Uriah’s wife
Uriah’s wife’s name was Bathsheba. The way Bathsheba came to be King David’s wife and Solomon’s mother was scandalous and shameful. She was married to Uriah when David took her into an adulterous affair. When she became pregnant, David tried to cover up the matter. To hide his misdeeds, David tried to call Uriah home from the war, hoping that the two would have relations and that he would be able to pass the child off as belonging to Uriah. But Uriah, being a disciplined soldier, refused to leave his post. So, David murdered him by proxy, ordering all of Uriah’s comrades to abandon him during battle, so that he was killed by the opposing army. Following Uriah’s death, David took Bathsheba as his eighth wife. David’s action was displeasing to the Lord, who sent Nathan the prophet to reprove the king. Although God punished David for his sinful deed of murdering an innocent man, He blessed David and Bathsheba with an heir to the throne, Solomon, who would become a very “wise king”.
God uses flawed people every day. He uses you and me to further His kingdom, even when we fail to be what He intended us to be. Our hope does not lie in how good we are, but in His faithfulness to fulfil His plan in us. Matthew does not hide Bathsheba’s part in the story, although he does not mention her name, he makes sure we remember her. Nothing we have done or will ever do can keep God from using us for His glory. Let us not be blinded by our own flaws and mistakes but focus on the gifts and talents we have received from God. May we use them wisely to do God’s will. Amen
Matthew 1:6: “David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father forgive me when I beat myself up for the mistakes I have made. Remind me that Your perfect plan can be fulfilled no matter how imperfect I am. Thank You for Your forgiveness and grace in my life.
Amen.
Listen to and read the words of the hymn: “Great is Thy faithfulness”.
Easter 2020 ● Volume 7, Issue 3 ● Balerno Parish Church