May 2nd~Pride and Providence

2 Samuel 24:1-9


1 Chronicles 21:1-6


2 Samuel 24:10-17


1 Chronicles 21:7-17


2 Samuel 24:18-25


1 Chronicles 21:18-22:19

For reasons we are not told, God was angry with Israel, perhaps for some sin or disobedience. As a result, God judges the people through the prideful action of their king, a needless census during peace time, to measure his own strength and glory, so as to trust in it rather than God.

However, notice the discrepancy in who moved David to take the census. Samuel wrote that “the Lord caused David to harm them by taking a census” (24:1), while the Chronicler wrote that “Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census...” (21:1). So, who was it — God, David, or Satan? All three. Satan preempted it, David performed it, and God permitted it.

Here is an occasion where we see the doctrine of concurrence at work. Concurrence is when two or more participants are involved, pursuing their own agenda and, yet, fulfilling God’s purposes. This truth is evidenced throughout Scripture. For example, who attacked Job? Who hardened Pharaoh’s heart? Who threw Jonah overboard? Who betrayed and crucified Jesus?

The bottom line is this — we know that God is incapable of evil and cannot or does not tempt man. Therefore, although the words may sometimes indicate otherwise, God is not at fault for causing someone to sin. However, everything must be permitted by God to occur, so He is involved with every situation in His universe; but, oftentimes to allow evil to take place, He must permit the evil one, Satan, to take part. Many times what God permits, He is said to have caused, but that truth does not incriminate God for the choices and sins of man.

There were two other “discrepancies” in today’s reading. First, there was the different numbers from the census and, second, there were different payments to Araunah the Jebusite for his property. Sometimes our instinct is to believe that the Bible contradicts itself, but we must have a higher view of God and Scripture than that. The Lord does not lie and neither does His Word. The “discrepancies” are not because of Him or the Scriptures but with our understanding. The two penmen obviously counted differently or included different groups in the census, and the amounts paid to Araunah were for the threshing floor (50 pieces of silver), so David could build an altar, and for the land (600 pieces of gold), so the Temple could be built.

Daily Reflection

Personally, I love the fact that the Bible does not hide its “discrepancies.” It is honest and transparent, especially when dealing with the flaws of men. David, for example, was a godly man who, at times, fell into deep sin. I want to know these things, because in them I am encouraged. Even the heroes of the faith fell short of the glory of God and disappointed Him at times; yet, David repented and was forgiven repeatedly. God’s mercy is great and His patience with David, and me, is remarkable.

The census, the death angel, and the 70,000 deaths were result of David’s pride and Israel’s sin. Peace and prosperity lead us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought. In those moments, we tend not only to forget God but attempt to replace Him with ourselves.

What can you do to avoid the dangers of pride?

BiAY.org | Day 122 — 243 Days to Go