When we consider people treated “unfairly” in the Bible, a few come to mind. We have Joseph thrown in the pit by his jealous brothers, the fiery furnace story, the lion’s den, and of course, Job. All these men were pushed into unimaginable circumstances and places.
When we even attempt to put ourselves in their shoes (or sandals), we catch a glimpse of how dire their situations were. How they wondered if and how they’d be saved. Each one had faith to finally say…”Even if, Lord. I’m with you.” The faith that inspires us and moves God. The faith The Lord wants us to have.
In each of these stories, the people did survive though. Miraculously, of course. God allowed them to see another day. And He got all the Glory for their stories. Exactly as He should. Praise Him!
The Bible says Job was even more blessed in his latter years than his previous ones. The ones taken from him because of a spiritual bet between God and Satan that he never even knew about. Was that fair? God allowed it and trusted Job. Even though and even if. And, he was rewarded on earth as he will be in heaven.
But, what about Bathsheba’s husband? I have so much compassion for this man. You’ve heard the phrase “Sometimes we are just the collateral damage in someone else’s war against themselves.” Talk about some collateral damage for this guy!
Now, we don’t know if there was a wager made in heaven about him. We only know there was for Job because it was written about. We know he couldn’t have been perfect, because he was human. But, all we are told about him is that he was faithful. Faithful to his king and his wife. And still….gets murdered. Not just by some “bad guy”, but by the guy we know as “The man after God’s own heart.” Man, does that feel unfair.
We know David repented for cheating with his wife and murdering him. After the fact. David’s heart broke into a million pieces for what he did. David’s family had issues because of it and he lived with his own consequences. But, when I think of how unfair life can be to some. Some who don’t deserve it, my mind goes back to Bathsheba’s husband and I am once again reassured that His ways are not our ways. (Isaiah 55:8) That some reap rewards and survive miraculously on earth, but that for others their reward will be in heaven (Matthew 5:12).
Bathsheba’s husband didn’t live to work through the battle of forgiveness to the king he so faithfully served and was betrayed by. That would have been a different story. Instead, he was killed on purpose by the man he was fighting for and also got his wife pregnant.
To be cheated on and murdered seems bad enough, right? But, to be cheated on and killed by the man known as the man after God’s own heart? What a story. Talk about collateral damage.
We love King David and feel sorry for Bathsheba’s husband. And, I can’t wait to hug them both in heaven. Doesn’t that seem like a very strange meeting for the two men after their story? With nothing but forgiveness and understanding in their hearts for each other. A story only God could orchestrate and redeem. But, He does and He will.
I don’t share this to add questions to God’s motives, but to remind us that we will never understand it all this side of heaven. We aren’t meant to. When innocent children get hurt or killed. When bad things happen to good people. When corruption is elected and runs rampant. When we just don’t understand…
We are humble humans living God’s story, whatever that is. He uses us in spite of ourselves, our sins, our struggles, and our tragedies. Somehow, in His sovereignty and love, He alone will make it perfect.
The Love We Crave 