URIAH: FAITH OF A FOREIGNER

1. URIAH: FAITH OF A FOREIGNER Lesson 6 for the 6th of November, 2010

2. The war against the Ammonites ended with the siege of Rabbah. That involved an important change in David’s the people of Israel’s lives.

3. DAVID, BEFORERABBAHWASBESIEGED How can we know David’s character studying his thoughts in the next circumstances? BeforeGoliath 1 Samuel, 17 Movingtheark 2 Samuel, 6; 1 Chronicles, 13 WithSaul 1 Samuel, 24, 26 WithMephibosheth 2 Samuel, 9 Planningthe temple 2 Samuel, 7; 1 Chronicles, 17 Leadingthearmy 1 Samuel, 18: 16; 2 Samuel, 5: 6-25

4. URIAH, BEFORERABBAHWASBESIEGED

5. “But it was God’s purpose that by the revelation of His character through Israel men should be drawn unto Him. To all the world the gospel invitation was to be given. Through the teaching of the sacrificial service Christ was to be uplifted before the nations, and all who would look unto Him should live. All who, like Rahab the Canaanite, and Ruth the Moabitess, turned from idolatry to the worship of the true God, were to unite themselves with His chosen people. As the numbers of Israel increased they were to enlarge their borders, until their kingdom should embrace the world” E.G.W. (Christ’s Object Lessons, cp. 23, page 290)

6. DAVID’SBEHAVIOUR David’s fall happened in several consecutive steps: David used to lead the army when there was a battle. However, he preferred to stay comfortably at palace. 1 When he went up to the terrace he saw Bathsheba taking a bath. Instead of keeping his eyes off her, he took pleasure in an illicit thing. He insisted on sinning even when he found out that she was married. 2 What options did Bathsheba have before the king’s request? How did other biblical characters like Joseph (Genesis, 39) orTamar(2 Samuel, 13)react in that kind ofcircumstance?

7. DAVID’SBEHAVIOUR David’s fall happened in several consecutive steps: David tried to hide his sin; he called Uriah to spend one night with his wife. But he didn’t get him to do that, even making him drunk. 3 He decided to add murder to his adultery sin. His conscience was so blinded in that moment that he sent Uriah to a sure death in the battle. 4

8. URIAH’SBEHAVIOUR “Uriah had just arrived from the battle front, where the conditions were very different than in national land. The men of Israel camped outdoors before Rabbah; they suffered hardship and the rigours of the war, subsisting with military rations. He left his mates behind; they were living in those hard conditions, so Uriah didn’t want to take part of all the comfort and pleasures of life while his compatriots were suffering and losing their life”(SDABibleCommentary, on 2 Samuel, 11: 11) How did Uriah show the next qualities? Patriotism. Loyaltytohis mates. LoyaltytoGod. He didn’t benefit from the circumstances. Hisvalueswerestrong.

9. DAVID, LATERCONSEQUENCES “There was a great change in David himself. He was broken in spirit by the consciousness of his sinand its far-reaching results. He felt humbled in the eyes of his subjects. His influence was weakened. Hitherto his prosperity had been attributed to his conscientious obedience to the commandments of the Lord. But now his subjects, having a knowledge of his sin, would be led to sin more freely. His authority in his own household, his claim to respect and obedience from his sons, was weakened. A sense of his guilt kept him silent when he should have condemned sin; it made his arm feeble to execute justice in his house. His evil example exerted its influence upon his sons, and God would not interpose to prevent the result. He would permit things to take their natural course, and thus David was severely chastised” E.G.W. (Patriarchs and Prophets, cp. 71, page 723)

10. URIAH, LATERCONSEQUENCES He was faithful to the death. But Uriah’s story didn’t end there… “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer… Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” Revelation 2:10