Read 1 Chronicles 21.
King David ordered a national census. There was nothing inherently wrong in
conducting a census. Counting the people
had been done before and since this time.
We are not told what David's motive was, but it appears to be some point
of pride and reliance on Israel
Guilt overcame David when he realized his sin. The LORD responded by sending the Prophet
Gad. Interestingly, the king was given a
choice of three judgments lasting three years, three months or three days. The king decided to leave the judgment with
God, "for his mercy is very great" (v.13).
In a very dramatic description, the angel of the LORD (most
likely a preincarnate appearance of Christ) with a sword unsheathed exercised
punishment upon the nation. Over a three
day period, 70,000 men died. Then, God
said, "It is enough." David
and his inner circle of leaders were allowed to see this angel. He was hovering over a place belonging to
Ornan.
From God to the angel to Gad the message came to David to
build an altar of worship on that site.
When Ornan and his family saw the king with his entourage coming his
way, the family hid in fear but Ornan bowed in respect. David asked for the threshing floor at full
price. Ornan countered and offered to
give everything to the king. Note the
great sacrificial offer of Ornan. This
was his livelihood-his threshing floor for the place of worship, his oxen for
the sacrifice, his wood sledges for the fire.
In the 2 Samuel account we have that wonderful quote from
David in response to Ornan, "I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD
my God that cost me nothing." True
worship of the LORD and giving that costs us something are inseparable. Worship is a participatory action. We humble ourselves, we sing, we pray, we
give, we listen to the word of God, and then live accordingly every day.
No comments:
Post a Comment