“By this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme,” 2 Samuel 12:14.
These words were spoken of David and gave the reason for the many troubles that came upon him following his wicked liaison with Bathsheba and the evil steps he took to conceal his wickedness.
2 Samuel chapter 11 records the sad tale of man’s, even a good man’s, propensity to depart from God!
David’s sin has caused the Lord to be blasphemed for some 3000 years and it will continue to be until the end of time.
I recall back some 45 years ago in the early 1980s, I visited an elderly man who was unsaved but who had loved ones praying for him. I called one evening and when I raised the subject of salvation through Christ, he referred to David’s sin. He asked how anyone could give any credence to ‘being saved’ when David acted like that?
That began a most earnest exchange which lasted quite some time! I recall thinking to myself about midway through the discussion that the matter had become so serious and indeed heated, that I could not back down now without conceding ‘defeat’! So I pressed on in my seeking to refute the idea that David’s sin gave grounds for doubting the reality of salvation by faith in Christ’s atoning blood.
The atmosphere did change and, became calmer and, I can say, more friendly. In the end, as I prepared to take my departure, the old man accompanied me to the end of his lane where my car was parked and I believe we parted friends.
I am most happy to say that that old man is in heaven, for sometime later, as his life was ending, he indicated to his family how he had called upon the Lord for mercy.
It is but one example of how the sin of a good man like David, who has fallen, can be used by the devil as a hindrance to sinners believing the gospel.
Ammo for the devil
The sins of God’s people have ever been a means of the devil mocking, sneering and blaspheming the Lord.
I am sure that there was much derisive laughter around Jerusalem following Peter’s repeated denials of the Saviour (Luke 22:54-62). And that laughter would have increased and swelled at the cowardly actions of all His disciples. “But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled,” Matthew 26:56.
That was not the ultimate the Saviour suffered by way of disparagement.
The Sin-Bearer
In the mystery of God’s eternal purpose of redemption, His Son offered Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of His elect. In so doing, Christ suffered utter rejection by His Father on the cross. The Saviour, as the bearer of the sins of His people, was made “to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him,” 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Being made to be sin, He was forsaken of His Father on the cross and suffered the eternal guilt of His elect. (more…)
Over two weeks ago, on May 9th, I sent out an article entitled: