Nathan’s challenge to David is one of the most famous interactions in the

whole bible. He confronts David’s sin, David confesses, God forgives. It

sits at the heart of David’s story. But the episode also raises a bunch of

questions concerning the suffering that David and Israel will experience as

a result of David’s sin. It’s important for us from time to time to wrestle

with the problem of how a good god can allow, never mind seemingly

instigating suffering. But such wrestling should not take away from the

main challenge of this story, and the Bible in general. The Bible is less

concerned with philosophical musings or impossible questions, than it is

with what God has to do with us. It’s is always personal. And it is always

direct. David has lost God, and he goes through the humbling process of

coming back to him. We can draw courage in being able to do the same,

because Jesus always heals and always forgives.

By Ed Flint