[0:00] For our scripture reading this evening, please turn in your Bibles to the Old Testament and to the second book of Samuel.
[0:12] Second Samuel, and let us read in chapter 11. Second Samuel chapter 11, let us read the whole chapter from verse 1 through to verse 27.
[0:56] This is the word of the living God. In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel.
[1:14] And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. It happened late one afternoon when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king's house.
[1:30] That he saw from the roof a woman bathing. And the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman.
[1:42] And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? So David sent messengers and took her.
[1:54] And she came to him. And he lay with her. Now she had been purifying herself from her uncleanness. Then she returned to her house.
[2:06] And the woman conceived. And she sent and told David, I am pregnant. So David sent word to Joab.
[2:16] Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David. When Uriah came to him, David asked how Joab was doing and how the people were doing and how the war was going.
[2:32] Then David said to Uriah, Go down to your house and wash your feet. And Uriah went out of the king's house. And there followed him a present from the king.
[2:45] But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord and did not go down to his house. When they told David, Uriah did not go down to his house.
[2:59] David said to Uriah, Have you not come from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house? Uriah said to David, The ark and Israel and Judah dwell in booths.
[3:12] And my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field. Shall I then go to my house to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife?
[3:24] As you live and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing. Then David said to Uriah, Remain here today also and tomorrow I will send you back.
[3:38] So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next. And David invited him and he ate in his presence and drank so that he made him drunk.
[3:50] And in the evening he went out to lie on his couch with the servants of his lord. But he did not go down to his house. In the morning, David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
[4:04] In the letter he wrote, Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting and then draw back from him that he may be struck down and die.
[4:18] As Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew there were valiant men. And the men of the city came out and fought with Joab and some of the servants of David among the people fell.
[4:36] Uriah the Hittite also died. Then Joab sent and told David all the news about the fighting. And he instructed the messenger, Then if the king's anger rises and if he says to you, Why did you go so near the city to fight?
[4:57] Did you not know that they would shoot from the wall? Who killed Abimelech, the son of Jerubbiseth? Did not a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall so that he died at Thebes?
[5:11] Why did you go so near the wall? Then you shall say, Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
[5:21] So the messenger went and came and told David all that Joab had sent him to tell. The messenger said to David, The men gained an advantage over us and came out against us in the field.
[5:39] But we drove them back to the entrance of the gate. Then the archers shot at your servants from the wall. Some of the king's servants are dead. And your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
[5:53] David said to the messenger, Thus shall you say to Joab, Do not let this matter displease you. For the sword devours now one and now another.
[6:07] Strengthen your attack against the city and overthrow it and encourage him. When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, She lamented over her husband.
[6:22] And when the morning was over, David sent and brought her to his house. And she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.
[6:36] Amen. And may God bless to us the reading of his words. Once again, let us sing to God's praise and glory.
[6:51] We sing this time in Psalm number 11. In the Scottish Psalter. Psalm number 11. Let us sing the whole psalm.
[7:02] Psalm 11. Psalm 11 in the Scottish Psalter.
[7:13] Singing the whole psalm. Verses 1 to 7. I in the Lord do put my trust. How is it then that ye say to my soul, Flee as a bird unto your mountain high?
[7:24] For lo, the wicked bend their bow, Their shafts on string may fit, That those who upright are in heart, They privily may hit. If the foundations be destroyed, What hath the righteous done?
[7:37] God in his holy temple is, In heaven is his throne. His eyes do see, His eyelids try, Men's sons, The just he proves, But his soul hates the wicked men, And him that violence loves.
[7:53] Snares fire and brimstone, Furious storms, On sinners he shall reign, This as the portion of their cup, Doth unto them pertain.
[8:05] Because the Lord most righteous, Doth in righteousness delight, And with a pleasant countenance, Beholdeth the upright. So let us sing to God's praise, Psalm 11.
[8:18] Amen. I am the Lord to put my trust, How is it then not here?
[8:39] Say to my soul, the eyes of earth unto your mountain high.
[8:56] For though the wicked men bear boar, their shots on string may fit.
[9:13] That those who upright are in heart, they play but in their head.
[9:31] Let the foundations be destroyed, for God the righteous come.
[9:48] For in the storm, it can't waste the heaven of Jesus' storm.
[10:06] It's eyes to see, it's high, it's dry, and sun's the justy blue.
[10:24] But in his soul is the wicked man, the hidden black by his arms.
[10:43] Slip thy lament, so nearing a storm. On center she shall be.
[11:01] This is the portion of the God that led to liberty.
[11:20] Because the Lord most righteous thought, in righteousness delight.
[11:38] And with a pleasant consent, beholdeth thee a bright.
[12:08] Well once again, let us call upon the Lord in prayer. Our gracious God and loving Heavenly Father.
