King David befriended two men when he overthrew Jerusalem and drove out the Hittites and the Jebusites. In Part 82 (2/27/2011), we looked at Uriah the Hittie in the story of David and Bathsheba. Today, we are will look at Araunah (also called Oman in Chronicles) the Jebusite. Even though these men had favor with the king; both men would have to endure David’s sin, for Uriah, it meant death. For Araunah, it would be escaping, with death just a whisper away.
As with all powerful positions of leadership, there is human nature to fight. Who is the biggest and who is the best! Yet we all can get lulled into complacency during times of blessing and abundance; forgetting where the good times come from. It is easy to get caught up with living; our work, school, career, hobbies and entertainment. For political leaders it is easy to get carried away by people who look up to them and praise them. It is hard for a king or president to remain humble. That is why God said in Deuteronomy to be humble and thank the LORD after we have eaten, lest we forget.
“When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. (11) Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:” Deuteronomy 8:10-11).
It may have been in this state of mind that David began to look to his own might and he ordered Joab, his general, to number his army; in essence; see how great a king he was. There is a lot of speculation. It may have been attached to the tribute paid into the treasury. We really don’t know; but this we do know. God did not order it; rather Satan had provoked David. Moses had counted the people twice, but only at the command of the Lord. Here David sinned and the Lord was angry. Once again we see a repentant Davis who quickly acknowledges his sin.
“And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly” (2 Samuel 24:10).
God sends the prophet Gad to give David the choice of three different punishments.
“So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days' pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me” (2 Samuel 24:13).
1) 7 MONTHS OF FAMINE; or
2) 3 MONTHS FALLING TO THEIR ENEMIES; or
3) 3 DAYS AT THE SWORD OF THE LORD AND PESTILENCE.
David chose three days at the hand of the Lord and 70,000 men died because of David’s sin.
“So the LORD sent pestilence upon Israel: and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men” (1 Chronicles 21:14).
When the angel with the sword came upon Jerusalem to utterly destroy it; the Lord repented and said enough! And the plague was stopped at the threashing floor of Araunah (also Oman) the Jebusite.
“And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite” (1 Chronicles 21:15)
What strikes me is that Oman sees the death angel, looks at his four sons and keeps threshing. Had this Jebusite grown in knowledge of the God of Israel; grown in understanding of God mercy and grace?
“And Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat” (1 Chronicles 21:20).
Oman’s threshing floor was on Mount Moriah. It was on that same spot that Abraham went to sacrifice Isaac. David was ordered by God to buy the land and erect an altar on Oman’s threshing floor. Later, Solomon built the Temple on Mount Moriah. The High Priest of that temple ordered the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Threshing separates the wheat from the chaff; the good from the bad; the usable from the useless. Mount Moriah is symbolic of sifting men’s hearts through the blood of Christ. It is a place of redemption and reconciliation.
And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
(Genesis 22:2 KJV)
And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
(Genesis 22:2 KJV)
We serve an awesome God who takes great care in small details and uses every means to teach us; parables, stories, analogies, direct instructions all to point us to Him and salvation. All the heavens declare God’s glory. God’s Word excites me. It is so power and so true. The best part is that it reveals our incredible human potential to ultimate see God face to face in His Kingdom for all eternity.
Prayer: Heaven Father, you are so great; help me to learn more about you. Give me a burden for your Word and to share the Gospel with all who cross my path. Lead me to what you are blessing. Show me your perfect will. I am your servant. In Jesus’ name, Amern.
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