THESE SHEEP, WHAT HAVE THEY DONE?

A LOVING APPEAL TO BELIEVERS ASSEMBLY ELDERS

2. SAMUEL CHAPTER 24

CHARLES E. WIGG

THESE SHEEP, WHAT HAVE THEY DONE?

These words came from the lips of David at a time of great crisis. His long life and reign were coming to an end, and he was facing his last great test, and it seems, made his last great failure.

Verse one of our chapter, ( 2 Samuel, 24,) tells us that God's anger was kindled against Israel, and that He moved David against them saying, Go, number Israel and Judah. Yet we are told in 1. Chron. 21 ; 1, that Satan moved David to do this.

God allowed Satan to tempt David, and thus used him to accomplish His own will. Satan can only do what God allows him to do, and in the final analysis, though it gives Satan much pleasure to tempt, and to cause trouble to God's people, yet he is just a tool in the hands of the Almighty.

So that when we fail, or sin, we should never try to blame Satan, but only ourselves, because though he is able to tempt us to sin, yet he can never compel us to sin, we are responsible for our own actions.

Also when trouble, sorrow, even disaster comes into our lives, we should never blame Satan, but learn to accept whatever comes, from the hand of God, and thank Him for it, knowing that it is one of the "all things", that he works together for our good, as well as for His glory.

( Rom. 8 ; 28, & Eph. 5 ; 20.)

James tells us that God is not tempted with evil, and that He never tempts any man. He may, and does, test men, but never tempts any person to do evil. ( James, 1 ; 13 - 14.) However He may in His wise and wonderful way, allow Satan to tempt us. I hope that this explains the seeming disparity between the two chapters.

THE NUMBERING OF THE PEOPLE:

God gave clear instructions regarding the numbering of the people in Exodus 30 ; 12-16, where He told that as the people were numbered, they were to give the atonement money, which was half a shekel of silver, (according to the shekel of the sanctuary,) as a ransom for their souls, (that there be no plague among them.)

This clearly shows that there was a certain danger associated with the numbering of the people. That danger was pride, and this was the problem in this case, both with the people, and with the king. The counting of heads, can lead us to boast in our success, and lull us into a sense of false security, it can develop pride within us as individuals, and also in the collective sense.

The taking of the atonement money was to remind the people, that they had no cause for boasting, that they were not their own, they had been purchased with a price. It was to teach them, (and us,) that rich and poor are both alike to God. He paid the same price for each one, the rich could not give more, the poor could not give less.

It is the same with ourselves, whether black or white, rich or poor, high caste or low. Whether from Christian, Hindu, or any other background, God paid the same price for each one of us. What a price it was, nothing less than the precious blood of His own dear Son.

This leaves no room for pride, or boasting, even as Paul said, it is "by the grace of God, I am what I am." We are not our own, we are bought with a price, now it for us to glorify God, in our bodies, and in our spirits; which are God's, 1 Cor. 6 ; 20.

God saw the pride and the careless nature of the people, and he also saw the pride in David's heart, and he wished to correct both, So often we deplore, and may even condemn the carnal state of the believers in the assemblies, but so often the elders are just as carnal,. As with the people, so with the priest, (Isa. 24 ; 2,) "Like people, like Priest", (Hosea 4 ; 9.)

As the numbers of the believers, and of the assemblies increase, so the danger of departure from God also increases. We are told this in Hosea 4 ; 7, where God says, "As they were increased, so they sinned against me," this should come as a solemn warning to us. It would teach us that as numbers increase so our humility, and our dependence should also increase.

During the reign of David, the numbers of the people increased. Others from amongst the Philistines were attracted, both by the beauty of David's character, as well as his military successes. They tired of the domination of their former Lords, and came to accept David as their King, Israel as their people, and Jehovah as their God. Some of them, like Ittai, became his most loyal servants, others like the Cherithites, and the Pelethites, became his executioners, and his personal body-guards.

This increase in numbers made David want to know just how many there really were in Israel and Judah, so he ordered the numbering to take place. He wanted to get some estimate of his success, and some estimate of the resources at his disposal. This would make him feel proud, successful and secure, he could then glory in his achievements. But God has ordained that no flesh shall glory in His presence, 1 Cor. 1 ; 29.

There is a real danger of this glorying amongst us, so often we speak with pride of "Our BRETHREN Assemblies," and perhaps inadvertently we expose ourselves to the anger or discipline of God. He may have to deal with us in chastisement, or educational judgment, so that we may humble ourselves, and remember "whence we have fallen, and repent and do the first works", That is to come back to the simplicity, the devotion, the whole hearted commitment. that marked the beginning of the assembly testimony.

