1st Chronicles 21 THE SWORD OF THE LORD For the most part, the problem of failures is not written by the person who wrote the Chronicles. His purpose was to give the reasons, and promote the motivation for the returned Jews to build again the temple, the walls and the city. However, there was a reason for this national tragedy from their past history to be included in this account. This is where the location of the temple was designated and the legal right for it to be the chosen place. Abraham, the father of the Jews, had brought Isaac to this place to be offered to God. It was a place of historical and spiritual importance. God made a promise at that place as to the future nation and it was by this means that all attempts to procure it for other purposes have been opposed by Israelis.
The first mention of the name, Satan, in the scripture is here. The enemy of God and His people is "the adversary." In other places in scripture he is "the devil" (slanderer), "the serpent" (subtle deceiver), "The dragon" (cruelty) and "the roaring lion" (predator). His challenge here is not just against David but against Israel. The people of God will always be the focus of the adversary's attack because a unified people under divine guidance has divine power for their use in furthering the kingdom of God. The Gospel is "the power of God unto salvation, to everyone that believeth." Our adversary will do whatever he can to divide and/or destroy God's people. It worked for him in the past and it is working for him in this present day.
Often his strategy follows the same general line, especially if it has accomplished his purposes. In this biblical account he made his attack against God's people by subtly inciting their leader David, to do something that was unnecessary. To take a census is not wrong if done for the right reason and to accomplish that which God wants. Previously a census had been taken by Moses under divine direction. The motivation the adversary used in this account apparently was the pride of David for his accomplishments. He had led the people of God in a great victory and perhaps was considering it was his leadership that brought this rather than God's power.
There is a serious temptation for those who are older and have experienced God working in them and through them, to think they are someone special. A certain arrogance and self-opinionated attitude can tempt us to think our leadership is something special. It is not. It is "God who worketh in you" to accomplish His will. We may have to be reminded of this in terrible ways. God's people have been divided and the work He has done in a place has been stopped by the effect of self-centered men in leadership who think their way is right They may refuse to consider that which was successful in the past may not be what God wants done now.
It is possible for us to shut our minds to serious spiritual suggestions from God's people because the idea did not come from me. On the other hand, it is possible for a leader to not take the counsel of others when it is reasonably given. David's personal pride at this time combined with feeling good about victories under his leadership, moved him to do something in his older years that he would have avoided when younger and more consciously dependent on God. So, he was provoked by Satan to self-congratulate himself.
Sometimes the most unusual source is where wisdom comes from. Joab had a side to his personality that showed itself in a surprising way. In a respectful way he contradicted David's plan to number the people by reminding him they were the Lord's people, under the Lord's control, and the Lord knows who belongs to Him. The people were his servants, so why doubt their loyalty? The soldiers had always responded when he needed them. Joab also seemed to understand that if this census happened, it would negatively affect the whole nation.
We may not have the same affinity with some of God's people that we have with others, but it is not wise to discount what others say just because of who they are. Even small children have words of wisdom at times to which a wise person will give consideration. Not all that young people say, do or want should be rejected out of hand as foolish or not worth a thought. Not everything an old person says or does is right even though they have been tried and proven in many ways over the years. Before taking an action, listen to what others say. Compare it to the scriptures that reveal God's will in a general way, ask counsel of those who can be trusted and then act in humility and the fear of God.
The census taking took over nine months and was done in a general way with round numbers. Specific numbers were given when the census was done to collect the ransom money of a half-shekel to use for the tabernacle. Curiosity can open our minds to that which is wrong as well as that which is right. David's curiosity seemed to be he wanted to know what the people thought of him, not that he had been successful in battle and the expansion of the kingdom. Self-sufficiency and arrogance are pretty close to each other when self-confidence is nearby. If our "inner man" is not in fellowship with God, the outward appeal of temptation becomes a tool of Satan.
