1 Chronicles 21-23

Know Your Enemy! - 1 Chronicles 21-23

Insight Into Scripture

Today, we read chapters 21 to 23. The Bible records 2 of King David's sins. In Chapter 21 we read about one of those sins. satan tempted David into the sin of pride, by taking a census in the land. This angers YAHWEH and for this sin, David's people pay a high price.

Chapter 22 tells us how David aided his son Solomon in getting preparations for building the temple.

100,000 talents of gold is an immense amount of gold. Its weight of 3750 TONS would fetch about $45 BILLION at today's prices (22:14). This is the largest amount of gold that is mentioned in the Old Testament.

1,000,000 talents of silver is an enormous amount! Almost 40,000 tons, this far exceeds anything else from biblical or extra biblical sources.

In chapter 23 we read how David makes his son, Solomon, king and how he divided the Levites who were the tribe designated to be priests.

Bringing the Bible Alive

This is a drawing of the Angel of the LORD. The Angel of the LORD is a specific Angel that carries out GOD's commands and judgements.In our readings I found it fascinating that while The Angel of the LORD was carrying out GOD's judgement against Israel, David saw the Angel with sword drawn (21:16). This must have made quite an impression on David, in 1 Chronicles 21:30 the Bible says that David was afraid to inquire of GOD, due to his fear of the Angel. Araunah also saw the Angel of the LORD in 1 Chronicles 21:20, after seeing him he hid with his four sons.

Have you ever wondered if he is huge, or very bright? When most people met him they were afraid. I guess we will find out when we go home, right?

Scripture Reading

1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.

2 And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.

3 And Joab answered, The LORD make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?

4 Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.

7 And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel.

13 And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the LORD; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man.

14 So the LORD sent pestilence upon Israel: and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men.

15 And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite. - 1 Chronicles 21:1-4, 7, 13-15 KJV

Thought for the Day

I used the King James Version today, I liked the words to describe satan's actions. There were two thoughts today that I wanted to share with you. The first was our enemy; satan. The Bible does not say much about satan and how he effects us. There is an example here in the book of Job. Notice how the Bible describes satan's actions, he "Stood up against Israel".

When my son and I are arguing, and I have had enough, I stand up. I guess it is my way of making myself superior and usually by that time I am pretty heated ready for a big fight. I can see satan using the same thought process, this is an aggressive stance towards YOU, he is ready for a fight and wants to make himself look bigger than the tiny being that he is.

The other word that I found interesting was; he "Provoked" David. I looked up "Provoke" in the dictionary.

It means:

1. To incite to anger or resentment

2. To stir to action or feeling.

satan is a BULLY! I had a bully in school once and there was two ways that I would deal with him. First, I would ignore him, I would realize that he did not have much self confidence so he had to hurt others to make himself feel better. The other way that I would deal with this person, I would go and get my BIG friend to deal with him. That bully was not so tough when he saw how I had a big friend next to my side. I learned that when I kept my BIG friend around me, the bully would steer clear of me.

Do you see the connection here? You can't win if you fight and argue with satan. He has had YEARS of experience, but, you can ignore him. Focus your attention to your BIG friend JESUS. Look at that sad little bully (satan) and tell him, "If you are going to mess with me, you are going to have to mess with my BIG friend JESUS". Watch him pee his pants and run scared. Heh Heh Heh

The other point that I wanted you to see is how sin hurts not only us, but the people around us. Because of David's prideful sin 70,000 men died. I know that David felt awful, in verse 21:17 David refers to them as sheep and asked to put the judgement on himself and his family.

Have a BLESSED Weekend and keep up with your reading. Find some Jesus time this weekend to be alone with your BIG friend!

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus

Father I pray that we have lots of time together as usual this weekend, I pray that there will be some Divine appointments for me. Father I pray that You will continue to give me the strength to know when the enemy is upon me and I turn to You for cover.

I love You and I pray in Your great Name, Amen.

1 Chronicles 14-16

Do You Inquire? - 1 Chronicles 14-16
Insight Into Scripture
Today in chapter 14 we read how King David defeats the Philistines twice, his fame was quickly spreading throughout the land.
Chapters 15 & 16 tell how King David, for the second time tried to bring the Ark back to Jerusalem. He was successful, and there was much rejoicing in the land!

Bringing the Bible Alive
This is a photo of the Ark of GOD (15:1) It is a model, but it is life size. This is an amazing article. It was YAHWEH on earth. There were 3 items in the Ark; The Ten Commandments, the rod of Aaron that blossomed, and the pot of manna. This is actually a park in Israel that is a a life-size replica of the biblical tabernacle. These photos were taken from Bibleplaces.

Scripture Reading
9 Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the Valley of Rephaim. 10 And David inquired of God, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?" And the LORD said to him, "Go up, and I will give them into your hand."
13 And the Philistines yet again made a raid in the valley. 14 And when David again inquired of God, God said to him, "You shall not go up after them; go around and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 15 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines." 16 And David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer.
13 Because you did not carry it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule." - 1 Chronicles 14:9- 10, 13-16, 15:13 ESV

Thought for the Day
In chapter 13 we read where David had the right heart and motives. He wanted to bring the Ark back to Jerusalem, so he set out on what he thought was right, but along the way the Ark began to slip and a man; Uzzah reached to catch it. The LORD's anger burned against Uzzah and HE killed him. At face value you would think, "What are you doing LORD? They were just trying to do the right thing?"
Then we read in chapter 14 where David inquired of the LORD before he took action, and YAHWEH gave him victory. In fact the second time in verses 14:13 it is like GOD wanted to have fun, HE wanted to be involved in the fight. HE could have told David; "Yes, go and attack, and I will give them to you." No, it is like the LORD said let's do this together, I want to be involved. So when you hear the wind in the balsam trees, that is I.
Then in verse 15:13 David made the connection of why Uzzah died. He did not inquire of GOD, he did not involve Him even though his motives where right.
GOD wants so badly to be involved in your life. Do you include him? Or do you go about your whole day without even including HIM in any decision or situation that you have to make? Not only the "Life and Death" decisions, but the little ones?I believe in saying breath prayers all day long. I try to talk to GOD all day long, I even ask HIM silly questions, like where should I plant this tree? Watching me you might think that I am silly, I do sometimes talk out loud to HIM, my wife says that I look funny talking to myself, call me crazy for Christ. :)
If you are not including Jesus in your day to day decisions, try it. I think that you might find GOD has a sense of humor and things just might start going your way more often, like David with the Philistines.

Closing Prayer
Dear Jesus
Thank You Father for always being open to me. Thank You for always letting me just talk to You. I know that that is a desire of Yours, to be closer, and I too want that very much. I pray Father that I can gain that more and more everyday. I pray that I can just pour out my heart to You and not worry about the words or the proper prayer.
I love You Father, I pray in Your name,
Amen.