[12:33] Lord, how thankful we are to you that we can gather tonight as a family of your people. And that we can do so in comfort and safety. We thank you for the great privileges you have given us in our land, whereby we have the freedom to worship you.
[12:52] Lord, tonight we would bring before your throne all your people throughout this world who do not enjoy the freedoms that we do. We remember your persecuted saints in every land.
[13:06] And we ask that you would uphold them and sustain them in their daily trials. We ask, O Lord, that you would keep them from growing discouraged and disheartened.
[13:18] Keep them from growing bitter and from doubting your goodness to them. enable them to love those that persecute them. Enable them to pray for them.
[13:31] And to continue to show kindness to them, even when they receive evil in return. And in all their trials that you have ordained for them in this world, may they know a deep-seated joy that surpasses all, that nothing in this world can take.
[13:52] And we pray that you would use their persecution in order to further your great gospel purposes. And that you would be pleased to grow your church through them, through their patient witness.
[14:06] Aparteee Give you thanks for this congregation. And we pray your richest blessing upon everyone gathered here tonight.
[14:21] And all who belong to this church. We pray that they would be a city set on a hill. They would be a shining light and a beacon of hope.
[14:34] Into the lost and needy world around about. But we pray that you would more and more knit the hearts of this people together. In love and unity.
[14:46] We pray that they would be faithful in bearing one another's burdens. In praying for one another. And encouraging one another on the way to the heavenly Zion.
[14:57] We give you thanks for the new minister here. We pray for Donald and Emma in their new marriage. And we ask Lord your richest blessing upon them.
[15:10] That you would be at the very centre of their married life together. And that here in this place they would be enabled to serve this congregation. And serve this community faithfully together.
[15:25] We pray that in the weeks and months ahead many new friendships would be formed. And that indeed these people would go from strength to strength.
[15:38] We pray that you would grow this congregation. That you would bring in those from the outside. Who would come and hear the gospel. And be converted to Christ.
[15:48] We pray oh Lord that you would draw them. But that they would be drawn because they have been invited. And that you would enable them to step over the entrance way to this building.
[16:00] And to come and to hear the good news of Christ. We pray for any here tonight who do not know you. Who are still outside your kingdom.
[16:11] And still in the darkness of their sin. We pray Lord that you would speak powerfully to them. And shine the light of your glory into their hearts. And that you would raise them from death to life.
[16:25] And that you would not leave them in such a wretched and helpless condition. To still be in their sins. And on the road to destruction. Lord please sustain your saints.
[16:38] Please enable them to keep going in all the daily battles and challenges. That they face. That they would be enabled to remain in the narrow way. Though it be uphill and hard.
[16:49] But that they would be looking unto that eternal city. And desiring to be with Christ. And that truly they would know your presence and your help. In every situation.
[17:01] And that you would grow them and mature them each one. In the faith. We pray Lord for any who are especially suffering. At this time through illness.
[17:12] Or through bereavement. Or through other trials that come our way. We pray that they would be especially aware of your presence. And that they would know your extraordinary grace.
[17:23] To take them through life's darkest moments. So Father as we come now to your word. How we need to hear from you. How we long that you would step down from heaven.
[17:36] And declare your excellencies to us. That you would show us your glory. And that we would behold your son. Our king. And that we would desire more of him.
[17:48] And that we would be resolved and encouraged. From tonight. To live for him more faithfully. And to serve him more fervently. Please hear our prayers.
[17:59] As we offer them all to you. In his name. Amen. Amen. I'm sure most of you here are familiar with the chapter of scripture that we read.
[18:29] A few moments ago. 2 Samuel chapter 11. It records for us. What is undoubtedly the lowest point. In David's life.
[18:41] When. His heart was furthest from the Lord. This part of David's life story. Should shock us.
[18:54] It should. Stir us up to take heed. Of ourselves. It serves as a stark warning. To us. That how. At times.
[19:05] At times. The best and most fervent of saints. Can fall. Can let our guard down. We can. Take our eyes off Christ.
[19:16] And when we do that. When our attention is diverted. From the one who is our life. We will only spiral. Into sin. But friends. I hope David's story at this point.
[19:28] I hope David's story at this point. Also. Brings us. Encouragement. And comfort. As we read on in the next chapter. And as we read of course in Psalm 51. Which David wrote on this occasion.
[19:40] I hope. We will also take heart. And see that. God's grace. And mercy. Extend. Deeper. Than our greatest.
[19:51] Sins. Because with God. There is forgiveness. For those. Who repent. For those who ask him for it.
[20:02] And for those. Who trust him. Although in this chapter. The focus is mainly on David. And his actions.
[20:13] We're actually going to consider. The life of another person. Mentioned. Tonight. There are four main people. Named for us. In this.
