February 7, 2006 - Leviticus 1-3 and Matthew 24:1-28
Leviticus is a very insightful book, because it tells us all of the laws for the tribe of Levi or the priests, as they led the people to follow the Lord in sacrifices and feasts. As we read these chapters, we will see many things that point us to Christ and the New Covenant, even though they were given for the Old Covenant. I pray that this book will be a blessing to you as God speaks to you through it.
In these first three chapters we read about the burnt offering, the grain offering, and the peace offering. The Lord is very specific about how He wanted them to do the sacrifices. He wanted them to have a witness of His truth and of the coming Messiah each time they offered a sacrifice. Through this repetition He was preparing them for His Son. I have found that human beings need repetition to insure that the truth is firmly planted in our hearts. What are some things that point to Christ? Let me name just a few. The burnt offering was a male animal with no blemish. Since it was to atone for sins, we see how it pointed to the sinless, perfect Lamb of God. The grain offering was to have no leaven. Leaven represented sin, so we see that we can't approach God with sin in our hearts. The sin offering was a memorial offering to remember a blessing of the Lord and thank Him. It was given with oil, too. The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. We all need the Spirit to guide us and to show us how God is working around us. It is given with salt, also. Salt is to preserve the memory of God's truth and His activity. Finally, the peace offering is also without blemish, but it can be a male or a female animal, since it is not for atonement of sin, but it is to seek a good relationship with the Lord, to have peace in life.
Isn't it interesting that they had to lay their hands on the head of the animal before it was sacrificed? I believe this showed them how they were connected to the animal, and the death of the animal represented their own seriousness about their relationship with God. Their sin and separation from God caused this animal to have to die. In the case of Christ He died for all of our sins once for all, and He is there to give us peace with God through our relationship with Him. Then, the final note is that they were never to eat the fat or the blood of the sacrifice. The fat was to make a sweet smell to the Lord as it burned, but could there be a health reason, too? I think so, myself. Then, the life is in the blood, so they did not drink or eat the blood. However, it was not very healthy either. God loves us, and He wants us to be spiritually and physically healthy.
Matthew 24 speaks of the Tribulation time and Jesus' second coming. We don't know all of the details about what will happen before He comes, but what do we see in this passage that is clear? We will see many deceivers or false Christs. The believers will be persecuted. The gospel will be spread to all people groups. The abomination of Desolation of which Daniel spoke will be seen in the Temple. This probably refers to the Antichrist offering a pig on the altar of the Temple. Then, Christ will come for every eye to see Him like lightning. I believe Jesus wants us to remain faithful and to be ready for His coming. I believe He wants us to be a part of spreading the gospel to the whole world, too. This truth should give us an urgency to live for Him each day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Leviticus 4-5 and Matthew 24:29-51.
In these first three chapters we read about the burnt offering, the grain offering, and the peace offering. The Lord is very specific about how He wanted them to do the sacrifices. He wanted them to have a witness of His truth and of the coming Messiah each time they offered a sacrifice. Through this repetition He was preparing them for His Son. I have found that human beings need repetition to insure that the truth is firmly planted in our hearts. What are some things that point to Christ? Let me name just a few. The burnt offering was a male animal with no blemish. Since it was to atone for sins, we see how it pointed to the sinless, perfect Lamb of God. The grain offering was to have no leaven. Leaven represented sin, so we see that we can't approach God with sin in our hearts. The sin offering was a memorial offering to remember a blessing of the Lord and thank Him. It was given with oil, too. The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. We all need the Spirit to guide us and to show us how God is working around us. It is given with salt, also. Salt is to preserve the memory of God's truth and His activity. Finally, the peace offering is also without blemish, but it can be a male or a female animal, since it is not for atonement of sin, but it is to seek a good relationship with the Lord, to have peace in life.
Isn't it interesting that they had to lay their hands on the head of the animal before it was sacrificed? I believe this showed them how they were connected to the animal, and the death of the animal represented their own seriousness about their relationship with God. Their sin and separation from God caused this animal to have to die. In the case of Christ He died for all of our sins once for all, and He is there to give us peace with God through our relationship with Him. Then, the final note is that they were never to eat the fat or the blood of the sacrifice. The fat was to make a sweet smell to the Lord as it burned, but could there be a health reason, too? I think so, myself. Then, the life is in the blood, so they did not drink or eat the blood. However, it was not very healthy either. God loves us, and He wants us to be spiritually and physically healthy.
Matthew 24 speaks of the Tribulation time and Jesus' second coming. We don't know all of the details about what will happen before He comes, but what do we see in this passage that is clear? We will see many deceivers or false Christs. The believers will be persecuted. The gospel will be spread to all people groups. The abomination of Desolation of which Daniel spoke will be seen in the Temple. This probably refers to the Antichrist offering a pig on the altar of the Temple. Then, Christ will come for every eye to see Him like lightning. I believe Jesus wants us to remain faithful and to be ready for His coming. I believe He wants us to be a part of spreading the gospel to the whole world, too. This truth should give us an urgency to live for Him each day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Leviticus 4-5 and Matthew 24:29-51.