One of the early brethren used to make constant reference to the verse in Zephaniah 4 ; 12, which says, "I will leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord". He made the statement that "If the brethren give up what is proper for them, (that is humility, and lowliness of mind), in their situation, God will give them up," solemn words indeed.

AGE, MATURITY, WISDOM?

We normally think that these three things go together, but it is not always so. Because of his long experience, David should have known better than to yield to Satan's temptation, but still he yielded.

On the occasion of his attempt to bring up the ark to himself at Jerusalem, he learned the disaster that comes from doing even a right thing, in an un-scriptural, a wrong way. But here again he is doing a thing, which when commanded by God was right, but by ignoring what was commanded about the taking of the atonement money, he was breaking the command of God, doing away with the safeguard that God had provided.

I have noticed how that some servants of God, who have been much used of Him, in earlier years; when they grow old have become proud. They have come to expect that the believers should respect them, and should do what they command, or advise, without delay, and without question. If any dare to withhold from them the respect that they think they deserve, or dare to act contrary to their commands, or advice, then they have used their considerable influence, and political power, to humiliate such people, and any who would follow their lead. Let us learn from the mistakes of these dear brethren.

I have also found the same with some assembly elders, they also have become proud, because of the responsibility entrusted to them as leaders. They expect that all should both respect and obey them, even when their life and example is no longer what it was, or what it should be. They are no longer qualified, because of this, to act as elders, but still insist that all should both honour and obey them.

While eldership is a life-long responsibility, yet it does not make the elder sacrosanct, or above discipline. Because of their greater privilege, they also bear a greater responsibility. so Paul instructed Timothy, that the elders who sinned, he was to rebuke before the whole assembly, so that the rest of the elders, and the rest of the assembly may fear, 1 Tim. 5 ; 17-21.

It will be argued that Timothy was an Apostolic Delegate, and that we do not have such today. This we admit, but we do have the Apostolic Command, and today this should be carried out by the other elders in the assembly.

Even among the elders themselves, because of carnality, friction often arises, and instead of humbling themselves before God, they will seek to gather support for themselves from amongst the assembly members, especially amongst their own family members, i,e. sons, daughters, wife, cousin-sisters,and cousin-brothers. It has sometimes happened that those elders with wealth, or positions of authority in their employment, have used their money, or their position to grant favours, thereby buying support.

After having mustered sufficient support, they will then insist on their ideas, or commands being obeyed, or followed, even to the dividing of the assembly. Thus they sacrifice the unity of the assembly, and the peace and fellowship of the saints, on the altar of their pride and ambition.

Many innocent sheep are thus made to suffer and bleed, so that the "shepherd", may have the satisfaction of having his own way. Having got their own way, these "hirelings", have been known to forbid any social contact, or fellowship between believers who once enjoyed the sweetest fellowship. What a tragedy all this is!

Warned by Joab:

Though Joab was a hard and cruel man, yet he was one whom God had used in fighting His battles, on this occasion Joab's discernment surpassed that of his King. He tried to reason with David, perhaps sensing the disaster that would follow the carrying out of the king's commands. expressing the desire that the people of God might be increased a hundred fold, yet David would not listen, and his word prevailed. Solomon tells us that "Where no counsel is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety", Prov. 11 ; 14.

To refuse to listen to counsel is folly, and ruinous in its results. Stubborn self-will, can only result in tragedy and loss. May the Lord make us willing to listen to the counsel of others, even if we think that they do not know what they are talking about, or have no right to offer advice.

Wisdom not always with those gifted with knowledge:

Sometimes wisdom is not with the prominent, the well taught, or the influential, but with the most humble. Knowledge is not wisdom, and knowledge without wisdom is a dangerous thing. We read in Ecclesiastes about a "poor wise man", who by his wisdom delivered the city, though a great king besieged it. But he was never remembered for what he had done. Eccl.. 9 ; 14-18.

We read in 1 Chron. 12 ; 32, about the men if Issachar, a tribe whom Jacob said was like a "bony ass", and a tribe that submitted to bondage, not a very likely source of wisdom. Yet they were "men who had the understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do." How such men are needed today, but I fear that even if such are present in the assemblies, they are often ignored, or overlooked.

Pride wins the day:

The pride and presumption of the King, prevailed over wise counsel, and nine months were spent in numbering the people. Much work was involved, and long journeys undertaken. But it would seem that only the number of the men of war was taken.

