Day 127, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 2Samuel 5:13-16; 1Chronicles 14:3-7; 1Chronicles 3:4b-9; 2Samuel 13:1-15:6
Calamity, Causes, and Curtailing Chaos
This time of year in the northern hemisphere is tornado season, and we will soon enter hurricane season. These storms are like vicious monsters. They tear apart homes and families, cause fires, massive amounts of flooding, and leave everything in pieces and tangled masses. Earthquakes do similar damage. Something else also brings chaos and calamity, and we spell it
s-i-n. What is sin, how does it cause calamities, and how do we curtail the chaos it causes?Sin is doing wrong or failing to do right according to God’s standards. The devil (our adversary, Satan) loves to create chaos by tempting Christians to sin.
Although atheists and agnostics seem to get away with wrongs (at least for awhile), this is not true for those who have a personal relationship with God (more...). He wants us to be like him, and he wants to bless us, but our misdeeds often stand in the way. Even after forgiveness, sin must still be punished as a just payment and as an example and warning to others.
Sin’s chaos and calamity
King David had an adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. When she became pregnant, he tried to cover it up by bringing her husband home from the battlefront to give a report of the war and to “visit” his wife. David’s ploy did not work, however; Uriah was a loyal, dedicated soldier; he would not spend the night with his wife when Israel’s armies were spending the night in the fields defending the kingdom. David then devised a plan to send Uriah back to the front and then have the troops withdraw from him so their enemies would kill him. His plan worked, but God was displeased.
After the child was born, the prophet Nathan pointed out David’s sin. He genuinely repented, but Nathan still prophesied judgment upon his household (2Samuel 12:10-14). The fulfillment of the prophecies then began—David’s family and the entire kingdom experienced chaos.The first fulfillment of the prophecy Nathan spoke against David for his sin was the death of the illegitimate child of King David and Bathsheba (2Samuel 12:15-19). Their child’s death caused sorrow and heartache.
In today’s Bible reading, we learn about more tragedies in David’s family. The second begins with polygamy. David acquires many wives and concubines (secondary wives) when he comes to reign in Jerusalem. These may be political alliances, but polygamy is against God’s law for Israelite kings (Deuteronomy 17:17). It also sets a bad example for his son Solomon, who will be the next king.
The second tragedy is the rape of David’s daughter, Tamar, by David’s eldest son, her half brother, Amnon (2Samuel 13:1-20). This act of violence hurts and shames the victim, and it is forbidden in God’s moral law (Leviticus 18:9), but Amnon still wants her and plots to take her by force. Amnon’s actions cause a third and fourth calamity.
Since Amnon raped Absalom’s sister, Tamar, Absalom arranges for Amnon’s murder. When he dies, there is great mourning for whom people might have expected to be David’s successor (David did not yet choose Solomon).
Amnon’s murder leads to another calamity—the exile of David’s beloved son, Absalom. He is responsible for the killing of Amnon, so in fear, he flees in self-banishment for three years.
Even when the king invites Absalom to come back, still David refuses to see his favorite son for awhile. Perhaps it is this offense that causes Absalom to stir up more trouble for David.
The fifth calamity which causes chaos is Absalom’s staged conspiracy against his father to take over the kingdom (2Samuel 15:1-13). More difficult times are yet to come for David, as we will see in our next few lessons.Sin exacts a heavy price upon our lives and on others around us.
The effects of sin on us
A person in business may be guilty of accepting bribes for favors. Will he be the only one affected in his organization? No. A pastor of a church has a secret relationship with his secretary. Will he be the only one affected? No. A wife has a secret relationship with a male co-worker. Will her family be affected? Yes.
Curtailing Chaos
Is there turmoil in our lives? Is sin the cause? Of course, wrongdoing does not cause all chaos and calamity. Like the weather, sometimes there are unfortunate occurrences (even other people) that cause great damage. But for those occasions when sin is the root of the problem, we may curtail it. If we turn from our sins to God, he offers us forgiveness, peace, and spiritual life.
Forgiveness for our wrongs or failures to do right does not remove its effects; however, God may be gracious to lessen them. We should pray for God’s mercy in his judgment and his help to endure the consequences of our sins. We should learn lessons from seeing the results of sin in our lives and others.
If we genuinely change and determine to live holy lives pleasing to our LORD, not only can we curtail further chaos, but God will reward us with his peace and blessings.
Focus Verse
Numbers 32:23b (NIV) “you may be sure that your sin will find you out.”
Discussion
What are some causes for chaos? Are they all because of sin?
Can our sinful choices affect others? Give examples
How can we curtail further chaos in our life?
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
Looking Ahead: David has experienced much chaos and calamity for his sin. These experiences leave him Weak and subject to Betrayal. What should we do if someone betrays us? Find out in our Next Lesson.
Back to top of page
Return to Chronological Bible Studies main page
Go to Scriptures main page
Go to Topics main page
Go to Home pagepage last re-edited 5-5-2020
COPYRIGHT @ 2019, MASTER'S TOUCH BIBLE STUDIES