Today’s reading Leviticus 14-15
Focal Scripture: Leviticus 14:21-22 “But if he is poor and cannot afford these, he is to take one male lamb or a guilt offering to be presented in order to make atonements for him, along with two quarts of dinf flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering, one-third of a quart of olive oil and two turtle doves or two young pigeons, whatever he can afford, one to be a sin offering and the other sa burnt offering.”
The Background
One of the greatest facts about the Bible comes when you realize that God puts all of us on the same level. It does not matter if you are a king, prophet, rich, poor, well known, or obscure. God’s standard never changes and he expects everyone to meet that standard.
The entire book of Leviticus to this point has expressed in great detail how sacrifices for sins and other uncleanliness must be handled. The requirements seem daunting and I am sure some people were thinking how am I going to accomplish what the Lord requires.
In today’s focal scripture it is revealed that God is providing a way for even the poor to have sacrifices made on their behalf. This way no Israelite can say I was unable to do what was asked of me from the Lord. God wanted everyone to be clean so they could come worship.
The Application
Just as God provided a way for the Israelites to be clean and ready for worship, he has done the same for you and me. If we have put our faith in Jesus we acknowledge that he is our lamb. He was sacrificed on our behalf and his blood applied to forgive our sins.
Does this mean that we have nothing to offer the Lord? Absolutely not. We have our lives to offer and most of us fight the Lord on this truth. In Romans 12:1-2 we are commanded to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. This means that daily we are to bring our lives, thoughts, heart, and actions to the altar. We are to be a people who take this sacrifice seriously.
When Paul wrote those words he was speaking as one with firsthand knowledge of watching animals die for his sins. He saw the blood applied and the priests that followed these guidelines. Sacrifice was personal to him and the Jewish people.
Presenting ourselves as a sacrifice crosses any hindrance that we may have to being obedient to God. We cant claim that being poor keeps us from following this command. No excuse will suffice. God wants all of us. Just like the priests presented the animals before the Lord, sprinkled the blood, burned the entrails, and gave it all to God, he wants the same for us.
The only difference for us is that we offer the same sacrifice daily! I encourage. you today to give everything that you have to the Lord. Remember who you belong to today.
Here is a song for you to worship alongside with today
Tomorrow I plan on reading Leviticus 16-18
