Faith and Law are almost oxymoronic and for the most part are not used in the same context in the Bible. Yet as we examine the sacrificial instructions to combat sin in the early chapters of Leviticus we notice how the law requires individuals to have faith beyond simple legalism.
There were different sacrifices required for different types of sin. If one sinned intentionally then a ram was expected, otherwise a female goat or a lamb. Further the type of sacrificial object was also dependent on the financial status of the individual. The poorer ones could bring a dove instead of livestock, while the poorest of the poor were only required to use flour for their offering.
These are only a few of the many intricate details we notice in the sacrificial instructions.
Despite all these instructions of the law, it was up to the individual to respond through faith. Atoning for sin was a costly process. Thus an individual really had to believe in God’s forgiveness via the sacrificing before doling out money for a creature. Further, due to the proactive onus on the giver to initiate the sacrifice, one could easily pretend they were sinless and offer no sacrifices, and everyone would be none the wiser. Similarly, the individual could choose to offer a sacrifice that was beneath their financial means pretending they could only afford such an item. Yet faith in God’s sacrificial provision caused the individual to confess sin each time and bring the appropriate object needed to atone for their sins.
As David intuitively realized, God does not delight in sacrifices. He looks at the heart. As individuals came to God with a pure heart of faith and chose to be honest in offering the right sacrifices, God’s legal process of the law was able to atone for their sins. Thus faith in the law offered benefits for Old Testament adherents, and teaches us New Testament believers to have faith in the new law: Grace in Christ.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Awesome Regulations
Exodus 20-31 contains information about the mosaic covenant. Here we see God meeting with Moses and the elders. Further God gives commandments from heaven to his people via Moses. Then God gives details as to the tabernacle, priesthood and worship protocol.
As one reads these details they seem very numerous, mundane and irrelevant. What spiritual meaning could we ascribe to the 7 day purification process of the priests? Why would God require so much blood offering and animal sacrifices in officiating worship? What is the purpose for the priestly garments and why is there such an emphasis on appropriate color scheme, skilled and dedicated workmanship, and the anointing and reservation of these garments?
The only answer that comes to mind as I reflect on these details is “awe”. Our God is an awesome God. To approach him, and serve him requires much...in fact, requires all.
The prescription for temple worship and priesthood sanctification serves as a monumental object lesson for us westerners so far removed from the Ancient Near East (ANE) culture. We might question the blood sacrifices, which by the way was abundant. 7 bulls, 14 lambs and 2 rams were required in Exodus 29 to consecrate the priests and altar. Blood was placed on the bodies of the priests, and also sprinkled on their clothing as well as the altar. Why so much gore? Why so much apparent barbaric ritualism in the Bible.
These questions can all be summarized with one answer – awe. Blood represented life in the Bible and the ANE. To approach God was so awesome that it was deathly costly. One’s life represented by blood was thus a justifiable means for approaching God. The priests in administering temple worship stood for God, and had access to his divine power. However the humanity of the priests would inherently disqualify them from this role. Thus God’s introduction of the blood sacrifices allowed their sins to be atoned for, making them righteous enough to fulfill their divine mandate.
The awe of God is seen in these passages and throughout the entire Old Testament. While we cannot discuss all its intricacies here, suffice enough is that regulations were required to guarantee God’s power would be available for humanity. The priest in reverence for God’s awe underwent the cumbersome procedure of personal sanctification, temple consecration and procedural propriety. These forerunners of the faith via their deep reverence for God serve as a clear model for us believers today. Let us be awe inspired at the concept of God. Be reverently fearful when you worship him, knowing God is all too powerful, and only by his divine Grace and the blood of Christ are we allowed to worship Him. Let the awesome nature of God drive sin from your thought and active life. Be regulated, not by the law of works, but by the law of Grace. Adhere to restrictions in your social life, personal life, entertainment life and relationships because of the awe of God.
Let your regulated life lead you to experience more of the awesome God.
As one reads these details they seem very numerous, mundane and irrelevant. What spiritual meaning could we ascribe to the 7 day purification process of the priests? Why would God require so much blood offering and animal sacrifices in officiating worship? What is the purpose for the priestly garments and why is there such an emphasis on appropriate color scheme, skilled and dedicated workmanship, and the anointing and reservation of these garments?
