RTW May 2
The Pull of Sin
Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census of the people of Israel.
1 Chronicles 21:1
My Takeaways
Something Old
What was so wrong with a census?
This was dangerous because of a principle stated in Exodus 30:12: When you take the census of the children of Israel for their number, then every man shall give a ransom for himself to the LORD, when you number them, that there may be no plague among them when you number them.
The principle of Exodus 30:12 speaks to God’s ownership of His people. In the thinking of these ancient cultures, a man only had the right to count or number what belonged to him. Israel didn’t belong to David; Israel belonged to God. It was up to the LORD to command a counting, and if David counted he should only do it at God’s command and receiving ransom money to “atone” for the counting.
Sin’s Temptation
- Will lure Even the most God-devoted heart. (pride, power).
- Can be prevented. It’s important to give ear to those who are trying to call us out. (Joab)
- Can impact others. (David involved the commanders by asking them to count. The census took 10 month to complete. He could have called it off.)
- Sin will steal our peace.
- Sin does have consequences.
Jesus broke the penalty of sin, but not it’s pull.
Sin’s Truth
Fact 1: Sin was not part of God’s plan. Adam and Eve introduced it into the world in the Garden of Eden
Fact 2: Sin separates us from God.
Fact 3: Sin is forgiven, and righteousness (being right with God) is possible because of Jesus.
Fact 4: Sin remains a part of our life. Jesus’s death removed the penalty and power of sin, but not its pull (temptation).
Fact 5: Sin is not a disqualifier for the immeasurably more life; it is, however, a disrupter.
Something New
How would I feel if I did all the prep work for a project, and the assignment was given to someone else?
Something To Do
Stay prayed up, close to God, and quickened to His Spirit’s voice.
Sin has consequences – always. If we are fortunate, we are the only ones who pay the price – but, sadly this isn’t always the case, as we see here – a total of 70,000 people died as a result of David’s one decision to take a census. The decisions I make have an impact.
New: David prayed for wisdom and understanding for Solomon (which Solomon later asks the Lord for). Who knows how many of the prayers of my parents have been answered … and will be answered!
“Then the Lord spoke to the angel, who put the sword back into its sheath” 1 Chronicles 21:27 The LORD commanded the angel to put the sword back- David didn’t tell the angel to stop, the Lord relented as a result of David crying out. We can petition God and ask him to intervene, but we are not to attempt to command angels. This was something that they did in the church that the Lord recently rescued me from – they claimed they could command the angels to do their bidding! Yikes! “For he will command his angels concerning you … ” Psalm 91:11
I just love how the Lord is building me up in His Word – giving ME wisdom & understanding. I’m so passionate about knowing Him in His Word and he is blessing me to no end so that I can then be a blessing to others. I want so much to help others break free from deceitful doctrine … Please pray for me as I am still a babe in the Word …
To Do: The wages of sin is death. Think before I act or respond. It has an impact far beyond my own little world.
I love reading how God’s word is working in your life. It truly must be working to give you this passion to bring His truth to deceitful doctrine.
“I will begin making preparations for it now.” Even as David is aging he is still working for the Lord. For Christians, there is never retirement!!
My husband and I are in our last few years of work and my focus has been very selfish….please for forgive me Lord and show me how I am to continue to work for you!!!
—As David did, keep short accounts with God. Daily ask Him to search my heart and then confess and repent. Ask Him to keep my heart sensitive to sin. Listen to the trusted advisers He has put on my life.
—ESV Study Bible notes and Guzik were helpful in understanding what/who caused David to take the census. I want to look at the other 2 resources Wendy mentioned.
—What do my offerings to God cost me?
This brings to mind what my dear mother always taught me; I can choose the sin but not the consequences that God will choose the penalty. She always said and make no mistake ALL sin will have consequences. This lesson reminds me that choices Good or Bad can affect others in our life. I don’t think about this as often as I should. I pray to meditate on things from God and to seek him in all things in my life. I will strive to keep an ongoing dialogue with my Father in Heaven to keep me in his will.
Good morning everyone! I have seriously slacked since the beginning of the study, but I committed yesterday to get back involved and keep going. I would appreciate your prayers for diligence! Thank you in advance! I truly missed hearing Wendy on a regular basis and reading all of your comments about what we were all reading together.
Okay, here is my:
Something Old: In reference to 2 Samuel 24:24, I have heard this passage before but didn’t know the context of what all was going on when he said/did this. In light of his sin with the census and the plague, since he was already feeling guilty, he might have let himself make another compromise with his actions, but he doesn’t. He basically chooses the high road, or the right thing to do, despite how tempting it might have been to say, “Hey, I already screwed up, might as well allow myself this, too,” but he doesn’t. Maybe I have felt I have been in this situation before. Mess up, and have the choice to keep messing up in my self-pity, or do the next right thing.
Something New:
This was very interesting to me because I was confused at first about why taking the census was a bad thing. My study Bible notes echoed what Wendy explained, that is was not something God commanded but David did on his own, for whatever reason. My study Bible goes on to say about that it was an act of pride because they were at peace, and instead of having reliance on God to meet all of their needs, he wanted to survey his kingdom as a way of basking in national pride.
I was also confused by the whether it was the Lord or Satan, and again, my study Bible had an interesting perspective, that basically, since God is sovereign and has the ultimate power, he allowed it, but since it was stated to be a sin (2 Samuel 24:10), the actual deed was inspired by evil and tempted David as a choice, which he took. So, from that, I envisioned how in Job we saw God talking to Satan and allowing whatever choice Job made in response to Satan’s interference and suggestions. Does that make sense?
I LOVE the way Wendy describes sin as a disruptor, not a disqualifier. That perspective gives a boost when it’s tempting to think I’m not qualified to do whatever He wants me to do.
Something To Do:
Do the next right thing I know to do, no matter whether the last thing was wrong or right.
Welcome back! I loved your takeaways!!
Thank you, Mary!
I am getting back to RTW today too Melissa after getting way off track months ago!!! Love what you shared here. I need to start sharing each day on the blog to help me with accountability. I have been trying to stay away from Facebook so the blog group works better for me. I will pray for you to stay diligent! Please pray for me too!!
Thank you, Elizabeth! I don’t use Facebook either, so I will meet you here!
Welcome back ladies! I disconnected from FB a few months ago myself. It was a choice that’s made a big difference in my life. I love that we can check in here for comments.