Today we are reading Leviticus 8. In this chapter we are reading about the ordination and consecration of Aaron and his sons. ““Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments and the anointing oil and the bull of the sin offering and the two rams and the basket of unleavened bread. And assemble all the congregation at the entrance of the tent of meeting.” And Moses did as the Lord commanded him, and the congregation was assembled at the entrance of the tent of meeting. And Moses said to the congregation, “This is the thing that the Lord has commanded to be done.” And Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. And he put the coat on him and tied the sash around his waist and clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him and tied the skillfully woven band of the ephod around him, binding it to him with the band. And he placed the breastpiece on him, and in the breastpiece he put the Urim and the Thummim. And he set the turban on his head, and on the turban, in front, he set the golden plate, the holy crown, as the Lord commanded Moses. Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them. And he sprinkled some of it on the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its utensils and the basin and its stand, to consecrate them. And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him. And Moses brought Aaron’s sons and clothed them with coats and tied sashes around their waists and bound caps on them, as the Lord commanded Moses.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭8‬:‭2‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬ As I read these words I remember my ordination…34 years ago in hot and humid Houston, Texas. I am so thankful to serve the Lord all these years. We also believe that everyone is called by God to serve. We are a nation of priests! What has God called you to do? Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Leviticus 7. In this chapter we read about more directions regarding offerings. “Moreover, you shall eat no blood whatever, whether of fowl or of animal, in any of your dwelling places. Whoever eats any blood, that person shall be cut off from his people.”” ‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭7‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭ESV‬‬ It is interesting to see the directions regarding blood. It is put on the altar but never to be eaten. Why is this? The blood is regarded as the life of the animal and the life is sacred. Beyond this, the pagans used blood in their sacrifices. Human blood was used and this is an abomination to God. How do you respect life? We are called to protect the widows and children—all people. How can you protect the lives of all? May God protect you and all that are precious to you. Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Leviticus 6. In this chapter we read about the offerings and the priests. “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering. The burnt offering shall be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it. And the priest shall put on his linen garment and put his linen undergarment on his body, and he shall take up the ashes to which the fire has reduced the burnt offering on the altar and put them beside the altar. Then he shall take off his garments and put on other garments and carry the ashes outside the camp to a clean place. The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not go out. The priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and he shall arrange the burnt offering on it and shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings. Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out.” Leviticus‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Even the most mundane tasks that the priest did had careful directions. What are the most mundane things that you do? Is God involved in them? How can you make your daily activities a sacrifice of service to God. May you find joy from God in everything you do! Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Leviticus 5. In this chapter we read about guilt offerings. ““If anyone sins, doing any of the things that by the Lord’s commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt, he shall bear his iniquity. He shall bring to the priest a ram without blemish out of the flock, or its equivalent, for a guilt offering, and the priest shall make atonement for him for the mistake that he made unintentionally, and he shall be forgiven. It is a guilt offering; he has indeed incurred guilt before the Lord.”” Leviticus‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬ From these words we see that a person is guilty even if they sin unintentionally. The old saying is “ignorance is no excuse”. What does that imply? We must teach the ways and words of God to everyone. Now for us there is is no need for a sacrifice because Jesus Himself is our sacrifice. So, does that mean we are off the hook? Does that mean we can live however we want with no consequences? No. We must live a life that is pleasing to Him and repent when we fall short. May you hunger and thirst for righteousness. Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Leviticus 4. In this chapter we read about the sin offering. “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If anyone sins unintentionally in any of the Lord’s commandments about things not to be done, and does any one of them, if it is the anointed priest who sins, thus bringing guilt on the people, then he shall offer for the sin that he has committed a bull from the herd without blemish to the Lord for a sin offering. He shall bring the bull to the entrance of the tent of meeting before the Lord and lay his hand on the head of the bull and kill the bull before the Lord. And the anointed priest shall take some of the blood of the bull and bring it into the tent of meeting, and the priest shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle part of the blood seven times before the Lord in front of the veil of the sanctuary. And the priest shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense before the Lord that is in the tent of meeting, and all the rest of the blood of the bull he shall pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting. And all the fat of the bull of the sin offering he shall remove from it, the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them at the loins and the long lobe of the liver that he shall remove with the kidneys (just as these are taken from the ox of the sacrifice of the peace offerings); and the priest shall burn them on the altar of burnt offering.” ‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The pattern seems to be the same. The blood of the animal is taken to the altar and handled the same with each sacrifice. Certain organs are taken and burnt. All of the directions are done the same. Again, why such a bloody mess? It is a restraint against the practice of human sacrifice as conducted by their pagan neighbors. In addition, the fact that the life of an animal is required as payment shows the seriousness of sin. Do spend time focused and seriously contemplating your sin with remorse? May God bless you with a broken and contrite heart. Pastor Tim

