Bible Reading: 1 Kings 3, 4, 5, Luke 20:1-24.
“And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.” – 1 Kings 3:4 (KJVS).
God gave Solomon wisdom and an understanding heart that he asked for because his sacrifice was acceptable to the Lord. (1Kings 3:12). This wisdom from above was apparent to the people from the day he received it from God as it reflected in his judgment ( 1 Kings 3:28). We also noted that based on his judgment people began to fear him for his wisdom. Over time this gave him dominion as more people sought for his wisdom and he enjoyed all round peace. (1Kings 4:24). Furthermore the godly wisdom made him famous ( 1 Kings 4:31). These are some of the benefits that will accrue to anyone that has godly wisdom.
However, it is important to note that Solomon got wisdom from God because he offered an acceptable sacrifice to God. 1 Kings 3:4 (KJVS) says, “And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.” And God accepted this offer as He appeared to Solomon in a dream by night and asked him what he wanted. But there is a condition for the acceptance of Solomon’s sacrifice as not all sacrifices are acceptable to God. Several years ago, there was a man in one of the Pentecostal churches who was rich and he bought a loud speaker for the church then. But as the man of God was about to accept the new speaker from the donor, God spoke to him not to take the gift from the man. When the man heard this, he was full of sorrows and started hitting his head against one of the pillars of the church saying he knew then that God had rejected him! May you not experience such a sorrow in your life.
What then is the condition for acceptable sacrifice? It is stated in 1 Kings 3:3 (KJVS), “And Solomon loved the Lord , walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.” You must love the Lord such that your offering must be out of love and not out of religiousity. When you love God, your actions will be to please him and you will give him your best and not your left-over!
Prayer: Father help me to love you with all my heart, soul, mind and strength in Jesus name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero