Sin of NUMBERING

 

Ecclesiastes 1:1-2

King James Version

1 The words of the Preacher, 

the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, 

vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

The world is in great sin.

This sin of pride, and vanity.

Wanting to know how many likers, followers, members.

This addiction to fans, and fame.

As if strength comes in numbers.

King David became susceptible to that, too.

Causing great wrath to come upon him, and Israel.

Here's the story:

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

21 And Satan* stood up against Israel, 

and provoked David to number Israel.

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

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.

The captain of hosts reaction:

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

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?

But David's word prevailed:

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

4 Nevertheless the king's word prevailed 

against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, 

and went throughout all Israel, 

and came to Jerusalem.

The number given:

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

5 And Joab gave the sum 

of the number of the people unto David. 

And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand 

and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: 

and Judah was four hundred threescore 

and ten thousand men that drew sword.

For Israel, that's 1,570,000 men fit for "military service".

For Judah, it's 470,000.

That must have pleased the king.

Still, Joab was not about to defy the LORD GOD:

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

6 But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them: 

for the king's word was abominable to Joab.

GOD's reaction to David?

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

7 And God was displeased with this thing; 

therefore he smote Israel.

David realizes his error.

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

8 And David said unto God, 

I have sinned greatly, 

because I have done this thing: 

but now, I beseech thee, 

do away the iniquity of thy servant; 

for I have done very foolishly.

GOD's response:

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

9 And the Lord spake unto Gad, 

David's seer, saying,

10 Go and tell David, saying, 

Thus saith the Lord, 

I offer thee three things: 

choose thee one of them, 

that I may do it unto thee.

The punishment:

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

11 So Gad came to David, and said unto him, 

Thus saith the Lord, Choose thee

12 Either three years' famine; 

or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, 

while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; 

or else three days the sword of the Lord, 

even the pestilence, in the land, 

and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout 

all the coasts of Israel. 

Now therefore advise thyself what word 

I shall bring again to him that sent me.

What would you have chosen?

David's choice:

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

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.

The results:

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

14 So the Lord sent pestilence upon Israel: 

and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men.

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

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.

David repents:

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

16 And David lifted up his eyes, 

and saw the angel of the Lord stand 

between the earth and the heaven, 

having a drawn sword in his hand 

stretched out over Jerusalem. 

Then David and the elders of Israel, 

who were clothed in sackcloth, 

fell upon their faces.

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

17 And David said unto God, 

Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? 

even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; 

but as for these sheep, what have they done? 

let thine hand, I pray thee, O Lord my God, be on me, 

and on my father's house; 

but not on thy people, 

that they should be plagued.

The angel speaks to the prophet:

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

18 Then the angel of the Lord 

commanded Gad to say to David, 

that David should go up, 

and set up an altar unto the Lord 

in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

19 And David went up at the saying of Gad, 

which he spake in the name of the Lord.

The angel must have looked frightening, and yet magnificent:

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

20 And Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; 

and his four sons with him hid themselves. 

Now Ornan was threshing wheat.

David makes arrangements with Ornan:

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

21 And as David came to Ornan, 

Ornan looked and saw David, 

and went out of the threshingfloor, 

and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground.

22 Then David said to Ornan, 

Grant me the place of this threshingfloor, 

that I may build an altar therein unto the Lord: 

thou shalt grant it me for the full price: 

that the plague may be stayed from the people.

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

23 And Ornan said unto David, 

Take it to thee, and let my lord the king 

do that which is good in his eyes: 

lo, I give thee the oxen also for burnt offerings, 

and the threshing instruments for wood, 

and the wheat for the meat offering; 

I give it all.

24 And king David said to Ornan, 

Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: 

for I will not take that which is thine for the Lord, 

nor offer burnt offerings without cost.

25 So David gave to Ornan for the place 

six hundred shekels of gold by weight.

David builds an altar.

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

26 And David built there an altar unto the Lord, 

and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, 

and called upon the Lord; 

and he answered him from heaven 

by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.

Peace reigns.

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

27 And the Lord commanded the angel; 

and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof.

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

King James Version

28 At that time when David saw 

that the Lord had answered him 

in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite, 

then he sacrificed there.

29 For the tabernacle of the Lord, 

which Moses made in the wilderness, 

and the altar of the burnt offering, 

were at that season in the high place at Gibeon.

