Tuesday, August 30, 2022

A BURNT OFFERING

Today’s Reading: Exodus 29

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).

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 in His death.

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 upon 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

5 thoughts on “Tuesday, August 30, 2022

  1. Father, have Your good way in this world. Cover us and our families in Your blood. Help us do and say things that please You. Thank You for giving Your Life for us, in Jesus’s name, amen

  2. Amen,Rob.
    When I Surrender

    When I surrender to you,
    The temple is yours to clean
    And now I’m yours in all you do
    To show me what I’ve never seen.

    We grow up in Satan’s realm
    Where his darkness hides our path
    But when we give to You the helm,
    You clean out all the hate and wrath.

    It’s your blood that took our sin,
    In an act of godly love,
    Which began a good work within
    To finish near heaven above.
    GW(Bill) Marshall/07 June,2015
    http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Cor%206:14-18&version=NKJV

  3. Agreeing with you Rob. Thanks also William for the poem. I can’t get my head around all the requirements of the temple – so many details. These instructions, written down, must be followed in total obedience. A very difficult task, I believe. Please pray for Jan. She is having mental issues. She’s an amazing person but is burned out, working many hours in the health field. Thank you.

    • I am praying for Jan that the Lord would strengthen her, help her and uphold her with His righteous right hand. I know that many nurses are having the same problem.
      God Bless you Doreen and all who read this blog.
      Eleanor M.

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