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February 14th
The Bible reading for today is Leviticus chapters 5,6,7.
As some have said, and I smile because they must have read my mail, “Leviticus is a hard read...It is as untraveled as the wilderness in which Moses wrote it.”
People have said, “Who cares about sacrifices that no longer matter...who cares about diet codes that are no longer in effect?”
Can this record teach us anything? The Short answer: Plenty!
It’s God’s word... “all scripture is God-breathed and is profitable”...2 Tim.3:16.
Solomon told his grandkids “to seek wisdom like they would silver...seek understanding like you would for hidden treasures...then you will find the knowledge of God.”
So hang in there with me friends...God has some spiritual riches for us in Leviticus.
God gave the book of Leviticus to a people already redeemed...Israel...those whose faith in the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob had been counted unto them for righteousness sake.
God wasn't trying to get them spiritually saved again through the laws of the different offerings...as though they could lose their salvation by sinning. Through the offerings, God was giving His people gracious provision for “sustaining” their fellowship their love relationship with God.
That my friend is a part of the “plenty” that God has for us in this book.
Next up...These first seven chapters give us details about the five major offerings presented by the priests unto the Lord for His glory on behalf of the worshippers during the days of the Tabernacle.
First THE BURNT OFFERING it was the most common offering. The offering of a lamb or an ox (or turtle doves or pigeons by the poor) as atonement for the worshipper’s sins. So where do “atoned for” sins go...away from the sinner...as far as the east is from the west.
The offering was completely burned up. An offering given completely to God.
The priest didn't get a part of it. The worshipper didn't get a part of it. The burnt offering ascended to God only.
No glory for the priest. No glory for the worshipper. Only God!!!
People close by could certainly smell it. And people not so close by could see the smoke rise. And in those moments, even their senses told them that God, their God, deserved to be worshipped. He was and is the God of deliverance and atonement for sin...indeed the God of forgiveness.
It’s like us in our minds remembering the scriptural picture of the cross, the cross of our suffering servant, our wonderful Lord Jesus.
Just as those early Israelites went back to the altar of the tabernacle every day...either literally or just in their minds...so must we go back to the old rugged cross every day.
“...And I hear my Savior say
Thy strength indeed is small...
Child of weakness watch and pray...
Find in me thine all in all.”
“Jesus paid it all
All to Him I owe...
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.”
And what did the worshipper do when his sin or sins were atoned for in the morning “burnt offering?....”
Often the worshipper would return to the Tabernacle as soon as he could put the “grain offering” together.
And what was he doing?
Thanking God, with all of his heart and all of his produce, for such merciful forgiveness.
Wow...we see You, Jesus...even and, especially in Leviticus.
Enjoy the rest of the story friends...we will get to the other offerings in the days to come...
Have a great day
