The Altar of Transformation

The story is told of a British ambassador to the United States being interviewed by a TV reporter in D.C. She asked the ambassador what he would like for Christmas. He skirted the question for a while, but the reported kept pressing him on the issue. He finally answered, “I would like a jar of mint jelly for Christmas.” A few weeks later, after the ambassador had forgotten about the interview, he was watching a TV program entitled “The Spirit of Christmas.” A number of VIP’s on the show were asked what they wanted for Christmas. After a few minutes watching, the ambassador began to get very uncomfortable because, the German ambassador’s Christmas wish was for a peaceful and prosperous year for everyone in the world. The Swiss ambassador desired that the leaders of the world would be led to agree on a common goal of peaceful co-existence. By now the British ambassador was squirming…bracing for what might come next. “…and the British ambassador told us that he would like a jar of mint jelly.”

Maybe the Swiss and German ambassadors were just being politically shrewd…they knew they would be quoted so they gave the proper answer. Or maybe they were sincere

Again, if you were given just one wish…you might give an “expected” answer…or you might ask for something like “winning the lottery.”

2 Chronicles 1:7–13 ESV

In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said to God, “You have shown great and steadfast love to David my father, and have made me king in his place. O Lord God, let your word to David my father be now fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.” So Solomon came from the high place at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem. And he reigned over Israel.

PRAYER

In 2 Chronicles chapter 1, Solomon takes his first steps as the new King of Israel

His father David had died…and now Solomon faced the awesome responsibility of leading a large nation — the people of God

We know that, later in his life, Solomon wavered and disobeyed the Lord in many ways — but he began with an obedient and humble heart, desiring God’s best for the people of Israel.

Here’s an important truth about Solomon’s first actions as King — He went straight to the house of God, to the altar of God — He began His reign seeking the Lord, making extravagant sacrifices as an act of worship.

God would bless Solomon for placing His plan and will above all else

Faith brings us to the altar of transformation, where we are compelled to seek, worship, and ask

…The only way to come to the Lord is by faith — intellect is fine…but it doesn’t replace faith, emotions like fear or pride do not replace faith.

FAITH BRINGS US TO THE ALTAR

2 Chronicles 1:1–3 ESV

Solomon the son of David established himself in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great. Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to all the leaders in all Israel, the heads of fathers’ houses. And Solomon, and all the assembly with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon, for the tent of meeting of God, which Moses the servant of the Lord had made in the wilderness, was there.

2 Chronicles 1:4–7 ESV

(But David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to the place that David had prepared for it, for he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem.) Moreover, the bronze altar that Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, had made, was there before the tabernacle of the Lord. And Solomon and the assembly sought it out. And Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before the Lord, which was at the tent of meeting, and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it. In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.”

Exposition:

The bronze altar in the tabernacle had a specific purpose. Like all altars we read about in the Bible…it was a place to bring burnt offerings sacrifices to the Lord

Thanksgiving offerings, Praise offerings, and blood sacrifices for the sins of the people

It was a place of repentance, worship, and sacrifice

On that day, Solomon and the Assembly sought “it” out — whether that refers to the altar itself or God’s presence — the meaning is the same. They came to meet God at that holy place

...what kind of faith brings us to the altar?

Faith in God’s Grace brings us to the altar

Solomon went to Gibeon — that’s where the tabernacle (the tent of meeting made by Moses) was / that’s where the altar was

“but David had brought the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to the place that David had prepared for it, for he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem”

Normally, the ark of God and the altar would be in the same location — but for a time, they were in separate places

The Ark of the Covenant reminds them, and us, of God’s grace

It held the Law — the reminder of God’s covenant with the people — a covenant of grace and redemption for those who followed Him by faith.

Solomon could have gone straight to the ark in Jerusalem and offered sacrifices, but first he went to the altar

...what kind of faith brings us to the altar?

The altar is a place of faith in God’s Covenant

Transition: Faith in God’s great love and grace brings us to the altar

SACRIFICE KEEPS US AT THE ALTAR

Exposition

Can you imagine how long it took the priests to offer one thousand sacrifices on the altar?

Probably a thousand bulls

What an extravagant sacrifice…the expense, the labor, the time, the blood spilled, the passion and awe felt by all

Yet…Solomon could have offered ten thousand sacrifices and it would not be enough to honor the grace of God’s love toward them in the Covenant.

Application

Transition: When we offer ourselves to God...

WORSHIP HAPPENS AT THE ALTAR

Exposition: On this sacred first day of Solomon’s reign as king…his priority was to lead the people to an altar and together offer up an extravagant sacrifice. On this particular day…they were not just go through the religious motions. No they came to bow before the Lord in faith, humble worship, and surrender

Worship is the awed response to the saving acts and praiseworthy character of God

Seeking the Lord brings you to His presence

It brings you to the altar

The place of repentance and surrender of yourselves --- a place of extravagant sacrifice

Standing in God’s presence brings you to a place of humble worship

Application

Lexham Theological Wordbook Concept Summary

In the OT, worship encompassed a variety of activities. Bringing forward an offering to God was an act of worship (קָרַב, qārab). Bowing down in the presence of God was an outward display of an inner attitude of reverence before the Creator (חָוָה, ḥāwâ). The verb רוּם (rûm) could indicate that a person was “lifting up” or “exalting” God with praise. Together, these last two terms provide a rich image of worship: People both bow before God and lift him up in praise and wonder. The verb הָלַל (hālal) could be used to designate the act of celebrating God. The word “hallelujah” is derived from the Hebrew phrase הַלְלוּ־יָהּ (halĕlû-yāh), meaning “praise Yahweh.” This praise could involve זָמַר (zāmar, “singing”). Worship could also be described as “serving” (עָבַד, ʿābad) God

Lexham Theological Wordbook Concept Summary

The NT carries over many of the actions described as worship in the OT. The verb προσκυνέω (proskyneō) means to bow down as an act of worship, while κάμπτω (kamptō) signifies bending the knee or bowing in reverence to God. Other words for praising God include δοξάζω (doxazō), for the act of giving God glory, and εὐλογέω (eulogeō), for praising or blessing God.

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER

Faith brings us to the altar of transformation, where we are compelled to seek, worship, and ask

Here’s a powerful truth that each one of us needs to experience regularly

Answers are Found at the Altar

As we surrender ourselves to God in worship…we position ourselves to hear from God

“That night God appeared to Solomon (in a dream) and said, ‘Ask for whatever you want me to give you.’” (v. 7)

Solomon could have asked for riches, prestige, and power… but he did not

When God’s says, “ask for whatever you want me to give you”, what will your answer be?

Solomon asked for wisdom — He needed it…he knew he was not cable of leading this great nation

What do you need from God today?

Are you willing to come to the altar — offering yourself as the sacrifice?

Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection — His sacrifice gives us the ability to come before God just as we are

Ephesians 2:19–22 ESV

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

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