Have You Noticed That When Things Go Wrong

 --- for example at school or work --- a person often tries to pass the blame onto someone else. Often those involved in criminal activity make excuses by blaming their behaviour on parents, environment, race or economics. This attitude has been around for thousands of years.

Come with me back to the Garden of Eden. Adam has admitted to God that he and his wife are guilty of disobedience. However, Adam words his confession in such a way so as to blame God for his actions. It is the wife you gave me who caused me to sin (Gen. 3:12). A few moments later when Eve has a chance to speak she accused the serpent of deception (Gen. 3:13).

King David had an experience where he would have been tempted to blame others. Uriah the Hittite was in the army, away from home fighting the king's battles. During that time the king committed adultery with Bathsheba Uriah’s wife and she became pregnant. When David’s plans to cover up his immoral behaviour did not work out he ordered Joab to position Uriah where the battle was fiercest and then abandon him so that he would be killed (2 Sam. 11:15).

After Uriah’s death God sent Nathan to confront King David concerning his sin. The prophet framed his words of condemnation in the form of a question: "Why, then, have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife" (2 Sam. 12:8-9).

Even though David confessed his sin to Nathan his actions still brought divine judgment. God decreed that from then on, his family would live by the sword and that one day his own family would rebel against him because of his sin. In fact his wives would be given to another man (2 Sam. 12:10-11). This turned out to be his own son Absalom (2 Sam. 16:22).

How did David react to his sin and God's words of judgement? In a Psalm written at the time he cries out to God that it is "Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just" (Psa. 51:4).

Although it was not easy David took personal responsibility for his actions, he confessed his sin to God. He also realized that his actions demanded certain consequences from the hand of the Lord.

The Mosaic law clearly indicates that God holds a person responsible for their own behaviour. The Law states that Parents are not be executed for the sins of their children, nor children for the sins of their parents (Deut. 24:16).

It takes courage to admit we are wrong. No one likes to take personal blame. However, when we do wrong we need the courage to admit and confess our sin. Consequences may come but God will be with us even in those times. Although God brought judgment against David it was not as severe as it might have been. According to the law he should have been put to death. At least in this case, in spite of great immorality, God extended a degree of mercy to his disobedient child by allowing him to live.


Copyright. Bruce August 2007

Note: All quotes taken from the New Living Translation Second Edition.