[20:24] Chapter. There is of course. David and Bathsheba. But there are also two of. The soldiers. The leader. Of David's army. Being. Joab. But the person.
[20:36] We're going to look tonight. Is. Actually. The only one. Who acts. As a true. Israelite. Here. There's a certain.
[20:47] Irony. That. The true. The true. Spiritual. Israelite. The true. Son of Israel. In these. Verses. Is the one. Who wasn't actually born.
[20:59] An Israelite. Tonight. We're going to look at. Uriah. The Hittite. And there is much. That we can learn. From his conduct. About what.
[21:10] A life. Of faithfulness. To God. Looks like. This is the only. Part of the Bible. Where we are given. Any. Significant. Information. About.
[21:21] Uriah. His name. Is mentioned. In passing. In some of the lists. In Kings. And Chronicles. And then. He's only mentioned. Again. Once. In the New Testament.
[21:33] And that's right. At the beginning. Of the New Testament. In the genealogy. In Matthew. Chapter 1. Where. Matthew. Includes. For us. The detail. That Solomon.
[21:43] Was born. To David. By the wife. Of Uriah. I think. There are two reasons. Matthew. Has included. Uriah's name.
[21:55] In this genealogy. Firstly. It's a reminder. Of David's. Adultery. A reminder. That.
[22:05] One of the most. Eminent. Old Testament. Saints. Is. Like. Each one of us. One. Who had feet. Of clay. And who.
[22:16] Had. No righteousness. Of his own. But. Relied. Holy. On the grace. Of God. And the promised Messiah. Who would come. From his own line.
[22:27] But I think. Matthew. Also. Includes. Uriah's name. In Matthew. Chapter 1. As a nod. To Uriah. As well. To give him.
[22:37] That dignified. Place. As one. Who obeyed God. And who was. Faithful. Even though. He would die. Humanly speaking.
[22:47] We would say. Prematurely. And David. Would take his wife. So we're told. He. Is. Uriah. The Hittite. And that means.
[22:58] That he was born. Into the Hittite. Clan. They were a people group. Who inhabited. Syria. And also.
[23:08] Of course. The land. Of Canaan. They were descendants. Of Heth. The son. Of Canaan. Who was the son. Of Ham.
[23:19] Noah's son. Listed. In Genesis. Chapter. Nine. Who brought. Curse. Upon. His descendants. Through. Mocking. His father's. Nakedness. The Hittites.
[23:31] Were a group. That Abraham. Had dealings with. In Genesis. Chapter. 23. When he was buying. The cave. And as I said.
[23:41] They dwelt. In Syria. And then. In the land. Of Canaan. But of course. Only for a time. Because eventually. They were driven. Out. Of Canaan. By Israel. Because God.
[23:53] Promised. Abraham. That land. And. God. Listed. The Hittites. As one. Of the tribes. Currently. Inhabiting it. Who would be driven.
[24:03] Out. By Abraham's. Descendants. But the most. Significant thing. About. The Hittites. Is that they were not. Worshippers. Of the God.
[24:13] Of Israel. They were not. God's people. They were not. Worshippers. Of Yahweh. They had their own.
[24:25] False gods. That they worshipped. So what we see. Firstly. About Uriah. Was that he was a convert. To the God.
[24:36] Of Israel. Although he was born. Into this people group. At some point. In his life. He has become. An Israelite. He's become. A spiritual. Israelite.
[24:47] In the same way. That. Ruth did. That he took. The God of Israel. To be his God. And he took. The people of Israel. To be his people.
[24:58] He has become. A worshipper. And servant. Of Yahweh. He has turned. From. The God. Of his fathers. A false God. God. And he has come. To know. And serve.
[25:08] The living. And true God. And in coming. To serve. The God of Israel. We see. That he has also. Become a servant. Of Israel's. King. The name.
[25:20] Uriah. Actually means. The Lord. Is light. Or the Lord. Is my light. And in this chapter. He was the only one. Who had any light. From the Lord.
[25:30] At that time. He was the only one. Who was living. Faithfully. For the Lord. As the others. Stumbled. In darkness. In 2nd Samuel.
[25:42] Chapter 23. Uriah. Is listed. As one of David's. Mighty men. So he was one. Of David's. Generals. He was a man.
[25:52] Of outstanding. Military skill. But more importantly. He was a man. Of outstanding. Character. And we can see.
[26:04] At this point. In the narrative. That the Lord. Has richly. Blessed David's. Military. Campaigns. David has gone out. To fight.
[26:15] With his army. To subdue. The foreign nations. Surrounding. Israel. We see. In the previous chapter. Chapter 10. That he. Has been successful.
[26:26] In defeating. And driving back. The Syrians. And the Ammonites. And the Ammonites. And Uriah. Has very much. Been involved. In these conquests. And now.
