Bible Pathways 02/06/2002
February 06
Read Leviticus 14 -- 15
In Today's Reading:
Separation is the key word in today's Scripture. God specifies what is required for men, women, and even houses to be clean in His sight. Discover for yourself how this can be done.
Verse for Today:
The priest shall offer the Sin Offering, and make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed from his uncleanness; and afterward he shall kill the Burnt Offering: And the priest shall offer the Burnt Offering and the Meat (Meal) Offering on the altar: and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and he shall be clean (Leviticus 14:19-20).
Highlights:
Purification after having skin diseases; signs of leprosy; uncleanness of men and women; sacrifice for cleansing from defilements.
The Hebrew word for Meat Offering meant Meal, Cereal, Grain Offer ing. The Meal Offering consisted of fine flour, oil, and frankincense -- except when plain meal was offered for sin (Leviticus 2:1). The priest took a handful of the Meal Offering and burned it on the altar. The Meal Offerings were either brought in conjunction with Burnt and Peace Offerings but never with Sin or Trespass Offerings or else by themselves. But, for the very poor it could be offered as a Sin Offering but no oil or frankincense were added (5:11). Furthermore neither the Burnt Offering or the Meal Offering could be presented until after the Sin and Trespass Offering.
Salt could never be left out of the Meal Offering. As a seasoning, it brings out the true flavor of food, making it more satisfying. Salt is also a preservative which serves to slow corruption and deterioration. But, a deeper meaning is revealed here. Neither shall you suffer [allow] the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your meat (meal) offerings (2:13). Salt symbolized integrity and loyalty and a salt covenant could not be broken (Numbers 18:19).
Christians are told: Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man (Colossians 4:6).
The grain of wheat represents Christ in His human perfection. Just as the grain in the Meal Offering had to be ground into fine flour before it could be used, Jesus was broken by humiliation, hatered, rejection, and crucifixion on the cross (Isaiah 53:3-5; Matthew 27:29-50) to become the Bread of Life for all who would, through faith, become His people.
A Meal Offering made with leaven (yeast) was not acceptable to God because yeast is symbolic of the moral impurity and evil that corrupts our hearts and permeates our lives. What a lesson this is for those who assume they will receive the blessings of God without removing the moral impurities from their lives!
Purge out therefore the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:7-8).
A Thought from Psalms: O give thanks to the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endures for ever (118:29).
Christ Portrayed:
By the priest who made atonement for the leper (Leviticus 14:20). Christ made atonement for our sin (Romans 5:11).
Word Studies:
14:8 tarry abroad = stay outside his tent; 14:32 whose hand is not able = who cannot afford; 14:37 lower than the wall = below the surface of the plaster; 14:38 shut up = quarantine; 14:44 fretting = spreading, active; 15:2 running issue = discharge; 15:33 of her flowers = her monthly period.
Prayer Needs:
Government Officials: Rep. Vern Ehlers (MI) and Rep. Jim Turner (TX) · Pray for your Church · Country: Serbia and Montenegro (11 million) on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe · Major language: Serbo-Croatian · Religious conflict · 41% Serbian/Montenegrin/Macedonian Orthodox; 33% Catholic; 11% Muslim; 1% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Call to the Lord for help; He will save you out of your troubles (Psalms 34:17).
Optional Reading: Mark 9
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:8
