Cost of Sacrifice

 ²⁴ But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”


~2 Samuel 24:24


What was David's cost of sacrifice? 


In the beginning of the chapter, David takes a census of his land to count all the fighting men within his territory.  He orders Joab and his commanders to lead the census and find all the able-body soldiers who can take up arms. Surprisingly Joab speaks up and questions why David is taking this census. (The battle harden commander would normally not speak up when it pertains to the spirit)


“3 May the LORD your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?” 


I believe Joab knew the consequences of the census and foretold what it means to question God's power. 


After sometime Joab came back to report how many men were fit to fight in David's army... 1.2 million men... At this point David knew his folly and the pride that took over his humble heart. A normal king/president would take pride in the wealth and power of their nation, but David being a humble shepherd knew that all the power and glory was given by God. By taking the census, David essentially said to God that this is MY POWER and MY GLORY that I've achieved and no longer needed to trust/follow God.

God conveys a message to Gad, David's seer that David will be punished. David is given three options. 3 years of famine, 3 months of being chased by pursuers, or 3 days of plague. In the end David decide to choose God over men and thus suffers the wraith leading to 70,000 men dying.. (does this include women and children?) 


Being a merciful God, He stops the angel from culling Jerusalem. 


David repents as soon as he sees the angel punishing his people. He asks God to punish him and his family rather than the people in his kingdom as they are sheep without knowledge of what sins were committed. 


David built an alter for God at the place where the angel was at. He chose to pay for his sacrifice rather than be given to him for free as one of his people offered. And finally he was afraid to go to that place because he feared the angel.


How can I learn from David's story?


David's pride got to the best of him, but that doesn't mean he wasn't a great man of God cause he caught onto his mistake and learned from it.


What he did right.


1. Recognize Sin -  


"10 David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men"

2. Admit Sin - 


"and he said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, LORD, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.”


3/4. Be disciplined - 


"I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands."


3/4. Ask forgiveness / sacrifice comes at a cost - 


 ²⁴ “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”


(Jesus Christ died for my sins, so I don't need to burn any sacrifice, but I should be aware that sinning comes at a cost - of driving the nails deeper into Christ's hand and causing him more anguish.)

Jesus


thank you for dying on the cross and saving me from the full wraith that I deserve. Help me to be reminded that all my blessing are given by you, as it is not my might that everything was achieved, but from your generosity. And when I do sin, help me to be reminded of David's folly and immediately recognize you and seek your forgiveness.


I pray in Jesus name

Amen.