Brother Michael's Devotional

"And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah. For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beer-Sheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people." II Samuel 24:1-2

Here we see David commanding Joab to number the people of Israel. Now Joab attempted to talk David out of numbering Israel but David refused to listen, so Joab obeyed the King's command. After Joab had numbered all the people David's prophet Gad came to him, rebuked him for numbering the people, offered him three different plagues and allowed him to choose the one he and the nation would receive. The first plague would be 7 years of famine, the second would be 3 months of war and the third would be three days of pestilence at the hand of the LORD. David chose the third and seventy thousand men died.

The question arises, what was David's great sin in numbering the people. There are varying opinions as to why God disciplined David and the nation so severely but I believe the answer can be found in Exodus 30:12. Here the LORD says to Moses that "when thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them."

Moses is clearly told that every one that is numbered is to give half a shekel of silver, and silver speaks of redemption. Friend, just as the nation of Israel was under the judgement of God and required a price of redemption so you and I are born under the judgement of God and require redemption. But where is our redemption price to be found? Shall we redeem ourselves with our good works? Isaiah 64:6 says that "all our righteousness are as filthy rags" in the sight of God. Shall we bring gold or silver? I Peter 1:18 states that we "were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold." Friend there is only one thing that can redeem you and I to God, and that is the precious blood of Christ. "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish or spot:" I Peter 1 18-19

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;" Ephesians 1:7