Spectacular Sins: The Sinful Origin of the Son of David

Have you ever wondered why God would allow Israel to have a king and even bless the nation through David and Solomon, when the monarchy came as a result of their rejection of God as king? That’s the question John Piper tackles this week. He writes:

The point of this chapter is the kingship of Israel… It was a spectacular sin for the people of God to say to their Maker and Redeemer, “We want to be like the nations. We don’t want you to be our king. We want a human king…” Nevertheless, if Israel had had no kingship, Jesus Christ would not have come as the king of Israel and the Son of David and King of kings. But Christ’s kingship over Israel and over the world in not an afterthought in the mind of God. It was not an unplanned response to the sin of Israel. It was part of his plan.

Let’s ask ourselves a few questions:

1. When you consider that God foreshadowed a king in Melchizedek and prophesied of one through Hannah, then factor in Deuteronomy 28:36, how involved in the lives of men do you think God is?
2. John Piper lists six things we can learn from the introduction of human kingship in Israel, in order to glorify Christ as King of Kings. Did any one of these speak specifically and powerfully to you?
3. Can you remember drifting into an “ungrateful and idolatrous season?” How did you escape?
4. Can you describe in your own words how God’s allegiance to His own name, His own honor, results in grace and kindness to us?
5. When you read the author’s rationale for a human king, did you think he was reaching or does he make a good case for describing how God brought a God-man onto the scene as a king, to die for his people?
6. Have you ever wondered what Paul meant in Romans 3 about “sins, previously passed over” and do you have a better understanding of that now?
7. Jesus is King of all. Do you see further significance to the meeting of Abram and Melchizedek?

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How did Satan fall? This is a common question in the discussion of sin and evil in the world. John Piper observes:

The Bible does not take us deep into the heart of such a mysterious sin to explain the soul-dynamics that make rebellion rise out of righteousness. We are not given the final answer of how the origin of sin in the soul of a holy being takes place. But neither are we left to wonder if God was surprised or if he had to revamp all his plans.

The author cautions against speculation and urges his readers instead, to focus on the victory Jesus won at the cross, bruising the serpent’s head and destroying the works of the devil. When we do that, our hearts turn to worship and our minds gain courage in the face of evil.

Piper concludes with Eight Things to Do with Evil and Four Things Never to Do with Evil. I have found this one to be helpful in wrestling with questions about the existence of evil, sin and suffer in a world created by an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving God:

3. Never yield to the thought that God sins or is ever unjust or unrighteous in the way he governs the universe. “The Lord is righteous in all his ways. (Psalm 145:17).

We discussed these questions:

1. John Piper tells us on page 40 that the absence of detail about the origin of evil is not meant to promote speculation, but rather to awaken worship and give us courage in the face of sin and misery. How can we avoid speculating and experience the awe and comfort the author points to?
2. What is the greatest weapon that Jesus stripped from Satan at the cross (pg. 42)? Is Christ’s victory over evil an ever-present reality to you or do you need to remind yourself occasionally? What one discipline do you think would be the most effective in keeping you from lapsing into depression or despair over your own moral lapses?
3. I like how the author’s conclusion that libertarian free will  “is simply another way of naming the mystery” (pg. 43). What is the mystery he’s talking about and, since that doesn’t solve the mystery, how does he think we should proceed to get some understanding?
4. Questions from the seven points: In what sense is “Satan the ruler of this world?: (pg. 44) Describe the difference in authority that God wields in the 10 commandments and the authority He exercises over the demons. (pg. 45) If Satan is the murderer, does he possess the power over our life and death? (pg. 46) In point number 6 on pg. 46, we read God’s words of comfort to Peter… do you think God cares for you in the same way?
5. Why not wipe out Satan? (pp. 48 & 49)

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We began our discussion of Spectacular Sins and Their Global Purpose in the Glory of Christ by John Piper. We began where most good books begin: in the Introduction. We looked at Joni Eareckson Tada’s observation, ”When it comes to holocausts or other horrors, most of us assume God has his hands tied and his back to the wall. We figure the devil wreaks havoc when God’s not looking; we rationalize the Lord’s ‘mistakes,’ figuring he absentmindedly took his hands off the wheel when tragedies happen.” Have you ever found yourself thinking along those lines? How does the author say we can avoid self-pity or rage and endure such catastrophes with faith and hope? The author leads us to the window of the Scriptures to let us know that God has not been caught by surprise when bad things happen, He doesn’t stand aloof and He isn’t powerless. No, He sent Jesus, Who willingly identified with a sinful and suffering humanity, took our guilt and, despite all appearances, won the victory over and through some of the most spectacular sins. Here are some of the questions we discussed:

1. John Piper begins with the creation of the universe. For what purpose does the author tell us the universe was created? What does that imply about our purpose in life?
2. What is the apex of Christ’s glory and what part did evil play in fully displaying that glory?
3. What is the author’s purpose in writing this book? Do you think his assessment of Christians in the West is accurate or has merit?
4. Why do many Christians have a wimpy worldview – what’s missing and where can we go to get what we need to pump up our sometimes wimpy view of God?
5. Are you facing or have you faced suffering or a trial or persecution that put your Christian worldview to the test? What kept you from breaking?

Continue reading about Spectacular Sins: Introduction