CONCEPT
Sacrifice
As an expression of religious devotion, human sacrifice has been widespread at certain stages of the race's development. The tribes of Western Asia were deeply affected by the practice, probably prior to the settlement of the Hebrews in Palestine, and it continued at least down to the 5th century BC. At times of great calamity, anxiety and danger, parents sacrificed their children as the greatest and most costly offering which they could make to propitiate the anger of the gods and thus secure their favor and help. There is no intimation in the Bible that enemies or captives were sacrificed; only the offering of children by their parents is mentioned. The belief that this offering possessed supreme value is seen in Micah 6:6, where the sacrifice of the firstborn is the climax of a series of offerings which, in a rising scale of values, are suggested as a means of propitiating the angry Yahweh. A striking example of the rite as actually practiced is seen in 2 Kings 3:27, where Mesha the king of Moab (made famous by the Moabite Stone), under the stress of a terrible siege, offered his eldest son, the heir-apparent to the throne, as a burnt offering upon the wall of Kir-hareseth. As a matter of fact this horrid act seems to have had the effect of driving off the allies.
Human sacrifice was ordinarily resorted to, no doubt, only in times of great distress, but it seems to have been practiced among the old Canaanitish tribes with some frequency (Deuteronomy 12:31). The Israelites are said to have borrowed it from their Canaanite neighbors (2 Kings 16:3; 2 Chronicles 28:3), and as a matter of fact human sacrifices were never offered to Yahweh, but only to various gods of the land. The god who was most frequently worshipped in this way was Moloch or Molech, the god of the Ammonites (2 Kings 23:10; Leviticus 18:21; 20:2), but from Jeremiah we learn that the Phoenician god Baal was, at least in the later period of the history, also associated with Molech in receiving this worship (Jeremiah 19:5; 31:35).
As in the case of the Canaanites, the only specific cases of human sacrifice mentioned among the Israelites are those of the royal princes, sons of Ahaz and Manasseh, the two kings of Judah who were most deeply affected by the surrounding heathen practices and who, at the same time, fell into great national distress (2 Kings 16:3; 2 Chronicles 28:3; 2 Kings 21:6; 2 Chronicles 33:6). But it is clear from many general statements that the custom was widespread among the masses of the people as well. It is forbidden in the Mosaic legislation (Leviticus 18:21; 20:2-5; Deuteronomy 18:10); it is said in 2 Kings 17:17 that the sacrifice of sons and daughters was one of the causes of the captivity of the ten tribes. Jeremiah charges the people of the Southern Kingdom with doing the same thing (Jeremiah 7:31; 19:5; 31:35); with these general statements agree Isaiah 57:5; Ezekiel 16:2; 20:31; 23:37; Psalms 106:37 f. A study of these passages makes it certain that in the period immediately before the captivity of Judah, human sacrifice was by no means confined to the royal family, but was rather common among the people. Daughters as well as sons were sacrificed. It is mentioned only once in connection with the Northern Kingdom, and then only in the summary of the causes of their captivity (2 Kings 17:17), but the Southern Kingdom in its later years was evidently deeply affected. There were various places where the bloody rite was celebrated (Jeremiah 19:5), but the special high place, apparently built for the purpose, was in the Valley of Tophet or Hinnom (ge-hinnom, Gehenna) near Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 28:3; 33:6). This great high place, built for the special purpose of human sacrifice (Jeremiah 7:31; 32:35), was defiled by the good king Josiah in the hope of eradicating the cruel practice (2 Kings 23:10).
The Biblical writers without exception look upon the practice with horror as the supreme point of national and religious apostasy, and a chief cause of national disaster. They usually term the rite "passing through fire," probably being unwilling to use the sacred term "sacrifice" in reference to such a revolting custom. There is no evidence of a continuance of the practice in captivity nor after the return. It is said, however, that the heathen Sepharvites, settled by the Assyrian kings in the depopulated territory of the Northern Kingdom, "burnt their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim" (2 Kings 17:31). The practice is not heard of again, and probably rapidly died out. The restored Israelites were not affected by it.
Compare SACRIFICE (Old Testament), VI, 10.
William Joseph McGlothlin
▶Sermons
Audio
A Revelation of Jesus Christ· 1:15:57Al Whittinghill reveals the profound identity of Jesus as the Lamb of God, urging believers to deepen their understanding and worship Him in spirit and truth beyond mere tradition or sentiment.
A Perfect SacrificeAnton Bosch · 40:23Anton Bosch explains how Jesus Christ's sacrificial death fulfills and surpasses the Old Testament covenants, providing the perfect and final sacrifice necessary for the remission of sins and access to God's presence.
Forsaking All for ChristAnton Bosch · 44:07Anton Bosch challenges listeners to understand that true discipleship requires forsaking all earthly attachments and counting the cost of following Christ wholeheartedly.
The Greatest High PriestAnton Bosch · 45:23Anton Bosch teaches that Jesus is the perfect and compassionate High Priest who, unlike earthly priests, offers Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sins and sympathizes fully with human weaknesses.
Be a Sacrificial ServantAtlee Yoder · 31:48Atlee Yoder teaches that true greatness in the Christian life is found through sacrificial servanthood, following the example of Jesus who humbled Himself and served others selflessly.
