Word Study Series
Consumed The pieces lay on the stacked stones. Blood and water dripped through the wood on top and ran down the side of the stones. The large trench around the stones began to fill with the mixture. It was time. A traditional long dismissed in favor of fear and selfish ambition was to be reestablished.
All day the people watched as 450 priests prayed, cried and begged for something to happen to their bull. They waited and watched. Nothing happened. Then they watched Elijah taunt the priests all day and then begin his repairs to the alter of the Lord. They watched him slaughter the bull and lay the pieces on the wood, they watched him dig the trench, they watched him pour 12 large pots of water on top. They waited. Elijah waited.
The people began to get restless. Perhaps neither god was going to show up today.
Then Elijah raised his hands... and prayed. A hush fell over the crowd. "Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."
Heat and intense light blazed down from heaven. Instantly the animal, the wood, the blood, the water... were gone. Consumed by fire. (1Kings 18)
This word in 1 Kings 18 comes from the combination of two other words that mean completely and to use up. So the sacrifice was completely used up. God didn't leave any left overs. It was 100% gone.
In Romans 12, the author calls for us to be living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God. God consumes his sacrifices. Not just consumes his sacrifices. Completely, utterly and totally consumes them. And He does this to prove that HE alone is God.
So I'm asking myself am allowing myself to be 100% consumed by God. The answer for me has been no. I'm out of excuses. Before it was because I had a significant other that hated God. Then I was trying to finish my degree. Then I was trying to start my career. Then I was beginning a family. None of these things are bad on their own. But if they consume you instead of God ? Yeah bad. So I'm laying myself bare as I once did. Father consume me... Search me O God and know my heart... and lead me in the way ever lasting. (Psalm 139)
All day the people watched as 450 priests prayed, cried and begged for something to happen to their bull. They waited and watched. Nothing happened. Then they watched Elijah taunt the priests all day and then begin his repairs to the alter of the Lord. They watched him slaughter the bull and lay the pieces on the wood, they watched him dig the trench, they watched him pour 12 large pots of water on top. They waited. Elijah waited.
The people began to get restless. Perhaps neither god was going to show up today.
Then Elijah raised his hands... and prayed. A hush fell over the crowd. "Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."
Heat and intense light blazed down from heaven. Instantly the animal, the wood, the blood, the water... were gone. Consumed by fire. (1Kings 18)
This word in 1 Kings 18 comes from the combination of two other words that mean completely and to use up. So the sacrifice was completely used up. God didn't leave any left overs. It was 100% gone.
In Romans 12, the author calls for us to be living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God. God consumes his sacrifices. Not just consumes his sacrifices. Completely, utterly and totally consumes them. And He does this to prove that HE alone is God.
So I'm asking myself am allowing myself to be 100% consumed by God. The answer for me has been no. I'm out of excuses. Before it was because I had a significant other that hated God. Then I was trying to finish my degree. Then I was trying to start my career. Then I was beginning a family. None of these things are bad on their own. But if they consume you instead of God ? Yeah bad. So I'm laying myself bare as I once did. Father consume me... Search me O God and know my heart... and lead me in the way ever lasting. (Psalm 139)
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