Nathan the Prophet - a Man of God

Introduction

I began to name this the ‘Bible Person Study’, but chose to go with the ‘Bible Character Study’. I hesitated to name it that, as I don’t want to diminish the fact that these are real people we’ll be examining. But the reason that it’s named the Bible Character Study is because we’ll be focusing on the person’s character throughout. But don’t forget that these were real people, with real lives that made real choices that had real consequences.

I. Nathan’s Nature

((What is their History / Background?)

God’s Prophet

As we are introduced to Nathan, he is introduced as ‘Nathan the Prophet’.

Prophet (def) a person illuminated, inspired or instructed by God to announce future events.

Nathan was one ordained of God who communicated God’s Word unto man - in Nathan’s case, mainly David.

Prophets now have ceased to exist. God told us that they would: 1 Corinthians 13:8 “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.”

God goes on to explain why that is: 1 Corinthians 13:9–10 “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”

We have God’s perfect Word today, therefore, there is no need for special revelation from God today - but David’s time was very different. God utilized prophets to carry His Word forth.

While there are no more prophets, God has still ordained men to carry forth His Word - you and I!

God’s Prophet

David’s Faithful Help

Three times in the life of David, Nathan was present and faithful to help.

Through both good times and bad, Nathan was faithful to David.

Nathan reminds me of another who is compared to Christ - Melchizedek. He appears from nowhere and disappears just the same. I don’t think it’s coincidence that Melchizedek is also compared to Christ in Heb. 5-7.

Nathan was David’s Faithful Help

I think it’s a faithful saying to say that David would not have been the man he was, nor accomplished the things he did without Nathan.

We Christians don’t reside on an island. God has Created us to work together for the cause of Christ - and with synergy, we can accomplish far more together than apart.

Nathan was David’s Faithful help

II. Nathan’s Notoriety

(What they are known for?)

Three pivotal times in the life of David we see Nathan. Within one of those, we see something very special.

Advising David on the Temple (2Sam. 7:1-17)

When David was at peace, his mind was on the things of God. In that, he saw it wrong that he had a great house, yet the LORD had a tent. (Boy if Christians had this heart today, the work of God would want for nothing!)

But here, David speaks to Nathan and tells Nathan what he is wanting to do. Nathan advises David, but then Nathan gets Word from the LORD to pass on to David - which we see in v5-17

In short, God tells David that He’s never asked for a house and was content with His people in a tent. And (in short) David would not build him an house, but his seed would build him the house.

We see Nathan advising David on the Temple, but also in this Scripture, we see the Announcing of the Davidic Covenant

Announcing the Davidic Covenant (2Sam. 7:12-17)

Through this Covenant, God is promising David an eternal Kingdom - which would be fulfilled, not simply by Solomon, but by the Christ!

What’s amazing about this is that David had in his heart to build an house for God - yet God says - no David, but I’ll make THEE an house!

Church, you just can’t out give God!

God used Nathan to Announce the Davidic Covenant

Admonishing David’s Sin (2Sam. 12:1-15)

Later on we see Nathan show up to see David - after David’s sin with Bathsheba.

It’s amazing that a man after God’s own heart can steep to such wickedness and treachery as David did. But the key word in that statement is ‘man’. David was just a man.

The important thing to note is that if David can stoop that low, we can too. We must be continually on guard that we not allow Satan the toe-hold he needs to lead us into wickedness.

Anointing Solomon King (1Ki. 1)

When David was nigh unto death, his son Adonijah began to crown himself king. Here we see Nathan come into the picture once again.

Nathan speaks to Bathsheba and directs her to essentially confront David (as David was ignorant at this point) and then confirms her words. David then directs them to anoint Solomon King in Gihon.

After this, we only see him referenced a couple times, of which we’ll mention one in the lesson.

Anointing the King

III. What Makes him Noteworthy

(What Lessons we can Learn from them?)

Godly men Can Err (2Sam. 7:2)

Some may not see this as an error on Nathan’s part, but I think it’s obvious it was. Nathan believed David to be following the LORD, and therefore assumed what David desired to do was what God wanted him to do - but it wasn’t the case.

Notice that Nathan didn’t seek God’s face for counsel when David spoke to him.

Now I point this out to say that Godly men make mistakes. They can make mistakes without being in a backslidden state.

The fact of the matter is, there is only one Perfect man, and none of us are Him!

Godly men can Err - but also note that Godly men will Acknowledge and Correct his Errors

Godly men will Acknowledge and Correct His Errors (2Sam. 7:5;17)

Consider being in Nathan’s shoes for a moment:

The king came to you with this grand plan, and you’re like - Yeah David, go for it! Then God says ‘Um, you spoke out of turn’. Then David’s all pumped - he’s going to build this house for the LORD, and YOU have to go back to him and say ‘David, you know that thing we talked about, and I said ‘go for it’, yeah, bad news - I was wrong.

