I Will Not Sacrifice an Offering That Cost Nothing

1 Chronicles 21:24

In my reading lately I came to 1 Chronicles 21:24. It made me think.

"But King David replied to Araunah, 'No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that cost me nothing."

Because of David's sin of pride the Lord sent a destroying angel with a plague to go through the land. David repented when the angel got a certain point in the land and at that spot David was going to make a sacrifice to the Lord. The spot was the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. David asked Araunah for it and Araunah offered it freely, but David replied, "No, I insist on paying the full price..." It reminds me of Jesus sacrifice on the cross years later where He would pay the full price for my sin.

I see I must make my worship truly my own. Not just recite some words in a prayer book or sing the same old song but to be like David who said, "I will not take for the Lord what is yours."

David's worship cost him something. "...or sacrifice a burnt offering that cost me nothing." A sacrifice that cost nothing is not a sacrifice.My worship should not be cheep. The sacrifice that brought me into fellowship with the Father was very costly- it cost his Son on the cross; I belittle or even mock it when I respond with stingy and easy service or worship! How dare I complain about any church service in light of Jesus sacrifice, as if my puny sacrifices compares! I wonder when was the last time I gave service to the Lord that really cost me? When was the last time my wallet hurt for the kingdom or when was the last time I missed a meal for His service, and when did I get just plain worn out physically for Him? How many times have I said this church job or that Christian service it too hard? I think this verse suggest that it is at that point it when it is costly that sacrifice or worship begins.

The passage ends up with, "He called on the Lord, and the Lord answered him with fire from heaven on the alter of burnt offering,"verse 26-b. David honored God, and David's sacrifice was honored by the Lord. The plague was stopped, the angel put away his sword, and David got the answer from the Lord, and later the threshing floor became the site for the temple. God honors our sacrifices.

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It is a maxim from heaven, "Honour the Lord with thy substance." He who has a religion that costs him nothing, has a religion that is worth nothing; nor will any man esteem the ordinances of God, if those ordinances cost him nothing. Had Araunah's noble offer been accepted, it would have been Araunah's sacrifice, not David's; nor would it have answered the end of turning away the displeasure of the Most High. It was David that sinned, not Araunah; therefore David must offer sacrifice.

The land purchased was no ordinary piece of property. It the land where Abraham had laid his son Isaac on the Altar. ( gen 22)

David’s TWO greatest sins

If you and me were to ask what were the 2 greatest sins David had committed, we would reply Adultery with Beersheba and Numbering of the people. But out of these 2 great sins, God built a Temple. Beersheba gave birth Solomon who succeeded David on the throne and was allowed by the Lord to build the Temple.  On the land purchased, Solomon built the Temple for the glory of God.  David sinned against God to by numbering the people and as consequence he had sacrifice. David purchased the land where he sacrificed and the temple was later built by Solomon.

Where sin increased, Grace increases much more.

It was possible because David Confessed his sin and willing to go through the Correction and discipline of the Lord.

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ARAUNAH'S THRESHING FLOOR

© 2006 by Jerry L. Croasmun
Read -- 2 Samuel 24:16-25 and 1 Chronicles 21:15-22:1

"Then Solomon began to build the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David. It was on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the place provided by David. He began building on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign."
-- 2 Chronicles 3:1-2 (NIV)

Having lived in Utah for over thirty years I have watched with envy and with some amusement on numerous occasions when the state's predominant religion, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, announce they have selected and purchased a site upon which to build a new temple. Surrounding property values usually increase after the announcement and many scurry to get in on the real estate action. In 2 Samuel 24:16-25 and 1 Chronicles 21:15-22:1 we read about Araunah the Jebusite who was approached one day by King David regarding a real estate deal also.

King David sought to purchase Araunah's threshing floor as we read in 2 Samuel 24:21, "Araunah said, 'Why has my lord the king come to his servant?' 'To buy your threshing floor,' David answered, 'so I can build an altar to the LORD, that the plague on the people may be stopped.'" And in 1 Chronicles 21:22 we read, "David said to him [Araunah also known as Ornan in some translations], 'Let me have the site of your threshing floor so I can build an altar to the LORD, that the plague on the people may be stopped. Sell it to me at the full price.'"

