Freedom is not a Justification for Moral Failure

Synopsis     2Sam 11:21-12:2     12/12/2018 

On King David’s command, Joab positioned Uriah the Hittite so that he would be killed in battle. When Uriah died, Joab sent a report to David via a messenger. David tended to interpret any Israelite loss of life as a sign of God’s disfavor. So, Joab cautioned the messenger that David might respond to the report with anger.  And so, he told the man to specifically report to the king that Uriah the Hittite was killed in combat.  

The messenger delivered the report to the king. And when he did, he was careful to specifically mention that Uriah the Hittite had died. King David received the news with unusual grace. Unexpectedly, he told the messenger to encourage Joab.  

For her part, Bathsheba mourned the loss of her husband. After her mourning officially ended, David took her as his wife. And so, when the time came, she bore David a son. 

Is the King Above the Law? 

In accordance with the law, David’s crime was punishable by death. But his crime was also a personal betrayal against a faithful man. Even more than that, it could be seen as a betrayal of the entire army. Should his sin have become known, David could have lost his kingdom and his life.  

And this led him to murder Uriah. He formed a conspiracy with Joab. And on David’s orders, Joab allowed the Ammonites to kill Uriah. Under the law, this was another crime that required the death penalty.  

By his actions, David made the kingship above the law. Yet, he could not have known the disastrous consequences of his failure.  

Do Not Use Your Freedom To Justify Moral Failure 

As a Christ-follower, I say that I am not under the law. And this is true. By virtue of Jesus’ sacrifice, I’m no longer subject to the law of sin and death.  

But what hasn’t changed – what can never change – is that my moral failures prevent me from entering into the full possibility of my life.

“A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit.” Psalm 51:12