So the LORD sent pestilence upon Israel: and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men.
The Lord sent pestilence upon Israel as punishment for David's sin in numbering the people, and seventy thousand men fell. The destruction came after David recognized his sin and repented, but too late to prevent the judgment from falling.
The destruction was caused by one angel acting under God's command. Holy angels exercise such destructive power when God commands it, and evil angels can exercise the same kind of power when God permits it. God's judgments come not by direct action upon sinners but by withdrawing the heavenly protection that had preserved them from Satan's cruel power after warnings, counsels and reproofs are refused, leaving them to themselves to follow their own wisdom and not commissioning angels to prevent Satan's decided attacks, and it is Satan's power at work at sea and on land bringing calamity and distress and sweeping off multitudes to make sure of his prey.
In mercy God stopped the destruction when the angel of death reached Jerusalem. David's costly sacrifice and offerings at Ornan's threshing floor were accepted by God and turned aside the destroying angel's sword, so that the angel sheathed his sword. Those offerings were made at the place where the temple was later built, and God answered David there by sending fire from heaven. The sacrifice that turned aside the sword is a fitting symbol of the Saviour's sacrifice and mediation for guilty people.
Even heavenly angels take no praise to themselves, but in one grand chorus through the heavenly courts resounds their praise of the Creator as the source of all things, whose own is given back to Him. So ministers and workers in the cause of Christ are to take no credit to themselves for advantages or for entrusted talents, and are to banish every thought of inherent merit as impious. Failure to employ their capabilities brings guilt deserving of displeasure and judgment, and all who live on earth should join the heavenly host in ascribing praise and glory to the Creator.
The Lord sent pestilence upon Israel as punishment for David's sin in numbering the people, and seventy thousand men fell. The destruction came after David recognized his sin and repented, but too late to prevent the judgment from falling.
The destruction was caused by one angel acting under God's command. Holy angels exercise such destructive power when God commands it, and evil angels can exercise the same kind of power when God permits it. God's judgments come not by direct action upon sinners but by withdrawing the heavenly protection that had preserved them from Satan's cruel power after warnings, counsels and reproofs are refused, leaving them to themselves to follow their own wisdom and not commissioning angels to prevent Satan's decided attacks, and it is Satan's power at work at sea and on land bringing calamity and distress and sweeping off multitudes to make sure of his prey.
In mercy God stopped the destruction when the angel of death reached Jerusalem. David's costly sacrifice and offerings at Ornan's threshing floor were accepted by God and turned aside the destroying angel's sword, so that the angel sheathed his sword. Those offerings were made at the place where the temple was later built, and God answered David there by sending fire from heaven. The sacrifice that turned aside the sword is a fitting symbol of the Saviour's sacrifice and mediation for guilty people.
Even heavenly angels take no praise to themselves, but in one grand chorus through the heavenly courts resounds their praise of the Creator as the source of all things, whose own is given back to Him. So ministers and workers in the cause of Christ are to take no credit to themselves for advantages or for entrusted talents, and are to banish every thought of inherent merit as impious. Failure to employ their capabilities brings guilt deserving of displeasure and judgment, and all who live on earth should join the heavenly host in ascribing praise and glory to the Creator.