The power of a parable
2 Samuel 12:1-4
In his treatment of Bathsheba and her husband Uriah, King David has displeased God. So God sends the prophet and advisor Nathan to talk with David.
And the LORD sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said to him, “There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. The rich man had very many flocks and herds, but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him. Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” (2 Sam. 12:1-4)
Two things are happening here. First, God doesn’t speak directly to David. He sends someone else, Nathan, to communicate his disappointment. Second, Nathan doesn’t call David out directly. He communicates using a parable, a short story intended to teach a lesson. Nathan tells the story of a person who, despite having everything, decides to take the one valuable possession of a vulnerable person.
As business owners and leaders, it can be hard for others to tell you the truth about your behavior. People are dependent on you for jobs and promotions, or for economic transactions, or for contributions in the community. They may want your respect or approval or an ongoing relationship, not wanting to upset you. And when they do offer an honest perspective, direct confrontation may not be the way you best hear the message. You may get defensive or be offended, or be so focused on providing an explanation or an excuse that your mistake or wrongdoing doesn’t fully occur to you. We all need people who can tell us the truth in a way we can hear it!
Do you know someone who is good at using stories to illustrate a valuable truth, or have you used a story in that way? Has someone you trust and respect ever confronted you about your behavior as a family business member or leader?