My parents, especially Mom, really believed that if you spared the rod, you spoiled the child.
In other words, disobedience was a teaching moment whereby punishment was at the head of the class.
I remember having to retrieve my own whipping stick from the convenient supply of nearby bushes. The walk to and from the bushes was one filled with dread and regret. Regret for what I did and dread of the stinging switch that would dance up and down my legs.
There was no denying that Mom would be true to her word. “Didn’t I tell you not to cross that street? I told you I would whip you, didn’t I?
The answer was yes, mam and yes, mam.
I won’t go into the boohooing, sniffling, and bawling I did before, during, and after the ordeal.
She said the whipping was for my good because she loved me.
Growing up, Mom loved me a lot.
The Bible tells us that God chastises those He loves. His word teaches that blessings are the fruits of obedience. And the fruit of sin is the wrath of God.
As a king, David ruled a nation. In his prideful numbering of the people, he sinned.
Who punishes a king?
A king rules over thousands or millions, but God, the supreme authority, rules over all. And He is the Father of all.
I gave my whipping stick to Mom. King David chose his discipline and gave it to God.
My punishment only smarted me.
King David’s punishment coincided with God being sorely displeased with all Israel. David’s dreadful punishment inflicted a nation that had sinned against God.
David had to choose one of the following punishments:
“Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in the land? Or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while thy pursue thee? Or that there be three days’ pestilence in thy land (2 Samuel 24: 13 KJV)?”
Seven years, three months, three days aren’t equivalent, neither are the punishments.
Three days appear to be the least punitive relative to time. But it’s three days of pestilence. What kind of pestilence: frogs, lice, flies, boils, or a plague of death as recalled in Exodus?
Being pursued by enemies and warring for three months wasn’t a better alternative or preference.
David fled from King Saul for 7 or 8 years. He knew all about running for his life. To be chased by the enemy and suffer unknown causalities and be uprooted from the comforts of home were unthinkable.
Imagine this! A nation running as a fugitive. God’s chosen people fugitives? King David didn’t want God to put his enemies on his track.
Seven years of famine, another choice, didn’t leave a good taste in David’s mouth.
King David chose the three days of pestilence.
Why the pestilence?
Which punishment would you have chosen?
David confessed his sin and lamented for forgiveness.
Read the story and discover God’s mercy, grace, and love as the Father of all.
People and nations who exalt themselves, God will humble.
Is it possible that God is displeased with America and the world as He was with Israel?
We didn’t get to choose our punishment like King David.
Calamity – is an event that results in a significant loss.
Coronavirus – is a disease that not on sickens but can also kill people.
Census – is an official count of a population.
The 2020 numbering of the people may not be the problem. But the same can’t be said about God’s displeasure with our sin.
We’re are in a coronavirus calamity during a census count and maybe beyond.
We should repent from sin, pray for God’s forgiveness, and pray for our leaders.
Pray that God will be gracious to us as He was with David and Israel.
Be safe and PRAY!
Our hope is in God.