Judgment and Mercy

Today we conclude our study of Samuel looking at 2 Samuel 24. It is a story of judgement, mercy, and deliverance. The chapter can be broken up into three sections:

1) The LORD’s Anger, Incitement, David’s Census (1-9)

2) The LORD’s Judgement on David’s Sin (10-17)

3) The LORD’s deliverance, David builds an altar (18-25)

As we see that God oversaw the entire process, we're pointed to the realities that God ordained the entire process in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. When we see God's sovereignty in judgement and mercy, we are comforted and invited to draw closer to God in reverent dependence. In light of God's hand over all things, we respond with joy knowing that if God can use evil in 2 Samuel 24 and in the gospel, he could use and incorporate our sin within His redemptive purposes. Even when we don’t understand all that God is doing, we rest in the finished work of Jesus and His sacrifice.