24:24 - I once helped a Plymouth Brother who was a labourer at the University where I worked. He asked me to help him do a sign for their meeting hall. I prepared a template for him and he duly did the job successfully. Later he asked what he owed me. I replied that I was happy to help him do a service for his church. His face was instantly grave, he quoted to me 'I cannot give to the Lord of that which cost me nothing'. I think his attitude should make us pause. When we are tempted to use our employer’s materials (envelopes, photocopying facilities, telephone etc), for the truth, we should find a way of paying, perhaps by contributing to the Petty Cash box, with our employer’s knowledge, so that the same principle we have here is sustained.

V.1 Yahweh was angry with His people and He opposed them (cf. 1Chron 21:1). Yahweh moved (Heb. sut meaning stimulate) David to number Israel. David's pride acted upon that stimulus and He became a satan (opposer) to God's will.

Numbering the people could only be done by direct command of Yahweh. (Moses did it twice with no consequence because he was instructed to do so by Yahweh).

Vs.10,13 Subsequent ownership of David's sin brought concomitant punishment.  It is interesting that Joab, of questionable character, was right in his objection to David's exercise (v.3).

V.18 The significance of the threshing floor of Araunah (also known as Ornan 1Chron 21:15) was that it became the site of the temple.

V.24 The insistence of David's paying for the offerings points forward to the great price that the Lord Jesus paid on our behalf (1Cor 6:20).

2 Sam 24
We are told in Exo 30:12-15, that when a census was taken, 1/2 shekel had to be given to the tabernacle treasury for an atonement- or a plague would be the punishment. It was to be a 'covering'. When David numbers the people and the people were punished with pestilence, the 'plague' of this provision was operating.

The rich and poor all paid the same(Exo 30:15. Christ, our atonement(covering), even paid tribute money, speaking to Peter..."for me and thee"-Matt 17:24-27.

So David bought Ornan's threshing floor for 50 shekels in verse 24 (50 being the number of Jubilee or restoration- and silver being the metal of redemption), David made up for the atonement money by offering burnt & peace offerings.

The threshingplace is most interesting. Mt. Moriah, the place where Abraham took Isaac for sacrifice(Gen 22) and where Solomon builds the temple 2Chron 3:1. This location indicates "flesh nature" that had to be crucified. It points forward to Christ on the tree(Heb 2:14) in the same place. David took Goliath's head for burial near here, knowing "all flesh" was not suitable for divine nature will be destoyed. This place was later known as Golgotha, The Place of a Skull.

V.24 David proceeded on a great principle in choosing the pestilence. In pestilence he was equally exposed, as it was just and right he should be, to danger as his people, whereas, in war and famine, he possessed means of protection superior to them. Besides, he thereby showed his trust, founded on long experience, in the divine goodness.

As others have noted, we have echos of Christ's sacrifice.

In 2Sam 24:17 sheep were sacrificed for the sins of another. In 2Sam 24:13 the atonement, involving death, took three days. In 2Sam 24:14 we read the sacrifice involved God's mercy. In 2Sam 24:16,18 other contributors have pointed out various significances of the threshing floor location etc. which  reminds us of the bread we take symbolic of the offered flesh of Christ. In 2Sam 24:22 the oxen, whose blood was shed, reminds us of Christ's shed blood and the wine we take symbolizing it. Also in v.22 we read of  wood afixed to the oxen, perhaps a dim reflection of the cross layed on Christ whose sacrifice makes possible our rest if we come to and are joined to him (Matt 11:28-30). As previously noted, silver is a sign of mercy and 50 represents the Jubilee (Leviticus 25) when debts were considered to be paid off, during which there was liberty, and everyone was to return to their land. In a similar fashion, we look forward to a final liberty from the bonds of sin and death and reigning in the land with our Lord and Master Jesus Christ upon his return.

24:3  This is one of the rare occasions when Joab advises David from a spiritual perspective.

Vs.8-10 It took over nine months to number the people.  It was only after he was given the final tally from Joab that David seemed to realize his sin.  I wonder why it took so long for David to come to that conclusion.

24:25 The end of the plague and the buying to the threshing floor of Araunah join to provide David with the certain knowledge of the location of the most holy place in the temple which his son was to build.

24:10 In saying that David’s heart ‘smote him’ we are learning about David’s conscience. Similar language is used in 1John 3:20to speak of how we should respond to error in our lives.

V.15 Yahweh was appeased for the sin of Israel after three days of death by plague. 

Jesus experienced three days of death (Matt 12:40).  After that, He was resurrected to eternal life, having overcome sin.  

Yahweh was appeased for the sin of humankind by His Son's obedience unto death.  The door was now opened for anyone, who chose, to follow Jesus to eternal life.

24:14 David had experiences much at the hand of men – and knew that God had delivered him. Therefore his choice to ‘fall into the hand of God’ shows David’s understanding of the mercies of His God.

