Eric
V. Snow 8-23-03 Sermonette Ann Arbor,
Michigan UCG
Over the years I’ve listened to at least three people in the church who were critical of King David’s high position in God’s sight. That is, they felt something like he was allowed to get away with actions we as Christians today wouldn’t be. How could a man who (say) engaged in polygamy or waged war or had Uriah the Hittite killed in order to cover up an adulterous pregnancy be a man after God’s own heart?
Is
this perspective legitimate? Are we
allowed to judge God for judging King David to be an especially righteous
man? Are we in a position to be able to
know King David’s heart, let alone anyone else’s besides our own?
S.P.S. So let’s consider why we shouldn’t think God
is being unfair to us when He says King David was an especially spiritual man.
Here
the problem of evil rears its ugly head.
Has many different variations, be wary of them. Normally about why (say) God allows famines,
earthquakes, cyclones, wars, etc., that kill thousands or millions of
people. Individualizing it, another
variation is to doubt God’s love for self when don’t get enough material
blessings in this life. Often raised so
people can discount God’s existence, and go out to do the evil THEY wish to do,
such as (say) fornication and adultery.
Concerning
King David, issue raised about God’s justice for the saved.
Acts
13:22
Now,
King David had a dubious record: Uriah
incident, cover up adultery with Bathsheba by having him murdered with the
connivance of Joab using the swords of the Ammonites. Waged war, was a bloody man, not allowed to build Temple. Had at least 8 wives and other women as
concubines. Took census when provoked
by Satan. Feigned loyalty to Achish, the
Philistine king of Gath, when would have had to fight vs. Israel. Had earlier faked madness to Achish also,
after he had first fled from Saul.
So
is this the record of a man after God’s own heart?
It’s
our job to live righteously and faithfully for God. We shouldn’t focus on what other people, in the church or in the
world, seem to be “getting away with” if they are abusing God’s grace. Let’s work on our own problems first, and
leave to God other people’s overall levels of righteousness.
Matt.
20:1-16, esp. vs. 12-15.
Likewise,
is it “fair” for God to offer the few called now the opportunity to be in the
First Resurrection, and most of the presently uncalled end up in the
Second? More trials now, but higher
position in the kingdom. Same with God
using Israel as a model nation for the world first, before using gentiles.
2. Progressive revelation: Polygamy, waging war examples. God doesn’t reveal all at once. David not held to same standard as we are
since we know more than him. Is that
unfair to him? Or unfair to us? Or both?
God doesn’t wish to overwhelm people all at once with the truth. Vs. Kant’s statement: “If the truth shall kill them, let them
die.”
3.
Do we really know David’s mental and spiritual state? Did he really repent? Did
he commit adultery again?
I
Samuel 16:6-7
Even
a spiritual man like Samuel blundered in this regard. Example: If Princess
Diana looked more average, like (well) Carmelia, would have England mourned her
passing so much? We’re so easily
blinded by physical beauty and appearances.
Great
rewards, greater temptations problem when have greater responsibilities. David’s sins all written down for world to
see, not concealed. Our sins not so
public! Consequences more public and
deadly also: Absalom’s revolt an
indirect consequence of mess with Bathsheba.
Had been too indulgent in family life.
Conclusion: We need to focus on solving our own
problems, not worrying about whether God is letting someone else “off” or
not. We need to realize that God
doesn’t reveal all at once to everyone, so we’re more responsible for knowing
more than King David did. We should
also be wary of thinking we know others’ spiritual status in God’s sight when
it involves matters of attitude and belief.
If God lets us all off for our sins, greater or lesser, who are we to
condemn God for His treatment of King David?