30 But David could not go before it to enquire of God: 

for he was afraid 

because of the sword of the angel of the Lord.

Many have no idea GOD's POWER.

But look what He can have ONE of His angels do:

2 Kings 19:35

King James Version

35 And it came to pass that night, 

that the angel of the Lord went out, 

and smote in the camp of the Assyrians 

an hundred fourscore and five thousand: 

and when they arose early in the morning, 

behold, they were all dead corpses.

That's 185,000 that perished in a night.

And that's from only ONE angel the LORD commands.

GOD is no respecter of persons.

He takes no favorites.

King, or commoner, we're all subject to GOD's laws.

May we refrain from this sin of pride, and vanity.

Especially of numbering.

The only thing JESUS cares to number are these:

Luke 12:7

King James Version

7 But even the very hairs of your head 

are all numbered. 

Fear not therefore: 

ye are of more value 

than many sparrows.

Luke 15:3-7

King James Version

3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, 

if he lose one of them, 

doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, 

and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5 And when he hath found it, 

he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6 And when he cometh home, 

he calleth together his friends and neighbours, 

saying unto them, 

Rejoice with me; 

for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7 I say unto you, 

that likewise joy shall be in heaven 

over one sinner that repenteth, 

more than over ninety and nine just persons, 

which need no repentance.

Apart from that?

It's all vanity.

*NOTE:

The "Chronicles" book cited here says it was Satan who "provoked" David to number Israel.

The "Samuel" book says the LORD "moved" David to do so.

2 Samuel 24:1

King James Version

24 And again the anger of the Lord 

was kindled against Israel, 

and he moved David against them to say, 

Go, number Israel and Judah.

Which one do we follow?

That's the beauty of the Bible for a born again.

SPIRIT invites us to look deeper.

Which we already have an idea of.

But it will have to be for a future post.

Related material: 

On ANGELS

Sin AWARENESS

GOD's WRATH

GOD's numbers

Image: Clipart Library

The LAST emissary

 

Malachi 3:1

King James Version

3 Behold, I will send my messenger, 

and he shall prepare the way before me: 

and the Lord, whom ye seek, 

shall suddenly come to his temple, 

even the messenger of the covenant, 

whom ye delight in: 

behold, 

he shall come, 

saith the Lord of hosts.

We really have no idea GOD's love for us.

Perhaps, we have an inkling.

But it really hasn't set in.

Only through SPIRIT can we know.

We receive SPIRIT, when GOD makes us born again.

From which, wonderful things happen.

We get to know GOD's ways.

We get to know His wisdom.

We get to know His love.

Proof of that LOVE?

Let JESUS tell us a parable:

Mark 12:1

King James Version

12 And he began to speak unto them by parables. 

A certain man planted a vineyard, 

and set an hedge about it, 

and digged a place for the winefat, 

and built a tower, 

and let it out to husbandmen, 

and went into a far country.

Mark 12:2-3

King James Version

2 And at the season 

he sent to the husbandmen a servant, 

that he might receive from the husbandmen 

of the fruit of the vineyard.

3 And they caught him, and beat him, 

and sent him away empty.

Mark 12:4

King James Version

4 And again he sent unto them another servant; 

and at him they cast stones, 

and wounded him in the head, 

and sent him away shamefully handled.

Mark 12:5

King James Version

5 And again he sent another; 

and him they killed, and many others; 

beating some, and killing some.

When all else "failed", the lord of the vineyard sent his LAST emissary:

Mark 12:6-8

King James Version

6 Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, 

he sent him also last unto them, saying, 

They will reverence my son.

How did the husbandmen treat this lord's LAST emissary?

Mark 12:7-8

King James Version

7 But those husbandmen said 

among themselves, 

This is the heir; 

come, let us kill him, 

and the inheritance shall be ours.'

8 And they took him, 

and killed him, 

and cast him out of the vineyard.

If you're born again, the symbolism is apparent:

Who is the LORD of the vineyard?

GOD.

Who are the husbandmen?

Us.

Who are the servants?

The prophets.

Who is that one, "wellbeloved" son, sent for last?

JESUS.

How have we treated the LAST emissary?

1 Corinthians 2:8

King James Version

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: 

for had they known it, 

they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

As you can well imagine, this is what the LORD of the vineyard will do:

Mark 12:1-12

King James Version

9 What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? 

he will come and destroy the husbandmen, 

and will give the vineyard unto others.

The LORD always sends us an invitation.

