Satan Stood Up Against Israel

2012-03-24

“And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.” (1 Chronicles 21:1)

“And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.” (2 Samuel 24:1)

So which is it? Did God make David decree a census, or did Satan? This is an apparent contradiction that we need to reconcile. The good news is that the Bible, as usual, has an answer for us. Consider when Ahab seeks Micaiah the prophet for advice on going to war. The prophet gives us insight as to how God allows the forces of darkness to do his bidding:

“And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.” (1 Kings 22:19-23)

Ahab was a wicked king, and God used this lying spirit to deceive him into going to battle. The same thing was happening with David. God was unhappy with David for some reason, and therefore allowed Satan to deceive him. Another example is Job:

“And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.” (Job 1:8-12)

God uses this tactic again in Job 2:1-6. Do we understand all of what is going on here? Not really. We cannot say more than what is said in these passages, and we definitely cannot make assumptions as to what is going on behind the scenes in our lives. But we do know that God allows the forces of darkness to do things in the world, and ultimately all things happen because he allows it to happen. Thank God that he will one day cast all evil from his presence. Moreover, thanks be to God that we are new creatures in Christ, and despite our wickedness, we will not be thrust out of his sight.