Today we read Leviticus 3. In this chapter we read about peace offerings. ““If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offers an animal from the herd, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the Lord. And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and kill it at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall throw the blood against the sides of the altar. And from the sacrifice of the peace offering, as a food offering to the Lord, he shall offer the fat covering the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails, and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them at the loins, and the long lobe of the liver that he shall remove with the kidneys. Then Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar on top of the burnt offering, which is on the wood on the fire; it is a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬ As 21st century Christians, the imagery of the animal sacrifices is hard to get past. For a peace offering of thanksgiving we kill an animal. Certain parts are significant in the offering. The fat belongs to the Lord. It was considered the best part! Always give your best to the Lord. How have you determined to give your best? May God give you joy in being generous! Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Leviticus 2. In this chapter we read about laws for grain offerings. ““When anyone brings a grain offering as an offering to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour. He shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it and bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests. And he shall take from it a handful of the fine flour and oil, with all of its frankincense, and the priest shall burn this as its memorial portion on the altar, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord. But the rest of the grain offering shall be for Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the Lord’s food offerings.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The recipe seems clear, four + oil + frankincense and a handful is burnt on the altar. This is a memorial offering and the smell of it is pleasing to God. What are your favorite food smells? What memories do those smells bring back? For the Israelites, the memorial was for the great things God had done for them in the past. May God bless you to remember all He has done for you. Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Leviticus 1. In this chapter we read directions about burnt offerings. “The Lord called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of you brings an offering to the Lord, you shall bring your offering of livestock from the herd or from the flock. “If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. He shall bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before the Lord. He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. Then he shall kill the bull before the Lord, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall bring the blood and throw the blood against the sides of the altar that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬ God gave Aaron and his sons specific directions about each animal and how to offer its various parts. God gave this system of sacrifice so they would have a clear plan for sacrifice that did not include human sacrifice. This was in sharp contrast to the pagan peoples around them. What stands out to you as you read these directions? Why do you think the Jews no longer offer these sacrifices? What sacrifices does God require of you? May your life be an expression of thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Pastor Tim

Today we read Exodus 40. In this chapter we read about the first time Moses set up the Tabernacle and the Glory of God that filled it. “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.” Exodus‬ ‭40‬:‭34‬-‭38‬ ‭ESV‬‬ I have always been fascinated with the description of God’s abiding glory. Common things—fire and a cloud—were used to indicate God’s presence. The presence of God gave them a sense of security and confidence. We too have God presence with us. Not with a fire or cloud but with His promise. How does it make you feel to know God is with you? Are there times you doubt His presence? Sometimes I wish I could see Him but He has given me plenty of evidence that He is with me! May you be secure and confident in God’s promised presence. Pastor Tim

Today we are reading from Exodus 39. In this chapter we read the conclusion of the Tabernacle construction. “Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was finished, and the people of Israel did according to all that the Lord had commanded Moses; so they did. Then they brought the tabernacle to Moses, the tent and all its utensils, its hooks, its frames, its bars, its pillars, and its bases; the covering of tanned rams’ skins and goatskins, and the veil of the screen; the ark of the testimony with its poles and the mercy seat; the table with all its utensils, and the bread of the Presence; the lampstand of pure gold and its lamps with the lamps set and all its utensils, and the oil for the light; the golden altar, the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the screen for the entrance of the tent; the bronze altar, and its grating of bronze, its poles, and all its utensils; the basin and its stand; the hangings of the court, its pillars, and its bases, and the screen for the gate of the court, its cords, and its pegs; and all the utensils for the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of meeting; the finely worked garments for ministering in the Holy Place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons for their service as priests. According to all that the Lord had commanded Moses, so the people of Israel had done all the work. And Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it; as the Lord had commanded, so had they done it. Then Moses blessed them.” Exodus‬ ‭39‬:‭32‬-‭43‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The work is completed just as the people were commanded. I’m sure there was a feeling of anticipation and excitement. Now what would happen? The presence of God in the midst of their camp was now prominently displayed and accommodated. The religious practice of the Israelites was taking form. How do you support the worship and ministry at your church? Do you get excited every time you participate in the ministry? How can you keep your church a sacred space? May God use you to teach your children and grandchildren about our Holy God! Pastor Tim