By not numbering the Levites and Benjamites, Joab may have avoided some conflict - especially from those who were Saul's kinsmen. The Levites were a blended part of the nation because of their service in the work of the Lord. Those of the tribe of Benjamin seemed to be quite touchy and cranky when it came to their tribal identity. For those who lead, it is good to know who you are leading well enough to know what to say and do, and what not to say and do. There is no real good reason to make an issue over something that is merely a difference of opinion. If the work of God and the welfare of His people is at stake, then we must do what needs to be done as soon as possible.
When we take the time necessary to get God's will about a matter through the word of God and fellowship with Him in prayer, we can avoid displeasing Him and the consequences that follow. The confession of sin is one thing, but acknowledging its seriousness and forsaking it makes the confession valid. One can admit to sinning and not admit to its seriousness. Some are mentioned in scripture who said the words "I have sinned," in a superficial way not realizing how far-reaching sin is. Justice demanded punishment and Gad the seer, who had been with David from his early days, was the one to bear the news of three choices.
Our relationship with God is permanently established when God in mercy saves us by His grace. But when fellowship with God is broken by sin, we are not walking with Him in the light. Three years of famine would be a long time of hardship for the Lord's people. Three months of warfare and defeat would demoralize and discourage the people. The sword of the Lord bringing death for three days would obviously be from God from the immediate start to the immediate conclusion. The cry because of the loss of loved ones and the widespread grief throughout the nation would make everyone conscious of their need of God and His presence with them. A loss of 70,000 men would have affected everyone nationwide all at the same time in the same way.
In an act of grace, the angel of God sent to destroy Jerusalem was restrained and he stopped still with his sword in hand over Jerusalem. David and those elders with him were wearing mourning clothes of sackcloth as a demonstration of their sincere humility and true repentance. At the sight of holy justice being restrained, David responded as a true shepherd should - as an intercessor concerned with the welfare of his sheep. He assumed responsibility for his own guilt without blaming others or circumstances as the cause of the punishment inflicted on the people. Any action carried out by those who lead will affect the people of God. How careful we must be to maintain right fellowship with God personally. The domino effect of sin is not easily stopped once it is allowed to be set in motion.
We may experience forgiveness and the problem may have been stopped, but the effects of sin cannot be stopped. 70,000 deaths had an impact on God's people for many years. A lesson to be learned is to think before we act. Consider the reason for the action and the possible outcomes. Consequences for doing what is right can produce great benefits for other people. Consequences for doing what is wrong are bitter lasting effects that create a result that can never be changed.
At the threshing floor of Araunah (Ornan), an event happened that is still being felt today. The pestilence was stopped when the king and the elders were prostrate on the ground in true repentance. The shepherd's heart for his people was revealed rather than the smug complacency of a victorious leader. Further, an altar was built there under divine direction as evidence of God's sanction of that place to be the location of the temple that was to be built. Abraham had built an altar there many generations before. It was now a place of activity as a result of a harvest, and it was a place of reverential fear as those who were laboring there were made conscious of the presence and power of God. David paid the full price for both the threshing floor (50 shekels of silver) and the whole "place" for 600 shekels of gold.
A true sacrifice costs more than just a token payment. The acceptable sacrifices we offer are not just lip service or a small portion of our excess. A sacrifice comes from our heart and inner being where it is motivated by true appreciation and gratitude, whether it be from our finances or our bodies as a "living sacrifice." Ornan (Aruanah) was ready to "give it all." David bought it all "for the Lord" and paid full price. The altar, the burnt offering and the peace offering, the fire from heaven - all assured those at that place that the Lord heard and answered because His justice was now satisfied.
David's fear of the Lord was well founded because the sword of that mighty angel was an obvious testimony to the seriousness of the event and all that happened to God's people. We might think a matter is a small thing, but to God it is much larger than we think. We must never take God for granted for any reason. A casual approach to divine things is a grave mistake. David did not inquire of God regarding the census, and then he was afraid to inquire of the Lord at the tabernacle. We must remember our God is the Almighty God, the only True God. We must never think that we can ignore His word and will about any matter. We are weak and fearful, but God is neither. "The sword of the Lord" is still His and in His hand. Righteousness and justice are still expected of us and obedience is not up to our convenience.