Sin’s consequences

This is one of the more difficult passages in the Bible, particularly when you compare both 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21. 

In 1 Chronicles, it says Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to sin. 

In 2 Samuel 24, it says, the Lord was angry with Israel and incited David against them.

How could both be true?  To be honest, I’m not sure. 

However, there is a passage in 1 Kings 22:19-22 that might give us a clue.

In that passage, it was God’s will that Ahab, one of the most wicked kings in Israel’s history, die.  And so he asked, “Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?”

A spirit answered, “I will entice him…I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.”

So God sent that spirit out to deceive Ahab, and Ahab did die as a result.

It’s not clearly stated, but I can’t see how an angel can cause someone to lie, so I would assume that it was an evil spirit, that is, a demon that went out to deceive Ahab.”

I think something similar happened here.  Israel was in sin, and God was about to bring punishment for that sin. 

For this reason, he allowed Satan to tempt David to give into his pride and count the people in his army.  And for that sin, as well as the other sins Israel had committed, God brought judgment.

It’s a difficult passage.  At first glance, it seems as if God is being unfair.  After all, didn’t God make David sin?

But I think there’s some things to point out.  First, God didn’t make David sin.  He allowed Satan to tempt David.  But David still had to make the decision in his own heart whether to sin or not.  And he decided to sin.

James writes,

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.”

For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.

Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:13-15)

In other words, we are tempted because of the evil that’s already in our hearts. 

It’s not that we’re innately good, and God puts evil there.  We’re already evil, and all temptation does is to bring it out.

But again the key point is, evil will come out only if we choose to let it come out.

There was pride in the heart of David before Satan ever tempted him.  All Satan did was pull out what was already there.  And that pride led to sin.  And David’s sin led to death.

Because sadly, that’s the consequence of sin.  Death and destruction.

God doesn’t take sin lightly.  It must be punished.  The good news is that he has already paid the price for us.

When David offered to buy the things necessary to make a sin offering, the owner offered to give it for free.  And with good reason, I might add.  He saw the angel standing there with his sword drawn out  (1 Chronicles 21:20,27).

But David said, “No, a price must be paid for my sin.  I will not offer sacrifices that cost me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24:24)

God said the same thing.  “I will not offer a sacrifice for sin that costs me nothing.  A price must be paid.  And I will pay it by giving my very life on a cross.”

So God came down as a man, and died to take the punishment for your sin and mine.  And because of that, sins consequences have been taken care of forever. 

The sword of death has been put back in its sheath, and now he offers life to anyone who will accept it.

As Romans 3:23 says,

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.