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Then we have the case of David and Bathsheba. David committed adultery with Bathsheba and then to cover up his sin he had her husband killed by the Ammonites. Maybe, because Urijah was a Hittite (an accursed race - Deuteronomy 20:16-18) David thought what he did was OK, but God did not see it that way. David having accepted Urijah as his servant he could not then when it suited him treat him as if he were an enemy. Again, David did not order Urijah directly to be put to death but went a roundabout way to see that he was killed. God looked through what actually happened and saw the evil that was in David's heart. We must beware of rationalising away our wrongdoing or doing dubious things using circuitous or surreptitious methods (the sort of things done today to avoid paying tax). If we find ourselves thinking of doing something using these means we may well wonder if what we are doing is wrong. Although David was repentant and God put away his sin so that he did not die, he suffered for what he had done for the rest of his life (2 Samuel 12). Four of his sons died from unnatural causes: the babe |
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born to Bathsheba (she herself also no doubt suffered because of this loss, though what she felt is not recorded), Amnon, Absalom and Adonijah. David suffered greatly when he lost Bathsheba's baby and Absalom (2 Samuel 12:15-23; 2 Samuel 18:31 to 19:8). It is to be noted that David had not only brought about the death of Urijah for which he suffered in losing his own sons, but he also had committed adultery and for this he had to pay as we see in 2 Samuel 16:20-23. In commenting on these passages we are only dealing with a small part of what Scripture says on the subject of God's government. There is also the favourable side. Urijah is mentioned by name, rather than Bathsheba in the genealogy of Christ (Matthew 1:6). |
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Sometimes we may think we have got away with things, but God's government will catch up with us in the end. Simeon and Levi no doubt thought they had got away with what they did in Genesis 34:25/26, but in the end they got a curse rather than a blessing from their father (Genesis 49:5-7). Similarly with Reuben (Genesis 35:22; 49:3/4). |
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Christians may suffer for wrongdoing here (1 Peter 2:20), but ultimately for them all works together for their good (Romans 8:28). |
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What we have considered is God's government while we are here on earth, but the question of what is due to Christians for the deeds done in the body will also be dealt with in the coming day at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). Two of the passages already quoted confirm that not only are Christians dealt with here according to the way they spend their days, but will be rewarded in the future (1 Timothy 4:8; Mark 10:29/30). In Hebrews 11:35 we are told of those who were tortured (perhaps 'beaten [to death]'), not having accepted deliverance, that they might get a better resurrection". Clearly when persons give their lives for Christ or righteousness sake they cannot experience blessing here, but such will be rewarded in a future day (Mark 8:35). |
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The unbelievers who are on the earth during the time of judgment on the world will suffer then (Revelation 3:10), but there is also the judgment of the great white throne in Revelation 20:11-15. There the adversaries of God will be finally dealt with. The blessed will find their place in the heavenly city but the wicked will be outside it (Revelation 14/15). |
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October 1999 |
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