February 13, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Today you begin reading the wonderful book of Leviticus!  I call it that because over the years I've read and reread this book and literally have come to love it!  It used to be a daunting task to read this and think I was just reading about a lot of rituals, sacrifices, and laws of worship.  But I found there are precious truths being brought out in every passage.  I pray you will find this book to bless you heart, perhaps not on your first time through, but I trust you'll come to appreciate this book as I have and will look forward to each time you can read it.

Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering is discussed.  It was daily.  It was put on the altar.  It was a sacrifice.  Each day the Israelite was to consider their life a "living sacrifice" to God and they willingly gave up what they counted worthy to say to God that His will was more important.

Leviticus 2 - The Grain Offering was an offering without blood.  It focused on a sweet aroma to God that He would be pleased with.  This speaks of the character of the child of God that would be like a pleasant aroma to God and to the world about them.

Leviticus 3 - The Peace Offering recognized the peace the Israelite had with God because of His acceptance of their sacrifices for their sin.  Peace implied a right relationship with God and freed the believer of concern about their approval with Him.

Leviticus 4 - The Sin Offering was a reminder to the Israelite that God will only forgive sin once an acceptable price is paid for the offense against His holiness.  This was not a sweet aroma offering.  It was a serious recognition of their need to have a pleasing substitute die in their place.  Note, the size of the sacrifice depended on who was offering it.  The high priest or the entire congregation required a bull be offered.  A ruler had to offer a male goat.  A common person had to offer a female goat or a lamb.