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Text: 2 Samuel 24
The Bible is not like any other book in the world. At the end of 2 Samuel there is a record of a census that David took. It’s not in chronological order as the rest of the book is. This event set out of order raises the question, why? Why is the author choosing to conclude 2 Samuel with this event? This is where you find something extraordinary and fascinating about the Bible, unlike any other book in the world. The author knows the future of God’s sacrifice for sin who would be the LORD Jesus Christ. The author knows the law that was given four hundred years before. For literary purposes, the author of this book uses this census and the resolution to God’s anger with Israel as the conclusion of this book. The author weaves together several truths that will form an unmistakable shadow of the LORD Jesus Christ.
David orders the census taken (vss 1-5)
- The LORD was angry with Israel because of sin in the land. What particular sin? None was mentioned. Because God was angry with the nation, he allowed the head of the nation to fall into the snare of the devil. Jesus said to pray lead me not into temptation.
- 1 Chronicles 21:1 says Satan was given the opportunity to tempt David. David is tempted to gauge his success by the strength of the army he now possesses and the number of citizens in his kingdom. He conquered Syria, Ammon, the Philistines, and the Amalekites, and brought Israel’s enemies under his control. This must be David’s weak spot at this time, being an older and accomplished man.
- When the devil is turned loose because of God’s anger, Satan uses something in man’s flesh to provoke him to cross a line God has drawn. He’ll use the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, or the pride of life. These are the appetites in man that the devil will use to bring about condemnation.
- As bad as Joab is, even Joab protests this census knowing this will bring God’s wrath on the kingdom.
- My question here was why is this census such a problem? Why is this the temptation?
- Here’s why. When the Hebrews took a census, God gave specific instructions on how to do it. No one could be counted unless a ransom was paid for the soul.
- Exodus 30:11-16
- The LORD will build his house with ransomed souls. No soul is to be counted if there is no ransom paid.
- Why is God so mad about this? Because it dishonors Jesus Christ’s ransom that will ultimately be paid for souls. If you’re not trusting and clinging to the ransom Jesus Christ paid for your soul, you are NOT counted among God’s people.
The people are counted (vss 6-9)
- James 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
- The time frame from sin and judgment is the same as David’s sin with Bathsheba, nine months and twenty days. From the time of temptation to the birth of sin is 40 weeks.
- There are 1.3M able men counted, but no ransom is made for these souls.
The LORD requires payment for the sin (vss 10-14)
- David feels the conviction of guilt for his sin. David is still a tender-hearted man. When he steps out of bounds he is brought under conviction.
- This is what it means to walk in the light. This is what it means to keep the commandments of God. It means that when you step out of bounds, the light of the word of God brings conviction to your heart.
- If you’ve never been convicted of your sin, not sorry you got caught or sorry your life got ruined but convicted because you’ve perverted God’s law, there’s no chance you’ve ever received the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ, no chance you’ve ever been given eternal life. Seeking eternal life and God’s righteousness begins with conviction.
- When the law is broken there is a penalty that must be paid. In a unique situation, David is given a choice of what his consequence will be.
- 7 years of famine (1 Chronicles says 3 years of famine which some say is a contradiction. It’s not. It just means there had already been 4 years of famine and God would bring the total years of famine to 7)
- 3 months of fleeing enemies
- 3 days of pestilence
- David doesn’t want this condemnation to be in the hands of man, so he chooses pestilence. Let us fall into the hands of the LORD for his mercies are great.
The wages of sin is death (vss 15-17)
- The wages of sin are death, and in this case, it is other people’s death.
- David cannot endure the responsibility. His leadership has led to the death of so many people and he is completely broken by it.
- The LORD repented of the evil – what a thought. So the LORD repents. In this case, repent means to stop what He’s doing.
The shadow of the Savior (vss 18-25)
- The LORD decides that He will accept a sacrifice at the threshing floor of Araunah. But the altar is in Gibeon, so why is the LORD taking David to this threshing floor? Here is where we find the reason this event concludes 2 Samuel: the gospel according to Araunah.
- SIN: God’s house will only be built with ransomed people. The ransom was disregarded. David was under heavy conviction for transgressing God’s law and ignoring this revealed truth. Sin led to 3 days of death.
- SACRIFICE: But after 3 days of death, God stopped the plague and ordered a sacrifice in a sanctified place.
- The place: 2 Chronicles 3:1, This is where the house of the LORD will be built. It was also the site where Abraham offered Isaac in Genesis 22. It’s the place where God’s sacrifice for sin once for all will be made in the LORD Jesus Christ. The sacrificial place is the place God meets with man!
- The offering: The sacrifices are given as a gift! Look at verses 22-23. Araunah is not a king, but his generosity is a trait of nobility in God’s eyes. Araunah isn’t even an Israelite, but he’s converted to the God of Israel and voluntarily participates in the covenants God made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses.
- Because this is not THE sacrifice God will make in Jesus Christ, David will pay for this offering. Now, this is a good lesson and the right attitude. Your offering is how you participate in the things of God.
- SATISFIED: The LORD is satisfied for now. The shadow of what will come in Christ on the cross was complete. The author of 2 Samuel knows all of this.
