psalm 51, we see this brokenness in David’s words “Have mercy on me O God”, “My sin is always before me”, hide your face from my sins”, “do not cast me from your presence”. David recognized the depths of his sins and repented before God, humbly asking for help. Even in his sin, he desired to be forgiven, to return to fellowship with God, to have a pure heart and a steadfast spirit. We have to be careful not to lose that in our relationship with God. Once we become complacent and think we are righteous, pride comes in, and we begin to drift further away from God. We cannot be 100% perfect as long as live in this world, but as we come humbly before God often, we become more and more holy, more and more like Jesus.

·      Although David hurt Uriah by his adultery and murder, Nathan said that by sinning, David was “despising the word of the Lord”, and showing “utter contempt for the Lord”. When we know what is sin yet purposely go into it, we are despising the word of the Lord and showing contempt for the Lord. Strong words indeed. We must never treat sin flippantly but recognize that willful sin insults the Lord. That’s why we need that heart of brokenness to truly desire for a new heart that hates sin but seeks to please the Lord.

·      When Bathsheba gave birth to Solomon, the Lord loved him and sent word through Nathan to name his Jedidiah which means beloved of the Lord. How precious is our Lord who loves us though we are sinners. Praise His Holy name!