Readings for today: 2 Samuel 11-12, 1 Chronicles 20, Psalm 51
It is estimated by the World Health Organization that 1/3 of women worldwide are victims of sexual abuse. A 2017 poll taken by ABC News and the Washington post reports that 54% of American women have reported receiving unwanted and inappropriate sexual advances, most of which are never addressed. Sexual abuse and harassment seemingly impact every sector of society from Hollywood to major media outlets to corporations to our government to the church. Every case is tragic. Every case is heartbreaking. Frankly, a reckoning is long overdue especially for the church. For far too long, the church has protected clergy who abuse or who tolerate abuse. High profile cases in the Roman Catholic Church are matched by similar high profile cases in the Protestant world such as Hillsong, Sovereign Grace, Bill Hybels, etc. In my own denomination, I have led commissions to remove five different pastors for various forms of sexual abuse over the years. Though necessary, I hated every moment of the work. I hated what it did to the victims. I hated what it did to the congregations. I hated what it did to the pastor’s spouse and children. The fallout from these situations is incredible and far-reaching.
The story of David and Bathsheba is perhaps one of the most famous stories of sexual abuse in the Scriptures. David, flush with his success on the battlefield and drunk on his own power and privilege, decides to stay home rather than head off to war like most kings in his position. As he stands on the roof, proudly overlooking all he has accomplished, he catches a glimpse of the beautiful Bathsheba bathing beneath him. He heart fills with lust. He covets this beautiful woman and who’s around to stop him? The army is off at war. Her husband is one of David’s mighty men which suggests David knew Bathsheba already. Perhaps this was a secret desire he’d been entertaining for years? He calls for her. Commands her to come. With her life on the line, she obeys and conceives a child from their one night stand. Now comes the coverup. David sends for Uriah but Uriah refuses to cooperate. So David orchestrates his murder. Then, to top it off, he takes Bathsheba into his harem.
It’s a horrible story. One we cannot and should not reduce to a morality tale. Bathsheba is raped. Uriah murdered. A child dies. All because of David’s insatiable lust and appetite for power. Left to his own devices, David might have gotten away with it. But God was watching. God is always watching. “For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.” (2 Samuel 12:12) God sends Nathan the prophet, David’s own brother you’ll remember, to confront him. Nathan risks his life to stand up to David. Call him out. Expose his sin.
A few years ago, legendary Bible teacher Beth Moore penned a poignant essay on her blog about her experiences with men over the years. It’s a heartbreaking read. She shared how it felt to be dismissed, ignored, put down, disrespected, and objectified. Her words are honest. Direct. Forthright. She offers them in a spirit of Christ-like confrontation and love. They must be heard and she’s not alone. There are women who occupy the pews every Sunday who’ve had similar experiences and they too must be heard. Their stories must be shared. And men who occupy places of privilege and power must humble themselves to listen and to repent if necessary.
What would such repentance look like? Psalm 51. These are David’s own words as he falls on his face before the Lord and confesses his sin. It acknowledges our brokenness. Acknowledges our sin. Begs God for a clean heart and a right spirit. These are sacrifices God will never despise.
Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 32, 86, 102-103, 122