Sacrifice - what does it mean to sacrifice? When I hear the word I think of sacrificing my time. Back in the Old Testament it primarily meant to sacrifice animals on the altar - so in that regard, it was a sacrifice of their time as well as their resources. So in Psalm 50 when I read verse 5 - “Bring my faithful people to me—those who made a covenant with me by giving sacrifices.” I thought of the Israelites bringing their sacrifices. And then, I read verses 7-13:
7 “O my people, listen as I speak.
Here are my charges against you, O Israel:
I am God, your God!
8 I have no complaint about your sacrifices
or the burnt offerings you constantly offer.
9 But I do not need the bulls from your barns
or the goats from your pens.
10 For all the animals of the forest are mine,
and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird on the mountains,
and all the animals of the field are mine.
12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for all the world is mine and everything in it.
13 Do I eat the meat of bulls?
Do I drink the blood of goats?
God didn't want the sacrifices of their resources or their time. What did He want instead?
14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God,
and keep the vows you made to the Most High.
15 Then call on me when you are in trouble,
and I will rescue you,
and you will give me glory.”
He wanted their hearts. He wanted a thankful heart that was thankful because of a deep trust in Him. He doesn't care about what we give or do for Him, because all of that can be done without even giving Him a second thought. We can give because we know we should. We can serve because we know we should. And we can do it all in His name and for Him, without even giving Him the time of day. What does He say?
22 "Repent, all of you who ignore me,
or I will tear you apart,
and no one will help you.
In the busyness of daily life, do we ignore Him? God forgive us and help us to sit at Your feet, hear from Your Word and have a deep sense of gratitude to You for all You have given us in Christ.
23 But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.
If you keep to my path,
I will reveal to you the salvation of God.”
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Sacrifices weren't just little pointless acts. God was unhappy with the fact the Isrealites were giving automatically. Offerings were more than most realize. They were a symbol of giving wealth, in the form of a perfect sheep, and other blessings back to God, recognizing that he was the source of them. Thus they gave with a thankful heart.
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