It’s common to hear that idea in slang form, with one buddy congratulating another, “You da man!” Appearing in Scripture, with the prophet Nathan speaking to King David though, it’s less than congratulatory:
David burned with anger against the [rich] man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who [stole the poor man's one little ewe lamb] deserves to die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.” Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!” 2 Samuel 12:0
The declaration is recorded in today’s reading, with the collective “you” addressing the men of the southern kingdom:
Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have been unfaithful; you have married foreign women, adding to Israel’s guilt…” Ezra 10:10
It’s seldom a pleasant thing to be confronted with the truth about my sin — especially if I’m not quite ready to repent yet. In David’s case, he responded immediately and with humility. The men of Judah, although they were initially quite perturbed at being called together and having to stand in the rain, likewise responded positively. There’s just something about a public confrontation that provokes a decision — fight or flight; repent or remain in sin. Perhaps that’s why Jesus tells us as a last resort to take matters of church discipline before the entire congregation (Matthew 18:15-20).
Although not pleasant for either party, direct confrontation is sometimes the only way to wake up an erring brother. My prayer is that the direct confrontation of God’s Word piercing my heart will be confrontation enough for me to see my sin. Hurray for honest, soft-hearted sinners like David and the men of Judah & Benjamin who weren’t afraid to bow before Holy God and admit, “I have sinned.”