RTW May 2
About Sin
Once again, the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he caused David to harm them by taking a census. “Go and count the people of Israel and Judah,” the Lord told him.
2 Samuel 24:1
My Takeaways
Something Old
Whether or not we know we will have a successor, prepare well. Preparing well helps us finish well. Finishing well helps our successor start well. David prepared the way for Solomon to build The Temple.
Something New
The anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel, and He moved David: The translators of the New King James Version believe that “He” in this sentence applies to God, because they capitalize it. Yet 1 Chronicles 21:1 tells us, Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. The best explanation is that Satan prompted King David and is the “he” of 2 Samuel 24:1. Yet the LORD expressly allowed it as a chastisement against David.
Now the ‘he’ there, we assume would be the Lord. But as we find out in 1 Chronicles, chapter one, it was Satan that moved David’s heart, to the numbering of the people.
The truth about sin can
- Lure even the most God-devoted heart. (pride, power).
- Be prevented. It’s important to give ear to those who are trying to call us out. (Joab)
- Impact others. (David involved the commanders by asking them to count. The census took 10 months to complete. He could have called it off.)
- Steal our peace.
- Has consequences.
And about David’s punishment…
“Had he chosen war, his own personal safety was in no danger, because there was already an ordinance preventing him from going to battle. Had he chosen famine, his own wealth would have secured his and his own family’s support. But he showed the greatness of his mind in choosing the pestilence, to the ravages of which himself and his household were exposed equally with the meanest of his subjects.” ~ Clarke
My Takeaways: Pride is excessive belief in one’s own abilities, that interferes with the individual’s recognition of the grace of God. Sounds a little like what I saw in David today.
Something Old: 2 Samuel 24:18
I always find the following facts interesting. It’s been said that the threshing floor where David built the altar is the location where Abraham nearly sacrificed his son Isaac. After David’s death, Solomon build the temple on this spot. Centuries later Jesus would teach and preach here.
Something New: 1 Samuel 24:1 & 1 Chronicles 21:1. According to my research, Hebrew writers do not always distinguish between primary and secondary causes. So if God allowed Satan to tempt David, to them it is as if God did it. So the question is did God cause David to sin? Again according to my sources God does not cause people to sin, but he does allow sinners to reveal the sinfulness of their hearts by their actions. God presented the opportunity to David in order to deal with a disastrous national tendency, and he wanted this desire to show itself. Sin, it really is a terrible thing. So many people are affected when sin enters our lifes.
Something To Do: Be careful where I place my security. Everything that I have, has been received from the Lord—health, ability, position, place of birth, etc. I must never claim personal greatness, because its only through God’s greatness that I have anything at all. “It was Pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” – St. Augustine