A BURNT OFFERING
Suggested Reading: Exodus 29
(click scripture link to read online)
A male Ibex ascends En Gedi in Israel. The Dead Sea and the country of Jordan are in the distance.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: Exodus 29:18
And you shall burn the whole ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the Lord; it is a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to the Lord.
This seems like a strange ugly scene in the middle of the ceremony and pageantry of the ordination of the high priest and his fellow priests. Suddenly there is blood and death in the Tabernacle. Aaron and his sons are compelled to stand in their new beautiful robes and to participate in killing a ram. As they lay their hands on the animal, it is slaughtered, its blood drained and sprinkled around. God ordered this ugly scene to remind us of the ugliness and seriousness of sin. Our sin results in death. The ram’s death is a picture of God’s mercy. An animal was dying in the place of Aaron and his sons. Of course, no animal is worth the value of a human being. Ultimately, only a human being could die for another human. Jesus, fully Human and fully Divine, accomplished this death. Our hands were laid on Him as He died in our place.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I recognize the horror of my sin which caused the terrible consequences of the death of Your Son, Jesus. I’m so very, very sorry, Lord. May I be sorry enough to quit my sin. The enormity of Christ’s personal sacrifice for me is overwhelming to me. I give You my life according to the grace You’ve given me to do so. I pray these mercies through Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
As a boy I travelled with my Dad from time to time in his visitation of the farming community which he served as minister. On one occasion we happened on the slaughter of a steer. The bellowing, the struggling, the blood, the sight of its agony, the smell of death are scenes graphically imprinted on my mind. Sometimes, even now, when I’m enjoying one of Norma-Jean’s delicious roast beef dinners, that experience comes to my mind. An animal died to provide for me. The enjoyment of the superb taste, including potatoes, gravy, peas, carrots and butternut squash soon turns the ugly memory to appreciation for such a gift. When I partake in the communion meal at church, I bring to mind John 6:52-59. In particular, verse 54 is startling. “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” This is true and I decided years ago to believe.
Yours, grieving over my sin and at the same time celebrating God’s amazing grace!
David
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When I think about the enormity of sin that Jesus atoned for, I am humbled. At the cross, the great ‘I Am’ became a ‘suffering servant’ so that the greatest work of history might be accomplished … the conquering of sin and death. Praise God for His everlasting love!
Please tell me ,What is the heave offering? Thank you so much Normajean and David !
Thankyou once again David for these poignant words. I too witnessed the slaughtering of animals on the farm as a child and the sight and smell and emotions I felt never left me.. Thankyou for making these parallels this morning I too am so grateful for the work done for me at Calvary and the power of the blood of Jesus!
The consecrated animal sacrifices in Exodus were a primative way to reconcile human unkindness with the perfection of our creator. Similar practices were found during the Aztec period. It is amazing how much ceramony and diety was required. Unless the importance of sacrifice and worship was established, there would be no understanding of Christ’s unity, His teachings and the atonement for our sin. Isaiah 41:8 “So do no fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I AM your God, I will strenghthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Good day David, l wish l had read all the writings for today 2 months ago when l visited my shut-in friend with Holy Communion. It is such a Holy ordinance and should never be taken lightly, how clear this is as we read these scriptures today. l’m pleased to say that my dear friend loved Jesus with all her heart and took the Holy Communion appropriately, unknown to us she was to be called home shortly afterward.
Again the prayer you have given is perfect and l join you with a big A-Men.
Amen…Bitter/sweet…. Thank you Jesus for the Cross…. so we can choose to Live for You…. because You Died for Us….so that we could come to the Table and Eat as you told us to….We are a Blessed People Indeed… Thank you Lord that the Ground is Level at the Cross as we come….
Praying for you David as we Journey…… and Wait on the Lord….