SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 13
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“Don’t, my brother!” she said to him. “Don’t force me. Such a thing should not be done in Israel! Don’t do this wicked thing. [2 Samuel 13:12] there’s no doubt about it, we live in a pretty messed up world. Things are not as God intended them to be. Here we see how selfishness and sin ruin and destroy. Tempted like his father David, Amnon rapes his sister (can David be angry, after his sin with Bathsheba?). Then he loathes her, and she is publicly shamed. No longer a virgin, she is ‘spoiled goods’ and will live out her days as one desolate. [2 Samuel 13:20]. Things that result in sin and misery are inevitable in this world, but woe to the person through whom they come.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. [Luke 17:1-2] Though the context is different, the underlying idea is the same. Those who through sin and selfishness ruin the lives of others will themselves experience ruin. It would have been better for Amnon if he had had a large millstone tied to his neck and thrown into the sea – in other words, the price he pays will be terrible! Amnon’s sin has a snowball effect; first his lust, then his scheme, then the rape, then the spurning of Tamar, and in time David’s whole household, and eventually his kingdom, is falling apart. And can these been seen as the ripple effect of David’s own immorality?

Never forget the snowball effect of sin. Spend some time on the streets with people living wrecked lives, and many of them will tell of dysfunctional family lives, sinful things committed against them – violence, neglect, substance abuse, sexual sin, exposure to sin and immorality of all sorts. The cycle of sin repeats itself from generation to generation. Absalom learns what David did [2 Samuel 10], as we all do, violence does not solve our problems or overcome hate.

There is no shortage of corruption and cruelty. What this world needs is not more bad stuff, but people committed to what is right and good, to love and mercy and peace and generosity and kindness and justice. This is the fruit of the Spirit, which is the outworking of a life surrendered to Jesus. This is what Jesus died for, and rose for, and now lives for. He is generating a worldwide movement of people committed to overcoming evil with good. Blessed are those who join Him; woe to those through whom sin is multiplied. It would be better… you get the point.

PRAYER:
Lord, help me to walk in Your blessing, not in Your woe!