1 Chronicles 21:1-30 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. (Compare 2 Peter 1:21): — I. ALL THE WORLD SEEMS TO BE UNDER A SPELL OR CHARM; inward influences move men as steam moves a ship. There am three spells. 1. One is that of parentage. The spell of a virtuous parentage influences its children's children, like a good charm, for thousands of generations; but, on the other hand, the wickedness of a parent generally ceases to influence his offspring at, as the Second Commandment says, "the third and fourth generation." 2. Another spell is the outward influence of our surroundings. Faithful parents, wise teachers, inspiring books, virtuous companions, healthy atmosphere, and suitable food will train up a child in the way God and men would have him go; but many a bright apprentice lad has been cursed by bad example. 3. The third spell is that of inward influences. One of these is said in the Bible to be the movement of the devil, and the other that of the holy God. 4. What can be greater than the spell which moves the human appetite to intoxicating drink? To obtain drink people will sometimes descend to the lowest degradation of meanness. Yes; the evil spell of the appetite for drink upon its victims is great and overpowering. Drink may be no temptation to you and me, but many people find it a spell which moves them as the tide and wind sometimes drives a feeble ship on the rocks. And what stronger spell can there be than the inclination to war between men, and churches, and nations? 5. Again, is there a stronger spell than the desire for money, the greed of gold? See how men under the spell of an insane ambition for wealth sometimes forget honour, and become actual thieves! II. Now, let us consider THE GOOD SPELL OVER MANKIND. One of these is the heaven-born spell of true love; it is a most powerful influence for good. Thus love will reform the prodigal life. There is no stronger spell than true love; God is love. It is by the wisdom of love that He converts mankind. God's object in winning men to love Him is that they may be prompted to self-denial in themselves and to do good works to others. (W. Birch.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.WEB: Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. |
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