The only answer that comes to mind as I reflect on these details is “awe”. Our God is an awesome God. To approach him, and serve him requires much...in fact, requires all.
The prescription for temple worship and priesthood sanctification serves as a monumental object lesson for us westerners so far removed from the Ancient Near East (ANE) culture. We might question the blood sacrifices, which by the way was abundant. 7 bulls, 14 lambs and 2 rams were required in Exodus 29 to consecrate the priests and altar. Blood was placed on the bodies of the priests, and also sprinkled on their clothing as well as the altar. Why so much gore? Why so much apparent barbaric ritualism in the Bible.
These questions can all be summarized with one answer – awe. Blood represented life in the Bible and the ANE. To approach God was so awesome that it was deathly costly. One’s life represented by blood was thus a justifiable means for approaching God. The priests in administering temple worship stood for God, and had access to his divine power. However the humanity of the priests would inherently disqualify them from this role. Thus God’s introduction of the blood sacrifices allowed their sins to be atoned for, making them righteous enough to fulfill their divine mandate.
The awe of God is seen in these passages and throughout the entire Old Testament. While we cannot discuss all its intricacies here, suffice enough is that regulations were required to guarantee God’s power would be available for humanity. The priest in reverence for God’s awe underwent the cumbersome procedure of personal sanctification, temple consecration and procedural propriety. These forerunners of the faith via their deep reverence for God serve as a clear model for us believers today. Let us be awe inspired at the concept of God. Be reverently fearful when you worship him, knowing God is all too powerful, and only by his divine Grace and the blood of Christ are we allowed to worship Him. Let the awesome nature of God drive sin from your thought and active life. Be regulated, not by the law of works, but by the law of Grace. Adhere to restrictions in your social life, personal life, entertainment life and relationships because of the awe of God.
Let your regulated life lead you to experience more of the awesome God.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Productivity
Our reading of today literally forces me to stop and take stock of my efforts for the kingdom.
Moses and the elders, including Joshua approach the presence of God on Mount Sinai. God further beckons only Moses to come even nearer, while Joshua his aide accompanies him. 7 days of exclusive consecration and isolation ensues. Finally God speaks to Moses and begins to give him a detailed blueprint of the tabernacle.
My blurb today can be themed Presence before Production.
God never calls us to be productive. He calls us to know him. John 15 encapsulates this message very powerfully in the New Testament. Paradoxically, while God calls us to be fruitful, yet he calls us to be still and know his presence (Psalms 46:10).
The disciples approached Jesus with deep piety and wondered what the greatest activity one could take on for the cause. They must have been utterly dumbfounded by his simple answer: “To know him” (John 6:28-29).
As Moses and the elders sought God’s presence simply for the sake of God’s presence, nothing concealed, without agenda, releasing the terms of the relationship solely to God, then God surprises them with a crisp clear vision of the tabernacle.
While we do not seek God for things, ministry, or anything else, the biblically inevitable result of such activity is productivity.
My journey as one who is task oriented is constantly to base all I do in seeking the presence of God. As I seek Him first daily, I allow him to put promptings in my heart of clear and often detailed activity that He would like me to accomplish. When stresses, time constraints, self-imposed goals and objectives try to steal you and I away from God’s presence, may the nagging sense of emptiness continually drive us to forsake self and seek his presence. For in his presence we find purpose, and ultimately true productivity.
Moses and the elders, including Joshua approach the presence of God on Mount Sinai. God further beckons only Moses to come even nearer, while Joshua his aide accompanies him. 7 days of exclusive consecration and isolation ensues. Finally God speaks to Moses and begins to give him a detailed blueprint of the tabernacle.
My blurb today can be themed Presence before Production.
God never calls us to be productive. He calls us to know him. John 15 encapsulates this message very powerfully in the New Testament. Paradoxically, while God calls us to be fruitful, yet he calls us to be still and know his presence (Psalms 46:10).
The disciples approached Jesus with deep piety and wondered what the greatest activity one could take on for the cause. They must have been utterly dumbfounded by his simple answer: “To know him” (John 6:28-29).
As Moses and the elders sought God’s presence simply for the sake of God’s presence, nothing concealed, without agenda, releasing the terms of the relationship solely to God, then God surprises them with a crisp clear vision of the tabernacle.
