2 Samuel 12:5-12 – Contempt of God
David responds to the story as he should. But he doesn’t yet see that it’s about him. He’s indignant that someone else would do this – but he can’t see that he’s done things far worse. In fact his religious indignation in vs 5 and 6 is almost sickening. David can talk about God, he can quote God’s law, and yet all the while he’s living with hidden sin, which is actually far worse than what the rich man in the story has done. But even though there’s an element of hypocrisy, David’s indignation is genuine. It’s at that precise moment that Nathan pronounces some of the most dramatic words in all the Bible: ‘You are the man’.
In verses 7 and 8 God reminds David of all that he’d given him. Then God spells out exactly what he’d done. David hadn’t just done bad things, but he’d hurt people – people made in God’s image. But that’s not even the worst of it. The worst part of his sin is that he has despised God. By his sins, David wasn’t just showing contempt for what God had given him. He was showing contempt for God. In this chapter God exposes David’s sin for what it really is. And he exposes the sin of His people for what it really is. It’s contempt of God. Yes we might blame other people. We might blame our circumstances. But really our sin is contempt of God. Yes for David, and for us as well – our sin will bring consequences. But what should really cut us to the heart isn’t its consequences – but the contempt that we’ve shown for God.
God in his grace still exposes our sin. We want to hide away in the darkness, but he wants to shine his light on us, so that our sin can be exposed – and dealt with. He does that with his word. What does that look like? Well it might look like sitting through a sermon. Perhaps nobody else realises. Maybe the preacher himself doesn’t realise. But something that’s said cuts you to the heart. Or perhaps it’s an open and honest conversation with a friend. Or a visit from the elders to discuss an issue that has arisen. These are things we naturally want to run from. By nature, we resent them. But actually, it’s only because he is loving and gracious that God comes after us. While he’s still pursuing us, there’s hope. But once he leaves us to our sin, then we know we’re in trouble.
Question
- What was David’s greatest sin here?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for God’s Word and the light it shines on our lives.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.