Bible Pathways 02/03/2002
February 03
Read Leviticus 7 -- 8
In Today's Reading:
Find out what is required of a priest. Do you realize that, as a Christian, you are a royal priesthood?
Verse for Today:
In the place where they kill the burnt offering they shall kill the Trespass Offering: and the blood of it he shall sprinkle all around about upon the altar (Leviticus 7:2).
Highlights:
Regulations concerning the Trespass Offering, the Peace Offering, and the Wave Offering. Consecration of Aaron and his sons for the priesthood, and the priests' offerings.
The Sin and Trespass Offerings represented unconditional acknowledg ment of all of one's sin as well as submission to the Lord.
The Trespass Offering was very similar to the Sin Offering. It was offered for specific acts of wrongdoing, either against God or against man. The offender was guilty before God even for trespasses committed in ignorance. Ignorance was not an adequate excuse if a soul sin . . . though he knows it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity (5:17). As soon as one's sin was made known, the proper sacrifice had to be made. (See Leviticus 4:2-3; 5:15-6:7.) There were no sacrifices for willful sin.
God demanded that all who had committed a trespass against another bring an offering. The sinner also had to restore what he had taken and give an additional 20% to the one whom he had wronged.
Unlike the Peace Offering, no part of the Trespass Offering was eaten by the offerer. The sacrificer came as an unworthy sinner, and the purpose of his offering was to restore peace with God and his fellow man.
These sacrifices illustrate what the offering of Christ on the cross means to us. Because of sin, man has forfeited all his rights and the ability to approach the Holy God. It is in relation to these offerings that the words, it shall be forgiven, are mentioned nine times in Chapters 4, 5, and 6 (4:20,26,31,35; 5:10,13,16,18; 6:7).
Our Lord provided mankind with His recorded Word -- the Bible. It sets forth the moral and spiritual principles necessary for man to receive from and maintain harmony with God.
You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9).
A Thought from Proverbs: A foolish (harlot) woman is clamorous. . . . and as for him that lacks understanding, she says . . . Stolen waters (adultery) are sweet, and bread (physical satisfaction) eaten in secret is pleasant. But he knows not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell (9:13,16-18).
Christ Portrayed:
By Moses as he consecrated the priests who presented themselves for their ministry (Leviticus 8:23-24). Christ is the One who sets the believer apart for service as the believer presents himself to Christ (Romans 12:1).
Word Studies:
7:9 dressed = prepared; 7:14 oblation = offerings; 7:18 abomination = defiled, unclean, detestable to God; 8:3 unto the door = at the doorway; 8:8 Urim, Thummin now unknown objects by which the high priest ascertained the will of God; 8:35 keep the charge of the Lord = perform what the Lord has commanded.
Prayer Needs:
Government Official: Sen. Paul Sarbanes (MD) · Pray for the missionary ministries · Country: Sao Tome and Principe (155,000) two larger and several smaller islands in the Gulf of Guinea, 125 miles off the western coast of Africa · Major language: Portuguese · Religious freedom is fairly new · 83% Roman Catholic; 3% Protestant; 2% animist · Prayer Suggestion: Pray and the Lord will free you from your fears (Psalms 34:4).
Optional Reading: Mark 6
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:8
