Weekly Message: The
swords of Lord vs. the swords of man (1Chronicles 21:1-30,
2 Samuel 24:1-25) By Rev. Katherine
Liu Bruce
Christian Arts
Ministries: Biblical Precepts & Gospel Music
Introduction
My friends, do you encounter your
own strength and depend on your own understanding to live in Christians’ life? more
we learn the historical events, and theological principles and pattern, it
humbles us to fear of the Lord, and submit our desires of hearts to Him as King
David. For our flesh can never conquer the Lord’s divine power. Today, we would
like to discover the narrative unveiled in the 2 Samuel 24:1-25, the swords of
Lord are greater than the swords of men (1Chronicales 21:1-30).
King David 's order to take a census of fighters
When
the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited (or instigate,
arose, provoke) David against them, saying, “go and take a census of Israel and
Judah.” (2Samel24:1). King David’s
decision of a periodic governmental count of population, or count the number of
fighters or army was surprised Joab,(his army commanders). For it didn’t make sense
of being who he was, it seems lacked the faith and distrusted in the Lord.
“Joab” reaffirmed his faith to the king, and said, “May the Lord your God
multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king
see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such thing?” (v.3).
King David’s sin was in putting his faith in
numbers rather than in God[1].
In another words, He depended on the numbers of army, human fighters rather
than rely on God. It took almost ten months passed before David realized his
sin. [2]
The word of the Lord had
come to Gad the prophet, the David’s seer: “I am giving you three options.
Choose one of them for me to carry out against you… Shall there come upon you
three years of famine in your land? Or three months of fleeing from your
enemies while they pursue you? Or three days of plague in your land?”
(v.12-13).
King David made choices, “Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for
his mercy is great, but do not let me fall into the hands of men.” (v.14). So
the Lord sent a plague on Israel from that
morning until the ends of the time designated, and seventy
thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died.
(v.15). But when the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand.”(v.16).
When David saw the angel who was striking down the people, he said to
the Lord, “I am the one who has sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep.
What have they done? Let your hand fall upon me and my family.” (v.17). Then,
God demanded King David to build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of
Araunah the Jebusite. “The threshing floor was on Mount Moriah, a hill in the
region of Moriah, where Abraham offered Isaac and there Solomon later built the
Temple.”(2Chron.3:11)[3] King David, therefore, purchased
the threshing floor from Araunah and build an altar to the Lord, that the
plague on the people may be stopped. (v.21). He insisted on paying Araunah for
it and will not sacrifice to the Lord burnt offerings that cost him nothing.
(v.24). He spent fifty shekels of silver for the threshing floor, and the oxen.
He fulfilled the important principle of sacrificial giving.[4]
David built an altar to the Lord there and
sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the Lord answered
prayer in behalf o the Land, and the plague on Israel was stopped. (v.25).
Theological principle, Implication &
application,
1). King David is a man heart of God’s own
heart; he knew God is merciful and full of compassion. He will not hold the
anger forever for his sins, he repented and petition for mercy. God modified
the judgment and ceased the plague that was afflicting the people, because he
was grieved for the 70, 000 people died in this calamity and affliction.
2). In military sense, the sword of the Lord
is greater than the sword of men. A great king needs a great army commander as
Joab who had faith in the Lord, faithful, trustworthy, and loyalty. For some
trust in the chariots, some in horses, but we shall fully trust in the name of
the Lord our God. When God acts His judgment, he can just send a plague,
calamity to wipe out the city, and doesn’t even need the human army.
3). In our Christian’s life journey, God will
send the angel of Lord, His prophet as Gad
to speak the word of God, a great leader needs to be humble and listen
carefully in order to live in a victorious life. Trust not your own strength,
or understanding, all your way acknowledge the Lord, fully depends on the Lord,
He will guard your own heart, and guide you into the path of peace,
righteousness and a fruitful life.
4). the principle of sacrificial giving and
build up the church is one of way to restore the blessing of nation. When King
David built an altar, sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offering, God
answered the prayers. He regained the blessing and ceased plague on his people.
Conclusion,
My friends, in your Christian life journey,
put God first, and fully rely on God’s divine power, wisdom, strength rather
than the man’s. Encounter not your own understanding, nor your own judgment.
Humble yourselves, let Word of God speak to your heart, and learn from the
historical, theological events and heroes. You will gain the wisdom to lead and
guide your nation into the path of peace and righteousness.
[1]
Ryrie, Charles
C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV). Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute,
1986.
[3] Ibid.,448
[4] Ryrie,
Charles C. Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986. 448.
Bibliography,
Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible
(NIV). Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.
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