Reconciled With God

Posted by Christina Scovone on Friday, April 15, 2011

King James Bible Study: Reconciled With God
For: Friday April 15, 2011
Chapters: II Samuel 13-14
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-april-15

Details of Today's Reading: David's son Ammon, Absalom, and his daughter Tamar, Ammon's crime with Tamar, Absalom takes vengeance on Ammon for Tamar, David's shame and forgiveness of Absalom.

Hello My Friend/Guest,
The word fornication is defined as the incontinence (uncontrolled indulgence) or lewdness of unmarried persons, male or female, adultery, idolatry. While sin is sin and the punishment for all sin comes with the same consequence, the most detestable to God are the ones committed by the flesh. Why? The Bible says, “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid...Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” - I Corinthians 6:15,18-20. Fornication not only brings the persons committing it to shame, it shames everyone else around them as well, above all, their relationship with God.

According to the Law, “If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel...But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die.” - Deuteronomy 22:22,25. By law, David and Bathsheba's sin would have been proper cause for their death, but instead God allowed them to remain alive. After his repentance, pardon, and the birth of Solomon it seemed that all was well with David. However, just as Nathan the prophet warned David that his secret sin would bring public humiliation, the death of the illegitimate child was only the beginning.

“And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her...Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat...And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister. And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.” - II Samuel 13:1,7,10-12.

Among God's professing people, who are better taught and instructed not to give into such impure practices, which would bring dishonor upon them, and upon God, Tamar urges Amnon not to force himself upon her. Fleshly lusts are their own punishment and not only war against the soul, but against the body also, and are the rottenness of the bones. “A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.” - Proverbs 12:3-5.

Sadly, we learn that Amnon did force himself upon his sister and the result of that was his death, however, he wasn't killed by breaking the law, but by his brother. Now the threatened sword is drawn in David's house, just like Nathan said, which will not depart from it. Absalom killed Amnon out of revenge for his sister, more public humiliation as a result of David's secret sin.

“And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house. But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth. And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar...Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.” - II Samuel 13:20-22,28.

David had the opportunity to prevent these tragic events from happening had he settled the matter as a king, or even better as a father, but we do not learn of any correction nor punishment inflicted upon him. With the help of Joab, David realized it was time to make things right with Absalom. “And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again...So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.” - II Samuel 14:21,33.

A parent can experience no greater suffering than to see their similar sins repeated by their own children. We should all be deeply grateful for the mercies of God, for all of these laws would still be in effect had not Jesus Christ died for the sins of all mankind. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” - Romans 8:1-4.

The sad thing through all this is that there is not one mention of David or any of his children seeking help from God. You know, once forgiven, always forgiven, we cannot undo past sins, failures, and wasted time, but Christians are assured that we can be forgiven of our sins. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world...I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.” - I John 2:1,2,12-14.

Now, although we may receive some chastisement for our sin, even after receiving forgiveness, we must not stop our communication with God, it is vital to the person and everyone else as well. When facing chastisement it is best to just accept it, do the time, and keep serving God, in doing so we not only show God that we respect His judgment, He also shows respect toward us. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God...For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” - II Corinthians 7:1,11.

Jesus Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through David's reconciliation with Absalom (14:33). How much more will our loving Heavenly Father reconcile us to Himself when we confess our sins. “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” - Romans 5:10.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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