The numbers given in 1 Chron. 21 ; 5, are much greater than in our chapter. Perhaps this is because in Chronicles, what Satan did is emphasized. He is a liar from the beginning, and always exaggerates, and uses the outward appearance of things, in order to boost our ego and encourage a false confidence. If our numbers increase, then Satan will use that to lift us up in pride, even if half of those in the assembly are uncommitted. To the flesh, numbers equals success.

It would seem from 1 Chron. 21 ; 6, that the more the project advanced, the more abhorrent it became to Joab, so he did not number the Levites, or the tribe of Benjamin.

David repents:

When the task was completed, and the numbers brought to David, his heart smote him, he saw the folly of his actions and command. He then turned again to Jehovah, whose word he had not followed, whose will he had not sought. He turned in true repentance, and in so doing showed an example of true leadership. He pleaded for forgiveness, and that the consequence of his actions might be removed.

He was forgiven, but he and the people whom he loved, had to reap the harvest of the seeds of pride and false confidence, in the great disaster that followed.

It is a sad fact, that though elders sometimes,( even often,) make tragic mistakes, because of carnality, pride, presumption, and power seeking, yet how rarely do they repent. It seems to be the hardest thing for most to admit failure, even to say that they are sorry. Though I have come to love our Indian brethren very much over the many years of my fellowship with them, in my visits to their country, yet I have to confess that this is specially so amongst them.

I know of situations where if one elder was just to say, "I am sorry", it would have healed a sad division that continues to this day. But when approached all that brother would say was "How can I say that I am sorry?" I fear that it was only his pride that prevented him from doing so. It would seem that he would rather see bitterness and division to continue, than to "lose face".

Though David did not have the light and instruction that we have, because all that he had was the Torah, the first five books of the Bible. Yet we who have the whole Bible, the completed Word of God in our hands. We who have been given light from that word beyond most, must surely be put to shame by his example.

The three alternatives:

God sent the prophet Gad to David with a message, and gave David three alternatives from which to choose. The three alternatives were DROUGHT, DEFEAT, and DISEASE. The first for seven years, the second for three months, the third for three days. David was told to consider what his answer would be. He was not to come to a hasty conclusion, but to thoughtfully weigh the alternatives, then to advise what his choice was.

I believe that our situation is different, that because of our greater light, we have a greater responsibility, and therefore the consequence of the kind of failure that we are considering is a much greater punishment. We can see all three options, or judgments at work amongst the assemblies of God's people. The Lord Jesus said that to whom much is given, of him shall much be required; and to whom men have committed much, of him will they ask the more. Let us now examine the three things.

Drought or Famine:

Drought and famine comes when the windows of heaven are shut up, and the result is that there is no spiritual food, this results in spiritual weakness, and even death from starvation. An honest appraisal of the state of many assemblies will compel us to admit that there is a dearth of spiritual food.

In many assemblies the time for ministry has been reduced to 15 minutes after the breaking of bread, the remembrance meeting, There is also a meeting for prayer and Bible study, but generally this is attended by very few, in many assemblies only 5% of those in "fellowship", attend. So often, even that ministry is lifeless, un-attractive, and has little spiritual power, and even less spiritual food in it. At best it can only be called "survival rations".

Even where there is time given for ministry, it will either be light, amusing, entertaining, "Candy Floss", such as will never build spiritual muscle, but will develop spiritual obesity, overweight. Or else dead, dry doctrine, ( though doctrine is very necessary in its place). Often numbers of the assembly will escape before the ministry is given, thereby showing their disdain for what is being served up to the saints.

Many of the saints in different lands have lamented to me about the poverty of the ministry usually given, and paucity of real enjoyable spiritual food. It is true that we are passing through a time of famine.

Defeat by the enemy:

This was the second option, and though of shorter duration, was a terrifying prospect. This is not an option that most would choose, and that David rejected, yet we see the evidence of defeat, both in the individual lives of so many of the believers, and even in the lives of the elders themselves. We also see the evidence of defeat in the collective experience of many assemblies as well.

Personal defeat:

Defeat comes when an enemy triumphs, conquers us, and Self, is perhaps the greatest enemy that we have, because it is the breeding ground of all sinful habits, it is through the old self that Satan gets control of us, robs us of our spiritual power, and of the enjoyment of our rich, heavenly, spiritual inheritance.

