This chapter parallels 2 Sam 24, the chapter from yesterday. David’s census of Israel brings a plague (pestilence) upon the people.
“So the Lord sent a pestilence on Israel, and 70,000 men of Israel fell. And God sent the angel to Jerusalem to destroy it… And David lifted his eyes and saw the angel of the Lord standing between earth and heaven, and in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces. And David said to God, ‘…It is I who have sinned and done great evil… Please let your hand, O Lord my God, be against me and against my father’s house. But do not let the plague be on your people.’ And David built there an altar to the Lord and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings and called on the Lord, and the Lord answered him with fire from heaven upon the altar of burnt offering. Then the Lord commanded the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath.” (v14-17, 26-27 abr)
I have heard numerous teachings about David, mostly focusing on the David and Bathsheba account, but I can’t honestly recall hearing this passage in a teaching. It’s a shame, since there are so many useful lessons to be drawn from this.
Here are the first four lessons that popped out at me:
1. God is merciful. He could have destroyed all of Israel for their sin one thousand times over at any point in their history, yet every time He relents from complete destruction.
2. God is just. God would never destroy a truly innocent person (for there is no such person), nor would He destroy someone He knew would one day repent and follow Him (for He is all-knowing). I think God would only take the lives of those who would never follow Him, or those who are already following Him.
3. Taking ownership of sin. David owns his own sin, and accepts both responsibility, and personalized consequences, pleading that God relent from destroying the ‘innocent’ people.
4. Foreshadowing of Jesus’ second coming (before His first coming). We have previously discussed how “the angel of the Lord” is likely a preincarnate Jesus, son of God. This appearance of Jesus resembles the one in Mt 10:4, Rev 1:16, and Rev 19:15, where He wields a sword to cleanse the world of unrighteousness.
I encourage us to dig deeper into scripture passages to uncover the rich meaning and truths behind them. Even though we touched on four lessons in this one passage, there are more lessons and greater depth in each of these lessons if we’re willing to pursue God’s teaching. If you struggle to interpret passages while digging into scripture, many helpful commentaries exist as tools to help expand our understanding of scripture.
Father God, our Merciful and Just Lord, holy and mighty is Your name. Father we praise You for Your many attributes, especially Your mercy and grace. Father You long to relent from destruction, and only use destruction when there is no other option. Father please gently humble us, and teach us, that we may be drawn nearer and nearer to You, seeking You daily in scripture and prayer. All honor, glory, praise and thanksgiving be unto You, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training