Portrait of a Godless Culture: An Appeal to Repent of Sinful Boasting

We will be doing a fairly rapid overview of the first nine chapters and then drawing some application from near the end of chapter nine, where Jeremiah writes, “Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises loving kindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.” (9:23-24).

Jeremiah’s theme leading to these texts is that of judgment: A judgment precipitated by the sinful lifestyle and arrogant living of the kingdom of Judah. The modern day parallels to our own day are truly amazing: Truly there is “nothing new under the sun.”

Trickery, Treachery and Treason

In the previous chapter David began to experience the consequences of his sin as one son, Amnon, was guilt of gross sexual sin followed by his murder at the hands of his half brother Absalom.

The chapter ended with Absalom fleeing to his grandfather and living in exile.

This week’s passage begins with David’s General Joab tricking David into allowing Absalom back into Israel and the royal court.

Absalom’s return, however will prove to be disastrous as he through treachery steals the hearts of the people of Israel which ultimately leads to Absalom treasonously stealing David’s throne.

Again David is reaping what he has sown. It is sad to see the once mighty king being weak and indecisive until finally he is fleeing for his life.

The political intrigue of this chapter reflects what still goes on in nations (and churches) today.

You might ask: How can we find Christ in such a chapter?

You will be amazed!

Injustice, Vengeance and Estrangement

We are continuing in what is one of the ugliest sections in all of Scripture. Last week we studied the rape of Tamar by her half brother Amnon. This week we will examine the aftermath in which Tamar’s brother Absalom takes revenge and murders Amnon. This will result in estrangement between Absalom and his father David which will culminate in a civil war in Israel.

Why are such awful events recorded in the Bible? One reason must be that the Scriptures honestly portray human sin. Unlike worldly fiction (books, movies, TV) which often glamorizes immorality and vengeance, the Scriptures show the sordidness of the sin itself and the awfulness of sin’s consequences.

What happened in 2 Samuel 13 continues to happen daily in our world. Women are victimized. Human justice fails to act. Vigilantes take the law into their own hands and take their own revenge.

We as Christians must face these realities and offer hope.

Yesterday a sister at GBC sent an email to the church about a ministry in our county which serves ‘Tamars’, women who have been exploited.

We can be the savor of God’s grace in a fallen sinful world.

We also proclaim a gospel of a Savior who was abused for us so that our sins might be forgiven.

He is able to sympathize with and comfort those who have been victimized.

He also transforms us from being takers who once used other people to being able to reflect His love as we serve others.

He releases us from the tyranny of hateful vengeance to the freedom of trusting God to make all things right.

David’s Chastisement Continues: Amnon and Tamar

II Samuel is one of the most sordid chapters in the Bible (and one of the saddest).

Nathan had told Nathan that his sin would affect his house. Chapter 13 records the fulfillment through sexual immorality (rape and incest) and murder (vengeful fratricide) among David’s children.

All of this is leading up to the rebellion led by David’s son Absalom which will dominate the next several chapters.

This tragic chapter is full of practical application. Through Amnon we learn to distinguish between infatuation, lust and real love. We also are warned about the friends and counselors we choose.

Through Tamar we are given reasons to resist temptation. Through David we see how our sin can influence our children.

In contrast we are reminded that God offers us hope. He has a better way for us to find true romantic love – in a godly marriage. We are comforted knowing that He is the protector of those who have been oppressed (and the judge of their oppressors). We also remember how Christ was abused and afflicted for us, and that in Him we can be set free from bondage to sin (and the sins of our fathers).

Some might wonder whether we should speak of such ugly things in church. Everything recorded in Scripture is profitable for our instruction (II Tim. 3:16-17). The world is continually bombarding us with false messages about sexual matters. Passages like this speak to the realities which are occurring in our community and threaten our families. While the world makes sexual sin appear to be exciting and glamorous, the Bible portrays lust in all its ugliness and accurately warns of the consequences of doing evil. The Bible speaks of these things without breaching the bounds of propriety. I intend, as God helps me, to follow the Scriptural pattern as I present it to the congregation.

David’s Friends and Christian Charity

On Sunday evening I plan to bring a brief message from II Samuel 17:27-29, a text which we passed over quickly last week.
Often in my studies there are lovely nuggets of truth which I have to leave out of the sermon because of time and continuity.
This Sunday night I decided to present one of these nuggets in which David’s eastern friends who helped him in his darkest hour portray Christian charity and the love of Christ.

Victory, Judgement and Grief

In the morning service I plan to preach from II Samuel 18 about David’s victory in the civil war and his grief over the death of his son Absalom.
This tragedy raises many issues which apply in our lives today as children still rebel against their godly parents who are often guilty of being passive.
The grief of such parents is like that of David who wept over his son Absalom.
Absalom in death is a monument of warning to those who rebel against the Lord in their foolish pride.
We also see Christ in this text. Like David he was rejected but now reigns as a conquering king.
As David was willing to die in the place of his wicked son, Jesus actually died for His wayward people.
Just as Absalom as the enemy of the Lord’s anointed was crushed, so those who refuse to bow the knee to Christ shall wind up like Absalom.