To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
Proverbs 21:3 NIV
The Context:
The book of Proverbs is full of one-line mysteries, with messages packed into every line of the book. Well, that should not be a suprise, considering that most of the words are attributed to King Solomon, who God promised wisdom and wealth that the world at the time had never seen, and would never see. When you look at the display of wealth during the building of the temple by Solomon: the materials used to build both the temple and the king's palace, as well as the multitude of sacrifices that were offered during the dedication of the temple, you know that there has been no single individual who has that kind of wealth today or who can spend so profusely like that in our own generation.
Let me put the above in context: from Wikipedia records, excluding the bronze, and using the average current price of gold, gold alone of this temple would have been $194,404,500,000. Silver would have been $22,199,076,000. In total, this would be $216,603,576,000. Just in case you didn't read that right, it is in billions. It is also on record that a Brazillian billionaire tried to recreate this temple, and he built one with eleven floors high, a million square feet of floor space, able to seat a congregation of 10,000 and costing $300 million, which you can agree, is a far cry from what the original temple cost. And then Solomon went ahead and offered 22,000 cattle and a 120,000 sheep to God over a period of about 7 days. A lot of money spent, a lot of blood offered as sweet-smelling burnt offerings for atonement and mercy.
The Message:
If all of these were offered to a mortal man, it would have been a big bribe for favour. Unfortunately, when dealing with God, you have got to do a bit more than just offering blood and wealth. God's response to all that Solomon did is instructive, and I will paraphrase it:
1. I have heard your prayer and chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices.
2. My eyes will be open; ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
3. As for you - IF you walk with me faithfully as your father David did, I will establish your throne. BUT IF you turn away, I will reject this temple.
4. This temple, with all its beauty, will become an object of ridicule among all peoples, and a heap of rubble.
5. People who pass by will know that sin was the reason why the temple was destroyed.
Do you see the pattern: you can spend all you have on the outside, if it doesn't impact your inner man, it is wasted effort. Solomon built a lovely temple, and offered the sacrifices that led to God making him great promises, but Solomon forgot to build his inner man. His wealth led him down the path of disobedience, rebellion and idol worship. Today, there are not many archaeological records that prove that Solomon's temple was built. Why do we seek to impress men like us, who will also stand for judgement before the God who knows the hearts of men? Why do we expend so much energy on image, eye-service and hypocrisy?
The Response:
What does God demand of me? Am I to focus on pleasing Him at the expense of my daily living requirements? No, God expects me to have the right priorities; to know what is important at the time and to pursue the things that glorify Him. Of what use are sacrifices if God has already rejected the person offering them? Ask Saul, who offered 'right' sacrifices, but these were offered by the wrong person, who was not a priest, and at another time, by animals God had already ordered to be destroyed. Compare with David, who, with his men, ate the ahowbread that only priests were permitted to eat, even though he was not a priest. It matters where your heart has been. You can offer all you have, yet God sees the heart, and He may reject all you have given.
Don't labour for the world's acceptance or approval; these do not take you anywhere. Labour for God's approval and acceptance, by doing what is right and just in His sight. How would you know these things if you do not take out time to study His Word to know His demands? How do you know what He likes if you do not spend time with Him? He wants to bless; but He will not break His Word if the recipient's life is not in line with His will. Don't let the false images of success deceive you; make sure your heart is right with God. Your eternity will be glad you did. His time of favour is here.
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