Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Leviticus 4 gives the details for "sin offerings" that God prescribed to the Israelites for unintentional sin, not that of outright rebellion against God. So there were procedures also in these instances for bringing bulls, goats, or sheep to the Tabernacle to be presented to the Lord as sacrifices and the priest would "make an atonement for them and they would be forgiven".

Monday, March 22, 2010

Leviticus 3:16 (NIV) All the fat is the Lord's.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Leviticus 2 gives details of how the Israelites were to bring grain offerings to the Lord. They were to be made from only "fine flour", with oil poured on it, but without any yeast. They were to be brought to the Lord as an offering of the firstfruits. The priest would burn "a handful of the fine flour and oil" as a memorial portion on the fire, producing an aroma pleasing to the Lord. The rest of the grain offering was given to Aaron and his sons as the "most holy part of the offering made to the Lord by fire".

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Leviticus is about holiness. The first part of the book is about worshiping our holy God and the second part is about living a holy life pleasing to Him. Leviticus 1 is about offering burnt offerings of animals sacrificed from the herds and flocks of the Israelites. Many details were given as guidance in how to do this properly and exactly in order for the Lord to accept the sacrifices as their substitute, making atonement for the Israelites. Whether a bull, male sheep, turtledove, or young pigeon, they were to be offered as a "whole burnt offering made by fire, very pleasing to the Lord". The animal sacrifices were offered from their own flocks and herds and only animals with no physical defects were to be chosen. Only the holy priests were to perform the sacrifices, sprinkling the blood, and placing the animal on the fire. The offering process demonstrated God's justice, holiness, and mercy; and it also demonstrated the Israelites' dependence, commitment, and submission to God's laws.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Exodus 35-40 The people brought to the Lord their offerings and materials for the Tabernacle construction and its furnishings and for the holy garments. They brought their offerings "if their hearts were stirred and they desired to do so", "both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing". Two craftsman, Bezalel and Oholiab, were gifted by the Lord with "wisdom, skill, and intelligence to construct an furnish the Tabernacle, just as the Lord has commanded". Gifts and materials were offered each morning and soon the craftsmen told Moses, "We have more than enough on hand now to complete the job", so Moses sent a message throughout the camp, "Bring no more materials!-You have already given more than enough." When the work was completed, Moses inspected everything and blessed the people because the work had been done just as the Lord commanded. "Then a cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glorious presence of the Lord filled it." "Whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle and moved, the people of Israel set out on their journey, following it." God's presence continued to guide the Israelites in their journeys as He remained faithful to His promises of provision and blessings.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

In Exodus 34, Moses brought the two newly chiseled stone tablets up Mount Sinai as the Lord had commanded him. When the Lord came to meet him, He said, "The Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin, yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished." Moses bowed and worshiped the Lord and He said, "I am making a covenant with you , before all your people, ... Obey what I command you today... Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread at the appointed month which you came out of Egypt.. The first offspring of every womb belongs to me... Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and Israel". Aaron and the Israelites were afraid when they saw Moses , since his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord, but Moses called them to him and he gave them the commandments of the Lord.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

In Exodus 33, the Lord told Moses to lead the people now up to the promised land and His Presence would go with them and give them rest. God said, " I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."