FEBRUARY 1-2 (WEEK-END) LEVITICUS 1-3

Leviticus 1-3

Here we are in Leviticus. Are we ready?

For those of you that enjoy the narratives more than the rules and regulations; be patient; we’ll return to some of that in Numbers. But here in Leviticus, we hit the pause button as far as the history of the Israelites is concerned. Here, God is teaching His people how to use the Tabernacle and the furnishings they have just finished making. Some scholars say that God spoke these words to Moses during a year-long encampment at Mt. Sinai. This gave them plenty of chances to practice the sacrificial worship God had designed before heading toward the Promised Land. Beware: if you have a squeamish stomach, feel free to skim!

In the first 7 chapters of Leviticus, the people are introduced to a variety of “Offerings;” three of them are described in Leviticus 1-3. These first three are voluntary offerings and free acts of worship: the burnt offering, the grain offering and the fellowship offering. Try not to get hung up with all the animal body-parts and focus on other things. For example:

• ·When offerings involve animal sacrifice, the “offerer” first lays his or her hands on the head of the animal, just as Aaron and his sons did at their ordination (Exodus 29:10, etc.). This symbolizes the transference of one’s sins and iniquities to the animal.

• When the offerings are placed in fire, whether animal or grain, the aroma is pleasing to God. God is always pleased with our efforts to serve and obey Him.

May the offering of our lives be an “aroma pleasing to God!”

Until tomorrow,
Pastor Gary

DAY 31 EXODUS 35-40

Exodus 35-40

It’s seems like we read some of this before.

True. But before, we were reading God’s instructions to Moses during his 40 days atop Mount Sinai. Now, we’re reading how Moses and the people carried out those instructions!

My favorite moment in these chapters formed the text for one of our stewardship messages last fall. Let’s call it, “the awesome offering.” To make and build the tabernacle, its furnishings and the priestly robes, Oholiab and Bezalel (the lead artisans) would need materials, gems, gold, silver, bronze and more. Where would they get this stuff? They would take up an offering from “everyone who was willing.” (Exodus 35:20). How did it go? Moses had to send out the word, “No more! We have more than enough!” (Exodus 36:6-7) We dream of offerings like that, don’t we?

At the end of these chapters, after everything is built, anointed (Exodus 40:9f) and ready, God shows up. “The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” (Exodus 40:34)

Every Sunday, indeed every time we gather in the name of Jesus, he—like His Father at the tabernacle—promises to show up (Matthew 18:20).

WARNING: Gird up your loins; tomorrow we enter the labyrinth of Leviticus!

Until then,

Pastor Gary

DAY 30 EXODUS 32-34

Exodus 32-34

“While the cat’s away…” we like to say with a smile on our face.  But neither God nor Moses nor Joshua was smiling that day. All the smiling and giggling and singing and shouting; all the dancing and revelry; all of it was at the bottom of the mountain.

To the people’s defense, Moses and Joshua had been gone a long time. And nowhere does it say that they were warned how long it would be. But their fear and impatience led to idolatry, and Aaron was right in the middle of it!

Even before Moses heads down the mountain, God tells him what’s going on. God says that He is ready to wipe them out and start over again with Moses. Moses’ intercessory prayer is recorded in Exodus 32:11-13; and what a mighty prayer it is. He dares to ask God, “Why?” He dares to question God, “What would the Egyptians think?”  He dares to plead with God to relent and remember God’s past promises.  And God listens!

This does not lessen how upset Moses is when he reaches the reveling rebels. The consequences of their sins seem almost too much to bear. But the worst consequence of all comes in Exodus 33:3. God threatens not to go with Moses and the people up to the Promised Land. In essence, Moses says, “Lord, if you’re not going, I’m not going.”b And God softens to such dedication, setting the scene for one of the most awe-inspiring, heart-stopping moments in Scripture.

Moses asks to see God.

“Just my backside,” God replies, and places Moses in the “cleft of the rock,” (the one we sing about when we sing Great Is Thy Faithfulness). From there, Moses, holding his newly-chiseled tablets, sees and hears so very much. Read it again and weep with joy (Exodus 34:5f)

Until tomorrow,
Pastor Gary

DAY 29 EXODUS 28-31

Exodus 28-31

There are some “gems” here (pun intended) for anyone who leads the people of God. Exodus 28 describes the ancient priestly attire, but it’s the “gems” that stand out to me.

Aaron’s priestly robes, God says, are for two purposes:  glory and beauty. We begin with an undergarment, tunic, robe, sash and turban. On the turban is a plate of pure gold with the inscription:  Holy to the Lord!  But, it’s the breastplate and ephod that that grabbed my heart.

