Making Sense of the Coronavirus Crisis (Part 1)

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt our lives, I’ve seen many people respond in many different ways. Some have responded with fear and anxiety. Some have responded very practically by stocking up on toilet paper and other essentials. Others have responded by looking to help with the needs of the vulnerable. And still others have specifically responded by advocating for the safety and protection of healthcare workers – which I’m thankful for because my wife, Esther, happens to be a pharmacist regularly interacting with sick patients at work. 

But one of the ways that many people respond in a situation like this is by asking theological questions. This is what I tend to do from the get-go, and even if you’re not wired like me, you’re eventually bound to think about the “big picture” and ask some theology-natured questions to try to make sense of what’s happening – especially if you’re a person of faith. 

Who’s Behind It All?

This is one of the major questions that come up when a crisis hits. Even Charlotte, my 5-year old daughter, has asked me, “Who caused the coronavirus?” She asks a lot of good questions these days, and it was not easy to answer such a complex question to a 5-year old. It’s a tough issue for anyone to make sense of. But there’s a particular episode in the Old Testament that I want to bring up that I think will get us thinking in the right direction and give us some insight.

David’s Census Brings Pestilence

There’s a story in the Old Testament narrative where David takes a census of his kingdom. If you’re reading through the Bible, you come across this story in 2 Samuel 24. After David counts the number of people in his kingdom, 2 Samuel 24:10 tells us that David is convicted of sin in his heart. Why? Counting his people was an act of pride, because it was to display the massive army at his command. David repents of his sin by acknowledging his sinful motive, but verse 15 tells us that the Lord sends a pestilence on Israel – as a consequence of his sin. 

Now, there are definitely spiritual lessons we can draw from this story, but when you look at this story through a theological lens, there’s something very interesting about this story. Look at what it says in verse 1: 

Again, the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go, number Israel and Judah.” – 2 Samuel 24:1

Very interesting. What you read here clearly is that God, in his anger, incited David to take the census that brought about the pestilence, which was God’s judgment upon Israel. Also, what should not be missed when you read on is that this pestilence – which was an act of God’s judgment – actually leads to David going up to Jerusalem and purchasing a piece of land to build a place of worship to avert further judgment. What’s really mind-blowing and fascinating here is that that piece of land ends up being the exact place where Solomon later builds the temple!  

Same Story, Different Account

But let me throw another wrench into this whole narrative. There is a parallel passage where this story shows up in 1 Chronicles 21. Now, you have to understand that the Samuels and Kings were written at the beginning of the exile primarily to lead God’s people to repentance and reflection of how they had come to such a terrible situation. On the other hand, the Chronicles were written after the exile was over to encourage and strengthen His people, and to help them remember their rich lineage and history as God’s people. So, although many of the stories overlap, the two narratives approach the stories from different perspectives. 

With that in mind, when you read 1 Chronicles 21, you see right off the bat that there is a very significant difference:

Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Go, number Israel…” – 1 Chronicles 21:1-2a

Wait a minute! In 2 Samuel 24, it clearly said that God is the one who incited David to take the census which brought forth the pestilence, but here in 1 Chronicles 21, it says that Satan is the one who stood against Israel and incited David. Satan doesn’t even show up in 2 Samuel 24! What’s going on? 

Bringing it Together

So who was behind the pestilence in this story? Was it God – in his anger? Was it Satan – in his rage? Was it David – in his pride?

It’s clear from 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21 that the answer to all three questions is yes. In a complex yet real way, this crisis that struck Israel had three separate operating causes. We can’t just say that it was only one of them, but we have to recognize all three – to affirm what these passages teach. 

And likewise, as we try to make theological sense of the coronavirus, we should consider the following: The Bible testifies of a sovereign God who shakes nations (Hebrews 12:26). The Bible also teaches of an enemy who seeks to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). And of course, the Bible teaches both descriptively and prescriptively about man’s sin and its far-reaching effects. 

We not only see this with the story of David’s census; we see this with the most important event in history: the Cross of Jesus Christ. Who put Jesus, our Savior and Lord, on the Cross? Surely, God sent His Son to the Cross as an act of His love for us (Romans 5:8) and His judgment on our sins (Romans 3:25-26). But at the same time, Satan was out to destroy the Son of God (John 14:30). And still we know that it was the sinful acts of men who decided to crucify Jesus and nail Him to the Cross (Acts 4:27). 

All this is important for us in how we respond as believers. If we are going to have a more balanced, comprehensive response of faith to this coronavirus, or to any crisis – whether global or personal – we need to first be able to think biblically and have a clear framework of what is happening. Then we will be able to take the appropriate steps practically to partner with God in crisis.