Bed, Bath, and Bathsheba - AWKWARD

Bed, Bath, and Bathsheba - AWKWARD

A King's Failure and a Call to True Kingdom Living

In this insightful Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, Matthew Vander Els delves into the often uncomfortable and deeply human story of King David and Bathsheba found in 2 Samuel chapter 11. This narrative, far from being a simple historical account, serves as a powerful illustration of the dangers of unchecked power, self-centeredness, and the stark contrast between worldly behavior and the principles of God's kingdom. The speaker encourages listeners to look beyond a superficial understanding of biblical figures and grapple with the complexities of their actions, drawing valuable lessons for contemporary Christian living.

The teaching begins by setting the scene: it's the time of year when kings typically go to war, but David remains in Jerusalem, relaxing in comfort. This seemingly small detail highlights a crucial flaw in David's posture – a willingness to live at the expense of others. This characteristic, the speaker notes, aligns with the description of the "beast" in Daniel 7 and Revelation, representing a humanity that has devolved into selfish pursuits rather than reflecting the image of God. While his army and servants are engaged in battle, David is indulging in leisure, setting the stage for his subsequent transgression.

The narrative unfolds with David arising from his couch late one afternoon and observing Bathsheba bathing from his rooftop. Consumed by her beauty, David inquires about her identity and discovers she is Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of his own mighty men who is currently away at war. Despite this knowledge, David sends messengers and takes Bathsheba to him, and he lies with her. The speaker emphasizes the power dynamics at play, labeling this act as akin to power rape, where David's authority is used to violate Bathsheba. The text offers no indication of wrongdoing on Bathsheba's part, focusing instead on David's selfish desires and abuse of his position.

After the encounter, Bathsheba returns home and later informs David that she is pregnant. Upon receiving this news, David immediately seeks to conceal his sin. His initial plan involves summoning Uriah back from the battlefield, hoping he will sleep with Bathsheba, thus masking the paternity of the child. However, Uriah, displaying remarkable loyalty to his fellow soldiers and the ark of the covenant, refuses to go home and enjoy domestic comforts while his comrades are at war. This unwavering commitment from a Hittite, a man of pagan heritage, serves as a stark contrast to David's self-serving actions.

Frustrated by Uriah's integrity, David resorts to deception and ultimately murder. He gets Uriah drunk in a further attempt to send him home, but when that fails, David sends a letter to Joab, the commander of his army, instructing him to place Uriah in the thick of battle and then withdraw, ensuring his death. David's calculated act to eliminate Uriah to cover his adultery reveals the depth of his descent into sin. Only after Uriah's death is Bathsheba mentioned again, lamenting the loss of her husband.

The narrative then shifts to divine intervention. God sends the prophet Nathan to confront David about his egregious actions. Nathan cleverly employs a parable about a rich man who steals and slaughters a poor man's beloved lamb to feed a traveler. This story evokes David's sense of justice and empathy, leading him to declare that the rich man deserves to die and should repay fourfold. It is in this moment of self-righteous indignation that Nathan delivers the powerful and convicting words: "You are the man".

This revelation forces David to confront the reality of his sin and the person he has become. The weight of his actions, his abuse of power, and his betrayal of Uriah and Bathsheba crashes down upon him. The speaker highlights this as an awkward moment – the jarring realization that the image one holds of oneself is drastically different from how the world perceives them. David's response is one of repentance, as expressed in Psalm 51: "I have sinned against the Lord."

The teaching also emphasizes the importance of not blaming Bathsheba for the events that transpired. The text itself lays the responsibility squarely on David's shoulders, detailing his actions and motivations. Furthermore, the inclusion of Bathsheba in Matthew's genealogy of Yeshua in the New Testament, referred to as "the mother of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife," serves as an intentional honoring of her, highlighting her connection to Uriah rather than solely to David's sin.

Drawing parallels to contemporary society, the speaker connects David's self-centeredness and the resulting division and harm to the current political climate. During election seasons, a sense of division and hostility often arises, where individuals quickly judge and label others based on their political affiliations. This creates an "us versus them" mentality, fueled by anger and contempt. The speaker cautions against this worldly tendency, reminding listeners that as followers of Yeshua, their primary citizenship is in heaven's kingdom. Regardless of earthly political outcomes, Christ remains King.

The core message of the teaching is a call to embody the characteristics of God's kingdom – love, graciousness, patience, kindness, mercy, and generosity. Just as a kingdom reflects its king, the community of believers should reflect the character of Yeshua. This means standing apart from the world's divisive and contemptuous behavior, especially during times of conflict and disagreement. The antidote to contempt is compassion and kindness. By choosing to respond with understanding and empathy, even towards those with whom we disagree, believers demonstrate their allegiance to a different kingdom with different values.

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Applications for Everyday Life

• Self-Reflection: Regularly examine your motivations and actions. Are you living at the expense of others for your own gain? Identify any selfish tendencies and seek to align your life with the principles of God's kingdom.
• Humility and Accountability: Be willing to acknowledge your shortcomings and take responsibility for your actions. Like David, recognizing your sin is the first step towards repentance and growth.
• Empathy and Compassion: Cultivate the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, even those who are different from you or with whom you disagree. Resist the urge to engage in contempt or condemnation.
• Loyalty and Integrity: Prioritize loyalty to God and His principles above personal comfort or gain. Let your integrity be evident in all your interactions, even when it is difficult.
• Kindness as a Witness: In a world often characterized by division and hostility, choose to respond with kindness and compassion. This counter-cultural behavior can be a powerful witness to the love of Christ.
• Resisting Worldly Influence: Be aware of the world's tendency to create division and foster contempt. Do not be swayed by these narratives, but instead, let your actions be guided by the values of God's kingdom.
• Responding to "Awkward Moments": When you or others experience embarrassing or difficult situations, choose to respond with kindness and support rather than judgment or ridicule. These moments can be opportunities for growth and demonstrating Christ's love.

References

• 2 Samuel 11
• Daniel 7
• Revelation

Recommended Reading

• Cringeworthy by Melissa Dahl

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