The Sacrifices of God

Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

This verse is not speaking of men offering up sacrifices to God. But of God's sacrifice on behalf of His elect people. But why is the word “sacrifices” plural? This Scripture helps us to understand:

Numbers 20:11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.

Moses, a type of the law of God, smote (killed) the rock twice. What does the rock represent?

See:

1 Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

The Bible declares, "that Rock was Christ"! Again, Moses (type of the law) smites (kills) the Rock (Christ) twice.

But how can that be? The Bible provides the solution to the puzzle as it has revealed to us that Christ died for the sins of His elect people at the foundation of the world:

Revelation 13:8 ...the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of His people. And Revelation 13:8 is stating that He died (was smitten by the law of God) in making payment for the sins of His elect people at the foundation of the world.

And yet, the Bible also tells us that Jesus entered into the world and died on the cross in 33 AD. This was the second time that He died (was smitten by the law of God) concerning the sins of His elect people.

Christ the Rock, smitten twice. Two sacrifices for sin. Therefore, Psalm 51:17 tells us that "the sacrifices of God are a broken Spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise".

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We (the elect/new Jerusalem), through Christ, received of the LORD's hand DOUBLE for all our sins:

Isaiah 40:2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.

Jesus the Rock twice smitten (Numbers 20:11).

The sacrifices (plural) of God (Psalm 51:17).