February 11 I Tuesday

Leviticus 11-12

Matthew 26:1-25

“But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.”  —Proverbs 6:32

We can find strong teachings about the consequences of adultery in the Book of Proverbs. We are told, “For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life, keeping you from your neighbour’s wife….Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes.…Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished” (Proverb 6:23-25, 27-29). In the end, adultery not only brings destruction on oneself but also on one’s marriage and spouse.

It is interesting that Solomon, the writer of Proverbs, speaks unequivocally about the destructive consequences of adultery. Why? Because Solomon himself was born as a result of adultery. His father David, saw Bathsheba bathing from the rooftop, sent for her and slept with her. A few weeks later, Bathsheba sent word that she was pregnant. Being pregnant is normally news for rejoicing but not for David. Bathsheba was actually the wife of Uriah, a man from David’s army.

David sent for Uriah’s return home so there was an opportunity for Uriah to sleep with his own wife. However, Uriah was a man of integrity and slept at the door of the king’s house instead. When David asked him why, Uriah responded, “…my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!” (2 Samuel 11:11). David then plotted for Joab to place Uriah at the front of the battle so he would definitely be killed. After Uriah’s death, David took
Bathsheba to be his wife. She gave birth to a baby that died at childbirth; when she conceived again, she gave birth to a son––Solomon.

We may expect Solomon to have some sympathy for adultery because he would not be here without it but it is the reverse. Solomon knows very well the consequences of adultery; the brokenness––a broken home, a broken heart and a broken life––that David and Bathsheba experienced. David’s act was not hidden from God. Although David repented of his sin and God forgives, David still had to live with the brokenness that adultery brought into his life.

May we learn from David’s sin and seek to live a righteous life, as Solomon tells us, “Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honour” (Proverbs 21:21).

Prayer: Almighty God, thank You for the lesson that I can learn from David’s sin. I ask that You help me to pursue a life of righteousness and love that brings honour to You. Amen!