*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*WHY, HUMAN SACRIFICE?*
*Scripture Treasure.*
2 kgs 3:26-27 *And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through even unto the king of Edom: but they could not.*
*Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to their own land.*
*Insight and Highlight.*
Do not build your joy on other people's sorrow.
*Scripture Commentaries.*
2 Kgs 3 records a battle between Mesha, the Moabite king, with the alliance of kings comprised of Joram (king of Israel), Jehoshaphat (king of Judah), and the king of Edom.
King Mesha of Moab was losing the war. In a desperate move to win the war, he offered his crown price, his first son, as a sacrifice in front of the people at war.
After this, “the fury against Israel was great; they withdrew and returned to their own land” (2 Kings 3:27).
The king's action was human sacrifice to his god called Chemosh.
Human sacrifice is the offering of the life of a human being to a deity. It is a form of ritual killing.
To some, it is their answer to the terrible hunger for this world's pleasure, power, and security, and this drives the children of men to sacrifice themselves.
There are a few notable things we can learn from the abominable act of King Mesha.
First, the impact of this abominable act changed the course of the war in that lsrael withdrew and went back to their own land.
Second, It is important to know the impact of demonic activities on our decision-making.
Israel had been told they would win the war (2 Kgs 3:18), and they were winning (2 Kings 3:26), but they drew away from the King of Moab
Third, though demonic activities may often hunt our thoughts, they must not overcome us.
The human sacrifice to Chemosh must not be seen as more powerful than the purpose of God for Israel.
Israel’s departure and subsequent indignation on them must never be seen as a victory to the god Chemosh
The indignation against lsraelites might have been because of the horrible spectacle of seeing a human being sacrificed, which was against their God's command. This was enough for them to say they had had enough of the war.
Besides, the Moabites had been defeated anyway (2 Kings 3:26),
Also, the army of Israel could have also been indignant with themselves for having pushed things to the point of an atrocity and abomination.
The great indignation against Israel may be like a great repentance
for their grief on account of this barbarous sacrifice, and wished they had not pushed on a war so far, which ended in such a horrid and horrifying action.
The Moabites also may have their own indignation over Israel, blaming that their actions led to the sacrifice of their next king.
Fourth, God was against Moab. He would later visit the killing of a future king.
God spoke on the judgment of Moab, in Amos 2:1 *This is what the LORD says: "For three transgressions of Moab, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because he burned to lime the bones of Edom's king.*
God said in Amos 2:2 *But I will send a fire upon Moab,...."*
In Amos 2:3, God said ,*"And I will cut off the judge from the midst thereof, and will slay all the princes thereof with him,....."*
God utterly condemned the actions of King Mesha of Moab over his son 's sacrifice as a heinous sacrifice saying in Micah 6:7, *“Shall I give my firstborn for my transgressions?*
Why, human sacrifice?
God prohibits human sacrifice!
Shun human sacrifice!
Come to Jesus today. He is the perfect sacrifice, Heb 10:12.
*Remorse corner.*
King Mesha's human sacrifice did not earn his god Chemosh or Moab any victory. Israel had fought a just war and won already.
*Call to Word action.*
Leviticus 18:21 *And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord.*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
Deut 12:31 *Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.*
*Prayer.*
Help me to offer myself to live for you, in Jesus name.
Good morning all, and have a blessed day.
God bless you.
Comments