Bible Wednesday - David Part 27

Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.
1 Chronicles 21:1

Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.”
2 Samuel 24:1


Whaddya think?  Here we have two verses describing the same scenario.  David is going to take a census.  But was he incited by God?  Or Satan? 

“Satan rose up against Israel”  
Let me just clarify something before we get started here. The word ‘satan’ literally means ‘adversary’ in this case.  The Bible is speaking of “the adversary”, the devil, the serpent, Lucifer, and he probably is called some other names that I have forgotten.  Don’t miss this though.  Just because Satan is God’s adversary does not mean that he is God’s equal. Satan and God are not two sides of the same coin. In fact, the cartoon depiction of the devil on one shoulder arguing with the angel on the other shoulder is a much more accurate depiction of Satan’s position. His ‘opposite equal’ would most likely be the archangel Michael. So yes, Satan is powerful and he has many fallen angels who plan and create much evil in the world. But never forget that he is on God’s leash. It’s hard to admit to ourselves that God has allowed all the evil that has ravaged the world we live in. But you have to ask yourself this question. What worse evil has God forestalled? 

Remember this story from the book of Job?

Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”  “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.  But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”  The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”
Job 1:8-12

We don't get a backstory on David's decision to hold a census.  So I can't tell you that I know the answer.  But based upon my belief that God is sovereign and pre-iminent in ALL things, I would have to say that God was angry at Israel and used Satan as a means to punish them.  That's just the chubby housewife theology though.   Regardless of whether I am right or wrong, it's clear that Israel has done something deserving of retribution.  And David is going to be the means toward that end.

So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are.”
1 Chronicles 21 :2