David did not wake up one morning and just decide that as king he wanted more property, but rather was instructed by the Prophet Gad to go to Araunah the Jebusite and buy his threshing floor. In 2 Samuel 24:18-19 we read, "On that day Gad went to David and said to him, 'Go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.' So David went up, as the LORD had commanded through Gad." This land purchase deal was ordered and ordained by God. As we read in 1 Chronicles 21:15, "And God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But as the angel was doing so, the LORD saw it and was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was destroying the people, 'Enough! Withdraw your hand.' The angel of the LORD was then standing at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite."

Araunah tried to give the threshing floor land to King David. I am unsure as to what his motives were. Afterall, he had just seen the hand of the angel of death and possibly had a touch of fear or maybe he was positive that this was God's plan and he was in full agreement with King David building an altar. We may never know; however, we do know irregardless of the reasons why, Araunah was very willing to sell his threshing floor to the king. In 1 Chronicles 21:23 we read, "Araunah said to David, "Take it! Let my lord the king do whatever pleases him. Look, I will give the oxen for the burnt offerings, the threshing sledges for the wood, and the wheat for the grain offering. I will give all this."

King David refused Araunah's offer to give him the threshing floor. David knew his actions had caused destruction and the presence of the death angel and he knew the threshing floor had to be purchased. Because of David's actions, according to 2 Samuel 24:15 and 1 Chronicles 21:14, there were 70,000 men of Israel who had lost their lives. No, David could not accept the threshing floor as a gift from Araunah. Now I know many people probably feel as I do that no matter the purchase price it was nothing to David who, as king, had everything he needed. Yet, in 2 Samuel 24:24 we read, "But the king replied to Araunah, 'No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.'" And also in 1 Chronicles 21:24 we read, "But King David replied to Araunah, 'No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.'"

"I will not sacrifice that which costs me nothing," is a good lesson for even us to learn today. David knew that a true sacrifice had to cost him something. Many sacrifices have taken place on the land known as the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite since King David purchased it and first built an altar unto the Lord. In 2 Chronicles 3:1-2 we read, "Then Solomon began to build the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David. It was on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the place provided by David. He began building on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign." The land upon which the threshing floor of Araunah once stood is one of the most controversial pieces of real estate in existence today. Many groups still desire control and claim ownership of the land. Yes, what was once the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite is now part of the temple mount in Jerusalem, Israel.

The only other place in the Bible where Mount Moriah is mentioned is found in Genesis 22:2 where we read of another sacrifice one which took place long before King David was born. "Then God said, 'Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.'" Wow, God is good. May He continue to open our eyes and hearts to His eternal truths found in His holy word.

In Romans 12:1 we read, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship." We are called to offer ourselves unto the Lord. Araunah had to sell or give up his threshing floor so that the king could build an altar unto the Lord. Abraham, in Genesis 22:12, had to be willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac to prove his love and fear of God. We too must give up our lives so that Christ might live through us.

A threshing floor according to the dictionary.com website is, "a floor or area on which grain is beaten out." I believe, God is calling us today back to the threshing floor; a place of separation. May we prepare our hearts for the day as we read in Matthew 25:31-32, "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats." And in Luke 3:17 we read, "His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

I pray that you have been blessed by reading this devotional article and also pray that God will lead us into areas of greater intimacy with Him as we study His holy word. Amen.

A TRUE SACRIFICE COSTS!

THE STORY OF THREE WIDOWS IN MOAB Ruth 1:8-18

[SERMONS FROM THE BOOK OF RUTH]

Ken Trivette The Living Word | The Story of Three Widows in Moab 1

THE STORY OF THREE WIDOWS IN MOAB

Ruth 1:8-18

In our last study we saw the graves of three husbands. Now we see the grief of three widows. J. Vernon McGee calls this scene, “The meeting of the handkerchief brigade." Each has a buried husband and a broken heart. It is the story of a mother-in-law and her two daughters-in-law, each with an empty home and an empty heart.

In each widow there are lessons to learn. In one we have a troubling example, in one a tragic example, and finally in one a thrilling example. These three widows illustrate three classes of people. Let’s glean three lessons from these three widows.