While we do not seek God for things, ministry, or anything else, the biblically inevitable result of such activity is productivity.
My journey as one who is task oriented is constantly to base all I do in seeking the presence of God. As I seek Him first daily, I allow him to put promptings in my heart of clear and often detailed activity that He would like me to accomplish. When stresses, time constraints, self-imposed goals and objectives try to steal you and I away from God’s presence, may the nagging sense of emptiness continually drive us to forsake self and seek his presence. For in his presence we find purpose, and ultimately true productivity.
Friday, October 10, 2008
The blessing in boundaries
God appears to his people shortly after their exodus from Egypt. He descends upon Mount Sinai, in a very explosive fashion. Lightning, thunder, thick cloud and dense smoke are some of the natural phenomenon that accomplished this divine visitation.
Moses indicated to the people that there were to be specific boundaries placed prior to this divine visitation. A fence had to be put around the base of the mountain to enforce all would keep a certain distance from God’s presence. Further, the people were to prepare themselves by purification washings and sexual abstinence. Essentially all these instructions depicted the boundaries that God required the people to observe.
These boundaries ensured that God could properly reveal himself to his people. In our lives today, God expects us also to observe certain boundaries and limits. We are called to live holy lives as He says “be holy as I am holy”. We are asked to forgo certain friends, and desist from practices that have no spiritual value.
In the wake of the consecration of the nation of Israel, Moses was able to deliver God’s words to the people. Words that would add value bring life and ensure God’s covenant blessings were made known to the people.
Would you like to have a richer experience with God? Do you desire to hear his voice more clearly? Are you interested in seeing God moving supernaturally in your life? Then consider the boundaries you have in your life. Are there any that prevent you from sinning? Do you have ones that keep you accountable to godly peers and mentors? Where does spiritual discipline, Bible reading and prayer fit in your life?
Value these boundaries, and seek to place them appropriately in your life so you can receive God’s never ending blessings.
Moses indicated to the people that there were to be specific boundaries placed prior to this divine visitation. A fence had to be put around the base of the mountain to enforce all would keep a certain distance from God’s presence. Further, the people were to prepare themselves by purification washings and sexual abstinence. Essentially all these instructions depicted the boundaries that God required the people to observe.
These boundaries ensured that God could properly reveal himself to his people. In our lives today, God expects us also to observe certain boundaries and limits. We are called to live holy lives as He says “be holy as I am holy”. We are asked to forgo certain friends, and desist from practices that have no spiritual value.
In the wake of the consecration of the nation of Israel, Moses was able to deliver God’s words to the people. Words that would add value bring life and ensure God’s covenant blessings were made known to the people.
Would you like to have a richer experience with God? Do you desire to hear his voice more clearly? Are you interested in seeing God moving supernaturally in your life? Then consider the boundaries you have in your life. Are there any that prevent you from sinning? Do you have ones that keep you accountable to godly peers and mentors? Where does spiritual discipline, Bible reading and prayer fit in your life?
Value these boundaries, and seek to place them appropriately in your life so you can receive God’s never ending blessings.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Provision
Israel’s escape from Egypt while embraced whole heartedly by the Israeli’s came with unforeseen difficulties. As they traveled through the desert they discovered firstly that there was no water supply, and secondly no food provision.
Throughout this experience the Israelites complained about their lack of sustenance. God miraculously provides water for them in a variety of ways, and also cause both bread and meat to come down from heaven. Genesis 16:34 indicates that they ate manna from heaven for fourty years. While one might think it preposterous to eat the same thing for fourty years, this sustained provision holds a powerful insight for us.
God’s divine provision is able to sustain you and I through the good and the hard times. Moses had to cry out to God before God provided the necessary provision. You may be lacking provision either for yourself or for those you care about. God wants to be that stable source of provision. Fourty years, the Israelites did not have to worry about food or drink, God freely gave.
For fourty years, God was consistent. For four decades he continued to give, day in, day out. For an entire generation, God’s goodness never ceased to be displayed as He physically sustained the children of Israel.
Be persuaded today that provision comes from God. Access that provision through crying out to God. 2 Corinthians 8 reveals God’s intent for provision. As you receive, also give. Thus once you have received provision, freely give. As you do God’s provision will effect not just you, but those around you just as the manna did in the time of Moses.
