THE MYSTERY OF SACRIFICE (1)

Solomon and a Thousand Burnt Offerings

And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statues of David his father. He sacrificed and burnt incense in high places. And the King went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. A thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offered upon that alter.

In Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. And God said, 'Ask what I shall give thee.' 1Kings 3:3-5

Sacrifice is a spiritually recognised transport and communication system in the spirit realm.

Sacrifice is an official invitation to God. In the old testament, sacrifice was the raising of an altar, and the killing of an animal or human to invoke the supernatural.

It is a divine order that we can gain access to divine possibilities through sacrifice. In the new testament, the ultimate sacrifice is Jesus.

Why Sacrifice?

The opening verse above testifies that young Solomon loved the Lord. To express his love for God, he offered a thousand burnt offerings unto the Lord.

God did not only received the sacrifice, but He decided to give him a special reward. He came down and gave Solomon an open check. So, your sacrifices to God should be premised on love.

No Expectations?

Solomon expressed no verbal expectations according to scriptures. But God did not ignore this huge sacrifice. He descended to honour him.

However, is it wrong to tie an expectations to your sacrifice (of anything to God)? Jesus did not leave that question unanswered.

He said, 'No man that leaves his father, mother, and family to follow me will go unrewarded. He will be rewarded in this life and the life to come." (Mark 10:29)

It is important to note here that your attitude is more than the object of sacrifice. Cain's attitude in Genesis 4, made him bring a substandard offerings to God. It is dishonour to trivialise your sacrifice.

If those were the only fruits Cain had, and He offered them with reverence, God would have accepted them (because it is according to what a man has, not what he has not. 2Corinthians 8:12)

It is not the size, but your heart that matters. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings in love, just as the widow in the temple offered her last coin. (Mark 12:41-44)

Both were accepted because of their heart, their attitude.

Don't try to hold God to ransom with your sacrifice.You don't define the terms of what you want Him to do, in view of your big envelop! God is bigger than your givings.

So, make your offerings of anything He demands or you feel led to, in total surrender.

The spill of blood is over, abolished in grace. However, God still demand sacrifice of many sorts from His children, apart from the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus.

These include sacrifice of our material possessions, money time, rights, privileges, prayers, fasting, etc.

I'll share more in the next parts. Offer your life and your heart as a living sacrifice.

God bless you.

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