Using scripture to interpret scripture is a most valuable practice and provides great insight into God's truth. Because the Bible is the infallible Word of God apparent contradictions can aid us understanding it is not always "either or" but sometimes "both."
An example is seen in 2 Samuel 24:1-2: "Again the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, "Go, number Israel and Judah." 2 So the king said to Joab the commander of the army who was with him, "Now go throughout all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and count the people, that I may know the number of the people." As a loving father disciplines a child he loves, God at times disciplined His people for their sin through a variety of means: being troubled or defeated by enemies, stirring up adversaries from within, famine, pestilence, lack of rain, and on. We are not told precisely why God's anger was aroused against Israel, but scripture reveals God is sovereign, slow to anger, and longsuffering. His righteous anger (when stirred up) is always justified and perfectly weighted with love and grace.
A parallel passage with a significant difference is found in 1 Chronicles 21:1-2: "Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. 2 So David said to Joab and to the leaders of the people, "Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring the number of them to me that I may know it." Some might ask, "Was it Satan or God who moved David to take a census?" One thing we know about the character of Satan from scripture is he is a liar and murderer from the beginning who always is an adversary against God and His people and desires their destruction. The explanation is God used Satan as the instrument to chasten and teach His own people--even as He used the Babylonians to judge Israel. There is always a limit to our knowledge or understanding but we should bring the whole counsel of God to aid us to best interpret a Bible passage.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary puts it like this: "This is no contradiction for the Lord had simply allowed Satan to prompt David to an improper course of action in order that Israel might be punished and that David might be instructed. This is similar to the Lord's permitting Satan to trouble Job (Job 1:12; 2:6) and His allowing an evil spirit to torment Saul (1 Sam. 16:14). In any case, the Lord Himself did not incite David to do evil for "God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone" (James 1:13)." The Commentary illustrates the need to go beyond even the two passages initially cited to look for precedent which support or reject an interpretation. Knowing the character of God as revealed in scripture helps us rule out erroneous implications and draw informed and useful interpretations and personal applications from scripture. Having a solid foundation of scriptural truth under our feet by faith in God and the power of the Holy Spirit, we are then enabled to grow in understanding and spiritual maturity.
An example is seen in 2 Samuel 24:1-2: "Again the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, "Go, number Israel and Judah." 2 So the king said to Joab the commander of the army who was with him, "Now go throughout all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and count the people, that I may know the number of the people." As a loving father disciplines a child he loves, God at times disciplined His people for their sin through a variety of means: being troubled or defeated by enemies, stirring up adversaries from within, famine, pestilence, lack of rain, and on. We are not told precisely why God's anger was aroused against Israel, but scripture reveals God is sovereign, slow to anger, and longsuffering. His righteous anger (when stirred up) is always justified and perfectly weighted with love and grace.
A parallel passage with a significant difference is found in 1 Chronicles 21:1-2: "Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. 2 So David said to Joab and to the leaders of the people, "Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring the number of them to me that I may know it." Some might ask, "Was it Satan or God who moved David to take a census?" One thing we know about the character of Satan from scripture is he is a liar and murderer from the beginning who always is an adversary against God and His people and desires their destruction. The explanation is God used Satan as the instrument to chasten and teach His own people--even as He used the Babylonians to judge Israel. There is always a limit to our knowledge or understanding but we should bring the whole counsel of God to aid us to best interpret a Bible passage.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary puts it like this: "This is no contradiction for the Lord had simply allowed Satan to prompt David to an improper course of action in order that Israel might be punished and that David might be instructed. This is similar to the Lord's permitting Satan to trouble Job (Job 1:12; 2:6) and His allowing an evil spirit to torment Saul (1 Sam. 16:14). In any case, the Lord Himself did not incite David to do evil for "God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone" (James 1:13)." The Commentary illustrates the need to go beyond even the two passages initially cited to look for precedent which support or reject an interpretation. Knowing the character of God as revealed in scripture helps us rule out erroneous implications and draw informed and useful interpretations and personal applications from scripture. Having a solid foundation of scriptural truth under our feet by faith in God and the power of the Holy Spirit, we are then enabled to grow in understanding and spiritual maturity.
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