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1 Chronicles 21 – Praying through the Bible #130 – A Prayer for Our Victims
“Victimless crimes” are illegal acts to which all consent and none are injured. Or so they claim. Poker for example; and admittedly no party is injured…if all the parties can afford to lose. Software piracy is another example; it is easier on the conscience to steal from someone as distant as the internet makes people to be, when no eyes are watching. Doubtfully those who steal this way would walk out of a Wal-Mart without paying for even a candy bar. But no one is hurt stealing from millionaires, right? Prostitution is even argued to be a victimless. Broken families and objectified women would adamantly disagree. If prostitution is so victimless, why is it the last resort for runaways?
Such “logic” lends itself to “victimless sins” since crimes are legally variations of sins. Seeking “victimlesshood” is another way of seeking to satisfy selfishness without guilt. “Victimless sins” therefore would be Biblically contrary acts to which some parties consent and other parties are uninjured. Or so we think. Or so we hope. Or so we tell ourselves. Then again, we rationalize, even if some might be injured, they are not victims, “righteously” deserving what they get.
This brings us to David’s “victimless sin” (1 Chronicles 21). Satan rises out of hell against Israel. Satan incites David to count the people (21.1). Joab wisely says, “Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?” (21.3). When even a self-absorbed, short-sighted, selfish troublemaker like Joab thinks it’s a bad idea, it’s a bad idea. But why is this wrong? David isn’t fulfilling a command of God. David is fulfilling his own pride. Often an act is wrong only when its motive is wrong.
Yahweh chooses His seer Gad to rebuke David, offering him his choice of three punishments: three years of famine; three months of devastation by Israel’s foes; or three days of plague on the nation (21.12). All three would have the same result, a loss of lives, meaning a loss of numbers in David’s nation. Choosing the last because God’s “mercies are very great” (21.13); David sees the devastation and prays, “Wasn’t I the one who gave the order to count the people? I am the one who sinned and acted very wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? My LORD God, please let Your hand be against me and against my father’s family, but don’t let the plague be against Your people” (21.17). God tells David to worship. When David prays, fire from heaven falls burning the sacrifice. David, the man who inquires of the Lord so easily is afraid to inquire because of the Angel of the LORD. The scene ends with David terrified.
Why punish the people? One certainty from human experience is innocent victims personally hurts more than suffering ourselves. So David is punished, with something worse than death. Each death is due to David’s pride. Victimless sins have victims.
Prayer Challenge: Examine our life for victims. Repent to them and to God in prayer. Pray not to be selfish and self-centered.
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