The Last Days Image of ChristCarter Conlon · 43:26Carter Conlon's sermon emphasizes the critical need for genuine faith and persistent prayer in the last days, urging the church to focus beyond itself and seek God's transformative power.
Unless A Grain Of Wheat Falls Into The Ground (Clip)Carter Conlon · 0:56Carter Conlon teaches that true spiritual fruitfulness comes through surrender and dying to self, as exemplified by the grain of wheat that must fall to the ground and die.
A House of SacrificeDavid Wilkerson · 37:29The sermon emphasizes the importance of coming to God's house with a willing and living sacrifice, and how it is essential to present ourselves to God as a holy and living sacrifice, trusting in His provision and care.
Costless ChristianityDerek Melton · 1:02:58The sermon emphasizes the importance of sacrifice in the Christian life and warns against the dangers of a costless Christianity that prioritizes human interests over divine revelation and authority.
Sacrifice of Praise, Sacrifice of Joy, Sacrifice of Service, Sacrifice of ThanksgivingDevern Fromke · 1:18:24Devern Fromke's sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's normal order through the sacrifices of praise, service, and dedication exemplified by Abraham's life.
An Aroma of RighteousnessDon Wilkerson · 52:43Don Wilkerson teaches that the burnt offering in the Old Testament Tabernacle symbolizes Christ's perfect surrender and consecration to God, and believers are called to offer themselves as a sweet aroma of righteousness through holy living and obedience.
The Sacrifice That Is Pleasing to GodDuncan Campbell · 57:03The sermon emphasizes the importance of a broken spirit and a broken and contrite heart as the sacrifice that is pleasing to God, and how this leads to transformation, identification, and New Testament holiness.
A Christianity That Doesn'T Cost Anything Isn'T Worth AnythingE.A. Johnston · 5:53E.A. Johnston challenges believers to embrace a costly, sacrificial Christianity that reflects true discipleship rather than a comfortable, superficial faith.
Confronted with EternityE.A. Johnston · 6:51E.A. Johnston challenges believers to live with an eternal perspective, emphasizing that only what is done for Christ will last beyond this life.
Gain Through LossE.A. Johnston · 4:19E.A. Johnston teaches that true spiritual gain comes through the willing loss of self and worldly things for the sake of Christ and the gospel.
Text
It Shall Be Recompensed Unto Him AgainA.B. SimpsonThe Christian life that rises to the highest glory and usefulness is built on the foundation principle of sacrifice and self-renunciation.
Or Ministry, Let Us Wait on Our MinisteringA.B. SimpsonA.B. Simpson emphasizes the importance of tangible gifts and sacrifices in our ministry to Christ.
(The Challenge of Missions) 5. OUR TRUSTA.B. SimpsonA.B. Simpson emphasizes the solemn trust and divine calling of Christians to faithfully evangelize the present generation with the Gospel, motivated by love, sacrifice, and a spirit of adaptability.
The Faith of AbelAndrew MurrayFaith means sacrifice, and it requires giving as well as receiving in order to be acceptable to God.
The Cost of Showing MercyArt KatzThe cost of showing mercy is the willingness to sacrifice and endure suffering, just as God did through the death of His Son.
The Satisfaction of Christ Studies in the Atonement 21. Its TypificationA.W. PinkA.W. Pink explains how Old Testament types and sacrifices prophetically illustrate the atoning work of Christ, revealing the divine wisdom and necessity of His sacrificial death.
It May Not Be ConvenientA.W. TozerTrue spirituality requires sacrifice and discipline, and convenience leads to mediocrity.
Questions We AskA.W. TozerA.W. Tozer challenges listeners to move beyond mediocrity and seek the deeper life, prioritizing God's work and witness over security and convenience.
The Pain of Cross-BearingA.W. TozerFollowing Christ requires sacrifice, including breaking family ties and prioritizing spiritual relationships over fleshly ones.
Abel Was a Keeper of SheepC.H. SpurgeonThe sermon highlights the significance of Abel as a type of Christ, emphasizing the importance of his sacrifice and the peace that it brings.
That Unclean Donkey Is Yourself!C.H. SpurgeonThe sermon teaches that the sinful self cannot be presented in sacrifice to God, but is redeemed by the Lamb of God, who stands in our stead to save us from eternal death.
Those Ghastly Corpses Might Well Have Affrighted Rizpah!C.H. SpurgeonWe should be inspired by Rizpah's devotion and love for her children, and apply it to our own love and devotion to Christ, persevering through trials and finding solace in Christ's cross.
Luke 23:13Chuck SmithThe sermon highlights the significance of Christ's death on the cross and how it leads to life, emphasizing the need to die to self and submit to God's will.
ChutneyC.T. StuddC.T. Studd's sermon 'Chutney' calls Christians to actively live and die for Jesus, embodying the spirit of a warrior in the fight for salvation.
A Mother Dies That Her Boy May LiveD.L. MoodyChrist's sacrifice for us is a reflection of the depth of love and willingness to give one's life for others, as seen in the mother's sacrifice in the story.