THE DEVIL'S TRAP (4).

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*THE DEVIL'S TRAP (4).*

*Scripture Treasure.*

*And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.*

*And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.*

*And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.*

*And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.*

*Insight and Highlight*

Doing the right thing may not always mean everything will go well.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

One of the greatest lessons in the sad story of Uriah was his inability to see the danger ahead of him.

Besides kindness that has an ulterior motive, as we saw yesterday, Uriah had some reasons to suspect David, but he did not. Uriah did not see anything.

Though he was a truthful and faithful servant, he was not prudent enough to see.

Prov 27:12 says *"A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.*

Being faithful in your doings does not mean everything will go on well or that you will find favour with people or that people will like you.

Uriah's suspicion should have been based on David’s insistence that he should go home and sleep with his wife contrary to the custom (1 Samuel 21:5). According to God's directives, people are not just called out of war or national duty to go home and be with their wives.

Deut 24:5 tells us that newly married men are exempted from military service for one year. The scripture does not tell us he was newly married. Even if he were, he would not have been deployed to war, so why such a request for him to cone home?

People often take undue advantage of innocent and faithful followers like Uriah

who demonstrates unwavering loyalty, even when David's actions would harm him and his family.

Such wickedness of a king that had the uncaring and disrespect to send a man's death sentence by the same man's hands.

The man sheepishly but humbly delivered his own death sentence. What an abuse to selfless service and a torture to a descent sense of faithful stewardship.

The sad story of Uriah highlights the danger of trusting outward appearances and not recognizing the true inner state of a person.

David was a tale of betrayal, and Uriah was its victim. For David, it was the killing of a soldier who risked his life for him and Israel.

Betrayal usually comes from people who are close to you.

Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus. Do not be a betrayer. Oftentimes, the closer they are to you, the less you would suspect them.

There is a maxim that goes 'Keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer'

This maxim simply means keeping your enemies closer enough to know them as your enemies or enough to know or be aware of their potential plans to harm you.

The scripture teaches us to "walk circumspectly", Eph 5:15-16, suggesting we be wise and avoid folly. This passage

emphasizes the importance of careful consideration, prudence, and vigilance.

Uriah did not open the letter David sent through him, indicating he was a better man with trusted integrity, and this even made David's action worse and condemnable.

People, like Uriah, suffer for being loyal and faithful in a crooked world that needs the truth to cleanse and purify it.

A man's good honour and integrity brought about his own downfall while a wicked king lived and only got away with punishment.

Is there injustice with God?

Certainly not!

In his punishment, David wished he were dead rather than alive. His later years were full of sorrow, wailing, rebellion, insurrection, national instability, and death of children. The only thing that kept him alive was that he had been prophesied that a descendant of his would rise up and rule with true righteousness and justice, Jer 23:5, Is 11:1, Matt 1:1-17, Lk 3:23-38.

The righteous walk through the valley of shadow of death every day, but we are promised the protection of God, Ps 23:4.

The righteous is admonished to dwell in the secret place of the most high for refuge, Psalm 91:1.

The righteous is admonished to seek and run into the name of the LORD, the Strong Tower, and will be safe, Prov 18:10.

There is a devil's trap. It can be anywhere oftentimes closer than you think. Becareful.

*Remorse corner.*

One of the greatest lessons in the sad story of Uriah was his inability to see the danger ahead of him.

Do not trust blindly!

*Call to Word action.*

Prov 22:3 *A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.*

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Always ask God to help and prepare you to be able to navigate and manage potential threats effectively. 

*Prayer.*

Lord, do not let me fall into the devil's trap in Jesus name.

Good morning all, and have a blessed day.

God bless you.

Shalom.