First, we see in Naomi:

1. A DISCOURAGING WIDOW

The first widow that I want you notice is Naomi. We have seen her disobedient walk. Now I want you to notice her discouraging words. Naomi is an example of a believer that is a hindrance to the work of God. Steps had been made to return, but at this moment she was still in Moab. Naomi illustrates how the life of believer that is not living for God is often a discouragement to others knowing God.

As we view this scene we see that:

A) Naomi Was Being Observed

Orpah and Ruth were from Moab. They had grown up in a land of idolatry. They had been reared in a place that did not know the true and living God. Their life had been one of spiritual desolation and darkness. However, Naomi was from Bethlehem-judah. She knew the One True and Living God. We would say that Naomi was saved, whereas Ruth and Orpah were unsaved.

We read “Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah” (Vs.6-7). There had been a departure from the land of God and a discipline by the hand of God. Naomi is taking steps to return to Bethlehem-judah. When she started back her daughters-in-law followed her.

It would appear that Ruth and Orpah in their hour of despair were looking to Naomi for direction. In their hour of grief they looked to her for guidance. They were watching to see what Naomi would do. Whatever she did, they would do. Every action and step of Naomi was being observed.

We as believers need to be constantly reminded that we are being watched by the unsaved. Whether we admit it or not, accept it or not, or acknowledge it or not, we are being watched by those around us. Paul said, “For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men” (I Cor.4:9). The word “spectacle” speaks of a theater. We are on the stage of this world and our performance is being watched by those who are unsaved.

As we continue looking at this scene, we also see that:

B) Naomi Was Being Obstructive

One of the chief occupations of a believer is to try and lead unbelievers to the Lord. We are to seek to “turn many to righteousness” (Dan.12:3). A person going to heaven is to work to take people to heaven. It is both astounding and alarming that Naomi, instead of seeking to turn her daughter-in-laws to God, she sought to turn them from God. Notice what she said to them: “And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house” (Vs.8). She encouraged them to stay in Moab and discouraged them from going to Judah.

We see how thankful she was for their care. She said to them, “The Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the [SERMONS FROM THE BOOK OF RUTH] Ken Trivette The Living Word | The Story of Three Widows in Moab 2

house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept” (Vs.8-9) They had been good wives and good daughter-in-laws. She expressed her desire that they have a good life and one favored by God.

We also see how hurtful she was when it came to their conversion: “And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me” (Vs.10-13).

Naomi was speaking of what was known as a levirate marriage. If a man died without any children, his brother had to marry the widow to continue the family line. The first-born of such a marriage would be considered the dead brothers child and heir. Naomi was saying to them, “I don’t have any more children and I am too old to have more. Go back to your people and start over with your life. Find you a husband among your own people.”

Naomi was only thinking of their material circumstances rather than their spiritual condition. She was only thinking of their physical needs and not their spiritual needs. Naomi reminds us of those who are professing Christians, but are not practicing Christians. She knew the Lord, but was being obstructive in others coming to know her God.

Mohandas Gandhi, the famed leader of India and the Indian Independence Movement, probably influenced more people than any man that has ever lived. The independence movement began with a handful of people and he led it into a mass movement of millions. He once made the statement, “I would be a Christian if it were not for other Christians.”

Robert Ingersoll, the infidel notorious for his attacks on the Bible, had a godly aunt. He sent her a copy of one of his books against the Bible. In the flyleaf he wrote: “If all Christians had lived like Aunt Sarah perhaps this book would have never been written.”

There are many people going to hell because of people who are going to heaven. Many believers live a life that is repealing rather than appealing. They are a blight to the name of Christ rather than a light for the cause of Christ. Dick Sheppard said, “The greatest handicap the Church has is the unsatisfactory lives of professing Christians.”

Naomi, even though a believer, discouraged Ruth and Orpah to follow her. How sad when those who know God become a hindrance to others knowing God.

