BEWARE OF THE SPIRIT OF VAIN-GLORY AS A LEADER 2 Samuel 24:1 begins by saying, Again the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel and He moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah. The translators of the New King James Version believe that He in this sentence applies to GOD because they capitalize it, yet 1 Chronicles 21:1 tells us, Now satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel The best explanation is that satan moved David and is the he of 2 Samuel 24:1. As we find out in 1 Chronicles 21:1 it was satan that moved Davids heart, to the numbering of the people; so GOD opened the door and allowed satan to tempt David. Numbering of the children of Israel was dangerous according to Ex.30:12, which says, When you take the census of the children of Israel for their number, then every man shall give a ransom for himself to the LORD, when you number them, that there may be no plague among them when you number them GOD was the ownership of HIS people Israel and in thinking of ancient cultures, a man only had to count or number what belonged to him. Israel didnt belong to David it belonged to GOD and it was up to GOD to command a counting and if David counted he should only do it at GODS command and receiving ransom money to atone for the counting. However Joab wasnt afraid to speak to David when he thought the king was wrong, with the best interest of both David and Israel in mind, Joab tactfully asked David to reconsider this foolish desire to count the nation. Joab also hints at the motive behind the counting, which is pride in king David. Davids desire was the increase of the nation perhaps to measure the size of his army to know if he had enough force to conquer a neighbouring nation. Matthew Trapp wrote that He did it out of curiosity and creature; confidence. So in Davids late reign as king he was tempted to take some of the glory in himself, he looked at how Israel had grown and prospered during his reign, it was remarkable indeed. Therefore the count was a way to take credit to himself. Morgan wrote that The spirit of vain-glory in numbers had taken possession of the people and the king, and there was a tendency to trust in numbers and forget GOD. So this morning JESUS is addressing the Body of Christ, HIS servants in the vine-yard, His children that, we should beware of the spirit of vain-glory, we should not do things for GOD to take credit for it. Many servants of GOD are fond of taking credit for what they have done to the LORD. Repent in any way you have taken the glory of GOD and return to GOD. Therefore I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols says the LORD Isaiah 42:8 NIV Bible. Shalom and free to share.
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 10:58:13 +0000
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