To dine with Him, to sup with Him, to receive His WORD.

Will we attend?

Will we receive Him?

Will we open our doors for Him?

I hope you do.

Related material:

JESUS

GOD's LOVE

GOD's WAYS

GOD's TRUTH

GOD's WISDOM

PARABLES of JESUS

The LAST emissary (blog)

Image: Free Bible Images

FAITHFUL to SCRIPTURE

 

1 Timothy 4:16

King James Version

16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; 

continue in them: for in doing this 

thou shalt both save thyself, 

and them that hear thee.

What is one to do, in a chaotic world?

How is one to be, in a false world?

These we've come to know.

First, we need to be born again.

We are just fooling ourselves if we think there's another way.

Surely, you've tried many ways, and got stuck somewhere, somehow.

Or you've been given false promises, and that's just the way the world is.

When GOD makes you born again, He gives you His SPIRIT.

Then SPIRIT teaches you about JESUS.

In JESUS is grace and truth.

John 1:17

King James Version

17 For the law was given by Moses, 

but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Your faith becomes grounded in truth.

There are no false promises, empty promises, or disappointment.

You begin to know His ways, His will, and His wisdom.

You receive the peace you so dearly desire.

What differentiates the true born again, from those who claim they are?

Our focus is on JESUS alone.

We live simple, quiet lives.

We are Berean in approach.

We live by Scripture.

We breathe Scripture.

We check with Scripture.

All the time.

Not just some of the time.

But ALL of the time.

Acts 17:11

King James Version

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, 

in that they received the word 

with all readiness of mind, 

and searched the scriptures daily, 

whether those things were so.

We are anchored deeply in the ROCK that is CHRIST.

We do not take the popular world view.

That's why we are so unpopular.

We take CHRIST's view.

We are taught by SPIRIT.

We have given our lives to GOD.

Truth be told, it is the only path to take.

The world is in chaos.

The devil has too many devices.

There is no truth in the world.

Only through GOD's WORD can we remain sure, strong, and steady.

Only through GOD's WORD can we remain clear, childlike, and caring.

Only through GOD's WORD can we remain pure, perfect, and precise.

Or, at least, that's our objective.

Considering our many human failings.

Last night, SPIRIT led me to a timely video on the Bible's beginnings.

This morning, we wrote an article, as we digested the video's material.

We shared many links so we may remember the important points of it.

We got to know who were persecuted, as they remained true to Scripture.

We also learned who the persecutors were.

The battle remains.

The born again is outnumbered.

But these we must remember:

JESUS is the Alpha, and Omega.

Revelation 1:8

King James Version

8 I am Alpha and Omega, 

the beginning and the ending, 

saith the Lord, 

which is, and which was, and which is to come, 

the Almighty.

GOD's WORD created everything.

John 1:1-3

King James Version

1 In the beginning was the Word, 

and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him; 

and without him was not any thing made 

that was made.

JESUS is the WORD of GOD.

Revelation 19:13

King James Version

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood:

and his name is called The Word of God.

JESUS is the WORD that became flesh.

John 1:14

King James Version

14 And the Word was made flesh, 

and dwelt among us, 

(and we beheld his glory, 

the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) 

full of grace and truth.

JESUS is our ONLY SOURCE of SALVATION.

Acts 4:12

King James Version

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: 

for there is none other name under heaven 

given among men, whereby we must be saved.

JESUS holds the keys to hell and death.

Revelation 1:18

King James Version

18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; 

and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; 

and have the keys of hell and of death.

JESUS will judge us in the end.

Psalm 96:8-13

King James Version

8 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: 

bring an offering, and come into his courts.

9 O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: 

fear before him, all the earth.

10 Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: 

the world also shall be established 

that it shall not be moved: 

he shall judge the people righteously.

11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; 

let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.

12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: 

then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice

13 Before the Lord: 

for he cometh, 

for he cometh to judge the earth: 

he shall judge the world with righteousness, 

and the people with his truth.

Many bicker about religions.

Many prefer to remain wicked.

Many won't want to heed GOD's call.

But the true born again stays true to Scripture.

Scripture is infallible.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

King James Version

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, 

and is profitable for doctrine, 

for reproof, 

for correction, 

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, 

thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

In the end, GOD's WORD is all that will remain.

JESUS told us so.

Matthew 24:35

King James Version

35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, 

but my words shall not pass away.