[26:38] Chapter 11. Opens. When the Israelite. Army. Is currently. In the process. Of besieging. The Ammonite. City. Of Rabbah. But we're not.
[26:49] Told much. About what's going on. In the heat. Of the battle. No. The narrator. Takes us. Back to. The quiet streets. Of Jerusalem. And we read about. What is happening there.
[27:00] Because what we discover. Is that David. Is not at war. Leading his men. Where. He should have been. As verse 1. Tells us. This was the time. When the kings.
[27:11] Went out to battle. It was expected. That the kings. Would lead. From the front. But David. Has grown lazy. And complacent. A shadow. Of his younger self.
[27:22] Who was. So valiant. For the Lord. And his cause. David. Is now. A middle-aged man. Who has strayed. From the Lord. In his heart.
[27:34] Though thankfully. By God's grace. Not forever. And. At this point. As he wanders. Jerusalem. David. David.
[27:45] David. Thinks. That he is. Entitled. To sleep. With the wife. Of another man. Why? Just because. He liked the look of her. It happens.
[27:59] She falls pregnant. So David. Now has to try. And cover up. This scandal. So he sends. For Bathsheba's.
[28:09] Husband. Uriah. And. He's already lying. One sin. Always leads to another. David.
[28:21] Pretends. He's sent. For Uriah. In order to receive. An update. On how the battle. Is progressing. Now. Such a job.
[28:34] Would normally. Fall. To a low-ranking. Soldier. Or a messenger boy. To be sent back. With the news. Of the battle. It would not fall. To a general. It would not fall. To someone.
[28:45] Of Uriah's. Position. So Uriah. Goes back. He gives. David. The update. On how the battle. Is progressing. And then David. Encourages.
[28:56] Uriah. To take a day off. And to go. And see. His wife. And David. Is doing this. In the hope. That Uriah. Would sleep. With her. And would.
[29:07] Then assume. That the baby. Was his own. In verse 8. We have a somewhat. Unusual phrase. Where. David.
[29:19] Said to Uriah. Go down. To your house. And wash. Your feet. Now. That could. Be taken.
[29:29] Quite literally. It could just mean. Go down. Have a bath. Refresh yourself. In your own house. Another suggestion. Is. It could be. Some sort of.
[29:40] Sexual. Innuendo. But I think. The most likely. Explanation. Of what this means. Is that. It was to get. David was telling. Uriah.
[29:50] He could be relieved. From the oath. He was under. You see. It's very likely. That. That. When they were at war. Soldiers. Took an oath. To abstain. From women.
[30:01] How do we know this. From another part. Of scripture. Because this is what. David's men did. In. First Samuel. Chapter 21. When they went.
[30:13] To. The priest. They needed bread. To eat. And. The only bread. Available. Was. The holy bread. On the altar. And so.
[30:24] David. Had to give. Assurance. To the priest. That the men. Had stayed back. From women. And David. Could give assurance. To the priest. At this time. Because the men. Were. Indeed.
[30:34] At war. And so. I think it's likely. That this phrase. Will wash your feet. Meant essentially. Get out of the oath. You can wash your hands. Of the oath you made.
[30:46] When you were at battle. Have a break from it. So David sends. Uriah home. With a gift. For him and his wife.
[30:57] With a. A present. Most likely. A gift. Of food. The first thing. We see. About the character. Of Uriah.
[31:09] In these verses. Is that he is a man. Of self-control. He's a man. Of self-control. You see. He didn't feel.
[31:19] That it was right. To go home. To his wife. At this time. And we'll soon. Come to the reason. Why? Although. His king. Was encouraging him.
[31:30] To do so. He'd been given. A lovely gift of food. To take home. To her. And it's not just. Encouragement. That would be. Coming from the king. I think.
[31:41] We can assume. That. Bathsheba. Would be very keen. For. Uriah. To come home. As well. Perhaps. She has sent. From him. Also.
[31:53] Trying to entice him. So that. She can cover up. The fact. She is pregnant. By someone else. And of course. Uriah. Hadn't seen her.
[32:05] In a long time. It's likely. He'd been away. Fighting. For months. Which one of us. If you're married. Could come back. To. Your own village.
[32:18] And. Having not seen. Your family. For months on end. Having not seen. Your loved ones. Spend a night. Outside your house.
[32:30] And not go in. And see them. But Uriah. Felt he must. He must. Stay out of his house.
[32:41] And although he had. Enticements. Coming his way. His strong resolve. Wins the day. What a contrast. With David's. Lust.
[32:52] And deceitfulness. You see. Without knowing it. Uriah. Is showing David. How he should. Have been living. That he should.
[33:03] Have been the exemplar. Of self-control. And dignity. For. The Lord. Ultimately. But also. As an example. To his people.
