The pride that goes before a fall: 2 Samuel 24.1–16 (Day 271)

Pray

Lord, open my ears to hear what you have to say to me; open my heart to love your word, and open my mind to understand your truth.

Read

2 Samuel 24 Galatians 4 Ezekiel 31 Psalm 79

Daily reflection: 2 Samuel 24

On the face of it, there's nothing wrong with a king taking a census. A prudent monarch needs to know how many soldiers and taxpayers he has. In this story, the element of sinfulness isn't explained. The writer ascribes what happens to God's direct activity. The plain sense of this chapter is that he is angry with Israel and causes David to sin so that he can punish the nation accordingly (verse 1). This is one of those times when the Bible reflects a partial human perspective, linking causes and effects in ways that seem strange to us today.

But what's wrong with a census? Perhaps it has to do with ownership, an assertion of power by the king over his people; all very well for other nations, but Israel belonged to God. It might be to do with pride – David took the census out of a desire to luxuriate in his power and success. The pride of kings who think too much of themselves – like Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4.28–33) and Herod (Acts 12.20–25) – often goes before a fall.

So perhaps the story tells us to be careful what we count, and why. Churches can be unhealthily preoccupied with numbers – income, or attendance, for instance. We might set ourselves personal goals, and worry if we don't achieve them. If we're successful in worldly terms, a rising bank balance might lead us to be complacent.

Sometimes measuring and counting things are a way for us to try to control them, rather than trusting in God.

Pray

God, forgive me if I let pride and ambition rule me, and fail to trust you as I should. Help me to focus on what really matters in my life and faith, and keep me from falling into sin.