*WISDOM FOR TODAY*
*THE HORNS OF THE ALTAR.*
*Scripture Treasure.*
1 Kgs 1:50 *And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.*
*Insight and Highlight.*
Proverbs 18:10 *The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and is safe.*
*Scripture Commentaries.*
The horns of the altar represent a symbol of authority, great power
and a place of protection.
God ordered its construction along with the temple, Exd 27:2.
In 1 Kings 1:50, Adonijah fled from Solomon' anger to hold on the horns of the altar.
While holding on to the horns, he beckoned on Solomon to swear he would not slay him.
Solomon told the servant to tell Adonijah that he would escape his judgment if he (Adonijah) behaved himself.
He escaped judgment that day because the horns of the altar were a symbol of safety and mercy. Adonijah's hold on the horns was a similitude of a strong tower that protects those who call on God.
All of God's promises are conditioned on our resolves to remain repentant.
Adonijah would later violate his promise to Solomon and because Adonijah did not keep his end of the bargain but persisted in trying to take the throne, Solomon had him put to death (I Kings 2:23-25).
God is present and active to protect us all, but it is evident that His general attribute to protect us is not common to all of us.
This is because:
First, God's dealing with us is dependent on His mercy, Rom 9:15.
Second. we limit His protection by our delliberate defiance and disobedience.
Adonijah remained safe during and after he held on to the horn of the altar. The moment he failed to keep up with sanctity, his edge of protection was immediately removed.
Are you still holding on to the horn of the altar? Are you still in the strong tower?
*Remorse corner.*
The name of the Lord is a safe haven, and so also is the horn of the altar.
*Call to Word action.*
The horn of the altar is a safe haven
but how safe it would be for us will depend on how we abide by its safety rules.
*The Christian clarion duty.*
The name of the Lord will remain a strong tower of safety. Only righteousness will sustain our protection.
*Prayer.*
Lord, keep me safe. Let me continue to fulfill every of Your words in order to sustain my safety in Jesus name.
Good morning all and have a blessed day today.
God bless you.