So David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, “Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan, and bring me word that I may know their number.” (v.2)
David’s sin in this chapter, is of the spirit of pride and display. He boasted in the growing numbers of Israel, and credited them to himself, as the result of his own mastery. All such public displays of boasting are very despicable to God, who will not give His glory to another. Therefore, David’s misdirected leadership would cost Israel greatly.
As leaders of families, businesses, churches or any position of overseer, we need to depend on God and rely on His strength and guidance – not our own. We need to give Him the glory for the gifts He has entrusted us with, not brag or put on some public display of boasting. Because in so doing, we are setting up ourselves and those around us for a fall. King David was a “shepherd” when he went astray, so it was inevitable that the nation or “sheep,” would suffer too (v.17).
Sin will always affect those around us, like a pebble dropped into a pond, the ripples of sin go out carrying their consequences with them. Therefore, we must be careful not to publicly brag about the success of our business, our company investments and securities, nor miserly count our assets, or survey the growing treasures and power in our lives. These gifts, entrusted to our care, are to be held in gratitude, not pride - which could be gone in a moment, affecting not just us but others as well.
The Truth
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)
