It's Complicated (S2): WK 4 - FRI
2 Samuel 12:7, 11-13
Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man!"
“This is what the LORD says: Because of what you have done, I will cause your own
household to rebel against you. I will give your wives to another man before your
very eyes, and he will go to bed with them in public view. You did it secretly, but I will
make this happen to you openly in the sight of all Israel.”
Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.”
Psalm 51:16-19
You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
Look with favor on Zion and help her;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit—
with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.
Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.
Before we move on from these troubling passages, there’s one more point to consider. The pages of scripture show that it is unrealistic to believe forgiveness and acceptance conveniently eliminate consequences. Engaging in sinful behavior threatens our relationship with God. Not because He will eventually forsake us or be unwilling to forgive, but because sin subtly drives us far enough away from salvation that we would no longer reach for the hand of Jesus. The Bible suggests that God won’t give up on us before we give up on Him. Our sins lead us to reject God, rather than the other way around.
The story of salvation throughout scripture shows that the effects of sin are destruction, suffering, and death. The same is true in David's life. He is forgiven, but his actions still carry consequences. I believe God has the power to intervene and administer punishment through divine action. However, if we examine closely, we see that most consequences occur organically. The ultimate example is Jesus on the cross, bearing our sins and suffering their effects. While some say Jesus’ suffering results from the angry hand of God’s vengeance, the Bible clearly indicates that God steps back and allows sin to take its natural course with His Son. That is why Jesus cries out, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34)
Another classic example that raises questions about the origins of consequences is the story of the Exodus and the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. Several passages say that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 7:3, 9:12), while others say that Pharaoh hardened his own heart against God (8:15, 8:32). The same author presents both perspectives. This is enlightening. The intersection of choices made available by God and those selected by Pharaoh results in the rejection of Yahweh. Pharaoh’s mind is set because God has given him the environment to cement his choice. Who is responsible for that outcome? Both are.
David has made numerous disastrous choices. They would, very naturally, affect his marriages, parentage, friendships, military leadership, direction of the country, and legacy without God doing much of anything. So, as we read today’s verses, it is fair to ask if God is making a punitive threat or announcing a cause-and-effect prophecy that starts with the words, “Because of what you have done.” (2 Samuel 12:11) This we know for sure: our sins have consequences that are difficult to bear—one more reason to ask God to grow us more and more like Jesus.
Finally, we seldom discuss the general effects of sin. The initial acts of rebellion set in motion deadly consequences that compound daily. The results of sin accumulate moment by moment and across generations, spinning uncontrollably like a buzz saw of destruction. Today, there is often no clear link between suffering and the sins that set it loose. A child is abused, or a drunk driver kills a family. The innocent often suffer while the guilty seem to escape.
Meanwhile, we debate what all of this means. Is God not loving? Or was He telling the truth when He warned that choosing to sin would bring death—pervasive, sometimes random death?
1. What is something you bought recently that you wanted to return? Were you able to
return it? Have you ever been stuck with a purchase that couldn’t be returned?
2. What is something you have done that set loose a series of negative consequences?
Have you received forgiveness for those actions?
3. How are you currently suffering from the “general effects of sin,” and how would you
like to cry out to God about it?
Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man!"
“This is what the LORD says: Because of what you have done, I will cause your own
household to rebel against you. I will give your wives to another man before your
very eyes, and he will go to bed with them in public view. You did it secretly, but I will
make this happen to you openly in the sight of all Israel.”
Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.”
Psalm 51:16-19
You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
Look with favor on Zion and help her;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit—
with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.
Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.
Before we move on from these troubling passages, there’s one more point to consider. The pages of scripture show that it is unrealistic to believe forgiveness and acceptance conveniently eliminate consequences. Engaging in sinful behavior threatens our relationship with God. Not because He will eventually forsake us or be unwilling to forgive, but because sin subtly drives us far enough away from salvation that we would no longer reach for the hand of Jesus. The Bible suggests that God won’t give up on us before we give up on Him. Our sins lead us to reject God, rather than the other way around.
The story of salvation throughout scripture shows that the effects of sin are destruction, suffering, and death. The same is true in David's life. He is forgiven, but his actions still carry consequences. I believe God has the power to intervene and administer punishment through divine action. However, if we examine closely, we see that most consequences occur organically. The ultimate example is Jesus on the cross, bearing our sins and suffering their effects. While some say Jesus’ suffering results from the angry hand of God’s vengeance, the Bible clearly indicates that God steps back and allows sin to take its natural course with His Son. That is why Jesus cries out, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34)
Another classic example that raises questions about the origins of consequences is the story of the Exodus and the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. Several passages say that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 7:3, 9:12), while others say that Pharaoh hardened his own heart against God (8:15, 8:32). The same author presents both perspectives. This is enlightening. The intersection of choices made available by God and those selected by Pharaoh results in the rejection of Yahweh. Pharaoh’s mind is set because God has given him the environment to cement his choice. Who is responsible for that outcome? Both are.
David has made numerous disastrous choices. They would, very naturally, affect his marriages, parentage, friendships, military leadership, direction of the country, and legacy without God doing much of anything. So, as we read today’s verses, it is fair to ask if God is making a punitive threat or announcing a cause-and-effect prophecy that starts with the words, “Because of what you have done.” (2 Samuel 12:11) This we know for sure: our sins have consequences that are difficult to bear—one more reason to ask God to grow us more and more like Jesus.
Finally, we seldom discuss the general effects of sin. The initial acts of rebellion set in motion deadly consequences that compound daily. The results of sin accumulate moment by moment and across generations, spinning uncontrollably like a buzz saw of destruction. Today, there is often no clear link between suffering and the sins that set it loose. A child is abused, or a drunk driver kills a family. The innocent often suffer while the guilty seem to escape.
Meanwhile, we debate what all of this means. Is God not loving? Or was He telling the truth when He warned that choosing to sin would bring death—pervasive, sometimes random death?
1. What is something you bought recently that you wanted to return? Were you able to
return it? Have you ever been stuck with a purchase that couldn’t be returned?
2. What is something you have done that set loose a series of negative consequences?
Have you received forgiveness for those actions?
3. How are you currently suffering from the “general effects of sin,” and how would you
like to cry out to God about it?
No Comments