Leviticus 6:1-7:27 ~ Mark 3:7-30 ~ Psalm 37:1-11 ~ Proverbs 10:3-4
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Old Testament - Today in Leviticus we read about further instructions for offerings. Chapter 6 verse 13 I found interesting: "Remember, the fire must be kept burning on the altar at all times. It must never go out." Commentaries state that the fire was never to go out because the fire was started by God. Humans were not to bring man-made fire to the altar, or they would die, as we will see Leviticus chapter 10 when we read about Nadab and Abihu. The only real "eternal flame" that I can think of in today, that was started by God, is the Holy Spirit. And this eternal flame of the Holy Spirit is made available to you and I through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Here's an image of the burnt offering altar from the time of Leviticus:
And - here's an image to make you think about the fire of the Holy Spirit available to you and I today through Jesus:
Can you relate to this image above? Can you imagine what this man in this image above is experiencing? Have you experienced this?
Leviticus chapter 7 verse 27 stands out: "Anyone who eats blood must be cut off from the community." This was commanded for 3 reasons - 1. to separate the Israelites from the pagans who drank blood - the pagans drank blood in the hopes of gaining the attributes of the animals from the blood they drank (speed, strength, etc.). 2. the sin of the people was symbolically transferred to the animal before the offering, and the blood represents the life of that animal. 3. for sanitary reasons - blood can carry some nasty diseases.
New Testament - In Mark chapter 3 verses 7 & 8 show how Jesus' ministry was quickly being noticed from all over Israel: "Jesus and his disciples went out to the lake, followed by a huge crowd from all over Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far away as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him for themselves." And now today think about how far and wide Jesus' ministry has gone. Worldwide. Why do you suppose Jesus' ministry gained such notice during his lifetime? Why do you suppose that Jesus' ministry continues to gain such notice today? Could it be that there is true power in Jesus' ministry? Could it be that Jesus changes lives? Heals people - teaches people - loves people - forgives people.... Could it be that Jesus is the Savior of the World?
Commentary from bible.org on Mark chapter 3 is at this link and at this link.
Psalms - Today we read Psalm 37, which is most definitely a Wisdom Psalm! It's like we are reading Proverbs! I love verse 5: "Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you." Do you commit everything you do to God? EVERYTHING? Your waking life? Your sleeping life? Your job? Your relationships? Your family? Your finances? Your time? If so, do you trust that God will help you in everything you do in your life? Do you believe what verse 4 teaches? "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires." I love that thought - take delight in God. Do you take delight in God each and every day? Do you believe that he will give you your heart’s desires? And for Psalm 37 verse 6 we have this lovely image below to meditate upon:
Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 10 verse 4 teaches us: "Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth." This is certainly a good reminder to work hard!
Worship God: Based on my reflections today on the Holy Spirit, here's a great bluegrass worship song called "Sweet Holy Spirit" by The Isaac's. Enjoy!
Have you received the Sweet Holy Spirit? Click here and receive!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6 NIV
Comments from you & Question of the Day - Speaking of the Holy Spirit above in my OT reflections, a great overview of the Holy Spirit is at bible.org at this link. A good overview of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament is at this link. And a great overview of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament is at this link. I don't know if you've ever done much study on the Holy Spirit? If not, please do spend a good chunk of time at these 3 links above. Also, I remember a good friend of mine was reading a book a few years ago called "Holy Spirit" - I believe... He said it was an incredible book. I haven't read it. Has anyone else read it? Know the author's name? Or - do you have any other Holy Spirit books or other resources recommendations? If so, can you post up in the Comments section below? Thanks. What does your relationship with the Holy Spirit look like these days? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Love, Trust, and Obey Jesus,
Mike
Leviticus and Numbers are the two books of the Bible that I have to actually force myself to read and not just scan over the words. Each time I read Leviticus it makes me feel so blessed that I was born after Christ walked on earth and died for my sins and not before. I think about how during the days of Moses only Moses and the priests actually had access to God and the people were forbidden from entering the Most Holy place in the tabernacle or contacting God directly. I think about all the rules and regulations surrounding animal and grain sacrifices and how simple Jesus made it all for us. He did away not with the Commandments given by God but with all these sacrificial rituals. Jesus made it possible for people to bond with God on a personal level. I feel so blessed to be a Christian and know Christ as my Lord and Savior. I feel so blessed that He was willing to suffer and die with my sins on His shoulders just so all I need to do it enter the Kingdom is to love Him with all my heart and accept Him as my savior. Praise the Lord!
God Bless,
Pat
Posted by: Patsy Ray | February 18, 2009 at 07:01 AM
Hello,
Just checking in...
Patsy, I agree. There is MUCH to thank God for--particularly our instant and intimate access to the Father. Leviticus showcases a people distant from their God--who must approach Him meticulously. I thank God that He gives us grace to access His throne boldly! I worry that I sometimes take this access too much for granted.
I have been plugging away through the Bible.org commentary, which has been very helpful. So far I have read about the first three offerings:
burnt
grain
peace/fellowship
I've particularly enjoyed Deffinbaugh's thoughts on the peace offering and how he believes it involved more of a festive meal than the other two offerings thus mentioned. Here's his closing comment on that article:
"The dinner table has become much more secular to us than it ever was to the people of earlier times. I suspect that some of this is due to the pace of our lives, and to the instant “TV” dinners, which are eaten before the TV, rather than at the table, or which are gulped down at a “fast food” chain outlet. How much we can make of the meal table is suggested by the Peace Offering meal of the Old Testament, and by the Lord’s Table of the New. May God enable us to make more of the meal table, and to meditate more on the peace which Christ has won for us on the cross." -Deffinbaugh
I agree with him...think that we have lost a lot of the fellowship and sense of community in our modern day meals. We feed our bodies, but do we feed our spirits with the company of our loved ones and appreciation of God's gifts of abundance? Do we reflect frequently and deeply on the great peace He has made available to us?
Just reflecting,
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 18, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Thanks Mike for posting that beautiful song! It moved me to tears!
Posted by: Evelyn | February 18, 2009 at 05:43 PM