Throughout this experience the Israelites complained about their lack of sustenance. God miraculously provides water for them in a variety of ways, and also cause both bread and meat to come down from heaven. Genesis 16:34 indicates that they ate manna from heaven for fourty years. While one might think it preposterous to eat the same thing for fourty years, this sustained provision holds a powerful insight for us.
God’s divine provision is able to sustain you and I through the good and the hard times. Moses had to cry out to God before God provided the necessary provision. You may be lacking provision either for yourself or for those you care about. God wants to be that stable source of provision. Fourty years, the Israelites did not have to worry about food or drink, God freely gave.
For fourty years, God was consistent. For four decades he continued to give, day in, day out. For an entire generation, God’s goodness never ceased to be displayed as He physically sustained the children of Israel.
Be persuaded today that provision comes from God. Access that provision through crying out to God. 2 Corinthians 8 reveals God’s intent for provision. As you receive, also give. Thus once you have received provision, freely give. As you do God’s provision will effect not just you, but those around you just as the manna did in the time of Moses.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Spirit Led
"Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today"
Moses
In today’s reading we read of the deliverance of Israel from the armies of Egypt. A few points are worthy of note.
God had requested Moses (in Exodus 13) to lead the Israelites into the desert, even though there was a shorter way via the Philistine region. This made no sense in the natural. Travelling into the desert would mean suicide. 3 million people travelling, along with lack of food and water in the desert could be very problematic.
Yet Moses obeyed, simply because he trusted the leading of the Lord. Pharaoh took the bait, knowing God’s people were hemmed in by both the sea and desert he decided to attack them. As the people realized the impending nature of Pharaoh’s attack they were distraught. Yet Moses’ assuring words “stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today” began to indicate the secret behind Moses’ leadership.
Have you ever been hemmed in? Do you feel like you are sometimes between a rock and a hard place? How do you decide when there is a fork in the road, and both forks are impossible to consider?
The leading of the spirit is Moses’ answer. Though it totally made no sense in the natural he plodded on blindly leading God’s people to wandering in the desert, facing a sea and facing sure death. But as Moses faced Pharoah and sea, he heard from the spirit. Hearing from the spirit is so freeing. Romans 8 says those who are led by the spirit are sons of God. Galatians 3 teaches us about the freeing blessing of being spirit led. As Moses heard the voice of God in the 11th hour, he knew what to do. Impending freedom would be had.
God’s timing though not necessarily ours is always impeccable. God then instructs Moses to raise up his staff towards the sea. I can only imagine what was going through Moses mind. Will this really happen? Will we drown? Will Pharaoh catch up with us? Listen to me friend! Questions don’t matter. You will always….always….always have questions when it comes to the things of God. But as long as you listen to the spirit and obey, God can move in your life.
Moses raised up his staff, and God’s divine power separated the water into two. Moses and the Israelites proceeded into the sea, and were ultimately delivered while their enemies were drowned.
My word to you today is stand firm. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance of the Lord. I know things may be hard, confusing, and even desperate. But lean on the spirit. Watch out for God’s leading. It may not be a physical pillar of fire by cloud or fire by night, but he does and will lead you. It might be a still small voice. It could be a confirmatory voice from a trusted friend. It could just be plain commonsense to move ahead. But whatever it is, ensure you have peace, and see the freeing move of the spirit in your life, STAND FIRM.
Moses
In today’s reading we read of the deliverance of Israel from the armies of Egypt. A few points are worthy of note.
God had requested Moses (in Exodus 13) to lead the Israelites into the desert, even though there was a shorter way via the Philistine region. This made no sense in the natural. Travelling into the desert would mean suicide. 3 million people travelling, along with lack of food and water in the desert could be very problematic.
Yet Moses obeyed, simply because he trusted the leading of the Lord. Pharaoh took the bait, knowing God’s people were hemmed in by both the sea and desert he decided to attack them. As the people realized the impending nature of Pharaoh’s attack they were distraught. Yet Moses’ assuring words “stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today” began to indicate the secret behind Moses’ leadership.
Have you ever been hemmed in? Do you feel like you are sometimes between a rock and a hard place? How do you decide when there is a fork in the road, and both forks are impossible to consider?
