Readings for today: 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22, Psalms 30
Today’s reading presents us with several challenges. Did God or Satan incite David to perform a census? Why was census-taking so bad? What sin had kindled the wrath of God? Why was the punishment so severe? What does this passage reveal about the character and nature of God? Of course, the nature of the punishment hits very close to home as we too are watching tens of thousands die all around the world as a result of a virulent plague.
First and foremost, today’s reading forces us to read not just for content but for comprehension. 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles are written by two different authors. These two authors are describing the same incident but from different perspectives. The author of 2 Samuel wants to highlight the sovereignty of God over all human affairs. Including our sin. This doesn’t make God the author of sin but it does acknowledge that He will bend even our sin towards divine justice. The author of 1 Chronicles wants to highlight the author of sin who is Satan. The accuser. An evil spirit allowed by God torment God’s people. (Remember the example of Job?) However, the author also reminds us that even Satan lives under God’s sovereign power and God will not give him free reign to wreak havoc forever.
Second, why was God angry with Israel? This is where the Bible’s chapter and verse divisions can trip us up if we aren’t careful. In the original language, there is no break between what has come before and what happens in our reading today. They are all part of the same story. So Israel has just come out of a civil war. Israel’s leaders are engaging in power struggles and even outright, cold-blooded murder. (Joab) This is obviously not the way God wants His people to live. They are failing in their calling to be a light to the nations. So God rightfully judges them for their sin.
Why the census? What was so bad about it? Well, again, consider the situation. You are David. You just survived a coup. You want to know who’s with you and who’s against you. You send your mightiest warriors out to take a census. To remind everyone who’s boss. It’s a show of force meant to intimidate as much as anything else. It’s also an act of self-preservation. David is placing his trust in his own strength. His own ability to project power. His own authority as king. This is not God’s will for David. God wants David to rely on Him. To trust in Him. To place his faith and his life in God’s hands.
Finally, the plague. This one - as I said above - hits close to home. Are plagues a sign of God’s judgment? Maybe. Is COVID-19 a sign of God’s judgment on our world? Perhaps. The reality is we will never know. What we do know for sure is that God is still sovereign. The plague will come to an end when He decides it will. He will end it just as surely as He ended the plague in David’s time. That end may come through a vaccine. It may come through natural means. God uses any and all measures to accomplish His will for our lives. In the meantime, plagues such as these should cause us to repent. To fall on our knees before the Lord. To humble ourselves and cast our cares on Him. God is good. God is righteous. God is holy. God is compassionate. God is gracious. God is with us even in the midst of this plague and He will hold us fast as we persevere through these difficult times.
Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 108-109