LifeWay Family Bible Series for Jan. 18: Human life is sacred in the sight of God_11204

Posted: 1/09/04

LifeWay Family Bible Series for Jan. 18

Human life is sacred in the sight of God

2 Samuel 11:1–12:25; Psalm 139:13-16

By David Jenkins

New Hope Baptist Church, Big Sandy

In reviewing the lives of the Old Testament patriarchs, who would have chosen David, a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22), to so brazenly sin against God? Not only did David's sin involve his own lust and passion, it caused him to disregard the sanctity of human life in planning the murder of an innocent man. In that dark hour of David's life, he broke three of the Ten Commandments–he coveted his neighbor's wife, committed adultery and committed murder (Exodus 20:13, 14, 17).

This lesson will provide opportunity to emphasize the importance of human life at every stage of existence, beginning with conception. The issue of abortion continues to be a growing malignancy within our society. Many Christians are guilty of taking lightly the miracle of human life and its sanctity in the sight of God.

The slippery path toward sin (2 Samuel 11)

David was a man who honored God and provided an example of humility and piety before his people. God had rewarded David with significant military victories, because of which he was able to lead Israel to a position of high respect among the nations. Ancient Near Eastern rulers customarily led their troops to battle. Being the military genius he was, David was not accustomed to sending his armies to battle without his personal leadership. Victory after victory, perhaps, had caused David to become increasingly confident in his own military planning and prowess. While he remained in Jerusalem, David dispatched his army to fight against the Ammonites, and they were brilliantly successful.

One day, David apparently took a longer afternoon siesta than usual, and he awoke when the sun was setting and the cool breezes were blowing. Refreshed from his nap, David decided to take stroll on his palace roof. The age-old adage, “An idle mind is the devil's workshop,” proved itself true for David.

From the roof of David's palace, he saw a beautiful young woman bathing on the roof of her house. The temptation found fertile soil in David's wandering mind, and he sent for her. He learned her name was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of David's elite warriors.

When he discovered he had impregnated Bathsheba, David sent word to his military commander, Joab, to send Uriah to him. David pretended to reward Uriah, suggesting he spend time with his wife. Uriah, proving to be more honorable than his king, refused to go to his wife, insisting that, in deference to his fellow warriors, he would not indulge himself in that pleasure. After Uriah refused David's second attempt to have him spend time at home, David notified Joab to see that Uriah was sent to the most dangerous area of the fighting, which resulted in Uriah's death.

When a messenger from the battlefront delivered the news to David that not only Uriah but “some of the king's men” were killed, he shed no tears for Uriah or his other elite troops who were killed. Bathsheba did mourn for her husband, and after the period of mourning was past, David had her brought to his palace where, in time, she gave birth to a son. The historian added the simple but prophetic statement that God was displeased because of what David had done (v. 27).

The high cost of disobedience (2 Samuel 12)

Chapter 12 reveals the rapid movement of divine judgment upon one who had sinned knowingly against God's commandments. It was a stroke of God's wisdom that led him to confront David indirectly by way of the prophet Nathan's parable (vv. 1-4). David's indignant reaction to the situation (vv. 5-6) paved the way for Nathan's brief but piercing word of condemnation: "You are the man!" (v. 7). Then, to a stunned David came the burning accusations concerning David's sin (vv. 7-12). Coupled with David's shameful act of adultery, he had taken an innocent life when he had Uriah killed in the heat of battle. After that cowardly act, David had shown no inkling of remorse.

Crushed by what he had done and whom he had hurt, David repented of his sin, and God graciously forgave him. Still, David reaped the consequences of his sin in that he had caused God's enemies to show contempt, and the son born to Bathsheba would die.

God's purpose for human life (Psalm 139:13-16)

Verses 13-16 of this inspired psalm, which is attributed to David, contains one of the most profound expressions of God's focus in creation found in the Bible. In a masterful way, the psalmist showed how God wove together both the physical and the spiritual parts of man. This reveals the intensity of God's concern for human life. The psalmist was in awe as he considered how he was “fearfully and wonderfully made.” God saw the undeveloped embryo and set forth his purpose for all of the days of that person's life. How tragic, indeed, for foolish humans to despise life when it is conceived by daring to end it through abortion!

Questions for Discussion

If you are a parent, describe your feelings when you and your spouse first learned you would have a child.