[33:15] And friends. As followers. Of the Lord. Jesus Christ. We are also. Told to exercise. Self-control. In every area. Of our lives. It's of course.
[33:25] One of the fruits. Of the spirit. Listed. In. Galatians. Five. Self-control. Is something. We can know. That God. Is working. Into us.
[33:37] As he. Conforms us. To the image. Of. His son. We are told. We are called. To hold fast. To our convictions. And to resist. The temptations.
[33:47] We face. And let's be honest. We all. Struggle. With self-control. In different areas. Of our lives. And the things. That some people. Struggle with.
[33:57] Others. Won't as much. In that area. But they'll have other areas. Where they. Struggle. For some people. It will be lost. For some. Outbursts. Of anger. And rage.
[34:09] For some. Eating and drinking. To excess. For some. Gossiping. But there's another side. Of self-control. As well. Self-control. Is not just.
[34:20] Not doing certain things. Self-control. Is also. Forcing yourself. To do. Certain things. To not neglect. Your duty. Finding the willpower.
[34:33] To work. To pray. To fulfill. Your responsibilities. That takes self-control. As well. It's not just restraint. It's driving yourself.
[34:45] To what must. Be done. And self-control. Is not always. Something we struggle with.
[34:55] Outwardly. It can be an inner struggle. As well. Struggle. To control. Our thoughts. To let them.
[35:09] Run wild. And for our minds. To spiral. To spiral. Further. Into sin. And of course. How often.
[35:21] Can we. Diagnose. So many. Breakups. In relationships. And fallouts.
[35:32] Because of. Lack of self-control. How many warnings. Does James give. In his letter. About taming. The tongue. Families.
[35:44] Can be broken up. Churches. Can be split. Friendships. Over many decades. Severed. Good relationships.
[35:57] Killed. Because of a lack. Of self-control. It can be one word. It can be one sentence. How often.
[36:08] Does it cause problems. But friends. We have here. An example. In the man. Uriah. He had the king's. Permission. But his conscience. Would not let him.
[36:19] Go to his own. House. So he chose. The rough way. He chose. To sleep outside. Rather than his own. Bed. It's a reminder to us.
[36:33] That. Just because. The way of duty. Is the hard way. It doesn't mean. We're to. Avoid it. Or neglect it. Just because it's out.
[36:44] Of our comfort zone. Friends. Choose. Suffering. Over sin. Every time. Sin is not an excuse. Because. The right way.
[36:56] Was harder. Choose. Suffering. Over sin. Every time. Even if it kills you. But of course.
[37:09] Uriah. Is not. The ultimate example. Of self-control. To us. We even see. In these. Verses. That he was drunk. He wasn't a perfect man. The perfect example.
[37:20] Of self-control. We have to follow. Is that. Of our Lord. Jesus Christ. Christ. The one. Who came into this world. And who suffered.
[37:31] The fiercest. Temptation. That you and I. Cannot even begin. To imagine. But he never sinned. He never thought. A sinful thought.
[37:42] A sinful thought. He never had. A less than perfect. Thought. His entire life. Was lived. In complete. Love. And devotion. To his father.
[37:53] And as the Lord's people. We can know. That he is the one. Who lives within us. The one who will strengthen us. In the hour of temptation. The one who will. Enable us.
[38:04] In the way of duty. And the one. Who will give us. His supplies of grace. For every. Exercise. Of self-control.
[38:16] That we find ourselves. Struggling. With. So that's the first thing. We see about Uriah. He was a man of self-control. The second thing.
[38:26] We see about him. Is that he had a concern. For the welfare. Of his men. And he. Had a zeal. For the glory of God. After he sleeps.
[38:41] At the door. Of the house. Among the servants. David calls him in. The next day. And asks him. Why? He's been away. For so long. He's just come.
[38:51] On a long journey. To the city. Where. His wife is. Why? Not go. And see her. And Uriah responds.
[39:02] In verse 11. And verse 11. Is the only verse. In the Bible. In which. Uriah. Speaks. It's the only words. Of Uriah.
[39:12] We have. Recorded. But what a sermon. It is. To us. Uriah. Says. The ark. And Israel.
[39:23] And Judah. Dwell in booths. And my lord. Joab. And the servants. Of my lord. Are camping. In the open field. Shall I then. Go to my house. To eat. And to drink.
[39:34] And to lie. With my wife. As you live. And as your soul lives. I will not do. This thing. You see.
[39:44] Uriah. Has been tasked. To lead. The army of Israel. To accomplish. God's purposes. In subduing the land. Uriah.
[39:55] He's been given. A mission. From his king. And that work. Is not complete. And because that work. Is not complete. Uriah's men. Are not resting.
