2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21; Romans 7
David's census of the people is his last recorded sin in the Bible. Several important observations can be made regarding this event:
The devil and sin attack people, even the best individuals, throughout their lives. Resisting sin is an important and essential part of faith.
- The devil always seeks our weak spots to weaken and tempt us. Success in one area only guarantees success in faith in some areas of life.
The census was sinful for several reasons. Censuses were conducted to increase tax collection and determine the size of the army. David did not need either. God had blessed him so greatly that they had no problems with money or the army. This census was a step of David's self-significance, where he could see "his" achievements. The problem was that these achievements were more the result of God's action than that of David and his people.
- God uses David's weakness not only to humble him once again but also to punish the people of Israel for their weakening in faith - "Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and He incited David against them, saying, 'Go and take a census of Israel and Judah'" (2 Samuel 24:1). In 1 Chronicles 21:1, it is emphasized that God did not do this Himself (He does not tempt anyone to sin); He allowed Satan to do it.
- The discrepancy in the number of soldiers between 2 Samuel 24:9 and 1 Chronicles 21:5 can be explained by the fact that in 1 Chronicles, it likely included the reserves mentioned in 1 Chronicles 27:1-15.
Continuing to explain the exceptional importance of the Gospel, in Romans 4, the apostle Paul speaks about how, even in the Old Testament, justification was possible only by faith. He gives two examples of such justification: David and Abraham. Quoting Psalm 32, he speaks of the imputed righteousness of David - "So also David declares the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works" (Romans 4:6). The same is said of Abraham: "… Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness…not after circumcision, but before it…so he became the father of all who believes but have not been circumcised so that righteousness might be credited to them" (Romans 4:9-11). This explanation is important in light of what Paul says in Romans 3: that salvation is possible only through the righteousness of God, which we receive through faith in Jesus Christ. By providing these examples, he proves that in all times, salvation was possible only by faith in God's promise about Christ and the action through Christ - "But also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered to death for our sins and raised to life for our justification" (Romans 4:24-25).
The devil and sin attack people, even the best individuals, throughout their lives. Resisting sin is an important and essential part of faith.
- The devil always seeks our weak spots to weaken and tempt us. Success in one area only guarantees success in faith in some areas of life.
The census was sinful for several reasons. Censuses were conducted to increase tax collection and determine the size of the army. David did not need either. God had blessed him so greatly that they had no problems with money or the army. This census was a step of David's self-significance, where he could see "his" achievements. The problem was that these achievements were more the result of God's action than that of David and his people.
- God uses David's weakness not only to humble him once again but also to punish the people of Israel for their weakening in faith - "Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and He incited David against them, saying, 'Go and take a census of Israel and Judah'" (2 Samuel 24:1). In 1 Chronicles 21:1, it is emphasized that God did not do this Himself (He does not tempt anyone to sin); He allowed Satan to do it.
- The discrepancy in the number of soldiers between 2 Samuel 24:9 and 1 Chronicles 21:5 can be explained by the fact that in 1 Chronicles, it likely included the reserves mentioned in 1 Chronicles 27:1-15.
Continuing to explain the exceptional importance of the Gospel, in Romans 4, the apostle Paul speaks about how, even in the Old Testament, justification was possible only by faith. He gives two examples of such justification: David and Abraham. Quoting Psalm 32, he speaks of the imputed righteousness of David - "So also David declares the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works" (Romans 4:6). The same is said of Abraham: "… Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness…not after circumcision, but before it…so he became the father of all who believes but have not been circumcised so that righteousness might be credited to them" (Romans 4:9-11). This explanation is important in light of what Paul says in Romans 3: that salvation is possible only through the righteousness of God, which we receive through faith in Jesus Christ. By providing these examples, he proves that in all times, salvation was possible only by faith in God's promise about Christ and the action through Christ - "But also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered to death for our sins and raised to life for our justification" (Romans 4:24-25).
Posted in Reading Bible Together