“And AGAIN the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he MOVED David against them to SAY, Go, number Israel.” [2 Samuel 24:1]
Since Israel became a nation in a strange land (Egypt) according to the will of God, there has been historical records of God’s anger against her, which was kindled for definite reasons, even when Israel (and later the dichotomy of Judah and Israel) had “good” kings.
In the Bible passage quoted above, it is stated that God’s anger was again kindled against Israel (under the leadership of King David), and so God “moved” David against the nation “to say”… The relationships, business activities or engagements, and lifestyle of the majority in the nation of Israel angered God, and so God MOVED their leader AGAINST them to make a policy decision that was at variance with God’s word.
God had commanded the children of Israel that when a population census was carried out, each person numbered must pay 0.5 shekel as “ransom for his soul” so that “there be no plague among them.” [See Exodus 30:11-16]
Furthermore, God forbade the numbering of the tribe of Levi, saying, “Only thou shall not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel.” [Numbers 1:49]
David was moved to violate a clear set of commandments of God. And there was a reason for this: God’s anger with the nation; and a deadly consequence for this: God sent an angel who smote and killed 70, 000 Jews with a plague that lasted not more than 72 hours. This plague claimed lives at a higher speed (more than 972 deaths per hour) than Covid-19 claimed in any nation at its peak last year!
In 1 Chronicles 21:1, we have this statement about the same incident: “And Satan stood up against Israel, and PROVOKED David to number Israel.”
You may ask, “Is there a contradiction? On one hand, it is stated that God moved David against Israel, while on the other hand, it is recorded that Satan stood up and provoked David to do what violated God’s written law.”
Satan is still being used by God in his dealings with individuals, families, and nations. Satan remains God’s angel to use as he wills. The last assignment God has for Satan before God has no more use of him when Satan is cast into the Lake of Fire would be to instigate the final separation between the goats (the unsaved) and sheep (the saved) immediately after the Millennial reign of Christ. Satan, who would be imprisoned for a thousand years at the beginning of Christ’s Millennial rule, would be released “for a short season” after this rule. And he would go and deceive so many people (many of whom would have been born during the Satanless Millennial era). Then, the end would come, even as the Christ Millenium natural human beings would have made their choice clear between the recently but momentarily released Satan and the Almighty God [See Revelation 20:1-3, 7-10].
Furthermore, do you recall the conversations between God and Satan about a man called Job?
Job 1:7-12: “And the LORD said unto Satan, whence cometh thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is no man like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he has on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch ALL that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, ALL that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the PRESENCE of the LORD.” I suppose this story may have subverted your understanding of God: His relationship and interactions with Satan, and his relationship with his godly children. Well, if the Lord permits, I will soon share with you the mystery about God’s permission of evil.
Let’s get back to Job’s illustration. God never argued with Satan, but allowed Satan limited authority over Job’s property and family. Satan killed all of Job’s children, and wasted Job’s material wealth. Strategically enough, he spared Job’s wife (to be used in the future by Satan to wage psychological warfare on Job). Satan failed!
Now, let’s get back to another conversation between God and Satan about Job after Satan’s defeat:
Job 2: 3-7: And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou MOVEDST me against him, to DESTROY him without CAUSE. And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but SAVE his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and SMOTE Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.” Later, Satan moved Job’s wife (whom he had spared) to urge her husband to CURSE God and die. Again, Satan failed! God later restored and upgraded Job in every way.
God is FAITHFUL, and shall not PERMIT you his child to be tempted above the grace (to endure) he has already given to you. The strength of your trials is directly proportional to the ration of grace (divine energy) God has given you. Besides, each trial God permits in your life comes along with a way of escape (See 1 Corinthians 10:13). May you always see it. Certain denials or rejections by men are escapes for you. But how blind we often are in the moment!
Can you see now that there is no contradiction between 2 Samuel 24:1 and 1 Chronicles 21:1? Only what God permits can Satan do.
The anger of God is kindled against many families and nations today. My nation, in particular, is going through the throes of divine anger. In this situation, many policies of governments across levels are impoverishing the citizens, many of whom have no patience and respect for God’s way and no appetite for God’s word. Many religious leaders are abusing and extorting their congregations, yet their sheep love it so; terrorists and criminals are preying on the citizens; living with many neighbours is becoming almost as dangerous as sharing a wide bed with a viper or hungry lion, but pretending to be safe only because you have stuffed a dozen huge pillows between you and your deadly roommate. In the midst of various forms of terrorist attacks and criminality, intercine wars, and plagues, I hear comments and see reactions that reveal stark ignorance of God’s message to us.
God gave David three options to choose from: Seven years of famine on the nation (Economic devastation); three months of attacks by enemies (Terrorism or war); and three days of plague (An epidemic). God permits all these in his anger, and they defy human solution.
Leaders of my nation have been moved against us, because God is angry with us. If we, individually and collectively, refuse to take responsibilty, and turn from our wicked ways, but rather, continue to indulge in the feast of passing the blame, getting angry with everyone except ourselves, and agitating for breakup of our country, we shall only extend the lifetime of our national calamity. Let us repent, let us abstain from that which we hate in others.
Let us seek help from God, not from government. Let us seek God’s face to be inspired to know what we should do and the way to go. We must find out our purpose from God and follow after. Let us not overrate money; let us not desire vain glory, provoking one another and envying one another. Life is too short to multiply enemies. Let us not be a burden on any man, and we must not give to man God’s throne and worship. We must maintain integrity and avoid evil even while going about our businesses.
It is time to make God turn away his wrath from our nation. It is time to shut out the voices of violent and fake prophets in our land. Back to the divine precepts! If any does not speak this way, there is no light in them.
- Leonard Karshima Shilgba is the General Overseer, BIBLE CLINIC MINISTRY