The Stone of Abel
The Stone of Abel
Text: 1 Samuel 6:14-18
While the stone at Bethel is a reminder of God's presence in a Christian's life, the Stone of Abel is a reminder of sacrifice in a Christian's life.
The first Abel in Scripture appears in Genesis 4. Abel pleased God because he approached God by faith and offered the sacrifice that God required. In 1 Samuel 6, we find another sacrifice associated with a place called Abel. Here, as the ark of God returns from Philistine territory, sacrifices are offered upon a great stone. The event teaches timeless principles concerning sacrifice and service. Oswald Chambers wrote, "Sacrifice is the source of spiritual discipleship." The Christian life is not merely one of belief, but one of surrender, submission, and sacrifice. Every child of God is called to be a living sacrifice.
The Cart
The Philistines placed the ark upon a new cart. While it was new and impressive, it was still contrary to God's instructions. The ark was never intended to be carried by a cart. God commanded that it be borne upon the shoulders of the priests.
The Philistines acted in ignorance, but later Israel repeated the same mistake. In 2 Samuel 6, Uzzah died because of a casual approach to the ark of God being carried in a new cart. The lesson is simple: God blesses obedience and punishes rebellion.
When the ark arrived at Abel, the cart was broken apart and burned. It became fuel for the sacrifice. That is all it was good for. Anything not done according to God's word ultimately has no lasting value.
The world is often fascinated with innovation, trends, and "new methods." Yet God told Israel to seek the old paths and walk therein (Jeremiah 6:16). God's truth does not need to be reinvented. Worship, service, and sacrifice must always be governed by Scripture rather than culture.
The Cattle
The cattle are often overlooked in this passage, but they are the real heroes of the story.
God owned them. He directed them. He created them. He used them. Without understanding why, they faithfully followed the path God set before them until their journey ended in sacrifice.
The same is true for God's people. Jesus possesses our souls. He directs our steps. He has created us anew in Christ. Therefore, we are called to present our bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2).
Our responsibility is not to see every detail of the future but to faithfully obey what God has placed before us today. As Thomas Carlyle observed: "Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand."
Until the day of our departure, our purpose remains unchanged: praise him, trust him, pray to him, please him, and preach him.
The Coffer
The Philistines gave their best. They offered a new cart, valuable cattle, and costly treasures of gold. Yet their best could never make them God's children. The same principle remains true today. Religion, morality, wealth, tradition, and human effort can never purchase salvation.
Peter reminds us that we were not redeemed with silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19). Titus teaches in Titus 3:3-7 that salvation is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy.
The world gives its best and still falls short. God gave his best, and it was sufficient. We see this illustrated in the life of the prodigal son when he returned home to his father in Luke 15:22, "But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the BEST robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:"
Because Christ gave himself for us and clothed us in the robe of his righteousness, believers are called to give their best in return. Paul was willing to spend and be spent for God's people. Scripture teaches us to do all things for the glory of God and to serve heartily as unto the Lord.
David refused to offer God that which cost him nothing (1 Samuel 24:24). Mary poured out costly ointment upon the Lord (John 12:3). The Macedonians gave of themselves unto the Lord and unto others sacrificially and liberally out of deep poverty (2 Corinthians 8:2, 5). Each understood a principle that many have forgotten: God deserves our best.
The Stone of Abel reminds us that sacrifice comes at a great cost, and the Christian life is a continual offering of ourselves unto God. What has serving Christ cost you? Are you willing to give him your best? Are you willing to become a living sacrifice and a testimony to what pleases God?
Text: 1 Samuel 6:14-18
While the stone at Bethel is a reminder of God's presence in a Christian's life, the Stone of Abel is a reminder of sacrifice in a Christian's life.
The first Abel in Scripture appears in Genesis 4. Abel pleased God because he approached God by faith and offered the sacrifice that God required. In 1 Samuel 6, we find another sacrifice associated with a place called Abel. Here, as the ark of God returns from Philistine territory, sacrifices are offered upon a great stone. The event teaches timeless principles concerning sacrifice and service. Oswald Chambers wrote, "Sacrifice is the source of spiritual discipleship." The Christian life is not merely one of belief, but one of surrender, submission, and sacrifice. Every child of God is called to be a living sacrifice.
The Cart
The Philistines placed the ark upon a new cart. While it was new and impressive, it was still contrary to God's instructions. The ark was never intended to be carried by a cart. God commanded that it be borne upon the shoulders of the priests.
The Philistines acted in ignorance, but later Israel repeated the same mistake. In 2 Samuel 6, Uzzah died because of a casual approach to the ark of God being carried in a new cart. The lesson is simple: God blesses obedience and punishes rebellion.
When the ark arrived at Abel, the cart was broken apart and burned. It became fuel for the sacrifice. That is all it was good for. Anything not done according to God's word ultimately has no lasting value.
The world is often fascinated with innovation, trends, and "new methods." Yet God told Israel to seek the old paths and walk therein (Jeremiah 6:16). God's truth does not need to be reinvented. Worship, service, and sacrifice must always be governed by Scripture rather than culture.
The Cattle
The cattle are often overlooked in this passage, but they are the real heroes of the story.
God owned them. He directed them. He created them. He used them. Without understanding why, they faithfully followed the path God set before them until their journey ended in sacrifice.
The same is true for God's people. Jesus possesses our souls. He directs our steps. He has created us anew in Christ. Therefore, we are called to present our bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2).
Our responsibility is not to see every detail of the future but to faithfully obey what God has placed before us today. As Thomas Carlyle observed: "Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand."
Until the day of our departure, our purpose remains unchanged: praise him, trust him, pray to him, please him, and preach him.
The Coffer
The Philistines gave their best. They offered a new cart, valuable cattle, and costly treasures of gold. Yet their best could never make them God's children. The same principle remains true today. Religion, morality, wealth, tradition, and human effort can never purchase salvation.
Peter reminds us that we were not redeemed with silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19). Titus teaches in Titus 3:3-7 that salvation is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy.
The world gives its best and still falls short. God gave his best, and it was sufficient. We see this illustrated in the life of the prodigal son when he returned home to his father in Luke 15:22, "But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the BEST robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:"
Because Christ gave himself for us and clothed us in the robe of his righteousness, believers are called to give their best in return. Paul was willing to spend and be spent for God's people. Scripture teaches us to do all things for the glory of God and to serve heartily as unto the Lord.
David refused to offer God that which cost him nothing (1 Samuel 24:24). Mary poured out costly ointment upon the Lord (John 12:3). The Macedonians gave of themselves unto the Lord and unto others sacrificially and liberally out of deep poverty (2 Corinthians 8:2, 5). Each understood a principle that many have forgotten: God deserves our best.
The Stone of Abel reminds us that sacrifice comes at a great cost, and the Christian life is a continual offering of ourselves unto God. What has serving Christ cost you? Are you willing to give him your best? Are you willing to become a living sacrifice and a testimony to what pleases God?
Posted in Christian Choices, Discipleship, Obedience, Sacrifice, Service
Posted in Sacrifice, Service, Worship, salvation, Submission, Surrender, Obedience
Posted in Sacrifice, Service, Worship, salvation, Submission, Surrender, Obedience
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