“Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.”
(1 Chronicles 21:1)
“Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. Wrath came on Israel on account of this numbering and the number was not entered in the book of the annals of King David.”
(1 Chronicles 27:24)
My tendency is to measure, to time, to weigh and to count.
A few days ago in my daily reading of scripture, I came across the passages above. Reading this section always makes me wonder what all was going on there. What about counting the people was understood as offensive to the Lord? I suspect it had something to do with their desire for control—that it indicated a lack of trust in the promise-keeping God they were learning to follow.
This morning while I was running my watch stopped. I had gone for an early morning run at a park near my house. As I made my way around the park, I was very aware of my slow pace and my poor condition (I hurt my foot a while back and have not run in a couple of months). I kept glancing at my watch and fretting that my pace was so slow.
In between the regular checking of my watch, I also worried about the bathroom scales and the fact that they show that I’ve gained a few pounds lately. I argued with myself about whether I should go on a strict diet and make myself lose a few pounds or whether I should just focus on healthy living and eating. I gave myself an ultimatum.
As I thought about that, my mind also went to our meager savings and mutual funds. I went over again in my head the figures: balance today, monthly investment, average rate of growth, projected balance at retirement, etc. I wondered if we have waited too long to start saving seriously for the future—I worried about the erratic behavior of the stock market lately as I notice it daily on my computer screen.
As I ran along, I also found myself fretting about the “measurable fruit” of our mission work in Mexico. As full-time missionaries, we tend to think about concrete results. What do we have to show for all these years in Mexico? How can we measure it, count it, log it and report it? Is there enough to justify the investment of time, energy and money given for world missions?
I looked up and I had made it to the end of my run. But as I reached to push the button to stop the timer on my watch, the display quit—the numbers frozen and meaningless. As I stood there tinkering with the buttons, I thought again of the passages in Chronicles—along with the conversation I had been having with myself the last bit as I ran.
I think there is something very healthy about not counting. How I long to learn to live without worrying and fretting about counting it and measuring it and weighing it and logging it and reporting it…just to trust and listen to God…to respond to God’s word…to trust God with the counting.
December 7, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Very important insights Chadd. i’m not sure but what the measuring and counting dishonor God, not in and of themselves, but because of where they lead us. if we take a hard look at what was going on with Eve in Genesis, she was quantifying specific things about the fruit she was told not to take. she saw it as beautiful, good for food, and as a source of self-help (knowledge), and she did a cost/benefits analysis.
i think the mental journey you experienced on your run had some distinct similarities. similarities we all experience when we start measuring. the sad thing is that the things we most often choose to measure require a human standard… but Jesus is the only real standard we have
and he never measured those things as far as i know.
he measured things like life and freedom and love and peace. and the only standard we can use to measure these things is God.
but you already know all of this! i was just agreeing with you…
we love you guys and can’t wait to see you.
peace
December 7, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Miller –
Sorry for my slow response, my electricity went out (fairly common here) while I was writing earlier. Here goes again…
Good to hear from you bro. I think of you and your family often—try to follow you through your blog. It will be great to catch up when we see each other next. I wonder when that will be?
Without doing an exhaustive study, I think about the occasions when counting seemed to be useful to Jesus…
He wanted to know how many loaves and fish were available…so he could multiply them and show the unbelievable power that could come out of almost nothing.
He told the story of the 99 sheep and the 1 sheep…seemingly to show that God’s view of numbers goes against common sense.
He told the story of the stewards…seemed to be teaching that humans should be aware of what they have been given so they can faithfully use it to glorify God…
I’m trying to remember other occasions that he seemed to value counting. Others?
I think also that when we spend much energy measuring and counting, we are often not spending the energy listening to God and connecting in healthy relationships…responding to God in trust and obedience.
I agree in all of this…could go on and on….
But, my real dilemma is probably more connected to my “job” as a missionary. My instincts as a follower of Jesus tell me to not worry about numbers…to live each day centered on God and connected to God and the people God has placed in my life. But I am a “missionary” by profession right now. Are there healthy ways to “measure” the results of mission efforts? Are there ways to quantify the good things that God is doing in and through and around us without falling into unhealthy patters? Without it becoming offensive to God (as in the days of David)? Are there ways to evaluate and report? How would this be different than what Satan incited David to do?
I wrestle with this. Ideas?
December 8, 2007 at 3:14 am
i don’t know Chadd, Paul seemed to keep some sort of loose count of what he was up to. if for no other reason than he wanted to be able to pray and to ask others to pray. but i think he also wanted to encourage others with the knowledge that many were making the same kind of commitment they did.
i don’t think it’s wrong to keep a loose count if its being used for the right reason…
i (on the other hand) have difficulty keeping it all about the right reason.
struggle on bro!
and come see us soon.
peace
December 8, 2007 at 11:57 pm
Good point Miller. Yes, I think one of the “rightest” reasons is to give glory to God. Love to your family and my friends around you.