Holy sacrifices
For seven years Solomon had the temple built and completed with all the furnishings according to God’s design, and Solomon’s palace was built in thirteen years. Now it was time to bring the ark into the inner sanctuary to the most holy place under the wings of the cherubim. In it were the two tablets of stone that Moses put there in Horeb.
Time to celebrate and worship. All Israel was assembled. Peace was in the land. And now the sacrifices began by the people. To me, what is so revealing about the magnitude of this historic event is this. They were “sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered” (vs. 5b). A holy and sacrificial slaughter!
Lamb of God
As I was reading and reflecting on the shedding of so much blood, it took me to Calvary and the cross. All those sacrificed animals, plus millions more over the years by the Jews, were not capable of removing our sins once and for all. But, one Man, Jesus, the Christ, offered the sacrifice of his perfect human blood for us. Not millions of times, but once and for all time. The ark represented our Lord, pointing to the day when he would say from the cross—“It is finished”.
No more need for any animal sacrifices ever again. Because the Lamb of God had fully paid for all the sins of those of us who believe the gospel. Whereas those animals are dead, our Lamb of God lives to rule and to reign. “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev. 5.12) Hallelujah!! Glory only in the cross!!
