2 Samuel 24:1-25

It is a terrible thing to be the object of the anger of the Lord.  God had chosen the nation of Israel to be a holy nation that worshiped Him and a nation that would bless all the other nations of the world with the knowledge of God.  Instead Israel became a self-centered, idolatrous, complaining and rebellious people that brought much disgrace to the Lord.  Because of this sinfulness God punishes the people by allowing David to be tempted to sin by numbering the people and bringing the wrath of God down upon the nation.  Leadership is not an easy thing as God deals with His people through the leaders He has chosen.  David’s sin brought much pain to the entire nation, but it is important to remember that the entire nation was also guilty before the Lord.  As leader David had a greater responsibility and shoulders the blame for what happens here; but the nation as a whole had been sinful before the Lord.  It is important for us to remember that we too have been blessed by God for the purpose of being a blessing to the nations of the world.  If we, like Israel, become distracted from this purpose by our own comfort, pleasure, power or other sin; we too can expect to become objects of God’s discipline.

REBELLION: David rebels against God by numbering the people.  God had clearly told the nation not to count themselves like this because it would only cause them to become proud and begin to trust in the size of their army instead of the faithfulness of God.  The size of the army was always inconsequential when Israel went to battle.  God wanted the people to be aware of the fact that He was the One who was fighting their battles and they were called to trust Him.  David’s act was in direct defiance to the Word of God and Joab was well aware of this and tried to convince David not to do it; but David was insistent and his word prevailed.  It is a dangerous thing when we step outside of the revealed will of God for our lives.  We can quickly become blind and deaf to any warnings that might prevent us from the tragedy of sin.  Rebellion is a dangerous way to live.

REPENTANCE: As soon as David finds out how big his army is, his heart is immediately struck with the realization that he has sinned.  He recognized that he had become proud and rebellious and was filled with regret over what he had done.  It is amazing how this happens.  Before we sin is seems like nothing can distract us from our desire to go forward and fulfill the lust that is tempting us.  As soon as we give in to that temptation our peace and joy flow from our lives and we are struck by guilt and shame.  It is actually encouraging to see that David has this reaction because in the case of Bathsheba it took a long time for his conscience to kick in.  May God grant us the grace of quick repentance when we give in to temptation in our lives.

RETRIBUTION: David is given his choice of retribution for his sin.  He is given the choice between three years of famine in the land, three months of running from his enemies or three days of a plague from the Lord.  David decides that he wants to get this over a done with quickly and recognizes that God is just and merciful so he places the punishment in the hands of God and allows His to do as He wills.  It is important that we always remember that we are in God’s hands.  God sends out his angel of death and 70,000 of the 1,300,000 men that were counted were killed.  Once again the people as a whole were guilty before the Lord, but David bears the brunt of the blame for this reality.  God’s anger and wrath is something that we should desperately seek to avoid.

RELIEF: David pleads with the Lord to have mercy and so God calls David to offer a sacrifice on behalf of the people.  There was a specific place that God wanted the sacrifice to be made and David insists on purchasing the place and the animals for the sacrifice because he is not willing to make an offering to the Lord that cost him nothing.  God sees David’s heart and receives his worship and relents from the destruction of the people.  God has provided a sacrifice in Christ that brings us relief from the consequence of our sin.  Praise be to the Lord for His matchless and infinite mercy and grace.