[40:08] They're living in tents. They're far. Far from their families. And their homes. They are battle weary. And so. Uriah. Will not take.
[40:18] To himself. Luxuries. That his men. Cannot have. He very much. Still considers himself. To be. On duty. He's still at war.
[40:31] Even though. He's. Far from the battle lines. At this time. And so. He considered. Sleeping on the floor. More fitting.
[40:41] For him. Rather than being. In the comfort. Of his own home. With his wife. At least. Until his. God given work. Was done. So he has a concern.
[40:53] For his men. And it's a reminder. To us. Of the concern. We must have. For our fellow. Believers. Those who are suffering. At this time.
[41:04] In our own. Congregation. In our own. Locality. But also. Throughout the world. And we have a prayerful. Duty. To them. And we have a practical. Duty.
[41:15] Where possible. To give. Of our resources. To them. To help them. In their need. It may be. Someone in the congregation. Here. It may be. Financial.
[41:27] Gifts. Given. And prayers. Given. For the Lord's work. The other side. Of the world. But more importantly.
[41:42] It's not. Just. Uriah's own men. Who are dwelling in tents. It's the fact. That the ark. Of God. And all. Of Israel. And Judah.
[41:53] Are dwelling. In tents. You see. The ark. Symbolized. God's covenant. And his presence.
[42:04] With Israel. And as of yet. The temple. Has not been built. The ark. Does not have a permanent. Location. Back in chapter 6.
[42:14] It was. Brought to Jerusalem. It still had. All the tabernacle. Furnishings. But there has been no. Building. Yet built. For it. And this is part of. Uriah's work. This is why the army.
[42:26] Has gone out. Do we see. What God is doing here. In subduing. In subduing. The nations. The army. Has been sent. To do this. To bring peace.
[42:37] To Israel. Throughout the territory. Of Canaan. And this would be. David's role. In Israel's history. Back in a previous. Chapter.
[42:47] David had a zeal. I think chapter 7. He had a concern. To build. The house. Of the lords. For the ark. To be in a. Permanent dwelling place. For God.
[43:00] But. David was told. He would not do that. He had blood. In his hands. That building. Of the temple. Would come. Through David's son. Solomon. In the reign of peace.
[43:13] But you see. David had a part to play. David would go out. To war. And his army. Would make these conquests. They would conquer. Pagan city. After pagan city. And bring about peace.
[43:24] And in doing so. They would create. The ideal. Political conditions. For the building. Of the temple. They couldn't safely. Put their men. To the work. Of building the temple.
[43:35] When they were still. Being attacked. By all. The nations. Round about. That had to be taken. Care of first. So that then. Solomon had the peace. And the resources. To build.
[43:47] The temple. And that's. Uriah's. Drive. That's his. Ambition. And that's. What spurs. Him on. In his work. That he is playing.
[43:57] His small part. Which will extend. Beyond his lifetime. To. Building that dwelling place. For God. So how can Uriah.
[44:09] Rest up. When he has a mission. That will ultimately. Result in God's. House. Being built. It was David's drive. In chapter 7.
[44:19] Is it still. David's desire. Has he. Lost that as well. And of course. The people are still. Intense as well. There's not even yet.
[44:32] Enough safety. And security. In place. For the people. To build. Houses. And Uriah. Has his part. To play. In changing that. Here's a man.
[44:43] Who is at war. For God. Because he wants. To see the people. Of God. Settled. He wants. To see God. Glorified. As the nation. Is established. In the land. That was promised.
[44:53] To their forefather. Abraham. And where the grand house. Of God. Is built. For him to dwell. In. And so. Uriah. Has no time.
[45:04] For comforts. That others cannot enjoy. How can he. Be more concerned. For his own needs. Than for others.
[45:15] He lives. Friends. There's a call to us. To be in.
[45:28] That work. Of building. The house of God. Do you have a zeal. For the house of God. Of course. It's not any. Physical building. The house of.
[45:39] God is not built with. Brick and mortar. And stone. but it's built of living stones. The house of God is still being built today throughout the world as people repent of their sins and call upon the Lord Jesus Christ to save them.
[45:55] And if you're a Christian then you have been enrolled in the Lord's army to play your part in that as well. And we do that as we live faithfully godly lives in Christ Jesus.
[46:13] We live as shining lights as an example to the world around us saying here's where true life is found world. It's not in sin.
[46:24] It's founding knowing Jesus Christ. We build the house of God as we call people to come as we witness for him as we ask people to come to church as we share the gospel with them.
[46:40] And we build the house of God as we give ourselves to the labour of prayer for the lost as well. And that's the role we all have as Christian soldiers.
[46:56] Are you at ease like David was? Can you rest when there are many lost souls around about us?
[47:08] Many who do not honour and adore the Lord of glory. Many who blaspheme him. Who worship false gods.
