Today’s Scripture: Leviticus 4-6
Things to remember in today’s reading:
- Instructions regarding the sin offering, for making amends for one’s broken relationship with the Lord, are given (4:1-5:13)
- Instructions regarding the guilt offering are given (5:14-6:7). See this note in the ESV Study Bible, p. 222 “The distinction between the offenses covered by the guilt offering and the offenses related to the sin offering is puzzling. In general, however, the offenses here appear to be more serious, as shown by the fact that the sacrificial animal is more costly (a male instead of a female) and that the sins are described as a ‘breach of faith’ (5:15).”
- Instructions regarding the proper handling, eating and disposal of the burnt offering, the grain offering, and the sin offering are given (6:8-30).
Things God is teaching me in today’s reading:
- I better understand the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and what that accomplished for me, as His disciple! With Leviticus as a background, I better understand such passages as 1st Peter 1:19; Romans 8:3; Hebrews 5:3-10; and 13:11.
- Leviticus shows what it meant to be a holy people serving a holy God, living by rules of conduct, and worship. This helps me to understand How God expects me to be a disciple of His Son, Jesus Christ!
Things to act on in today’s reading:
- “Composed as Israel was preparing to become a settled nation in a promised land, the book has affinities with the utopian literature. Literary utopias both describe how people live in an ideal society and also offer an explanation of the institutions and practices that produce the society this is pictured (ESV Study Bible, p. 214).
- Thinking of Leviticus in this way causes me to reflect upon that ultimate utopia when we take up our residence in heaven. As I contemplate the glories of that existence, I sing the words of my beloved father’s favorite song, “If we never meet again this side of heaven, as we struggle thru this world and its strife, there’s another meeting place somewhere in heaven by the side of the river of life. Where the charming roses bloom forever, and where separations come no more. If we never meet again this side of heaven, I will meet you on that beautiful shore.” As we sang that song, in my dad’s memory at the Sexton – Farmer reunion this past weekend, I longed to share it with him again on that beautiful shore!
Things to pray about in today’s reading:
- Help me, O Lord, to remain faithful until death so that I can be reunited with my beloved father on that beautiful shore and sing with him once more, but a NEW song (Revelation 14:3) …
Thanks for reading with me dear friend. Have a blessed day!!
— Randy Sexton