As such, Scripture is all we care to know.

It tells us how to live, work, and be.

All in consonance with GOD's will.

That gives us the peace we desire.

In JESUS is peace.

John 14:27

King James Version

27 Peace I leave with you, 

my peace I give unto you: 

not as the world giveth, give I unto you. 

Let not your heart be troubled, 

neither let it be afraid.

Related material:

The TRUE CHURCH of the LIVING CHRIST

PROTECTORS of SCRIPTURE

BEST service to the WORLD

PEACE through JESUS

WAR of WORDS

TWISTING of WORDS

RECEIVING the WORD

STUDYING the WORD

BEWARE false doctrines

BORN AGAIN classics

GOD's GLORY blogs

WORD of GOD

Image: Gantas Vaičiulėnas

We need SPIRIT

 

1 John 4:1

King James Version

4 Beloved, believe not every spirit, 

but try the spirits whether they are of God: 

because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

What is truth?

Is there such a thing as ULTIMATE truth?

How do you find it?

Where do you look for it?

Are you really looking for it?

Well, I did, and have -- for the longest time.

Through my own steam, I searched for it.

Read tons of books.

Listened to so-called gurus.

Eyes and ears always attuned.

For something that spelled truth.

Or at least, felt like it.

And yet, a "piece" remained missing.

Something remained elusive.

Why couldn't I latch on to it?

Why was it being kept from me?

Was I going about it the right way?

What was I doing wrong?

I used my steam, till I ran out of steam.

Not realizing I couldn't do it on my own.

And that's when I sat still.

Reviewing my life thus far.

And started to look into my sins.

Aghast at the gravity of it.

Ashamed at my own ignorance.

And supreme blindness.

Choosing to sin no more.

Asking GOD for clarity.

GOD took pity upon my penitent heart.

Five months after, He made me born again.

After that, ALL became clear in September 2019.

And here's what I found --

We need GOD's SPIRIT:

1 Corinthians 2:9-14

King James Version

9 But as it is written, 

Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, 

neither have entered into the heart of man, 

the things which God hath prepared 

for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: 

for the Spirit searcheth all things, 

yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, 

save the spirit of man which is in him? 

even so the things of God knoweth no man, 

but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, 

not the spirit of the world, 

but the spirit which is of God; 

that we might know the things 

that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, 

not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, 

but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; 

comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not 

the things of the Spirit of God: 

for they are foolishness unto him: 

neither can he know them, 

because they are spiritually discerned.

I found that because SPIRIT wanted me to find it.

He wanted me to know His truth.

GOD is truly merciful.

He let me use my own steam, till I ran out of it.

Upon my surrender, He took over.

But He gave me a chance to find out for myself first.

Such is GOD's LOVE for us.

As born again, I've also observed something.

Many pastors are puzzled why people don't understand Scripture.

Many pastors wonder why people continue to sin.

Many pastors seem lost for answers themselves.

As I listen to their sermons, I keep waiting for them to acknowledge SPIRIT.

Few acknowledge the role of SPIRIT in correcting this troubled world.

Only through SPIRIT, can we know GOD's truth.

Only through SPIRIT can we understand JESUS.

Only through SPIRIT, can we understand Scripture.

Only through SPIRIT, can we understand what being born again means.

How do I know?

JESUS tells us Himself.

For He prayed for that very SPIRIT to live in us.

Making sure we were not orphaned when He was taken up to heaven.

John 14:16-17 

King James Version

16 And I will pray the Father, 

and he shall give you another Comforter, 

that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth; 

whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, 

neither knoweth him: but ye know him; 

for he dwelleth with you, 

and shall be in you.

John 14:26 

King James Version

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, 

whom the Father will send in my name, 

he shall teach you all things, 

and bring all things to your remembrance, 

whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 15:26 

King James Version

26 But when the Comforter is come, 

whom I will send unto you from the Father, 

even the Spirit of truth, 

which proceedeth from the Father, 

he shall testify of me:

Never again will you be lost.

Never again will you be confused.

Never again will you be manipulated.

You have the SPIRIT of GOD to guide you.

Related material:

The PURPOSE of the HOLY SPIRIT

GOD's TRUTH

The HOLY SPIRIT

BORN AGAIN articles

Bible DISCOVERY 9: The TRIUNE GOD

Related video:

God Give Us Discernment -- Jack Hibbs

Image: Clipart Library