[47:22] Can you sleep at night? Do you have a burden for the lost? I hope we can see the contrast again between David and Uriah.
[47:36] David abuses his power and position. He uses his position as king to get this woman. But what does Uriah do?
[47:49] He's granted privileges but he refuses to use them. He's told he can get out of living as the other soldiers were living.
[47:59] He can have the home comforts. He can have his wife. But he refuses to use them. And he was probably not conscious of it but in his response to David he was giving a rebuke to David.
[48:11] Because this is how David should have been living. And of course when we think of Uriah in this way how infinitely more true was it for Jesus himself.
[48:23] The one who chose to forgo his rights as the eternal son of God for us. Remember what Paul says in Philippians 2 Have this mind among yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus who though he was in the form of God did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant being born in likeness of men and being found in human form he humbled himself becoming obedient to the point of death even death on a cross.
[48:59] The eternal son the second person of the ever blessed triune God who commands the worship of the heavenly angels forevermore whose glory is infinite he chose to come into this world to take on human flesh to have his glory veiled and to live in poverty as a man to feel the effects of this fallen world and to suffer the brutal death of Calvary and to bear his people's sins in his own body and have the wrath of God come upon him.
[49:46] And that's the sacrifice he made for us believers. What sacrifices are you not willing to make for Christ and his cause?
[49:58] What is too much for you? What is beyond you? What do you consider beneath you for him? We see next that David tries again by getting Uriah drunk but again this doesn't work.
[50:15] Uriah still sleeps among the servants. It's of course a blot in Uriah's record he wasn't perfect. David is more at fault of course but Uriah should not have allowed himself to get into that state.
[50:32] He's already refused the king's command he should have refused that next drink. So in the end David cannot get Uriah and Bathsheba together and there's only one option left to David in his own mind in order to cover the scandal.
[50:52] Uriah must die. Uriah must die so that Bathsheba can become David's wife so that it all looks legitimate. and that they've had the baby in their marriage.
[51:08] The third thing we now see in Uriah is loyalty. Verse 14 In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
[51:21] Verse 15 In the letter he wrote set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting and then draw back from him that he may be struck down and die. You know what Uriah carries back with him to the battlefield?
[51:40] His death letter. He carries his death warrant back with him to the battlefield and he gives it to his commander Joab.
[51:51] and he didn't read it. And David knew he wouldn't read it. David knew how loyal his servant was.
[52:07] He knew he would hand it back to Joab without questioning it. And so Uriah returns to the battlefield to fight for David who has just instructed his murder.
[52:24] Uriah is sent into the fiercest part of the battle where Rabbah's best men are, verse 16 tells us. He's sent near the city wall where the archers can reach him.
[52:39] And Joab doesn't want to arouse suspicion by retreating from Uriah alone. That would look a bit suspect if only Uriah was left and so some men are left around about Uriah to die also.
[52:58] Sin just snowballs doesn't it? A look from David a lustful glance then adultery then lying getting someone drunk then plotting their murder and then causing someone else to execute that death warrant.
[53:16] God and not just Uriah but some other faithful soldiers as well. Sin is like running down a hill. You start running down a hill you gather speed you lose control you can't stop.
[53:32] Our sins no matter how secret we think they are they do not just affect us they have a detrimental effect in the lives of others as well.
[53:45] Uriah loyally obeyed his king he went to the hottest part of the battle he knew it would have been he was a well seasoned soldier he was an excellent soldier no doubt thinking why on earth am I being sent there that's a one way ticket he went because his king told him to and unbeknown to him his death had been planned and that day he went to his death but he went there and continued faithfulness to his king and he never saw the Ammonite city of Rabbah conquered but that day he was translated to the eternal city whose builder and maker is God what a wicked king at this point of his life
[54:45] Uriah served but friends there is another king there's another king that you and I are called to come and serve and to belong to and this king is infinitely better and greater than David and you never have to worry about what this king's motives are with you and at times this king will take you into fierce battles and into the hardest of situations and you need not worry why does he do that if Jesus Christ reigns having risen from the dead having been given all authority in heaven and on earth if he reigns and why on earth is this in my life because I love him and I want to follow him and honour him so why has he brought this into my life is it because he hates you is it because he wants to end you and destroy you no because
