Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear ones.

Becki is preparing to go to her Woodburn Bible Study group. Thano is here with Nicholas…who is harassing the cat. And I’m waiting for a phone call that will influence the rest of the day. Oh my…I just got the call. Becki just relayed it via the house phone. I was expecting it on my cell. Now I know which way to jump.

Another call has come to announce that some sequoia redwood lumber that has been in a dry kiln for a couple weeks is now ready for pick up. Another entry on the list.

Blessings on your day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

How is that for a description for a political leader? There is no wrong in coveting a leader like that.

The first part of this reading delivers some interesting ideas and questions. For example, when David pointed out to the prophet Nathan the inequity of his living in an exquisite palace “while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent” (17:1), it appears that Nathan responded impulsively. Perhaps Nathan reasoned that since it was so obvious that David was God’s man for leading Israel at this time, why shouldn’t he be encouraged to lead in regards to building a house for God as well? “Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you” (17:2). But that night, the LORD interrupted Nathan’s sleep in a way that interrupted his thinking—“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in’” (17:4). So, even great prophets don’t always get it exactly right. I wonder if Nathan prefaced his announcement of God’s specific word with something like, “Sorry, David, I kind of jumped the gun yesterday and gave you a wrong message.”

There is something very special about the way God instructs Nathan—“Go and tell my servant, David…” (17:4). I like the fact that the LORD honors David with that description. But how do we understand this blessed relationship? Either God has a heart after David because David has a HEART AFTER GOD, or else David has a HEART AFTER GOD because God has a heart after David. Is it possible to identify the first cause? Which comes first? I’m not sure I can get this all nicely nailed down. It can be like the circular topic that asks, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” This is a real but mystical arrangement. All I know is that both are essential. And rather than submit to going in circles, suffice it to say that I am never exempt from personally seeking FIRST the Kingdom of God—nurturing and maintaining a personal HEART AFTER GOD.

Question: If God regarded David as His servant, why didn’t He just give His corrective word to David directly, rather than telling Nathan something to tell David? I don’t have a perfect answer for that either. But here’s an idea: Maybe this was a way for Nathan to win David’s respect and confidence as an authentic divine messenger so that when David later failed he would have good reason to listen. Whatever. However we put things together, I think it helps to reaffirm the Apostle Paul’s affirmation: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33-36). We’re really not responsible to find out what is not meant to be found out. But if we hang in there with faithfulness to the little we have already found out, we will find out where his ways lead.