THE DANGER OF NUMBERING THE BELIEVERS

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In our journey of faith, we are called to trust in God’s provision and guidance. However, there are times when even the most devout individuals fall into the subtle traps laid by the enemy. One such snare is the temptation to take pride in numbers, to measure success by the size of a congregation or the reach of a ministry. This is a lesson we can draw from the story of King David, who, in a moment of pride, decided to number the people of Israel, leading to tragic consequences. In this article, we will explore the spiritual dangers of numbering believers and how this act reflects a lack of trust in God.

James 1:13 “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.”

The foundation of our understanding begins with the nature of God. James 1:13 tells us clearly that God does not tempt anyone. God does not lead His people into temptation to test them to know if they can pass or not. God already knows everything. Instead, His desire is to guide us away from temptation and lead us into His will. When we find ourselves in situations where temptation overwhelms us, it is often because we have strayed from God’s direction and wisdom.

When we are disobedient, God may allow us to face the consequences of our actions, not out of malice, but for our own good. As Romans 5:3-4 states, suffering builds character. While suffering is not always a result of sin (as seen in the story of Job), it is always necessary for us to conform in the will of God (Romans 8:28-29). Even the Lord Jesus reminded us in John 16:33 that we will have tribulation in this world. The presence of the enemy guarantees that there will always be battles, and complacency in our faith can lead to spiritual defeat.

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

The story of David numbering Israel begins with a direct influence from Satan. 1 Chronicles 21:1 says, “And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.” Satan tempted David to take pride in the strength of his army, to count his warriors and take confidence in numbers rather than in God. David’s sin was rooted in pride—he wanted to see how great his kingdom had become under his rule, forgetting that Israel was God’s people, not his.

This is a danger that still exists in many churches today. Many pastors and ministers are tempted to claim believers as “their sheep” and boast about the size of their congregations. This pride in numbers can be seen in how churches often overemphasize attendance and the number of outreach or satellite churches as a measure of success. However, as Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 1:12-14, we do not belong to any minister; we belong to Christ. Ministers should not boast in the numbers of those they have baptized or members, for it is not their work but God’s.

1 Chronicles 21:2-3 “And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it. And Joab answered, The LORD make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?”

Despite the warnings, David commanded Joab, his military commander, to number the people. Joab, knowing the law, resisted, but David insisted. According to Exodus 30:12, numbering the people without paying a ransom for each soul was a direct violation of God’s command:

Exo. 30:12 “When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them.“

The people of Israel were not David’s possession—they belonged to God. If David wanted to claim the people, he would have had to buy them from God. He should pay them by blood. He should have done what the Lord Jesus has done to us on the cross which is redeeming us by His own blood if he wanted to number Israel.

This teaches us an important lesson: we must never glory in numbers or take credit for the work of God in our lives. As John 15:5 says, “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” If God has used you mightily, it is not because of your own strength or ability, but because of the Lord Jesus Christ is dwelling in you. He is the one doing it. So if you use His gifts by taking pride and earning money, you are actually using the Lord Jesus. You will be grieving His Spirit dwelling in you.

1 Chronicles 21:4-7 “Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem. And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword. But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them: for the king’s word was abominable to Joab. And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel.”

Joab, though reluctant, obeyed David’s command and conducted the census over a period of nine months and twenty days (2 Samuel 24:8). The census revealed that Israel had over 1 million fighting men, and Judah had 470,000 men. Despite the large numbers, Joab hated the task because he knew it was against God’s will.

God was displeased with David’s action, and His anger was kindled against Israel. This shows that when leaders fall into pride, the consequences often affect not just them but the people they lead. Today, Satan often targets ministers, knowing that if a leader falls, the impact on the congregation will be devastating.

1 Chronicles 21:8-14 “And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly. And the LORD spake unto Gad, David’s seer, saying, Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things: choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee. So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Choose thee either three years’ famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me. And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the LORD; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man. So the LORD sent pestilence upon Israel: and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men.”

David, realizing his sin, immediately sought God’s forgiveness. He didn’t make excuses or shift the blame. Instead, he confessed his wrongdoing. God, in His mercy, gave David three options for judgment: three years of famine, three months of defeat by enemies, or three days of plague. David, recognizing the mercy of God, chose to fall into God’s hands rather than man’s. He chose three days of plague.

Despite David’s repentance, 75,000 people died as a result of the plague. The lesson here is clear: when we take pride in our numbers and trust in human strength, God may take those very numbers away from us. This should be a sobering reminder that all we have comes from God, and He alone should receive the glory.

1 Chronicles 21:25-26 “So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight. And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.”

David was required to pay the full price for his sin. He bought the threshing floor of Araunah and offered burnt offerings to atone for his sin. The cost of the offering was significant because true repentance always requires a sacrifice. For us, the ultimate sacrifice has already been made—the Lord Jesus Christ paid the full price for our sins with His blood (1 Peter 1:18). Through Him, we can enjoy fellowship with God, just as David’s burnt offerings allowed him to commune with God again. Because we have been redeemed by our Lord, it is Him alone Who can claim us. It is Him alone you can number us.

The story of David numbering the people serves as a powerful warning against pride and relying on human strength. Whether in ministry or in our personal lives, we must always remember that success is not measured by numbers but by our obedience to God and our faithfulness to His will. We are called to rely on God, not on our own strength or the size of our following.

When we take pride in what we have accomplished, we risk losing it all. But when we humble ourselves before God, recognizing that all we have comes from Him, we can experience His mercy and grace. Let us always keep our eyes on Christ, the true source of our strength, and resist the temptation to number our successes.