A Godly Man Crosses The Holy God
A Godly Man Crosses the Righteous & Holy God
Introduction: David
King of Israel
Shepherd
Slays Goliath
kills lion/bear
anointed king while a youth by the prophet Samuel
chosen of God Psalm 78:70 “He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:”,
armour-bearer and musician
popular and discreet
caused jealousy in Saul
Defeats the Philistines
Saul tries to slay him
He is betrayed to Saul
Refrains from slaying Saul
Anointed king by Judah
Anointed king over all Israel
Conquers Jerusalem
Philistines defeated again
Tries to have the ark moved, but Uzzah is struck dead
Leaves it in Obed-edom
3 months later brings it to Jerusalem with great fanfare
Organizes the tabernacle service
Wants to build a temple, but is told his seed will do that.
Sends commissioners with sympathetic message to Hanun, son of the king of Ammon. Message misinterpreted, commissioners degraded by Hanun, so David has to defeat them.
Commits adultery with Bathsheba.
Causes the death of her husband Uriah.
Takes her for his wife.
Is rebuked by the prophet Nathan.
Repents of his crime and confesses is guilt (Ps 51)
Is chastised
His and Bathsheba’s son dies.
Solomon is born
Much later, takes the military strength of Israel without divine authority and is reproved
What an interesting servant of God. Here he is with strengths and his follies. The Bible pictures us just as we are. It does not gloss over the truth. David is now up in years. He is nearing the last acts he will perform. When we are tempted to sin and do, do we think it is a little tiny thing or do we understand it as it is, an abomination to the Lord?
I. Concession to Sin [sin is insidious. It creeps in unawares. It burrows its way into places we allow without really thinking it is wrong. It even seems OK on the surface, but the results are damning!]
a. God allows Satan to deal with David. [temptation is allowed of God. Jas 1:2 ¶ My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [How we react is the issue]
i. He did this with Job
Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satanc came also among them. 7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou consideredd my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substancee is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy powerf; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
ii. God is sovereign and can do what He wills.
b. Satan tempts David to count people and not trust God.
i. Provoked means incited him.
1. 1Chron 21:1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel
ii. Satan knew what buttons to push.
c. David willingly gives in to something he wanted to do.
i. He willingly gave the orders.
1. I Chr 21:2 And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the peole, Go, number Israel….
ii. He had a thought out plan.
1. from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.
iii. He didn’t listen to sound advice.
1. 1Ch 21:3 And Joab answered, The LORD make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?
iv. His word was abominable to Joab.
1. 1Ch 21:6 But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them: for the king's word was abominable to Joab.
II. Consequences of Sin
a. Displeases God.
i. It was against the nature of God
1. 1Ch 21:7 ¶ And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel.
ii. God, according to His very nature, had to react.
iii. Rev 4:8 ¶ And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. Rev 5:11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
b. Produces a harvest.
i. Gad (David’s seer) delivers the message from God. 1 Chron 21:9 and ff.
ii. Gad offers 3 things
1. 3 years of famine
2. 3 months destroyed by your foes
3. 3 days, the sword of the Lord - pestilence
c. David wishes the punishment of a merciful God. Verses 1 Chron 21:13-14
i. This caused great consternation in David’s heart.
ii. In weighing out the consequences, he chose the mercy of God rather than be at the hands of his foes.
iii. 70,000 die and Jerusalem was about to be next.
iv. God stayed the hand of the Angel of the Lord.
III. Confession of Sin Verses 1 Chron 21:1-17
a. He recognized his wrong.
i. He humbled himself in sackcloth and ashes.
ii. He fell on his face before God.
b. He turned to the One Who could make a difference.
c. He asked for his iniquity to done away.
d. He was repentant of his sin.
IV. Correction for Sin Vss 1 Chron 21:18-23
a. David makes it a point to put the place of worship where it should be.
b. He obeyed the instructions of God through Gad to purchase Ornan’s thrashing floor and building.
c. Ornan was very aware of the terrible plague.
i. He was subservient to God’s man.
ii. He was willing to “give it all.” When we become aware of God’s working, great happiness or chastisement, do we say with Onan, “I give it all?” What holds us back?
V. Covering of Sin Vss 1 Chron 21:26-27
a. David offered offerings.
b. He called upon God.
c. God answered with fire.
d. God stopped the Angel of the Lord from further wrath.
VI. Closing
a. We all are sinful! “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. Ecclesiastes 7:20
b. God expects us to be holy, but we can’t because our intrinsic nature is sinful. Be ye perfect as our father in heaven is perfect. Matt. 5:48
c. We are faced with a terrible consequence of our sinning and our sinful nature. For the wages is sin is death… Rom 6:23
d. But there is a payment Ga 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
e. There is a way out! 2 Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.