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Bible Question: In
Jeremiah 7:31 it says that God never commanded nor did it enter
into God's mind to sacrifice children as burnt offerings. Why then
did God tell Abraham to do this?
Bible Answer: A previous
question and answer has provided an overview of Jeremiah 7 and
informs us that this chapter is an open rebuke to the Israelites
because they pretended to love God, but they did not. Jeremiah 7:31
is one more rebuke.
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And
they have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the
valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their
daughters in the fire, which I did not command, and it did
not come into My mind. (NASB) Jeremiah 7:31 |
Children
Sacrifices. Jeremiah
7:31 reveals a horrible truth. They were sacrificing their children on altars
of fire to foreign gods. Later in Jeremiah, God rebukes them again.
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.
. . and have built the high places of Baal to burn their
sons in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal, a thing which
I never commanded or spoke of, nor did it ever enter My mind
. . .(NASB) Jer. 19:5
And they built the high places of Baal that are in the valley
of Ben-hinnom to cause their sons and their daughters to pass
through the fire to Molech, which I had not commanded them
nor had it entered My mind that they should do this abomination,
to cause Judah to sin. (NASB) Jer. 32:35 |
During
the reign of King Manasseh we read this,
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And
he made his sons pass through the fire in the valley of Ben-hinnom;
and he practiced witchcraft, used divination, practiced sorcery,
and dealt with mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in
the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. (NASB) 2 Chronicles
33:6 |
Today,
few would believe that God would want anyone to do this, but apparently
these folks were influenced by the surrounding nations. This reminds
us that we are easily influenced by our culture and surrounding nations.
It is important to know what God says and to not be influenced by
the world.
A
Problem? Did
God lie when He said that He "never commanded or spoke of, nor
did it ever enter My mind . . . " that they should sacrifice
their sons and daughters? What they were doing was the opposite of
His commands in Leviticus and Deuteronomy.
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You
shall also say to the sons of Israel, "Any man from
the sons of Israel or from the aliens sojourning in Israel,
who gives any of his offspring to Molech, shall surely be
put to death; the people of the land shall stone him with
stones." (NASB) Lev. 20:2
You shall not behave thus toward the LORD your God, for every
abominable act which the LORD hates they have done for their
gods; for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire
to their gods. (NASB) Deut. 12:31 |
But
what about Abraham and Isaac?
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Now
it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham,
and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here
I am.” And He said, “Take now your son, your
only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah;
and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains
of which I will tell you.” (NASB) Genesis 22:1-2 |
The
key word in this passage is "tested." It was only a test.
God never intended for Abraham actually to do it. This was a learning
experience for Abraham.
Conclusion: God
often tests us. Every test is designed to bring us closer to Him.
He tested Abraham too. God wants an intimate relationship with us. He
wants us to seek Him and to love Him. Abraham did not disappoint
God. Once Abraham demonstrated his willingness to obey, God stopped
him. God did not want him to sacrifice his son Isaac, but a ram instead.
Abraham was willing to give up everything to please God. |
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