“In the morning David wrote a letter to Yo’av and sent it with Uriyah.”-2 Samuel 11:14
A while back I explained how Judaism turns the story of David and Bathsheba on its head by making Uriyah out to be the bad guy and David a hero who possessed all the qualities of a perfect Messiah.
When Uriyah refuses to go home and be with his wife…
The rabbis don’t interpret it as loyalty or wisdom…
They view it as gross disobedience to the king.
The truth is, as loyal as Uriyah was, he was no dummy.
By now, he probably suspected something wasn’t right.
Yet, he continued to show great faithfulness to the king despite all the signs in his gut that said otherwise.
What happens next shows us just how faithful he is.
David gave Uriyah a letter to be delivered to Joab.
This letter was essentially Uriyah’s death warrant.
But here’s the crazy irony of this situation.
David knew Uriyah was so loyal and trustworthy that he didn’t worry about him opening the letter.
Sure, the scroll was sealed with wax, so it would be evident if someone had tampered with it.
But let’s get real, folks.
If Uriyah wanted to, he could’ve opened it and made an excuse afterward.
“Oops, it accidentally ripped open.”
He could’ve even “lost” the scroll…
Or fled to another country if he figured out David wanted him dead.
But Uriyah didn’t do any of that.
He just followed orders.
He was 100% loyal.
This leads to an important takeaway.
Uriyah was about to be betrayed by a man who was as close to God as anyone could be.
Have you ever felt let down by your pastor or congregation leader?
And then, as a result, decided to give up on God because of their faulty witness?
Don’t!
That’s a big mistake.
Because the leaders who represent God are NOT God themselves.
Some of the biggest jerks…
And some of the people who have filled me with the most anger and rage…
Have been congregation leaders.
As we’re seeing here with David…
They’re filled with their own lusts, pride, and devious intentions.
David is gonna pay big time for his sins…
As we’re soon about to find out!
See ya all next time.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“Do not be deceived:
God cannot be mocked.
A man reaps what he sows.”
-Galatians 6:7
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