Bible Pathways 02/04/2003
February 04
Read Leviticus 9 -- 10
In Today 's Reading:
First offerings of Aaron; offerings for the people; sin and deaths of Nadab and Abihu; restrictions for the priesthood
The sin offering and the compensation offering (Leviticus 5:6-7) were mandatory and were the first two offerings to be presented They were required to restore the broken relationship between God and sinful man. Moses said to Aaron . . . sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering; make atonement for yourself and the people (9:7).
Then the LORD spoke to Moses: Tell the Israelites: When someone unintentionally sins regarding any of the LORD's commandments about things not to be done and does one of them - If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he is to present to the LORD a young, unblemished bull as a sin offering for the sin he has committed. He must bring the bull before the LORD to the entrance of the tent of meeting, lay his hand on the bull's head, and slaughter the bull before the LORD (4:1-4). This also served as a reminder that the innocent animal died in the sinner's place. The animal's body was then taken outside the camp for burning.
Scripture points out that ignorance is not an excuse for failing to obey the laws of God (Romans 2:12-16). Disobedience to the will of God is a sin and must be repented of and atoned for.
No animal could be an absolute substitute for a sinner, but could only provide a temporary covering for sin. Christ is our sin offering. God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law (Galatians 4:4); Jesus died in the sinner's place for the sins of all mankind. He (God) made the One (Christ) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (II Corinthians 5:21).
Christ is also our compensation offering. When you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive with Him and forgave us all our trespasses. He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us . . . and has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the cross (Colossians 2:13-14), so that we have escaped the world's impurity through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (II Peter 2:20).
Christ Revealed:
Through the sacrifice of a lamb without defect (Leviticus 9:3), John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29).
Prayer Needs:
Government Officials: Rep. Sanford Bishop · Country: New Zealand (4 million) two large islands southeast of Australia · Major languages: English and Maori · Religious freedom · 51% Protestant; 16% Roman Catholic; 3% cults · Prayer Suggestion: Confess your sins and ask the Lord to restore the joy of your salvation (Psalms 51:1-3,12).
Optional Reading: Mark 7
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:8
