“If his
offering is of the flocks– of the sheep or of the goats– as a burnt
sacrifice, he shall bring a male without blemish.” (Leviticus 1:10 NKJ)
“When anyone offers a grain offering to the LORD, his offering shall be of
fine flour. And he shall pour oil on it, and put frankincense on it.”
(Leviticus 2:1 NKJ)
offering is of the flocks– of the sheep or of the goats– as a burnt
sacrifice, he shall bring a male without blemish.” (Leviticus 1:10 NKJ)
“When anyone offers a grain offering to the LORD, his offering shall be of
fine flour. And he shall pour oil on it, and put frankincense on it.”
(Leviticus 2:1 NKJ)
The Bible teaches me
that when I come before the Lord I am to bring an offering. Too many times when
reminded of this, I think of monetary offerings. But a monetary gift is not the
focus of Scripture. Instead, what we see in Scripture is a picture of worship.
Personal worship.
that when I come before the Lord I am to bring an offering. Too many times when
reminded of this, I think of monetary offerings. But a monetary gift is not the
focus of Scripture. Instead, what we see in Scripture is a picture of worship.
Personal worship.
In the Old Testament
and particularly in Leviticus, “the offerings” were actual
prescriptions for personal sacrifice (i.e., what to present to the Lord in
worship). The sheep, goats, lambs, calves, doves, flour and so on represented
one’s personal need presented in worship before the Lord. In effect, “the
offering” was a person’s petition. It was the representative sacrifice
that would cover the worshiper’s sin.
and particularly in Leviticus, “the offerings” were actual
prescriptions for personal sacrifice (i.e., what to present to the Lord in
worship). The sheep, goats, lambs, calves, doves, flour and so on represented
one’s personal need presented in worship before the Lord. In effect, “the
offering” was a person’s petition. It was the representative sacrifice
that would cover the worshiper’s sin.
In most churches,
classes, seminars, etc where I have sat and listened to presentations on the
subject of Old Testament offerings there is usually an elaborate explanation of
the peripheral items (animal, sacrifice, etc) with little or no explanation of the
most important items (the worshiper, faith, best-of-the-best).
classes, seminars, etc where I have sat and listened to presentations on the
subject of Old Testament offerings there is usually an elaborate explanation of
the peripheral items (animal, sacrifice, etc) with little or no explanation of the
most important items (the worshiper, faith, best-of-the-best).
The most important
items is not the sacrificial item but the worshiper and his/her attitude and
spirit in the worship act. Remember Cain (Genesis 4). Many people believe that
“anything is okay as long as you worship.” Yet, God commanded that the worshiper must
bring an animal that is “without blemish” and grain that was crushed and sifted into
“fine flour.”
items is not the sacrificial item but the worshiper and his/her attitude and
spirit in the worship act. Remember Cain (Genesis 4). Many people believe that
“anything is okay as long as you worship.” Yet, God commanded that the worshiper must
bring an animal that is “without blemish” and grain that was crushed and sifted into
“fine flour.”
Now, while 21st
Christians do not offer animal and grain sacrifices, our worship can be no less
excellent than that required of the Jews led by Moses. It is not about Old
Testament practice, but rather about New Testament excellence. The Old
Testament was written for our learning, but not to learn about sacrifices.
Instead it was written so we would learn the proper way to worship the Holy
God. He requires our best presented to him in faith (Hebrews 11:4).
Christians do not offer animal and grain sacrifices, our worship can be no less
excellent than that required of the Jews led by Moses. It is not about Old
Testament practice, but rather about New Testament excellence. The Old
Testament was written for our learning, but not to learn about sacrifices.
Instead it was written so we would learn the proper way to worship the Holy
God. He requires our best presented to him in faith (Hebrews 11:4).
Dear Father, thank
you for your best given to us in your Son, Jesus Christ. Enable us to truly
worship you by giving your our best in faith. This I pray in the name of Jesus.
AMEN
you for your best given to us in your Son, Jesus Christ. Enable us to truly
worship you by giving your our best in faith. This I pray in the name of Jesus.
AMEN
In faith, give your
best worship today,
best worship today,