Sat.’s Devo - The Plague of Sin

Read: 1 Chronicles 19:1-21:30; Romans 2:25-3:8; Psalm 11:1-7; Proverbs 19:10-12 King Nahash of Ammon died and his son, Hanun became the king. David had been allies with Nahash and sent his condolences to Hanun through his ambassadors. Hanun thought they were there to spy out his kingdom so he had them shaved and cut their robes to their rears. The men were so embarrassed because of their shaved heads that David let them stay in Jericho till they grew back. *** Hunan realized how much he had offended David so they hired the Ammonites to fight with them and went up against Israel. They met at Medeba and drew up battle lines at the entrance of the city and others met in the fields. David called Joab to send his army and fight them. Joab divided his army between him and his brother, Abishai. The Arameans ran from both of them and regrouped on the other side of the Euphrates. They hired more men to fight with them but were no challenge to David’s army. They surrendered. *** Israel’s army also had to go to war with some left-over giants of the Philistines and God gave them success also. *** Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census of the people. Joab tried to talk him out of it to no avail. God was very displeased with this and gave David three choices of punishment: three years of famine, three months of losing on the battle field or three days of a plague. David chose the three days hoping God would be a merciful advocate. The plague just happens to be the punishment of doing a census and not atoning for the people first (Exodus 30:12). *** The plague came toward Jerusalem. Araunah, a Jebusite owned a threshing floor there and saw the angel. David also saw it. David and his men all dressed in burlap to show their repentance and humility to the Lord. David cried out to the Lord and asked that He spare the innocent people and let the judgment fall on him and his family. God heard his prayer and stopped the plague. *** David bought Araunah’s threshing floor for 600 pieces of gold and sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings on it. God sent the death angel away. *** Paul was in the middle of his address to Jerusalem’s Jews and Gentiles. He rebuked the Jews for touting their circumcision as if it could save their souls. He said that many uncircumcised Gentiles would be saved above them because they believed in the law in their hearts. Being a Jew was a heart issue not a birth issue. A true Jew was someone who obeyed God from their heart. *** Paul shot their silly doctrines in pieces. Some taught that the more sinful they were, the more righteous God looked. It was all an excuse to sin because their hearts were so hard. *** Lord, may we depend on you for our justification. May you judge the earth and bring truth and justice. May our actions consistently reflect your precepts.