Week 83, Day 3: The Census
Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 23:1-25
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
We are told at the beginning of this chapter that the anger of God burned against Israel. We are not told why this was or if this was against anyone specifically in Israel. But the wording of the passage leads me to conclude that David was incited in some way to make the decision to take the census. What was wrong with taking a census of the people? God had always promised Israel that He would fight for them and deliver them from all enemies. So why would there be a need to number the people unless it is just for some reason of pride. “Look at how my nation has grown”. “Israel is now so powereful that we have 1 million fighting men”. Man would want to know such things as a source of boasting and confidence in himself. Israel needed to have confidence in God.
Question: Why do you think God waited until after the census was taken to punish Israel? Why not just stop the census before it was completed?
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