[56:05] Jesus Christ is not David whatever is in your life by his sovereign hand is because he loves you and he wants to prosper you and he wants to make you more like himself and you can trust him in it he can be trusted because this king means you no harm he means your ultimate good and that doesn't mean no trials or no battles but it means that everything you face has been tailor made for you and designed for you to grow you in the grace and knowledge of him so this king can be trusted believer unbeliever this king can be trusted and you're going to bow to him one day make it now make it now in love and reverence and not on that day when he returns or you meet him through death in terror because you have remained his enemy surrender your life to him now whatever age you are it's not too late and it's not too early give yourself to him and if you don't and you die in your sins it will be better for you had you never been born this king is offered to you tonight take him to be your all in all come under his rule come under his blood receive him by faith trust in him and he will provide for you a full and free forgiveness for all your sins past present and future and he will take you to be his own and he will never abandon you and he will never do you any harm this king passes by tonight he is offered to you and if you reject him tonight well at the very best your heart will be hardened to him the gospel always does something when it comes when the king passes by you're either softened or you're hardened and if it's another rejection tonight it's a conscience more seared it's affections more dulled to him it's a heart raised further in opposition against him and that's only the very best that will happen to you if you reject him tonight and what's the very worst that will happen to you if you reject him tonight is that tomorrow you'll wake up in hell because you do not know if you're going home to your deathbed you do not know if this is going to be your last night on this earth and if you reject this king tonight well this may be the final chance that he holds out the hand of mercy to you this may be the last time he offers himself to you and after this he may be silent until he condemns you on the day of judgment don't be a fool come his arms are open and the saviour will receive you come in faith come in repentance he will turn none away he's promised that to turn none away come and have life in all its fullness in him so friends just to finish remember what the true king has done you see
[60:01] Uriah went to his death I believe unknowingly he didn't know what was happening to him as he was sent into the battle maybe he began to see something we don't know but the difference with Jesus Christ is that he knew he knew everything that was going to come his way he knew he was coming to suffer and die he went to his death knowingly and willingly because that's how much he loves his people he came to save his enemies he came to save those who hated him to make them his friends and his servants and subjects Jesus Christ came not just to the place of greatest danger like Uriah but he was going to the place of certain death he was going to hell itself to suffer the wrath of God for his people's sins he knew it he saw the horror of it in Gethsemane and he went through with it because his heart overflows in love for his people so friends that is
[61:19] Uriah a man of principle a man of self control a man who was loyal and faithful to his men to his king and to his God and his death was not in vain it was used in God's purposes it does not mean God condoned the death as verse 27 shows us and God had a plan for David beyond that friends Uriah's king couldn't be trusted here but our king can always be trusted no matter what your circumstances are tonight his character has not changed he's still the same Christian his love for you has not waned one bit and so as we continue on as you begin a fresh start as a congregation with a new minister trust your king wherever he leads you he is faithful so continue friends in faithfulness to him let us pray our heavenly father we give you thanks for the examples of your servancy who have given us in scripture to teach us and instruct us in the way that we should go and we thank you that we have in your son the one above all whom we truly need the one who calls us to himself to have life in him and the one who calls us to follow him every day of our lives learning from him help help us help us oh lord to be faithful to him knowing that he is faithful to us and help us to go on in his strength day by day we ask oh lord that you would make us such faithful christians mould us and shape us into men and women of such godly character as
[63:30] Uriah and we pray that you would more and more lead us into further areas of service in our lives as you shape us and equip us for this through your word please bless your word to us tonight please bless this congregation take us home safely we ask in Jesus name amen well let us conclude by singing in psalm number 12 in the Scottish Psalter psalm 12 in the Scottish Psalter we'll sing the whole psalm verses 1 to 8 help lord because the godly man doth daily fade away and from among the sons of men the faithful do decay and to his neighbour everyone doth utter vanity they with a double heart do speak and lips of flattery
[64:33] God shall cut off all flattering lips tongues that speak proudly thus will with our tongue prevail our lips are ours whose Lord o'er us for poor oppressed and for the size of needy rise will I saith God and him in safety set from such as him defy the words of God are words most pure they be like silver tried in earth and furnace seven times that have been purified Lord thou shalt them preserve and keep forever from this race on each side walk the wicked when vile men are high in place we see here the situation in Israel had degenerated when the psalmist wrote these words the godly could not be found the poor were oppressed the needy called on god and the psalmist calls us to take heart and to know that we are to stick to god's word to continue to live that godly life in Christ Jesus verse 6 tells us in verse 7 we have that comfort and assurance that the
[65:38] Lord will keep his people he will keep us holy and growing in holiness even in the midst of an unholy world so let us keep going in faith and strength and let us sing psalm 12 to god's praise and glory praise for will be gain but to his name for every word the life of vanity they with an troubled heart to speak and lift a fat of thee of how are独Two up all who ask and for the sight of me he rides with high.
[67:20] Save God, I am in safety set, forms such as him defy.
[67:33] The words of God are words most pure, they be like silver trite.
[67:45] In earth and forest seven tides, that hath been purified.
[67:58] Nor curse of the prison, and keep forever from this race.
[68:10] On east I walk the wicked when I met a high in place.
[68:23] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.