The Ephod is sort of a shoulder-piece, on which two onyx stones are mounted.   On these “gems” are engraved the names of the sons of Israel in birth order, six on one should and six on the other. Why such strange shoulder pads? “Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders as a memorial before the Lord.” (Exodus 28:12) God delights when leaders remind Him of His people!

The Breastpiece is a decorative breastplate, on which are mounted 12 “gems,” one for each of the 12 tribes of Israel. Why this duplication? Why aren’t the shoulder pads enough? “Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart.” (Exodus 28:29) God desires that leaders hold God’s people in their hearts!

Exodus 29 is “Consecration Day” for Aaron and his sons; notice how much of the sacrificing is for Aaron and his sons. Exodus 30 provides instruction for making the altar of incense (a picture of God’s praying people!), the bronze wash basin (for purification), and the recipes for fragrant anointing oil and incense.

Just before Moses’ 40 days on the mountain are finished, God tells him about some men his has gifted artistically for the work: Bezalel and Oholiab. After on last reminder of the Sabbath, God gives Moses the tablets.

It’s time to go back down the mountain. I wonder what’s going on down there?

Until tomorrow,
Pastor Gary

FEBRUARY 5 LEVITICUS 11-15

Leviticus 11-15

I used to make fun of chapters like these in the Bible; they sound like guidelines for amateur doctors. And to some extent, they are. There is a wonderful volume entitled, None of These Diseases, by S. I. McMillen and David Stern (both physicians), which details the health secrets of the Bible. Originally written over 50 years ago, it has been updated for the 21st Century reader. Some of the very things that sound so “strange and interesting” in these and other chapters in the Pentateuch contain God’s pre-medical science and health guidelines for God’s people. Back when I first read it, I found it affirming of God wisdom and watch-care for God’s people.

For example, I do not think that it is a coincidence that scavengers and bottom feeders are listed among the unclean animals in Leviticus 11. God’s wisdom guided them to healthier eating, purification practices and detailed directions for both handling skin conditions and house conditions, like mildew. Having dealt with toxic mold in our previous parsonage, I can appreciate the wisdom in God’s words.

Much of what God prescribed, if followed, helped God’s people to be ahead of their time and very different from the cultures around them!

Tomorrow, we experience the day that really separates the people of God: the “Day of Atonement.”

Until then,
Pastor Gary

DAY 28 EXODUS 25-27

Exodus 25-27

Reading these chapters with a readable Bible commentary (or even a good study Bible) can help us mightily.

During Moses’ forty days and forty nights on Mt. Sinai, God revealed to him a special pattern for worship, the focus of which is animal sacrifice. I know how detestable this sounds and seems to us today, but remember two things:
Many of the cultures around God’s people practiced human sacrifice.
God designed this worship center (The Tabernacle) to teach His people the principle of atonement and the price of sin: death. Every feature and piece of furniture in the Tabernacle has both a practical function and symbolic meaning, pointing, ultimately, to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

After we are introduced to the materials that will be needed for these things, God reveals the design of the most important piece: the Ark of the Covenant, the gold-overlaid box, and its lid, the Atonement Cover (Mercy Seat—KJV). This will occupy the very spot where God will meet with His people: the inner room of the Tabernacle called the “Holy of Holies.” After this come instructions for the “bread” table, the lampstand (Both of which will be placed in the room just outside the “Holy of Holies”), the Tabernacle (tent) itself, the altar outside the tent, and the courtyard surrounding it all.

Believe me, we’ll be reading a lot more about these things.

Until tomorrow, when we consecrate priests,
Pastor Gary

DAY 27 EXODUS 21-24

Exodus 21-24

These chapters are the initial result of Exodus 20:21, when the people back away from the mountain of God’s presence and Moses draws near. It says, Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. Wow! Enveloped in God, Moses hears the beginning of God’s laws.

These first laws represent God’s chief concerns with the cultures of the peoples surrounding God’s people. For example:
They worshiped idols, God’s people should not (Exod. 20:22-26).
They mistreated slaves, God’s people should not (Exod. 21:1-11).
They practiced retribution (Gouge out my eye, and I’ll kill you!), God’s people should not (An eye for an eye, that’s all!) (Exod. 21:12-27).
They cared not for animals, God’s people should (Exod. 21:28-36).

And the list grows, as God gives Moses laws concerning property, morality, and justice for all. God’s people are to respond in ways that are different from the cultures around them.

Then God turns to matters that make God’s people special: Observe the Sabbath. Celebrate the feasts. Know that I’ve appointed an angel to lead you into the Promised Land. And while we’re at it, let’s renew the Covenant. So Moses wrote all that God had spoken to him and sealed this book of the Covenant with the blood of sacrificed animals.

This prepares Moses for his famous forty day fast (Exod. 24:18), during which God will outline the worship life of God’s people!

Until Tomorrow,
Pastor Gary