It’s not a comfortable place to be in when you realize you’ve made a mistake and need to make it right. However, a Godly man will acknowledge that mistake and seek to make it right.

Godly men will Acknowledge and Correct His Errors

Godly men will Speak the Blessings of God (2Sam. 7:12-16)

Within Nathan’s Word in 2Sam. 2, we see a tremendous blessing that Nathan is bestowing unto the ears of David.

Nathan says ‘Yes, you wanted to build God an house, you’re not going to get to do that, but God is going to build YOU an house!

Imagine being told that there would be an everlasting kingdom would be known as the ‘House of David’! (Ill.) Years ago, I thought it would be a neat thing to have a street named after you - that was kind of like a goal - but you know if I did, it’d probably be a gravel road or a glorified driveway. Imagine the Kingdom of God carrying your name!

Nathan spake great blessings unto David - which is what Godly men will do.

Godly men will tell people that they’re name can be honored in great fashion - it may not be on a street sign or a kingdom - but they’re name can be written down in the Lamb’s book of life!

Godly men will tell people that the King of Glory knew their name and died for them - and that by faith their sins can be forgiven and they can have a home in Heaven!

Godly men will speak the blessings of God!

Godly men will Speak God’s Word Boldly (2Sam. 12:7)

Next we get to the second instance where we see Nathan. (Read 2Sam. 12:1-9)

Now church, consider the scene for a moment and how you would have broke the truth unto David. (Ill.) Many of us would have hem-hawed around ‘well David, I mean, think about this for a moment - I don’t want to offend you or hurt you or ‘be hard’ on you, but…

Proverbs 28:1 “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: But the righteous are bold as a lion.”

Church - if now is not the time for God’s people to speak God’s Word boldly, then when is it?

Godly men will Speak God’s Word Boldly

Godly men will Speak the Cursings of God (2Sam. 12:9-12)

Notice that it’s not just the ‘sunshine and roses’ that Nathan is speaking - but it’s the ‘Hell-fire and brimstone’ as well.

You’d not confuse Nathan with Joel Osteen - or most other preachers of our day.

Not to be cliche, but there’s a Heaven to Gain and a Hell to shun

We must speak of the sweetness of Heaven and the torments of Hell!

Nathan told David the truth of God’s Word - whether good or bad. God directed Nathan to speak blessings, and he directed Nathan to speak cursings - and Nathan, because he was a Godly man - was faithful to do both - boldly!

Godly men will speak the cursings of God

Godly men will be Rejected by the Heathen (1Ki. 1:10)

Nathan wasn’t invited to the party by the heathen.

The reason is simple: it’s the same principle that we see Christ spoke in Joh. 3: John 3:19–21 “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”

If your light is shining brightly, those who walk in darkness will naturally separate themselves from you - that’s the law of light and darkness, oil and water.

Godly men will be Rejected by the Heathen

Godly men will give Wise, Godly Counsel (1Ki. 1:12)

In this last episode in the ministry of Nathan, we see that Nathan instructs Bathsheba on how to approach David so that the message would be recieved.

Godly men will give wise, Godly counsel.

Now the important thing here that it was successful because Bathsheba HEARD and HEEDED the counsel.

(Ill.) In my ministry I’ve counseled people - individually, couples, etc. I have seen some success, and I’ve seen a lot of failure. But I’ve not had one person / couple come to me afterwards and said ‘We did that preacher, but it didn’t work’. It doesn’t work, because they don’t follow it.

But that’s not my problem - it’s just like casting the seed, I must cast it but the soil will determine the production.

The sad thing is, many don’t seek my counsel because they know what I’m going to say, and they want a different answer!

Godly men will give Wise, Godly Counsel

Godly men will Show Up when Needed

As mentioned, three pivotal times in the life of David, Nathan was there.

Do you know what God needs right now? Godly men to just show up.

Too often, men are too busy to show up and do the work and will of God.

People need the Gospel - where are the Godly men to take it to them?

Our community needs leaders - where are the Godly men to lead them?

Godly men show up when needed.

Godly men will Set Worship in Order (2Chr. 29:25)

2 Chronicles 29:25–26 “And he set the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king’s seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the Lord by his prophets. And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets.”

Later on when Hezekiah became king, he began reforming the COI. They had wandered astray and Hezekiah was getting them back to God’s order. In this we see that concerning worship, one of those who set proper worship in order was Nathan.

Do you know what the church needs today? The same thing that the COI needed in Hezekiah’s day - a reformation. The church has strayed in it’s worship and message.

Hezekiah’s daddy Ahaz was an apostate. He replaced the brazen altar with an Assyrian model - do you know what that is? Becoming like the world. Don’t think it coincidence that when the COI were mimicking the world, that it affected their music…

Conclusion