More on Offerings and What to do if Poor (Feb 17)

Today we read about offerings; if poor, burnt and grain, and for guilt.  God is orderly and has a plan for everything.  We see an example of his wise, thoughtful, and complete plan for what to do if poor.  The solution to the need for blood to be shed in the event of a poor one's sin: to doves or young pidgeons and if that is too extravagent, a tenth of an ephah of fine flour - about 2 quarts of flour according to the footnote.  God is the God of all, and he provides a plan for all.  Here, sin must be paid for, even if the one committing the sin does not know that the sin is being committed.

The above photo is taken in southern Israel, near Beersheba.  It is of an ancient subterrainian dovekote, a huge underground birdhouse.  Above ground, it is near 100F, in this "birdhouse" it is a cool 65F.  Birds were a cheap, abundant source of protein and also for the poor a source of sacrificial blood.

We read in Chapter 6 "The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out." verse13-NIV.

This fire represents the continuous work of God for Israel, foreshadowed the continuous work of Christ on our behalf, and the sealing of the Holy Spirt.  God's love has always burned for His people and that fire, through the work of Christ, waits to consume your sin and mine.  The fire shall never go out in our hearts, Our life is eternal, for He lives and loves eternally. 

Great Verses Through the Bible pg 45 and 46.

As we spend time reading over the next couple of weeks of the events at Mt. Sinai; consider God's servants, Jesus and Israel.  One is perfect in devotion, love, and efforts at all times to and for God.  The other is, well; less than perfect, grumbling, wandering, doubting, and sinning..the other is, in fact, a human community. 

As we forge ahead through the history of Israel and the kings and kingdoms, try to observe what happens to the citizens and nations when a good or bad king is on the throne.  A good clue to if the king is good or bad can be found in Exodus 34:13- NIV "Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and cut down their Asherah poles."

Thoughts:

How have you thanked God for His plan for salvation through Jesus Christ?

How does someone near you know that the fire is burning in your life continuously?

How are you leading others to Christ?


Pray for comfort to all those in need.


In Christ


David P