The leading of the spirit is Moses’ answer. Though it totally made no sense in the natural he plodded on blindly leading God’s people to wandering in the desert, facing a sea and facing sure death. But as Moses faced Pharoah and sea, he heard from the spirit. Hearing from the spirit is so freeing. Romans 8 says those who are led by the spirit are sons of God. Galatians 3 teaches us about the freeing blessing of being spirit led. As Moses heard the voice of God in the 11th hour, he knew what to do. Impending freedom would be had.
God’s timing though not necessarily ours is always impeccable. God then instructs Moses to raise up his staff towards the sea. I can only imagine what was going through Moses mind. Will this really happen? Will we drown? Will Pharaoh catch up with us? Listen to me friend! Questions don’t matter. You will always….always….always have questions when it comes to the things of God. But as long as you listen to the spirit and obey, God can move in your life.
Moses raised up his staff, and God’s divine power separated the water into two. Moses and the Israelites proceeded into the sea, and were ultimately delivered while their enemies were drowned.
My word to you today is stand firm. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance of the Lord. I know things may be hard, confusing, and even desperate. But lean on the spirit. Watch out for God’s leading. It may not be a physical pillar of fire by cloud or fire by night, but he does and will lead you. It might be a still small voice. It could be a confirmatory voice from a trusted friend. It could just be plain commonsense to move ahead. But whatever it is, ensure you have peace, and see the freeing move of the spirit in your life, STAND FIRM.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
The Timothys are here!!!
We have been reading the book of Timothy over the past few days. As I meditate on the ministry and instruction in this book I stop to ponder over a few things.
Are there Timothys still today? Do we have Pauls around us still? And my third question is personal, which one of these two do I want to be like.
I believe Timothy’s today are around, but they are few in number. Timothy was a disciple of Paul. He was willing to follow Paul in every way. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:17 that Timothy is like a son to him, who is dearly loved and most faithful. Faithfulness underscored the life of Timothy. He was willing to travel with Paul any and everywhere, he had no qualms about being a servant and embarking on errand missions for Paul, and most importantly when asked to be circumcised he freely did it. For Timothy, nothing was too difficult to do when it came to following after God. He respected the authority God had placed in his leader Paul, and obeyed him. He followed Paul, as Paul followed after Christ.
In our self-motivated, fast paced, materialistic world, I believe the Paul’s are also rare. This is because to be like Paul, one needs to be selfless, and intentionally reach out to the younger spiritual ones. Disicpling a younger believer is hard work, and many are simply discouraged by the sheer difficulty. It takes a visionary like Paul who having the heart of Christ realizes that to save the world, we need spiritual children. Investing in others benefits the kingdom, as these new believers grow up and take off from where we as their mentors stop.
Personally, I would like to be more like both Paul and Timothy. Timothy teaches me to be more submissive, be a better follower, and intensify my walk with God. Paul helps me to understand that I can’t run this race myself, and that I need believers around me who as I empower them via God’s grace will do immensely more than I can ever hope to achieve.
Are there Timothys still today? Do we have Pauls around us still? And my third question is personal, which one of these two do I want to be like.
I believe Timothy’s today are around, but they are few in number. Timothy was a disciple of Paul. He was willing to follow Paul in every way. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:17 that Timothy is like a son to him, who is dearly loved and most faithful. Faithfulness underscored the life of Timothy. He was willing to travel with Paul any and everywhere, he had no qualms about being a servant and embarking on errand missions for Paul, and most importantly when asked to be circumcised he freely did it. For Timothy, nothing was too difficult to do when it came to following after God. He respected the authority God had placed in his leader Paul, and obeyed him. He followed Paul, as Paul followed after Christ.
In our self-motivated, fast paced, materialistic world, I believe the Paul’s are also rare. This is because to be like Paul, one needs to be selfless, and intentionally reach out to the younger spiritual ones. Disicpling a younger believer is hard work, and many are simply discouraged by the sheer difficulty. It takes a visionary like Paul who having the heart of Christ realizes that to save the world, we need spiritual children. Investing in others benefits the kingdom, as these new believers grow up and take off from where we as their mentors stop.
Personally, I would like to be more like both Paul and Timothy. Timothy teaches me to be more submissive, be a better follower, and intensify my walk with God. Paul helps me to understand that I can’t run this race myself, and that I need believers around me who as I empower them via God’s grace will do immensely more than I can ever hope to achieve.
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