1 Chronicles 21
Part I
When do you know that something belongs to you? Instinctively, we would all respond with a “yes” to something that is under your roof, in your bank account, or even has your name scribbled on it. How about your family, do they belong to you? God sees this question of belonging differently. In 1 Chronicles 21, God’s jealousy is on full display and goes to great lengths asserting His claim. God’s view is difficult for modern minds to comprehend.
In chapter 21, King David orders a census to be taken of the nation. David’s number two man, Joab, warns him that guilt would be brought on Israel if he goes through with the census. But as King, his command stands, and he doesn’t back down. Joab takes a census of the people. Almost immediately, David realizes he is in trouble and has acted foolishly. A prophet named Gad comes to him and lays down three options: 1. Famine for three years. 2. Three months running from your enemies. 3. Three days of plague.
(Seriously God! Your going to kill a bunch of people over a census!!??)
In our minds, a king taking a census is a perfectly normal act. But that is not how God sees it. In the second year of the Exodus, it was God Himself who counted the people of Israel (Numbers 1) He did this because they are His. Even this was done with a great amount of trepidation; God instructed the people of Israel to provide a national sacrifice to Him as part of the census (Exodus 31:11). No matter how large the nation of Israel grew, they would always know they are His.
Now how does this relate to King David’s census? David’s act of taking a census claims ownership of something not his! He was not taking a census to honor God. He was taking a census to promote himself. Now, think about your family. If you are in Christ’s Kingdom, your family is not yours. Your family belongs to God and you should treat it as such. It means that as a father, God is entrusting you to teach, love, and care for His people. It is a very high calling God does not take lightly.
To David’s credit, he realizes his mess and chooses the best option available. Famine comes from nature, enemies are men, but plague is from God. He throws himself at the Lord’s mercy and prays for a quick end to the sickness. Like all fathers, our anger can burn hot fast, but the repentance of a child cools it just as quickly.
Nothing fixes a child like an appropriate spanking and God’s spanking fixed David good.
Dad Devotional 