The allowance of self to dominate our lives, will strengthen our lust and craving for the things of the world, and for the pleasures of sin. The allowance of self, will strengthen the principle of covetousness within us, make us love money, luxury, and the easy life. This will lead us to put careers, work, business, education, in a more important place than our blessed Master, and His Church , and His interests

The allowance of self will make us proud, arrogant, and give us a desire for prominence and power. It will make us want to dominate, to boss over the believers. So many of the quarrels in assemblies are due to the place seeking of carnal men, who want the prominence and assembly-political power that they think goes along with the position of eldership.

Collective defeat:

The defeat of the individual assembly members, ultimately means the defeat of the assembly, because no local assembly is stronger than its individual members, just as a chain is no stronger than its weakest link.

Defeat means giving up ground that has been won for us in hard fought battles, by spiritual warriors of a past generation. We see this on every hand, especially in Western countries. The priesthood of all believers is being abandoned, The leadership and headship of the man in the home, and the assembly. The scriptural teaching about the place and part of women in the public meetings of the local assembly. The Leadership and presidency of the Holy Spirit in the meetings of the assembly. The practice of the truth of the body of Christ, the encouragement, and development of the exercise of gift in the members of the body of Christ. This is being replaced with the rule of men, by the appointment of hirelings, paid Pastors, and a return to one man ministry.

Not to mention the denial of true biblical separation from the world, whether secular or ecclesiastical. The toleration, even the encouragement of divorce and re-marriage. The abandonment of biblical assembly discipline. These are just a few of the things, the hard won ground that is being surrendered, the list is endless.

All these things are an evidence of defeat, of our fleeing before a pursuing enemy.

Disease-Pestilence:

Pestilence for three days was the final alternative, such pestilence was the ravaging of a violent outbreak of disease. Psalm 91, tells us about this, and how to avoid it. It walks at night, and it wastes at noonday, verse 6 & 7. It results in the victim falling, then dying.

Most diseases can only spread when there are unhygenic conditions, and in more recent years, the diseases that have the most horrific potential for the wholesale destruction of human life, are spread by illicit sexual behavior, adultery, fornication, and homosexuality. I am referring to the disease of H.I.V., A.I.D.S. This scourge is nothing less than the judgment of God, on people who have lived unclean and wicked lives. Men and women who have ignored the warnings that God has given in His word, and who have broken His laws. It is also true that those who indulge their lust in this way, sometimes bring disaster upon innocent people, even unborn children, who suffer because of the mother's sin, as well as others who contract the disease through contaminated blood, syringes etc.

Bubonic plague, and other forms of plague, are usually spread by rats. These rats breed prolificly when human refuse, garbage etc., is not removed, where people do not maintain proper standards of cleanliness in their way of life.

The word of God constantly warns us about the consequences of unholy living, but where there is a careless state with the elders of an assembly, where they fail to observe and to practice what the word of God commands, in their personal and practical lives, then the other members of the assembly are sometimes made bold to do the same. If an elder fails to maintain proper discipline in his family, and like Eli, in 1 Samuel chapter two, does not rebuke his children when they do things that are wrong, this sets a bad example for other believers and their children, and may cause the plague to spread among the people.

This is one of the reasons why one of the qualifications of an elder is that they should have their children in subjection. It is true that sometimes the children go astray when they reach adulthood, then they can no longer be regarded as children, but even where this happens, it often indicates that there has been some failure in the parents during the earlier life of the person.

God promised His people that if they would listen to His voice, (obey His word, because He speaks through the scriptures, the word of God,) then He would not put on them the plagues, diseases that He put on the Egyptians, but that they would receive healing at His hands. ( Ex.15 ; 26.)

How sad it is when the saints of the assembly become spiritually diseased. When the plague of covetousness, greed, and earthly mindedness, spreads among them. When the plague of worldliness, loose living, and sheer apathy, disinterest, spreads like a wild fire amongst the assemblies.

The choice is made:

In the chapter we are considering, 2 Sam.24, it is plain that the people in general were living in a careless and unholy state, but it was the sin of David that tipped the balance, and caused the wrath of God to fall.

However David was a true leader, and though he had sinned, he was quick to repent, and when he made his choice which of the three alternatives he would receive, then he made the wise choice, he cast himself and his people upon the mercy of God.

God is always honoured when any one hopes in His mercy, because He is "rich in mercy", He delights in mercy, He has said, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and in another place, I will have mercy and not sacrifice.

However, He is a just God, as well as a Savior, He has said that whatever a man sows, that he must also reap, (Gal. 6 ;7-9,) so the disciplinary judgment fell, and as a result seventy thousand men perished, and we are not told how many women or children also perished.

All this broke David's heart, he could not bear to see the people whom he loved, suffering and perishing under the hand of an angry God. He was quite willing to take the whole responsibility for his sin, and if necessary, to die so that the people might live.

