1 Chronicles 27 Devotional

Numbers Held by a Promise

“David did not count the men aged twenty or under, because the LORD had said that He would make Israel as numerous as the stars of the sky.”1 Chronicles 27:23 (BSB)

Chapter 27 is the administration of a kingdom: twelve divisions of 24,000 men each serving a month at a time, officers over each tribe, and stewards over storehouses, vineyards, herds, camels and flocks (27:1-31). Then, among the tribal leaders, comes a pause. David did not count the men aged twenty or under, because the LORD had said he would make Israel as numerous as the stars of the sky (27:23). Joab began a count but did not finish, because wrath came on Israel, and the number was never entered in the king's records (27:24).

Behind the bookkeeping stands a promise. God once told Abraham to look at the heavens and count the stars if he could, because his offspring would be like that (Genesis 15:5). Israel's strength was never meant to rest on a tally of soldiers. Careful planning is good, and this chapter is full of it, but the security of God's people rests on his promise, not on the totals they can count.

To think about: What numbers are you tempted to rely on for security, and what promise of God speaks to that need?