What can we learn about obedience from Joab's response in 1 Chronicles 21:3? Setting the Scene “But Joab replied, ‘May the LORD multiply His people a hundredfold. My lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why does my lord require this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?’” (1 Chronicles 21:3) David commands a census; Joab senses the command violates God’s will and voices a respectful objection before complying. What Joab Got Right • Recognized God’s ultimate ownership of the nation: “May the LORD multiply His people a hundredfold.” • Affirmed loyalty to earthly authority (“my lord the king”) while appealing to a higher Authority. • Discerned moral danger: “Why should he bring guilt on Israel?” • Spoke truth even when it risked displeasing the king (cf. Proverbs 27:6). Lessons on Obedience • Obedience begins with reverence for God’s commands; all other duties submit to Him (Acts 5:29). • Questioning sinful directives can be an act of obedience; silence may equal complicity (Ezekiel 3:18). • Respectful dissent is possible without rebellion—Joab objected yet maintained honor toward David (Romans 13:1–2). • Ultimate obedience still requires action; after protest, Joab carried out the order, illustrating the tension between conscience and authority (1 Chronicles 21:4). Balancing Loyalty to God and Man • Primary allegiance: “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22). • Secondary allegiance: “Servants, obey your earthly masters… as servants of Christ” (Ephesians 6:5–6). • When commands clash, God’s word prevails (Daniel 3:16–18; Acts 4:19). Practical Takeaways for Today • Test every directive—work, family, government—against Scripture. • Voice concerns humbly and clearly when directives appear unbiblical. • Accept consequences of faithful obedience, trusting God with outcomes. • Seek to protect others from sin’s fallout, just as Joab sought to shield Israel. • Keep a soft heart; Joab’s alert conscience contrasts with David’s momentary blindness. Key Scriptures to Remember • 1 Chronicles 21:3—Joab’s plea. • Acts 5:29—“We must obey God rather than men.” • 1 Samuel 15:22—“To obey is better than sacrifice.” • Proverbs 27:6—“Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” |
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