The second widow in our story that I want us to consider is Orpah. In her we see:

2. A DEPARTING WIDOW

Orpah illustrates those who turn away from God and reject Him as their Lord and Saviour. As we look at Orpah, we first see her:

A) Returning To Moab

We read, “And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her” (Vs.14). We see the tears and hear the sobs of separation. Orpah decides to go back to Moab. She puts her arms around Naomi, kisses her and starts back. It is true that Naomi had discouraged her from going to Judah, but ultimately the decision was hers. She was the one who made the final decision to go back.

Orpah chose to stay in a cursed land. She chose to live in a place of spiritual darkness and desolation. She chose to go back to her false gods. She chose to continue to live the way she had always lived. She could have chosen to go to Judah in spite of Naomi, but she chose to stay in Moab.

Orpah reminds us of those who are given the opportunity to be saved, yet they reject that offer and choose to live a life without God. She reminds us of those who reject Christ and the opportunity to be saved. As a preacher of God’s Word, there is nothing anymore disturbing and heart-breaking, than to see people reject Christ and spurn the opportunity to be saved. [SERMONS FROM THE BOOK OF RUTH] Ken Trivette The Living Word | The Story of Three Widows in Moab 3

We not only see Orpah returning to Moab, but we also see her:

B) Remaining In Moab

This is the last time that we ever see or hear of Orpah. The rest of the story is not given, but it would appear that Orpah returned to Moab and remained there the rest of her life. In all probability she lived the rest of her life in a cursed land and died in the same condition.

How tragic it is for someone to have heard the Gospel, to have been given the opportunity to be saved; then say no, and die lost without God. The great tragedy is that not one person in hell had to go there. All could have been saved, but they like Orpah rejected the opportunity to be saved. Untold numbers die each day and go to hell that had the opportunity to be saved. Yet they rejected the God who could save them.

The third widow in this story is Ruth. In her we see:

3. A DECIDING WIDOW

We see Ruth making a decision that changed her life. We read that instead of leaving Naomi, “Ruth clave unto her” (Vs.14). Ruth illustrates for us the person that says yes to Jesus and the opportunity to be saved. Ruth’s decision is described in words that have been immortalized in music and enshrined in poetry and prose. Her resolve is a classic in literature and has been used in the vows of a many a wedding ceremony. She said, “Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy People shall be my People, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me” (Vs.16-17).

The decision Ruth made gave her a:

A) New Life

Ruth said “for whither thou goest I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge” (Vs.16). She was leaving a cursed land for a blessed land. She was leaving a place of spiritual darkness for a place of spiritual light. She was leaving a land and life of idolatry for a land and life where the One True and Living God could be worshipped. Her decision brought her into a new life.

Salvation gives a person a new life. Paul said, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things pass away and behold all things are become new” (II Cor.5:17). Salvation makes us a new person and gives us a new life.

A man was speaking on a street corner and said, “Socialism will give you a new job. Socialism will give you a new house. Socialism will give you a new coat to wear. Can anyone tell me anything that is better than that?” An old man stepped forward and said, “Yes, I can! Salvation in Jesus Christ! Salvation will put a new man on the job; salvation will put a new man in the house and a new man in the coat.”

We also see that her decision gave her a:

B) New Lord

Ruth said “thy People shall be my People, and thy God shall be my God” (Vs.16). No doubt she had worshipped the false idols and false gods of Moab. She had known nothing but paganism. Now she has a new Lord in her life. Her life is now centered around the God of Israel and His people.

Before God saved us, our gods were riches, recreation, and reputations. But salvation gave us a new Lord and master. We are now drawn to His interests. We no longer bow to the gods of this world, but we bow at the feet of our blessed Redeemer.

Finally, we see that her decision gave her a:

C) New Loyalty [SERMONS FROM THE BOOK OF RUTH] Ken Trivette The Living Word | The Story of Three Widows in Moab 4

Ruth said, “Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried” (Vs.17). Ruth was saying, “This decision is for the rest of my life.” She had no desire to go back nor plans to return. Her decision was for time and eternity. I ask, what did she have to go back to in Moab? What do we have to go back to in the world? There would be nothing but a life of hopelessness and emptiness? Go back? Ten thousand times no! There is nothing behind us and everything before us.

Each of us can find ourselves in one of these three widows. In which one do you find yourself?