Blood Guilt Atoned

2 Samuel 21-23; 1 Thessalonians 1 

“During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the Lord. The Lord said, ‘It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death.’…David asked the Gibeonites, ‘What shall I do for you? How shall I make amends so that you will bless the Lord’s inheritance?’”

2 Samuel 21:1, 3

Blood-guilt from the reign of Saul affected rainfall many years later during the reign of David. The healing of the land which God promised Solomon was conditional on the Israelites humbling themselves, seeking God’s face, repenting, and turning away from their wicked ways (2 Chronicles 7:14). God is still grieved with blood-guilt. The shedding of innocent blood defiles our land as well.

David asked the Gibeonites, “How shall I make amends”? 

Are we willing to ask the same question?

The atonement of Jesus’ blood is our covering from God’s wrath against sin. However, Jesus taught that when we are at the altar and then remember that another has a grievance against us,, we are to leave the altar and reconcile.

Who is that person(s) in our story?

“Lord, only you can reveal the things that keep us enslaved to our sins and the sins of others. Show us the way of atonement, for your glory.”