Perhaps you have had the experience of studying a section of the Bible, and wondering how it can benefit your life. To be sure, it is not because you doubt that it is inspired of God, but it just seems tedious to read and there seems to be no relation to our lives. Consider the first five chapters of the Old Testament book of Leviticus. The main subjects in this section of Scripture include the laws for burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings that God gave to Moses for Israel. For example, God told Moses, “If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish” (Leviticus 1:3) Also, God told Moses concerning the peace offerings, “And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron’s sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about” (Leviticus 3:2). Though the laws set forth here do not apply to us in the Christian age, there are some principles here we can glean that will profit us:
1. God Always Desires And Deserves Our Best. Notice again what God told Moses concerning offering a burnt sacrifice of the herd. He emphasized that it was to be a male without blemish. “Without blemish” means that it was to be from the best of the herd. Indeed, if one chose to offer a male with blemish, God would not accept it. Consider our service to God. What does God desire and deserve? Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). When reading from the book of Leviticus, let’s remember that we are to give God today our best. May our service and devotion to Him always be “without blemish.”
2. God Has Always Had A Pattern For Mankind. It is impressive to observe that God did not tell Moses that the people were to make certain sacrifices, but then fail to give appropriate instructions. For example, as seen in Leviticus 1:3, the burnt offering was to be a male without blemish. That was specific. A female without blemish or a male with blemish would not be acceptable, regardless of the attitude or intention of the person making the offering. When reading instructions like these from the book of Leviticus, we need to be impressed with how that our God has always been a God of pattern. Indeed, in the New Testament we find specific instructions for the way in which we are to live and worship. To violate God’s pattern in these matters, regardless of the intention or motive, is to ignore God’s will. As the apostle Paul stated to Christians, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17).
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