Bible Pathway - Feb. 1, 2010
Highlights:
Burnt Offering; Meat (Meal, Grain) Offering; Peace Offering.
Verses for Today:
Speak unto the children of Israel . . . If any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock. If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the Tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord. And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him (Lev. 1:2-4).The first three offerings mentioned in the first three chapters of Leviticus were called sweet savour offerings (1:9,13,17; 2:2, 9; 3:5,16), meaning they were voluntary and pleasing to God.
The first offering mentioned is a burnt sacrifice. It symbolized the offerer giving his own life in full submission to God without a selfish motive. The offering was to be a bull, lamb or goat, turtledoves or pigeons, each according to the financial ability of the offerer (1:3,10,14). The less-expensive turtledoves or young pigeons were the offering made by Joseph and Mary, the mother of Jesus, for her purification following His birth. This points out how very poor they were before the wise men arrived with their expensive gifts (Luke 2:22-24; Matt. 2:11; Lev. 12:2-8).
But, whatever was chosen for the offering, it was to be the best of its kind: A male without blemish (22:19). This offering was a type of our perfect Savior — the Lamb of God who was without blemish and without spot (I Pet. 1:19) and teaches us to offer our best unto God. Too many people think that they should meet their needs first, and then give to God from what — if anything — is left and this is not pleasing to God.
The procedure for the Burnt Offering was for the offerer to lay his hands heavily upon the head of the animal, symbolizing the transfer of sin from the guilty to the sinless in atonement for his sin. Next, the offerer had to kill the bullock before the Lord: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the Altar (Lev. 1:5). The blood offered to God indicated that a life had been given as a substitute for the one who had sinned and who deserved to die. This act was a foreshadowing of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar (special) people, zealous of good works (Titus 2:13-14).
Thought for Today:
Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them (Ps. 119:129).
Christ Revealed:
Through the Meat (Meal finely ground, symbolic of the perfection of Christ and His willingness to be crushed for us) Offering. This offering was made without leaven (symbolic of sin) (Lev. 2:11). Christ was without sin (Heb. 4:15).
Word Studies:
1:9 sweet savour =acceptable satisfying fragrance; 2:3 holy =set apart for God and according to the Word of God; 2:4 unleavened =without yeast; 2:12 oblation =offering; 2:13 suffer =allow; 3:9 hard by =near to, close to.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for our Military worldwide • International Broadcasts sponsored by Mary Hoffmeyer • Staff: Dr. John A. Hash • Government Official: Sen. Mike Enzi (WY) • Country: Turkey (64 million) in Asia Minor and southeastern Europe • Major languages: Turkish, Kurdish, and Arabic • Official resistance to Christian witnessing • 79% Sunni Muslim; 20% Alawi Shi'ite Muslim; .2% Christian; .04% Jewish (25,000); .09% Armenian Orthodox; .02% Syrian Orthodox; .02% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Pray that the will of God be done in every situation you face today (Matt. 6:10).NOTE: We list the President, Vice President, Supreme Court Justices, Cabinet Members, Senators, Representatives, and Governors on their birthdays. Because we publish in advance our list may not reflect the results of the most recent elections.
Optional Reading: Mark 4
NOTE: Bible Pathway covers the Old Testament with devotional and commentary insights over a nine-month period, January through September. Each day during these months, an optional reading of one chapter a day from the New Testament will also be listed. The October, November, and December issues will provide a daily commentary on the New Testament readings. Thus, the reader goes through the New Testament twice each year using the Bible Pathway plan.
Memory Verse for the Week: Exodus 20:2-4
