Something I’ve heard many times (a few directed at me even) is a colloquial way of lauding some person’s achievement or skill by saying, “You da man!” It is intended in those settings as a compliment for what the person has done or accomplished, but the first time it is recorded as being used in history; the intent was very different.
In my reading from D.A. Carson’s blog on The Gospel Coalition, one of the Scriptures was 2 Samuel 12; the preceding chapter illustrates how the Bible does get real with the men and women whose lives it records to teach us; here we see what most would think a recording of David’s life would ‘photoshop’ out as it reveals this beloved servant of God living a life of indolence instead of leadership, such idleness that set him up for the temptation that would mar the record of his life.
David attempts to cover over his sin (how those in the court must’ve initially snickered at his perfidy, then gasped in shock at the lengths he was willing to go in his attempt to use his authority as the king of Israel to make this embarrassment go away), but the end of 2 Samuel 11 tells us that “…the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.”
God sends Nathan to confront David and the prophet weaves a story to illustrate the sin he is there to confront. David listens to the story and becomes enraged at the injustice of the rich man stealing the poor man’s lamb, but then his rage turns to shock as Nathan’s bony finger points directly at David as Nathan declares, “…you are the man!” Keep in mind that as king of Israel David could have ordered the prophet executed for daring to accuse him; thankfully that is not a direction David chose as he instead confesses and repents before the prophet and all of the court his rebellion and sin. Note also that the consequences of his sin remain even though the sin has been forgiven; that is something that I am all too familiar with in my own life as well.
David’s heart which had grown hard and cold toward God had that covering shattered by the prophet confronting him; he penned Psalm 51 after this confrontation which illustrates how, even as he lived the rest of his life with the consequences of his sin, his focus and joy were once again upon the God who loves him.
There are no modern-day prophets like Nathan to stick their bony finger in our faces, but God does bring conviction to those who will listen to that “…still, small voice…”; are we listening for that voice or have we drowned Him out in the cacophony of our busy lives?
In my reading from D.A. Carson’s blog on The Gospel Coalition, one of the Scriptures was 2 Samuel 12; the preceding chapter illustrates how the Bible does get real with the men and women whose lives it records to teach us; here we see what most would think a recording of David’s life would ‘photoshop’ out as it reveals this beloved servant of God living a life of indolence instead of leadership, such idleness that set him up for the temptation that would mar the record of his life.
David attempts to cover over his sin (how those in the court must’ve initially snickered at his perfidy, then gasped in shock at the lengths he was willing to go in his attempt to use his authority as the king of Israel to make this embarrassment go away), but the end of 2 Samuel 11 tells us that “…the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.”
God sends Nathan to confront David and the prophet weaves a story to illustrate the sin he is there to confront. David listens to the story and becomes enraged at the injustice of the rich man stealing the poor man’s lamb, but then his rage turns to shock as Nathan’s bony finger points directly at David as Nathan declares, “…you are the man!” Keep in mind that as king of Israel David could have ordered the prophet executed for daring to accuse him; thankfully that is not a direction David chose as he instead confesses and repents before the prophet and all of the court his rebellion and sin. Note also that the consequences of his sin remain even though the sin has been forgiven; that is something that I am all too familiar with in my own life as well.
David’s heart which had grown hard and cold toward God had that covering shattered by the prophet confronting him; he penned Psalm 51 after this confrontation which illustrates how, even as he lived the rest of his life with the consequences of his sin, his focus and joy were once again upon the God who loves him.
There are no modern-day prophets like Nathan to stick their bony finger in our faces, but God does bring conviction to those who will listen to that “…still, small voice…”; are we listening for that voice or have we drowned Him out in the cacophony of our busy lives?
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