Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute, and the Arabians also brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats. And Jehoshaphat grew steadily greater. (II Chronicles 17:11,12 ESV)
Payment
The Kingdom of Judah was powerful. More specifically, the God Judah served was powerful. When neighboring neighbors observed this, they were worried. As was customary in those days, they attempted to diminish the threat of a powerful Kingdom by paying them. The theory was that Judah would accept the profit from the gifts, and not venture into a more risky and costly invasion.
And the Arabians gave rams and goats.
In other words, they gave food sources, and food itself.
This was a more immediate payment than the gift of money. Food is necessary. Food is life-sustaining. Food is profitable itself. Food is a good payment.
In the Old Testament sacrificial system, much of what God required of His people as sacrifice for their sin was food.
While we tend to see those requirements as due to the simpler economic system of the day, perhaps God had more in mind. The sacrificial animals were a more personal offering than silver and gold. The sacrificial animals were a more ‘felt’ offering than silver and gold. The sacrificial animals were a more practical offering than silver and gold. The sacrificial animals were a more immediately costly offering than silver and gold.
Jesus does not come as gold, but rather as a lamb.
Jesus is not the silver of life, but rather the bread of life.
Jesus is not the multi-layered economic plan, but rather the vine.
Payment, in every sense, is more than dollars and cents. I am glad God knows this.