One of the greatest sins of David, if not the greatest, was his pride in taking the census of Israel. There was nothing wrong with taking the census, and the Scripture doesn't tell us directly what the sin was. If we take a deeper look into the Law that God gave to Moses concerning the "atonement money," we will find the great sin of David through his pride. This sin cost the lives of 70,000 Israelites.
In Exodus 30:11-16, God told Moses when a census was taken of Israel every person from 20 years old and above shall give an offering unto the Lord. The offering was set at a half shekel, and God called it the "atonement money."
Exodus 30:16
"And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls."
Israel was then saved as we are today, by faith in the shed Blood of Christ. The "atonement money" was paid in remembrance of the atonement Christ made for us, or in their case, would make in the future. We look back at His sacrifice, they looked forward.
David's sin was taking the census and bypassing the Cross of Christ through carelessly ignoring the commandment of God in the remembrance of the Atonement paid by Christ. There was a huge price to pay then and now for bypassing the Cross of Christ.
Let us who call on the name of the Lord always remember why we call on Him! Without His sacrifice we would have no hope in this world and forever no hope.
"We love Him because He first loved us." That love was the payment for our sins, where He took our place.
In Exodus 30:11-16, God told Moses when a census was taken of Israel every person from 20 years old and above shall give an offering unto the Lord. The offering was set at a half shekel, and God called it the "atonement money."
Exodus 30:16
"And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls."
Israel was then saved as we are today, by faith in the shed Blood of Christ. The "atonement money" was paid in remembrance of the atonement Christ made for us, or in their case, would make in the future. We look back at His sacrifice, they looked forward.
David's sin was taking the census and bypassing the Cross of Christ through carelessly ignoring the commandment of God in the remembrance of the Atonement paid by Christ. There was a huge price to pay then and now for bypassing the Cross of Christ.
Let us who call on the name of the Lord always remember why we call on Him! Without His sacrifice we would have no hope in this world and forever no hope.
"We love Him because He first loved us." That love was the payment for our sins, where He took our place.
