And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah. For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people. And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing? 2 Samuel 24:1-3 KJV
To fully understand this passage it must be considered with the rest of Scripture. God cannot sin and will not cause us to (James 1:13). According to 1 Chronicles 21:1 it was Satan that actually prompted David to number the people in pride. Joab recognized this motivation immediately, sought to discourage the action, and encouraged him to look to God’s blessing instead. God caused David to commit this sin only in the sense that he allowed it. We must not mistake God’s permissive will for His perfect will. David was responsible and that is why God punished him and the nation for his sin. When we are prompted to sin, God may allow it but He does not cause it. The responsibility is ours.
Lord, before anything else happened pride was already in David’s heart. It seemed that everyone else could see it but him. Protect me from such sinful blindness. Help me to know the sinful desires of my heart. Help me listen when others point it out. Help me look to You instead of listening to Satan. I want Your perfect will, not Your permissive will.
