I am reading through the book of 1 Samuel for my personal devotional time these days. Unlike the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan ‘homework’ that I feel obligated to complete each day, I enjoy the freedom to be able to read and meditate upon as few or many verses at a time, waiting on God to ‘speak to me’ through His Word. In 1 Samuel Chapter 6, the Philistines, who had captured and kept the ark of the Lord for seven months, frantically try to send it back to the Israelite territory because God afflicted the Philistines everywhere the ark was moved to. After consulting with their priests, they get a new cart and hitch two cows that have recently calved and never been yoked. They put the ark of the Lord on the cart and send it on its way. If the cart reached the intended Israelite territory despite these ‘unqualified’ cows, they would know that it was not a coincidence but the hand of God that has caused the great disaster upon them.
The cows go straight up to the destination without turning to the right or to the left, but the Bible also records that they lowed all the way. This part really got to me. Because I am a mother, I could relate to these cows- how sad they must have been to have their calves stripped away from them. In addition, this was their first time being yoked and hitched to a cart. Indeed they suffered greatly both emotionally and physically. And for all the suffering these cows endured, I expected a happy ending for them. The Bible, however, does not say that the grateful Israelites freed the cows, allowing them to find their way back to their calves.
Not even close. The Israelites were so happy to get the ark of the Lord back that they chopped up the wood of the cart and sacrificed the cows as a burnt offering to the Lord! Instead of all the other available cows, two never-been yoked, nursing cows were taken away from their calves to be used by God, and what do they get for their sacrifice? They become a burnt offering! I was furious. What kind of justice is this, Lord?
As I sat there in my anger, God began to ‘speak to me,’ not in an audible voice, but by revealing His heart to me:
God: “Do you know what life is like for cows?”
Me : “Eat, poop, work, sleep, & repeat. They eventually get killed and eaten by people.”
God: “Then which is better – to be slaughtered to fill man’s stomach or to be offered as a
burnt offering to the Lord to renew the relationship between God and sinful man?
Me: “. . .”
God: “It wasn’t a sacrifice, but a privilege for those cows to be chosen by Me.”
God revealed to me that it was not about the cows, but about me. I felt enraged by the final destiny of the cows because I saw myself in them. In ministry I often feel like an unqualified cow hitched to a cart. But I am able to keep going, telling myself, “Hang in there. You will receive a great reward for all your sacrifices.” There is nothing wrong with this statement of faith except what we often consider a great reward, such as successful ministry, recognition from men, or financial security, may not be what God has in mind. God doesn’t want to give us just good things, but the very best according to His glorious riches and grace. “Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of being a burnt offering for you. May you be honored and glorified, not through what I do for you, but through how I trust you no matter what.”
From Pastor Sara’s Heart
August 10, 2014