17th.: Not Totally Innocent
King David should not have taken a census of the people.
After the results came in, God sent Gad, the prophet to offer David a choice.
He had the choice of three punishments. (2nd Sam. 24:12-13).
David replied, “I have sinned greatly in that I have done.
And now, I beseech thee, O Lord, take away the iniquity of thy servant, for I have done very foolishly.” (2nd Sam. 24:10).
First, David quickly admitted his moral mistake.
As to the punishments, all three choices of punishments involved the loss of life.
David’s sin (the census, or perhaps pride in how many people were under his authority) prompted the coming loss of life.
Yet, in a sense, the Israelites, as a whole, had offended God in some way, “Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.” (2nd Sam. 24:1a).
So the Israelites were not totally innocent victims.
Whether we are in a position of responsibility over many others, or only for our family, or just for ourselves,
it is good to be in close contact with the Lord, to confess our sins directly to Him, before we start transgressing too much against the Lord.
“And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1st John 2:1b)