Tragedy strikes David’s family in today’s reading. Rape, revenge, and rebellion dominate the headlines of 2 Samuel 13-15. All of this tragedy was foretold by the prophet Nathan when he confronted King David for his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband. Yesterday, we looked at David’s confession and forgiveness, but forgiveness didn’t cancel the effects of David’s sin. The principle of sowing and reaping is still in play.
David sowed lust and immorality when committing adultery with Bathsheba. He reaped accordingly through his firstborn son Amnon’s lust and rape of his half-sister Tamar. David’s plotting to cover his sin with Bathsheba came back in the form of Amnon and Jonadab’s plotting to get access to Tamar, Absalom’s plotting to kill Amnon, and Absalom’s scheming to overthrow King David’s throne. The sword (or violent death) that David used against Uriah was used against Amnon and Absalom. It goes on and on, not just one for one, but one always reaps more than they sow.
While confession and forgiveness are good for the soul, the foolish think lightly of sin. Sin is devastating! Sin has long-lasting effects! The prophet Hosea speaks to this when he writes that those who sow to the wind reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7). Job 4:8 speaks of plowing iniquity, sowing trouble, and reaping the same. The most famous passage on this is from Galatians.
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. (Galatians 6:7, ESV)
Now, let’s look at the other side of this coin. Does sowing and reaping only work in the negative, or does it also work in the positive? Notice what Galatians says.
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:8, ESV)
Notice again what Hosea said to the people of Israel.
Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy… (Hosea 10:12, NKJV)
Yes, sowing good things produces good things!
Finally, there is great hope for all of us despite the effects of sin. Our God is a God of restoration! Maybe most of your life was spent sowing wickedness, and if you could, you would go back and change many things. What can one do? Is there hope? Yes! The prophet Joel speaks to the goodness of our God in Joel 2:25.
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten… (Joel 2:25, KJV)
In other words, while we can’t go back to change the past, and while we can learn from regret, the best view is still out the front windshield of life (not the rearview mirror)! Just watch what happens when God showers His grace on what is left! This is also the part of the story we get to experience if we repent of sin. Is there hope? Absolutely!
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9, ESV)
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from 2 Samuel 13-15.