Satan

"Satan" is found in the Old and New Testaments [Heb (7854), Grk (4567)] and means "an adversary, an opponent, an accuser". Satan can be good or bad unlike the devil which is always bad. Nowhere is satan referred to as a supernatural monster. The following are some examples of how "satan" is used:  

A. God is satan 2Sam 24:1; 1Chron 21:1. 

B. an obedient angel is satan Num 22:22. 

C. Hadad the Edomite is satan 1Kin 11:14. 

D. Peter is satan Matt 16:21-23. 

E. a righteous satan 1Tim 1:20. 

F. in Job 1:6-12,16 we have God giving power to satan. Job 2:3 both God and satan had a part in Job's trials, is this how many in the world perceive satan? Job 42:11 everyone was won over who knew Job. Perhaps this particular "satan" was won over too and thus benefitted from Job's sincerity and righteousness under duress/suffering.

V.1 It was Yahweh who incited David to number the people.  In the parallel passage in 1 Chronicles, it was satan who incited David (1Chron 21:1). 

Satan simply means adversary, anyone who stands in opposition to someone.  

Translators have erroneously personified satan and thus, capitalized the name.  This is to conform to their misunderstanding that satan was a fallen angel who became the supernatural provoker of evil in the world.

Jesus called Peter satan (Matt 16:23). He did not think that Peter was a supernatural provoker of evil.  Jesus was addressing Peter’s oppositional statement to His death and resurrection, the pivotal actions necessary for salvation (Matt 16:21,22).

And so, there is nothing mysterious about the word satan in the Bible.  And there is nothing amiss in calling Yahweh satan, as He stood in opposition when He incited David to number the people.

V.1 And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.  When Yahweh became sufficiently angry against His people, for specific reasons, there were consequences.  For example, the destruction of Judah was directly linked to the sins of Manasseh (Jer 15:3,4); the three-year famine, that we recently read about, was directly attributable to Saul’s sin (2Sam 21:1). 

There are many other examples where punishment, by Yahweh, was as a direct result of sin by an individual, a group, or Israel collectively. But, in v.1, we are not told, specifically, why Yahweh was angry, or why he set in motion the events of which we read.

24:16 David’s lifelong desire had been to build a house for God. He had brought the ark to Zion but now he learns, for the first time, exactly where the temple was to be built.

V.7 Yahweh promised that Nebuchadnezzar, his son, and his grandson would reign supremely until Babylon was subjugated by other powers. 

The historical sequence is: Nebuchadnezzar II; Evil-Merodach (2Kin 25:27); Nabonidus.  Nabonidus moved from Babylon for ten years and left his son Belshazzar in charge as his regent (Dan 5:1).  He returned to Babylon amid the Medo-Persian threat and subsequent bloodless take-over.

27:8  The promise of the ‘sword’, ‘famine’ and ‘pestilence’ is a recurring theme in the prophet – Jer 14:21, 28:13

27:11 Having sent messages to all the surrounding nations Jeremiah encourages them to serve the king of Babylon, just as he had been encouraging Israel. The extent of the Babylonian domination would have made it easy for Judah, if they had wished, to simply see the Chaldean invasion as a natural event. After all it was not only affecting Judah, they might reason. In that they would be forgetting that God works in men’s lives using what appears to be natural events.

27:3 Doubtless the ambassadors from the nations mentioned in this verse are trying to organise, with Zedekiah, some sort of united confederacy to resist the king of Babylon. Sadly Zedekiah had the most powerful ally waiting to help him but he did not bother to invite Him.

V.6 Yahweh appoints whom He will.  Some, He appoints to positions of evil, such as Pharaoh (Rom 9:17).  Others, like Nebuchadnezzar, He elevates to positions of greatness. 

Nebuchadnezzar was not just a historic footnote in the destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of the Jews.  He was a man groomed by Yahweh to be His servant.  Is it possible that Nebuchadnezzar might be in the kingdom?

27:6 The word that these ambassadors of verse :3 have to take back to their respective leaders – not from Zedekiah but from the prophet Jeremiah was devastating. But notice that Jeremiah, speaking on behalf of God, calls him ‘my servant’ So even if those nations thought that the God if Israel might have helped them as he helped, for example Hezekiah, against the Assyrians they were in for a terrible shock. Not only would he not help them. The king of Babylon was working on God’s behalf!

V.3 Ironically, according to extra-biblical writings, the ambassadors of these nations came to Jerusalem in order to co-ordinate a plan to extricate themselves from the power of Babylon. Instead, they were given a yoke which symbolized their submission to Babylon.  Their subjugation would last for three generations (vs.6,7).

V.8 Any nation that does not submit to the rule of Jesus, when He comes, will be punished in similar fashion (Zech 14:17).

Vs.21,22 We have confirmation, by Daniel, that this occurred (Dan 5:2).

Accept the light yoke

We are now in the time period of the last chapter of Kings and Chronicles. Here Jeremiah's words are mentioned as being the last effort of God to reach His people (see 2Chron 36:11-16). They didn't listen to him, hardening their hearts instead "till there was no remedy" (see 2Chron 36:16). This phrase "hardening the heart" is the same as pride.

