Bible Pathways - February 1, 2006

February 1, 2006

Read Leviticus 1

In Today's Reading:

Burnt offering; meat (meal, grain) offering; peace offering

The first three offerings mentioned in the first three chapters of Leviticus were called sweet savour offerings, which means they were voluntary and pleasing to God. Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock. If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the Tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD. And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him (Leviticus 1:2-4,9).

The first offering mentioned is called the burnt sacrifice. The offering was to be a bull, lamb, or goat, turtledoves or pigeons, each according to the financial ability of the offerer (1:3,10,14). It symbolized the offerer giving his own life in full submission to God and without a selfish motive. If the offerer owned a herd, then he offered a bull. If, however, the offerer possessed only flocks, then his offering would be a lamb or a goat; for either of these men to offer pigeons would have been offensive to God. But, if the offerer were so poor that he did not own a herd or a flock, then an acceptable offering could be the less-expensive turtledoves or young pigeons. This was the offering made by Joseph and Mary, the mother of Jesus, for her purification following His birth, and it points out how very poor they were before the wise men arrived with their expensive gifts (Luke 2:22-24; Matthew 2:11; Leviticus 12:2-8).

The procedure for the burnt offering was for the offerer to lay his hands heavily upon the head of the animal, symbolizing the transfer of sin from the guilty to the sinless to atone for his sin. Next, the offerer had to kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar (1:5). The blood offered to God indicated that a life had been given as a substitute for the one who had sinned. This act was a foreshadowing of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity (lawlessness), and purify unto Himself a peculiar (special) people, zealous of good works (Titus 2:13-14).

Word Studies:

1:9 sweet savor = acceptable satisfying fragrance; 2:3 holy = set apart for God and according to the Word of God; 2:4 unleavened = without yeast; 2:12 oblation = offering; 2:13 suffer = allow; 3:9 hard by = near to, close to.

Christ Revealed:

Through the meat (meal, grain) offering which was made without leaven (symbolic of sin) (Leviticus 2:11). Christ was without sin (Hebrews 4:15).

Prayer Needs:

Pray for our Military worldwide · The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by a family that loves Jesus · The Arabic International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by Mary Hoffmeyer · Staff: Dr. John A Hash · Government Officials [listed on their birthdays]: Sen. Mike Enzi (WY), Rep. Tom Lantos (CA), and Rep. Paul Gillmor (OH) · Country: Greenland (60,000) northeast of Canada · Major languages: Eskimo dialects and Danish · Religious freedom · 98% Protestant; .1% Roman Catholic · Prayer Suggestion: Lift up your prayers to God with your whole heart (Psalm 119:58,145).

NOTE: We list the President, Vice President, Supreme Court Justices, Cabinet Members, Senators, Representatives, and Governors on their birthdays. Because we publish in advance our list many not reflect the results of the most recent elections.

Optional Reading: Mark 4

NOTE: Bible Pathway covers the Old Testament with devotional and commentary insights over a nine-month period, January through September. Each day during these months, an optional reading of one chapter a day from the New Testament will also be listed. The October, November, and December issues will provide a daily commentary on the New Testament readings. Thus, the reader goes through the New Testament twice each year using the Bible Pathway plan.

Memory Verse for the Week: Colossians 1:16