Counting on Ourselves
02.12.05
During King David’s reign, he decided to take a census of all Israel.1 Joab, the chief commander, took the following nine months to count the people. Then David’s heart became troubled2 and he confessed “I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.”3
Immediately, the question arises — what did David do that was so wrong? How is taking a census immoral or unfair? Israel had taken a census before,4 it wasn’t against any Law. Yet David pleads that his iniquity be taken away, just as he did after committing adultery with Bathsheba.5 The key then is the motivation behind David’s action, because “the LORD looks at the heart.”6
Unfortunately we can’t just take a look David’s heart. But we do know David was chosen as king, not for his physical stature, but because he was a man after God’s own heart.7 The Spirit of the LORD was mightily upon David.8 He desired to follow God’s heart and was empowered to do so, yet his sinful nature sometimes got the best of him.
The anger of the LORD incited David against Israel, and Satan moved David to number Israel.9 God does not tempt anyone,10 nor does God allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able,11 but each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.12 The suggestion to take a census may have been whispered to David’s heart, yet it seemed right enough to him despite Joab questioning his motives.13
David commands “bring me word that I may know their number.”14 There doesn’t seem much reason for the census, other than so David would know. Prior to the census, we read of great battles being won while David stays at home, and a hefty crown being placed on David’s head.15 Israel was winning battles, so was there a need for more recruits? And they were taking in the plunder, so there hardly seems an urgent need to count the people for taxation.
Because the census reported the number of men “who drew the sword,”16 the general consensus is that David just wanted a feel for how much military power his kingdom had. This was uncharacteristic of David, who had many times relied on the Lord for victory.
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliver… He delivered me from my strong enemy… for they were too strong for me.”17
Whether it was pride or a sense of security, the key is that David was looking to human strength instead of God’s strength. How often do we look to ourselves and what we are capable of doing? If we are proud, as if our human efforts are playing such an important role, how can God exhibit the full measure of His strength through us? If He did, we would become lost in ourselves.
David recognized the motives of his own heart, and confessed his sin — “I have sinned greatly”. His prayer is not pleading for forgiveness, or escape from punishment. Rather David prays a prayer of repentance, asking God to change his immoral behavior — “take away the iniquity of your Servant.” David’s behavior is much more noble in the coming verses, where he buys property from Ornan instead of just assuming it.18 But before this, God’s justice had yet to be met.
The next day, Gad the seer came to David with three options as to how God’s wrath would be poured out. Every option would effectively weaken the human military strength that had become so important to David. Whether famine or plague or the most ironic choice, “three months to be swept away before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you.”19 God takes a jab at David’s pride and false security, reminding him and us that God alone determines the outcome of our battles.
David discerningly replies, “please let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are very great.” The LORD sent pestilence on Israel, killing 70,000 men — demonstrating just how serious a sin David had committed. This wasn’t a “sacrifice another goat” sin.
Yet to the angel sent to destroy Jerusalem, God said “It is enough, now relax your hand.”20 God was sorry over the calamity, as if His justice and mercy were vying for most prominent characteristic.
What a picture! Yet a more powerful picture as Father God looked on as Jesus laid down His life. Never did God say “it is enough,” but allowed His very own Son to take our punishment, that His mercy toward us would be justified.
While God’s justice brings down wrath on the unrighteous, Our Father disciplines us out of His love.21 “Having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.” We no longer need fear God’s wrath, but only learn obedience through discipline.
God wasn’t finished teaching David, and sent a very clear message. When David lifted his eyes he saw “the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven, with his drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem”22 — and he was terrified.23 David’s military was perhaps a million men strong, but one of God’s angels could easily destroy the City of David.
David was humbled and fell on his face saying, “I am the one who has sinned and done very wickedly, but these sheep, what have they done?”24 David took responsibility for his sin, yet God’s justice demanded more. So in obedience, David built an altar and offered up sacrifices to the LORD. Only then did the LORD command the angel, and he put his sword back in its sheath.25
Jesus “gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God.”26 While He took the blame, still we must be responsible to confess our sins and repent, allowing God to take away our iniquity — that is, to cooperate with Him in a change of mind and behavior to reveal Christ’s presence in us. We cannot bring about that change ourselves — to think we could is to not have learned anything from David’s lesson.