What About the Sins of Bible Heroes?

Certainly. Your question is very thoughtful. The following points, I believe, will help put this issue in focus:

First, the Bible does not attempt to conceal the foibles of the great people that adorn its pages. Abraham, Isaac, Moses, and David were normal human beings. They sinned like all other offspring of Adam who have matured to a level of personal accountability (Romans 3:10, 23). Jesus Christ was the only exception (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22).

If the Scriptures portrayed all these characters as flawless, the book would be suspect. The fact is, the record's honesty about the character of its heroes is evidence of Bible inspiration.

Second, the mere recording of these men's weaknesses does not suggest that the Lord condoned their actions. Clearly, they he did not. Abraham's lie was exposed, Moses' transgression kept him from entering Canaan, and David's sin with Bathsheba brought serious, long-lasting consequences (see 2 Samuel 11:27; 12:9ff).

Third, remember this. Even though these men had frailties, they also had great faith in Jehovah. Like we, they sometimes struggled to do his will.

This is what the life of divine service often looks like. None of us will ever reach a plateau of permanent perfection while we are in the flesh. We will do wrong and fail to carry out needful obligations. But we can take courage from the rich examples of the past, strive to overcome our weaknesses, and pursue the life of renewed dedication each day (cf. Romans 15:4).

Here is an important point to remember. No legitimate discrepancy or moral problem can be charged against the Bible unless no reasonable explanation is possible. In the examples cited above, that certainly is not the case. The sacred Scriptures have nobly withstood the indictments of self-proclaimed critics across the ages. Place your confidence in this wonderful book.