Even though there was no remedy, a choice was given to Israel which was: "bring your necks under the yoke", give up and live (v11), or continue to fight on, and die in the land. For us too there is no remedy as far as our sins are concerned. We have a choice of whether to give in and accept the yoke, or fight on hopelessly in our own strength. This is where much of Jesus' topsy turvy teaching is derived from, such as "turn the other cheek" and the camel through the eye of the needle. He particularly quotes this time period in Luke 14:26-33 when he warns us to "count the cost". How could that weak king (Zedekiah) go against that strong king (Nebuchadnezzar, or actually God Himself, see v8) and win the battle? So also is the choice with us (Luke 18:10-14).

V.6  tells us that John ate locusts and honey.  These foods have both positive and negative connotations.  Locusts are high in protein and sanctioned under the Law (Lev 11:22).  Honey is also highly nutritious and was used as a symbol of the bounty of Israel (Num 14:8). 

On the other hand, locusts were instruments of destruction (Exo 10:14,15; 2Chron 7:13).  Honey was not allowed to be added to sacrifices (Lev 2:11).  This was because honey, like yeast, produced fermentation which represented corruption (Matt 16:6-12; 1Cor 5:6-8; Gal 5:9). 

Thus, in John's choice of food, he preached two options: nutrition which promoted life or corruption which led to destruction.  Choosing the nutritious bread of life (Jesus) would lead to life (v.4); choosing apostate doctrine would lead to destruction (death) (Matt 3:10).

V.13 Jesus had to bear His trial alone (the angels ministered to Him only after His trial was completed; see Matt 4:11). 

We endure trials (1Pet 1:6,7) but we have help (1Cor 10:13).  Angels are at our disposal (Heb 1:14); and Jesus will come to our assistance when we ask for help in prayer (Rom 8:34).

1:7Loosing and removing a shoe was what was done when a man would not redeem that which belonged to his brother - Deut 25:7-9. John’s comment shows that he does not feel it is appropriate to baptise Jesus - to redeem Jesus - but rather feels in need of redemption by Jesus.

1:13In saying that Jesus ‘was with the wild beats’ we are learning abut his dominion over creation – Gen 1:26

V.8 Some people believe that water baptism is not necessary for Christians.  They believe that in accepting Jesus as their personal savior, they receive the Holy Spirit.  This verse does not agree with that belief. 

Water baptism (complete immersion) is essential for any believer of Jesus.  It symbolizes dying with Him and being raised to newness of life in Him.  Thus, the new believer puts on Jesus, like putting on a new garment (Gal 3:27). 

There are many examples of water baptism in the Bible which show that this act is essential to salvation.  The baptism of the Holy Spirit, which was promised in v.8, was given by Jesus to His disciples at the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).

1:10The ‘opening’ (the RV has ‘rent sunder’ has an interesting counterpart in the way in which the same word <4977> is translated as ‘the vail of the temple was rent <4977> in twain’ – Mark 15:38

Mark is the second of the three synoptic (seeing together) Gospel accounts.  Matthew and Luke form the other two. They view the same incidents from different vantage points.  To better understand a particular event, the three Gospels should be cross-referenced. 

Mark takes the aspect of the servant and equates with the Ox and Jeremiah (see my note on Matt 1 for July 2).   

V.14 The Kingdom of God on earth is pivotal to understand the Gospel.  That is where the reward of the righteous will be provided.  Floating off to some ethereal place at death is a myth.

V.30 Peter was married. The supposed first pope of the Catholic Church was married.  And yet, the Catholic Church forbids their priests to marry (1Tim 4:1-3).

1:13 That angels ministered unto hi is a fulfilment of Psa 91:11

Mark (Servant)
Unlike the other Gospels, the Gospel of Mark has no genealogy that links with Jesus Christ.  This was appropriate for a Gospel that presents Jesus as a servant.  He made himself of no reputation and took on the form of a servant. (Phil 2:7)

Matthew (King)
In contrast the Gospel of Matthew opens with a genealogy, Matt 1:1-16, that concludes with the kingly aspect of Jesus Christ.  It lists 42 generations that conclude with v.16“…Joseph the husband of Mary of whom was born Jesus who is called the Christ (i.e. anointed).”  “…God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Phil 2:9-10)

Luke (Man of the Earth)
This Gospel includes a genealogy, Luke 3:23-38, which begins with Jesus at about thirty years old, at the start of his earthly ministry and records v.23, that it was generally supposed that he was the son of Joseph.  The genealogy then takes us back through Adam, v.38 “…Adam which was the son of God.”.  Jesus was “…made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death…” (Phil 2:7-8)

John (Spiritual from Heaven)
The Gospel of John begins by showing the link between God, His Word and His son the Lord Jesus Christ, John 1:1,14, This short genealogy is of the greatest spiritual significance to all who seek to understand the truth of God’s plan for salvation of faithful followers.
“Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God”. (Phil 2:6)

Phil 2:6-11, brings together in summary the work of the Lord Jesus Christ in the four Gospels and draws on the significance of the four faces of the living creatures (Eze 1:10).