Costly Sacrifice

But the king said Araunah, “No, but I will buy them from you for a price; I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing”
- 2 Samuel 24:24

The anger of God was kindled against Israel because of King David’s transgression. David did that which was not pleasing in God’s sight: David took a census of Israel and Judah. The scriptures are not clear as to why David’s actions angered God, but what is clear is that David’s deed, in some way, was a violation. David’s indiscretion proved to be tragic for the people of Israel and Judah. God sent a pestilence on Israel and seventy thousand people died, from the territory of Dan to Beersheba. But as the death angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord relented and said to the angel, “It is enough; now stay your hand.”

David was stricken to the heart and overwhelmed with an incredible amount of guilt because he knew that lives were lost because of his recklessness. The prophet Gad approached David and told him that something must be done as restitution for his imprudence. Gad instructed David to, “Go up and erect an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” With haste David approached Araunah in order to purchase Araunah’s threshing floor with the intent of building an altar and making sacrifice to God. Araunah was humbled by the presence of King David and not only offered David the threshing floor, but he also offered David the oxen that would be necessary for the burnt offering. Araunah offered all of this to David at no cost. Although Araunah’s gesture was genuine and heartfelt, David realized that he could not make a sacrifice to God that would cost him nothing.

The Hebrew word sacrifice is qorban; which means, “that which is brought near.” The word was used of anything given or devoted to God. In David’s case, it was as if David understood that one could not draw near to God without costly sacrifice. So often we desire to draw near to God with full hands; unwilling to give up anything in order to experience intimacy with God. We want to draw near to God, but want to do it on our terms. We want closeness with God, but we sometimes refuse to believe that intense familiarity with God comes at a price. Do you desire to draw near to God? If so, then what is your costly sacrifice?

Peace and Blessings,

Pastor Mike