Read 1 Chronicles 21:18-30
In this reading, we learn more about Araunah the Jebusite and the angel of death that was standing by his threshing floor. You may recall in our last reading how at the last minute the Lord called off the angel’s mission of destroying Jerusalem. But the angel remained ready, with his sword drawn, bringing fear to David and Araunah.
For some reason, the angel gave David’s seer, Gad the message to build an altar right there on Araunah’s threshing floor. David was very quick to be obedient. It appears Araunah was also anxious to give the king whatever he asked for. David didn’t want to take advantage of Araunah’s generosity, so payment was made.
At first, I didn’t understand why David was so insistent on paying Araunah. But it makes sense. A sacrifice doesn’t mean as much if it doesn’t cost anything. Likewise, when we give our offerings to God, our gifts should mean something and maybe even make us a little uncomfortable. God’s promise in Malachi 3:10 comes to mind. “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!”
David built his altar to the Lord as he was commanded. Making sacrifices to God was how you showed your devotion to God as you sought forgiveness. The book of Leviticus begins with more information on the sacrificial system established by God through the laws he gave Moses for the people. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we no longer need to practice such sacrificial offerings. An altar to me is still a place of reverence, signifying our need for Jesus our Savior.
How relieved David must have been when the “Lord answered him by sending fire from heaven to burn up the offering on the altar.” Any time we displease God, we can rejoice when we remember his unfailing love and forgiveness. For David, seeing the angel put the sword away was another great affirmation of God’s hand at work.
David encountered both God’s wrath and his grace on the threshing floor that day. Romans 1:18 speaks of God’s wrath like this. “But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.” I don’t think David falls into the category of a wicked person, but his sinful action rained down God’s wrath to be sure.
It’s helpful to realize what angers God. None of us want God’s wrath to pour out on us. Thankfully, we have the gift of God’s grace, too. The apostle Paul teaches us in Romans 5:8-9, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.” Jesus is grace personified. We are saved by Jesus’ blood and sacrifice for us. Jesus’ altar was the cross.
Let’s pray. Thank you for your amazing grace, Lord. I know I mess up and do things that displease you. I am so sorry about that and try to do better each day. Even King David made bad choices and was redeemed by you. You promised that even while I’m still stuck in sin, I have been made right with you by what Jesus did on the cross. I cannot put into words what that truth does to my weary soul. Thank you for how your love and faithfulness sustains me. Help me to shine for you today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
