2S24-2: When God Is Angry—And You Don’t Know Why

Yesterday, I stated that we have no idea why the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.

However, there are a couple of interesting guesses as to why.

Let’s explore a couple of those today.

The first thought expressed on the topic is that whatever sin Israel might have committed, David was unaware of it.

Because if he were, there’s no way in the world he would’ve allowed it to happen.

Now, one speculation is that God was upset because the people didn’t urge David to build a Temple.

If David had done so, the Temple would’ve been built in his time and not in his son’s, Solomon’s era.

This also would’ve meant the holy Ark of the Covenant wouldn’t have been left sitting in some unstable make-shift tent for decades while the Israelites were permanently settled in the land the Lord had provided for them.

I’m not so sure how plausible this is because the Lord had expressed before that He couldn’t care less about having some kind of earthly dwelling place.

“Heaven is My throne,
and the earth is My footstool.
What kind of house could
you build for Me?
What kind of place could
serve as My resting place?
Didn’t My hand make all these things?”
-Isaiah 66:1-2

Onward.

Another thought, on a more practical level, is that the Lord’s wrath was due to Sheva’s rebellion going unpunished.

Ya remember Sheva, don’t you?

He was the Benjamite homie who went up in arms against King David shortly after David returned to Jerusalem following Absalom’s failed revolt.

Even though Sheva was killed, there was no explicit national repentance and no recorded atonement.

In other words, there was zero indication that Israel (referring to Ephraim or the 10 tribes here) as a whole was held accountable before God for following Sheva.

This would’ve been considered all the more terrible because it meant that even after the people were severely punished for Absalom’s rebellion, they still turned right around and rebelled against God’s anointed King. 

So this is another reason why some folks say the Lord was ticked off.

Now, usually, 1st Chronicles will fill in the details that we don’t have in the closing chapter of the books of 2nd Samuel.

But, unfortunately, 1st Chronicles doesn’t provide any extra info to bridge the gap this time around.

So my conclusion remains unchanged, which is basically that I have no conclusion.

The bottom line is that there’s no clear reason given why God was angry at Israel first, and then at David, over the census.

However, I do have a takeaway.

And it’s the same one as yesterday.

Namely, even though no specific sin is named, we do know the Lord was angry at Israel for disobedience on their part.

So in your life, if things aren’t going well…

Whether personally or professionally…

Take a look at how you’re living your life from the perspective of God’s holy Torah…

And then make adjustments where necessary.

Just because you don’t know why God is angry is no excuse to not examine your life in light of His Holy commands and implement some serious behavioral changes.

That might just be the trick that turns things around for you.

Ya feel me?

Done.

CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT

“Those whom the Lord loves,
He disciplines,
and He scourges every son
whom He receives.”
— Hebrews 12:6

“For the time has come
for judgment to begin
with the household of God.”
— 1 Peter 4:17

“If we would judge ourselves,
we would not be judged.”
— 1 Corinthians 11:31

“Examine yourselves to see
whether you are in the faith;
test yourselves.”
— 2 Corinthians 13:5

“Do not be deceived:
God is not mocked.
For whatever a man sows,
that he will also reap.”
— Galatians 6:7

“Those whom I love,
I rebuke and discipline.
So be earnest and repent.”
— Revelation 3:19

“But when we are judged by the Lord,
we are disciplined so that we may
not be condemned with the world.”
— 1 Corinthians 11:32

“Before a man examines others,
let him first examine himself.”
— Luke 6:41–42