It's Complicated (S2): WK 3 - THU
2 Samuel 11:14-21
So the next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and gave it to Uriah to deliver. The letter
instructed Joab, “Station Uriah on the front lines where the battle is fiercest. Then
pull back so that he will be killed.” So Joab assigned Uriah to a spot close to the city
wall where he knew the enemy’s strongest men were fighting. And when the enemy
soldiers came out of the city to fight, Uriah the Hittite was killed along with several
other Israelite soldiers.
Then Joab sent a battle report to David. He told his messenger, “Report all the news of the
battle to the king. But he might get angry and ask, ‘Why did the troops go so close to
the city? Didn’t they know there would be shooting from the walls? Wasn’t Abimelech
son of Gideon killed at Thebez by a woman who threw a millstone down on him from
the wall? Why would you get so close to the wall?’ Then tell him, ‘Uriah the Hittite
was killed, too.’”
Psalm 32:8-10
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.
Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the LORD’S unfailing love
surrounds the man who trusts in him.
In the course of our story, David has moved far from being the heroic good guy. His cover-up is in full effect as Uriah dies in battle alongside his fellow soldiers. Maybe the king will get away with it.
David is not in the movie frame as Uriah falls. In fact, he is miles away, engaged in plausible deniability. Here is a scary truth: the deeper we go in our sin, the more likely we are to draw others into a compromise along with us. Sin spreads wider, not just deeper. In this part of our story, Joab has been tasked with a horrific deed. Whether or not he feels free to argue or refuse is unclear. But, in short order, he is imposing his own strategic spin on the plans, ensuring their success.
This principle is reliable. When we compromise our character, we inevitably plant seeds of rebellion in others. Parents, our lack of integrity fosters habits of hypocrisy in our children. When our stories involve gossip and rumors, our friends often join in to tear down our targets. Business owners or team leaders, it shouldn’t surprise us when employees start to shade the truth about finances if they see the same behavior in us. Sometimes by invitation, often by example, our weaknesses become contagious.
The good news is that there's something infectious about gentleness, kindness, and following Jesus as well. In a world filled with terrible acts and chaos, a loving, steady character stands out in bold relief. There are really only two choices: moving toward Jesus or away from Him. When we choose to move toward Jesus, it often inspires others to do the same.
1. Is there someone you can mimic or imitate? Who is it? What famous person would you
like to be able to impersonate?
2. Who are two mentors you admire? How have they influenced your life?
3. What habit would you like to break? What would you want to say to Jesus about it?
So the next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and gave it to Uriah to deliver. The letter
instructed Joab, “Station Uriah on the front lines where the battle is fiercest. Then
pull back so that he will be killed.” So Joab assigned Uriah to a spot close to the city
wall where he knew the enemy’s strongest men were fighting. And when the enemy
soldiers came out of the city to fight, Uriah the Hittite was killed along with several
other Israelite soldiers.
Then Joab sent a battle report to David. He told his messenger, “Report all the news of the
battle to the king. But he might get angry and ask, ‘Why did the troops go so close to
the city? Didn’t they know there would be shooting from the walls? Wasn’t Abimelech
son of Gideon killed at Thebez by a woman who threw a millstone down on him from
the wall? Why would you get so close to the wall?’ Then tell him, ‘Uriah the Hittite
was killed, too.’”
Psalm 32:8-10
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.
Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the LORD’S unfailing love
surrounds the man who trusts in him.
In the course of our story, David has moved far from being the heroic good guy. His cover-up is in full effect as Uriah dies in battle alongside his fellow soldiers. Maybe the king will get away with it.
David is not in the movie frame as Uriah falls. In fact, he is miles away, engaged in plausible deniability. Here is a scary truth: the deeper we go in our sin, the more likely we are to draw others into a compromise along with us. Sin spreads wider, not just deeper. In this part of our story, Joab has been tasked with a horrific deed. Whether or not he feels free to argue or refuse is unclear. But, in short order, he is imposing his own strategic spin on the plans, ensuring their success.
This principle is reliable. When we compromise our character, we inevitably plant seeds of rebellion in others. Parents, our lack of integrity fosters habits of hypocrisy in our children. When our stories involve gossip and rumors, our friends often join in to tear down our targets. Business owners or team leaders, it shouldn’t surprise us when employees start to shade the truth about finances if they see the same behavior in us. Sometimes by invitation, often by example, our weaknesses become contagious.
The good news is that there's something infectious about gentleness, kindness, and following Jesus as well. In a world filled with terrible acts and chaos, a loving, steady character stands out in bold relief. There are really only two choices: moving toward Jesus or away from Him. When we choose to move toward Jesus, it often inspires others to do the same.
1. Is there someone you can mimic or imitate? Who is it? What famous person would you
like to be able to impersonate?
2. Who are two mentors you admire? How have they influenced your life?
3. What habit would you like to break? What would you want to say to Jesus about it?
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