Propitiation

You are the ruler of a small nation. (It’s temporary, so don’t get too used to it.) Your country, though rich in arable soil, has few minerals and no trees. You must buy your iron, copper and gold along with timber for your palace and those of your nobles. Just across your border is a much larger nation rich in timber and minerals. Large percentages of your tax income crosses this border to purchase your necessities. One day, sitting with your advisors, you muse on this topic. No one comes up with a creative idea until, one of the youngest members tentatively raises the possibility of conquest. He notes that the capitol of the neighboring nation is far away from the mutual border; that, if attacked late in the summer, their ruler would not have time to respond. Having to wait till spring, when kings go out to war, the conquered populace could be swayed to support you. Besides this, if only a small portion of his territory were taken, say a few hundred miles, he might not even miss it. Perhaps, even, with the money saved in trade, we could pay him for his loss. Ending number one: The neighboring king, waiting till spring, sweeps down on your nation in a broad pincer movement. This takes your generals by surprise and he sweeps them off the battlefield in a few days. He recaptures his previous territory and encroaches into yours. Town after town falls to his advance. Barely pausing, his army is aimed straight at your capitol. In a few weeks time, he surrounds your city, imprisoning you within. Strong walls prevent him from moving in directly, but the siege is being set up. You know it is hopeless. Ending Number One A month after his arrival, a messenger is spotted, holding aloft a parlay flag. You send a high ranking official to meet in the arrow-shot distance between invader and wall. The terms are that your oldest son is to be brought here to this spot tomorrow and killed. The emissary said this with a supercilious sneer. This will heal the breach between you and us and we will, once again, be friendly neighbors. Ending Number Two A month after his arrival, a messenger is spotted, holding aloft a parlay flag. You send a high ranking official to meet in the empty arrow-shot distance between invader and wall. The terms are that you are to bring the son of your conqueror to this spot tomorrow and kill him. He lives among your people, though you did not recognize him. This will heal the breach between you and us and we will, once again, be friendly neighbors. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. Romans 3:22-25 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. Isaiah 53:4-6 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." And he said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham said, "God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." So the two of them walked on together. Alternate reading: “God will provide Himself as a sacrifice. Genesis 22:7, 8 Propitiation: That which heals a breach in relationship. Quotations taken from NASB. Used with permission. 4.5.13