2 Samuel 13
Psalms 103&104
Consequences, Blessings or Curses
In Chapter 12 Nathan the prophet confronted David about his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband with a story of a rich man robbing a poor man of his only sheep. David responded to the story in anger saying that the rich man deserves to die.
Paul tells us in the book of Romans that the wages we earn when we sin is death. We think we are going to get what we want when we sin but even if we do it only lasts for a moment, but the consequences go on much longer. David did back away from his angry outburst and said that the law requires the rich man pay back four sheep for the one he took. When Nathan confronted David saying that David was the rich man in his story, I doubt David realized that the wages for his sins would cost him four sons even though he knew he would lose the baby conceived in his adultery with Bathsheba. David pronounced his own curse.
We read in Chapter 13 today of the death of Amnon, David’s first born, because of sin. In the chapters following we will read of the rebellion and death of the son next in line for the throne and later the fourth son is slain. For me these chapters are hard to read and they go on page after page, but that also emphasizes the point. Sin costs.
“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” Author unknown.
When Israel received the law God set before them blessings and curses. When they went into the Promised Land they were to recite these blessings and curses from the tops of two mountains as the people traveled through the valley below.
Today our reading also includes two Psalms. These Psalms, one written by David, speak of the sovereignty and blessings of God. As you are reading this study today try to picture that the life of David being portrayed before us on these pages is like the curses being recited from one mountain top. Picture these Psalms declaring the blessings coming from the other mountain and try to see yourself passing between the mountains in the valley between the blessings and curses as you travel through the land of promise. In so doing you will be letting the Old Testament give you a practical understanding of a spiritual principle that is taking place in your journey today.
Have a Blessed Journey!
Pastor Dave