Earlier in Israel's history, Moses had "stood in the breach", willing to lay down his life that the people might be spared, but now it is David who does the same.. Let me challenge the elders who read this paper, "What do the saints mean to you. Are you willing to die for them, to give up your own rights, so that they might be spared from division, and the heartache and bitterness that it brings?"

It is a sad fact that so many "elders" are not willing to do this, but insist on having their own way, regardless of what it may cost others, and of the sorrow that it brings to the heart of Christ. They are prepared to sacrifice God's sheep on the altar of their ambition and pride, just for the luxury of having their own way. Such can only be hirelings, whose own the sheep are not, they want only the position, and the power that it gives. Personal profit and prestige are more important to them than the spiritual welfare of those for whom the Good Shepherd laid down His life.

These sheep, what have they done?

God's heart was touched by David's grief, and repentance, as he cried for mercy for the people that he so dearly loved. He and his elders, who were clothed in sackcloth, the garments of mourning, fell on their faces when they saw the angel with the drawn sword in his hand, and that sword stretched out over Jerusalem.

In agony he cried, it is all my fault, "I commanded the people to be numbered", "It is I that have sinned and done evil, but as for these sheep, what have they done?' So God in His mercy intervened and commanded the destroying angel to withdraw his hand, the sword of judgment was put back into its sheath again.

What a beautiful example David thus sets for all who are called to rule amongst God's people! May God give us the grace to learn from his example, and to follow it!

The situation in the Church at Corinth was very bad, the seeds of division were there. Men were seeking followers for their party, and some were reigning as kings. The leaders were proud and carnal people, spiritual babies, each seeking their own advantage.

There was a blatant case of the worst form of adultery amongst them, and before instructing them to take disciplinary action as a church, by putting the man away from amongst them, he has to rebuke them because of their lack of proper feelings in the matter. "Ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that has done this deed might be taken away from among you", (1 Cor.5;2.)

Is it not a fact that many of the assemblies that we love are "Corinthian" in their state? Then let us do something about this. Let us humble ourselves, let us come back again to obey and to practice the word of God, in our personal lives, and in the assemblies!

Discovery through Disaster:

Through this great tragedy David learned several things. He learned that mercy and salvation comes only through sacrifice, and he discovered the place where the sacrifice was to be offered, the place where Jehovah had chosen to set His name.

The value of the sacrifice; Every crisis is meant to give us a greater appreciation of the worth of the person and sacrifice of Christ. We all deserve judgment, but the sword of God's holy wrath, that sword that awoke against His Shepherd, was finally sheathed in the heart of our Good Shepherd. When He hung there upon the cross on Golgotha's hill, the full fury of God's wrath fell upon Him. Before He died He cried, "It is finished", blessed cry! The wrath of God was exhausted, so now we can sing, "Now sleeps that sword for me".

It is at the cross that we learn the horrible nature of sin, and what it cost our blessed Savior that it might be righteously forgiven.

The importance of the place:

David was told to build an altar on the very spot where the plague was stayed. He was not to build it just anywhere, but on that spot. It was upon that spot that Isaac was offered.

It was on that spot, that later Solomon built the Temple, and much later Herod built another, which the Lord Jesus called, "My Father's house". It was here that the Shekinah Glory dwelt.

Paul said to the Corinthians, "Ye are the Temple of God", 1 Cor. 3;16-17, and for us this means that we are to understand the solemn responsibilities that are associated with the local assembly, which is God's house. We are to learn the behavior that is proper to it, ( 1 Tim. 3;15.) It is the place where Judgment is to begin, (1 Pet. 4;17, and a place where holiness is to be maintained, (Psalm 97;5.)

Conclusion:

As we conclude, let us take these lessons to heart. Where we have failed, let us be willing to humble ourselves. Let us be willing to go to those whom we have injured or offended, and have the grace to acknowledge our failure, and seek their forgiveness.

Where others have offended us, and may have done or said things against us, let us be willing to freely and gladly forgive.

Where division has taken place, let us seek healing and reconciliation between the separated parties. Let us foster and encourage love and patience and understanding between believers.

"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works", Heb. 10;24.

"That they may be one, as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." John 17;21.

Thus we learn the deep desire of the heart of the Lord Jesus for us, let us then as far as depends upon us, see that these desires of His great and loving heart are fulfilled.

Charles E. Wigg,

Yolla, Tasmania, Australia. 7325.

Completed Doha, Qatar, Arabian Gulf. 5/6/1995.