Called Out! (Part 3)

This is the last reflection in my three-part series on how God, through Nathan, confronts King David about his behavior. In the first part, God reminds David of all the blessings he’s received. In the second part, God calls out David’s specific actions and shows how David abused others and his relationship with God. Now we see God making clear the consequences David will face for his terrible choices.

Thus says the LORD, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.’” (2 Sam.11-12)

There will be a price to pay, a reckoning, for David’s actions. He was focused on covering up his behavior, but will now have his life exposed to all. And, God’s prescription has its roots in David’s own behavior: Much like David destroyed another person’s family, now problems will emerge from his own house. Much like David slept with his neighbor’s wife, David’s neighbors will be future violators. God’s remedy is so clear there is no question of David’s wrongdoing, which he clearly admits in the verses that follow.

The pattern of “reaping what you sow” doesn’t just happen in the Bible! In families and family businesses, the choices we make today come back to us in a related form tomorrow. For example, poor treatment of a family member today often leads to family estrangement and isolation later in life. Being hard on employees now eventually leaves us without good help in our companies. Postponing a difficult choice, or avoiding conflict in the family business today, often leads to a more painful decisions, and amplified conflict, tomorrow.

Have you experienced the consequences of a bad decision from an earlier time in your life? What process for discernment do you use when contemplating an important decision today?