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The Cost of Sin
It seems that David is not in a position to do anything about the murder of Abner at the time, even though he publicly mourns for Abner and rebukes Joab’s actions (see 2 Sam. 3:28–35). To avoid future reprisals, Joab tries to ingratiate himself as closely as possible with David. He sets about to make himself indispensable. He is ready to do the dirty work for David. But striving to make oneself indispensable rather than focusing on doing the right thing often involves violating one’s conscience. If that happens again and again, the voice of our conscience becomes duller and duller, until we are unable to stand up when it really counts.
Sin also breaks credibility. We see this principle repeated several times in the life of David. Because of his sin with Bathsheba and against Uriah, David, even though he has been forgiven, is unable to discipline his sons. When his oldest son rapes his half-sister (2 Samuel 13), and his second son becomes a murderer (2 Sam. 13:23–39), David stands helplessly by, knowing that he is guilty of similar sins.
Read 2 Samuel 11:15–25. What does this passage tell us about Joab?
Joab has the same problem. Having the blood of Abner on his hands makes him unable to react appropriately and help save a good man’s life. And so Joab adds to his list of crimes by becoming, in effect, Uriah’s assassin. Notice in 2 Samuel 11:17 that Uriah is not the only vic tim. Joab sends some other men along on this foolhardy expedition in order to make the whole thing look more authentic. Although we know from the life of David that God is merciful and forgives us when we repent, the consequence of a ruined credibility and a lack of integrity is still something that we will have to carry with us.
In the previous example, Joab obeyed David’s orders. Now read 2 Samuel 18:5–15. What does his action here tell us about him? How might he have rationalized this deed, as well?
It is interesting to note that Joab follows David’s orders even when they violate God’s commands, but he has no trouble disobeying the king’s express orders when he stands to gain personally. After all, had Absalom succeeded in his revolt, Joab probably would have been killed himself (2 Sam. 19:5, 6). Joab seems to be looking out for no one but himself.
How easy to fall into the same trap, isn’t it?
| MONDAY | November 15 |
It seems that David is not in a position to do anything about the murder of Abner at the time, even though he publicly mourns for Abner and rebukes Joab’s actions (see 2 Sam. 3:28–35). To avoid future reprisals, Joab tries to ingratiate himself as closely as possible with David. He sets about to make himself indispensable. He is ready to do the dirty work for David. But striving to make oneself indispensable rather than focusing on doing the right thing often involves violating one’s conscience. If that happens again and again, the voice of our conscience becomes duller and duller, until we are unable to stand up when it really counts.
Sin also breaks credibility. We see this principle repeated several times in the life of David. Because of his sin with Bathsheba and against Uriah, David, even though he has been forgiven, is unable to discipline his sons. When his oldest son rapes his half-sister (2 Samuel 13), and his second son becomes a murderer (2 Sam. 13:23–39), David stands helplessly by, knowing that he is guilty of similar sins.
Read 2 Samuel 11:15–25. What does this passage tell us about Joab?
Joab has the same problem. Having the blood of Abner on his hands makes him unable to react appropriately and help save a good man’s life. And so Joab adds to his list of crimes by becoming, in effect, Uriah’s assassin. Notice in 2 Samuel 11:17 that Uriah is not the only vic tim. Joab sends some other men along on this foolhardy expedition in order to make the whole thing look more authentic. Although we know from the life of David that God is merciful and forgives us when we repent, the consequence of a ruined credibility and a lack of integrity is still something that we will have to carry with us.
In the previous example, Joab obeyed David’s orders. Now read 2 Samuel 18:5–15. What does his action here tell us about him? How might he have rationalized this deed, as well?
It is interesting to note that Joab follows David’s orders even when they violate God’s commands, but he has no trouble disobeying the king’s express orders when he stands to gain personally. After all, had Absalom succeeded in his revolt, Joab probably would have been killed himself (2 Sam. 19:5, 6). Joab seems to be looking out for no one but himself.
How easy to fall into the same trap, isn’t it?
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