Bible Pathway - Feb. 3, 2011
Read Leviticus 7
Highlights:
Consecration and 10 steps to cleansing. How do priesthood requirements parallel the Christian walk? See the parallel between Aaron, the high priest (Lev. 21:10) and Christ, the Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14)?
The Law of the Peace Offering is given last. It was a sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise and was presented for some special blessing or vow of dedication. It could also be a freewill offering for special occasions when the worshiper desired to express his praise, love, and thanksgiving to the One True Holy God. And this is the Law of the sacrifice of Peace Offerings, which he shall offer unto the Lord (Lev. 7:11). The Peace Offering required "unleavened bread" offered as a part of the sacrifice. The absence of leaven represented the absence of sin and foreshadowed the perfect Lord Jesus Christ. Yeast, or leaven, was a symbol of corruption for it caused fermentation.
The Peace Offering was the last one to be offered because there could be no peace or fellowship with God until all the regulations of the Sin and Trespass offerings had first been obeyed.
The special feature of the Peace Offering was the sacrificial meal wherein the priest and the worshiper shared together what was offered, and part of the offering was presented to God upon His altar, as though it were being consumed by Him. It was a joyful, fellowship feast celebrating restored peace and communication with God. After these sacrifices the worshiper was acceptable to God. What joy there is in knowing the peace of God, which passeth all understanding (Phil. 4:7).
Jesus promised: My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27). The Lord's peace is imparted to every Christian who submits his will to the will of God.
If our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His Commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight (I John 3:21-22). We are given the awesome responsibility of receiving or rejecting His peace in our hearts. Let (or allow) the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful (Col. 3:15). God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ (II Cor. 5:19-20).
Thought for Today:
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee (Is. 26:3).
Christ Portrayed:
By Moses as he consecrated the priests who were called for the work (Lev. 8:1-30). Christ is the One who sets the believer apart for service. Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained (appointed) you (John 15:16).
Word Studies:
7:14 oblation required freewill offering; 7:18 abomination offensive thing, defiled, unclean, detestable to God; 7:25 cut off from his people excommunicated from family and nation; 8:8 Urim, Thummim sow-unknown objects placed in the breastplate of the high priest by which he ascertained the will of God.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Radio Broadcasts in honor of Dr. John A. Hash • Staff: Dan Murton • Government Official: Rep. Tom Graves (GA) and Rep. Robert J. Whitman (VA) • Country: Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) (19 million) an island in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern tip of India • Major languages: Sinhala and Tamil • Christianity suppressed • 69% Buddhist; 15% Hindu; 8% Christian (mostly Catholic); 7% Muslim (mostly Sunni); 1% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Ask for your daily needs (Luke 11:3).
Optional Reading: Mark 6
Memory Verse for the Week: Hosea 4:6
