�Reading 5 - 2 Sam 24; 1 Chron 21

24 and 21 - Today we complete the reading of Samuel with 2 Samuel 24. 1 Chronicles 21 is the paral- lel and nearly identical chapter so we will deal with them together, as both chapters are to be read today. The action here is straightforward. We are left to puzzle out, however, several questions. Why was God an- gry with Israel (24:1) and why was it wrong to count the people (24:3)? We do not know. Who caused David to count the people: God (2 Samuel 24:1) or Satan (2 Chronicles 21:1)? The answer is that God allowed Satan to tempt David (perhaps with pride?). The final question has to do with reconciling some of the differ- ences in the census numbers and price paid for Arunah’s (spelled Ornan in Chronicles) threshing floor. These differences may be the result of a scribal error, or it may be David paid one price for land, or even the entire Temple mount, and the other for the animals and yokes. Reconciling the census numbers is more complicated and uncertain. More important is David’s determination to pay full cost for what he offered to the Lord (24:24). 2 Chronicles 22:1 tells that the threshing floor was chosen as the Temple site.

4 - Once again, Paul shows his understanding of his audience. Some will object to what he is teaching by pointing to Abraham. Now there was a fine fellow! Surely God accepted him based on all the good things he did! No, says Paul, that’s not the case. Abraham was “justified” or “counted righteous by faith.” Here Paul sets forth an entirely different kind of righteousness not based on never sinning, but obtained through faith as a gift of God. It is based on forgiveness not perfection. Verses 6-7 beautifully illustrate what “counted righteous” and “reckon” or “impute righteousness” means. Those terms just mean “forgiven.” The man counted righteous by God is the man forgiven by God. Verse 9 sounds out the unity theme again A Jewish Christian might say “Oh, yes, justified by faith, but not just any believer can be justified, but the circumcised believer only.” No, Paul says, Abraham was right with God prior to circumcision (verses 10-12). Thus Abraham can be the father of all who believe, not just the Jews or circumcised. Anyone with faith can be a child of Abraham! Paul even argues that if the promise of blessing depends on law keeping then it will never be fulfilled because no one keeps the law perfectly (verse 14). The chapter ends by showing that Abraham’s faith is a model for us today (verse 22). Be like Abraham and trust in God!

Applications from This Week’s Readings

A right relationship with God can be obtained because (1) we are right (we have never sinned) or by (2) faith in God. Since none of us are sinless the way of faith becomes critically important. Read 4:20 again. Is your faith strong like Abraham? Do you trust in God to forgive your sins and count you righteous? Pray about your faith this week and consider reading Abraham’s story (beginning Genesis 12) to build up your faith.