Oct. 1st, 1 Chron. 22; Oct. 15th,_2 Chron. 7; Oct. 31st, 2 Chron. 23; Nov. 15th, Ezra 2.

COMMENTS

In chapter 21 we have read of David's sin in numbering the people. Pride had come in, and he desired
to boast himself in the strength of Israel, as though it were by such means he had gained his victories and conquered his enemies. He would glory in the might of the nation, forgetting that only by the strength and blessing of God had Israel increased, and he himself been established in the kingdom according to the sovereign choice of Jehovah. This sin of putting man first, and in effect despising the goodness and sovereignty of God, the way of both Satan and the natural man, must bring divine judgment, and especially when such evil is manifested in a child of God, as in David's case. Even such a man as Joab is against it, but this does not check David. He lacks sensitiveness to even such a voice, which may serve to show how pride and self-will may stop the ears to what would thwart their plan and make us of less perception than the worldly-minded around us.

But God does not leave His people to their self-chosen course. He shows His displeasure and David confesses his sin. Still God's government must take its course, as His message indicates, but David's answer shows a heart that knows God with whom he has to do. In the past he had proved the greatness of His mercies.

Doubtless not only David, but the nation needed to feel the hand of God in judgment (2 Sam. 24:1). As a result David and the elders of Israel take the place of humiliation and self-judgment, he himself taking all the blame. The altar set up, the sacrifice offered at the appointed place, under the outstretched sword of the angel, is accepted of God, who answers by fire from heaven. Then the sword is sheathed.

This serves to bring out in another way the grace of God, and to manifest His purpose as to His house, His chosen centre for worship and government on the earth when the kingdom shall be in its full glory as typified in Solomon. How richly the grace of God is seen here, turning the sin of man into an occasion for the display of righteousness and glory, so that His sovereign purposes are disclosed and their accomplishment assured! This is just when sin and its sad results are manifested, so that all that is really good is seen to be of and from God Himself. Man in his pride is humbled, God exalted. This is the lesson of the ages, written in the ways of God for heavenly principalities and powers to learn, and for poor mortal man, that he may be turned from the path of destruction, in which Satan and his hosts walk in their pride and rebellion to eternal doom, and enter the path of life to walk with God according to His great mercy and grace into His glory.

It would appear that we reach a turning-point in this history as far as it relates to Israel and God's purpose. David's sin, and the judgment it entails, is made the occasion for the new order of things which God had in mind. Hitherto there had been the Tabernacle, but in David's day, it only witnessed to the utter failure of priesthood and people. Its whole order was broken by the fact of the ark not being in its proper place." Evidently, God had not directed nor permitted its return to the Tabernacle at Gibeon, so that throughout David's reign this broken order remained. There was no restoration of what had fallen through man's sin; thus David's reign is of a preliminary character which has in view the bringing in of another and permanent establishment of the ark-God's throne-after the subjugation of enemies and the establishment of divine authority, so that a state of rest and prosperity is possible. This is not to be entered upon under David, but under Solomon, though it is David who makes it possible and prepares all for its realization. That this is all of grace, founded upon accomplished and accepted sacrifice, and not in any way the result of man's merit or strength, is taught to us through this history. David's sin, in which the people stand involved, serves to bring out how all depends upon the sovereign grace of God. He alone can step in to stay the sword, and in doing it bring out what His purpose is, marking the place where the new order is to have its centre-the centre where His government and glory shall be manifested, and from which it shall be exercised in all the earth ultimately-the mountain of the Lord's house to which all nations shall flow.

It is to be noted that David could not go to Gibeon where the Tabernacle was located. Approach to God is not to be by it there any longer, but must be at the new place indicated by the angel standing by the threshing floor of Oman. This is the place chosen for the permanent house and altar, and henceforth the people and their king are to approach God and know relationship with Him in connection with it after its establishment as planned and provided for by David, according to revelation from God (ch. 28:19). Clearly all this is on the principle of grace, grace which has found the way in righteousness to abound over the sin of David and Israel. All this foreshadows the future, when the new covenant will be made with Israel and her final establishment in glory be accomplished, under Christ.

The remaining chapters of 1 Chronicles are occupied with the various arrangements, ordering of service, and provision of needed materials for the new order, and with the setting of Solomon in his place as the one to whom all are to render obedience. He is the man of rest, peace, and glory for whom David prepares the way. Throughout, all depends upon the king. He orders all the administration, and worship as well. David and Solomon thus combine as a type of Christ. In Him all is prepared beforehand, and in due course manifested in glory. He is both the David and the Solomon of the kingdom, the Lion of Judah and the Prince of Peace.

Turning to 2 Chronicles, the first nine chapters give the history of Solomon. His sad failures at the end are here omitted in view of the special design in these books. The remainder of the book gives us the history of the kingdom in its decline and final dissolution. Our reading this month takes us through the evil reign of Athaliah. It is a history of general decline. The bright spots in the reigns of Abijah, Asa, and Jehoshaphat could not effectually check the downward course. Doubtless, in much of this history we may trace the persistent efforts of Satan to destroy the house of David, and so nullify the promise of God. Such efforts seemed to reach their goal and be successful under wicked Athaliah, but God had preserved His chosen one to be manifested and set upon the throne in the appointed time. So it will be in a near approaching day. When Satan's instruments shall seem to have attained his end, the true King will appear.