Because of Adam's sin, the world in which we now live is not identical to the good and beautiful world God created. Instead, the devil is now called "the god of this world (αἰών, aion, age, structure, world order)" (2 Corinthians 4:4).
When we compare the account in Samuel with that in Chronicles, we discover many truths.
The first of these is that Satan (1 Chronicles 21:1), is the LORD's unwitting servant (2 Samuel 24:1).
We also discover that God sent something like bubonic plague (דֶּבֶר, deber) (2 Samuel 24:13, 15; 1 Chronicles 21:12,14), and that the LORD's instrument, his sword (1 Chronicles 21:12), was an angel of death (1 Chronicles 21:15).
But then we discover that when the leaders of God's people humbled themselves and begged God, he regretted what he had done. In keeping with God's absolute sovereignty and immutable decree, he changed his mind (נָחַם, nāḥam) (1 Chronicles 21:15). The Bible is a both/and book, rather than an either/or volume.
The LORD used this dreadful tragedy to reveal the place for his temple (1 Chronicles 21:24-30; 22:1-5).
After I finished my sermon, we stayed and prayed and are committing to continuing to pray.
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
After serving Grace Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Louisiana, Bob was honorably retired on Sunday, September 27, 2015, and given the title "Pastor Emeritus." This was forty years to the day after he became their pastor.
He now works for the Presbytery of the Gulf South as...