Read Leviticus 7
Highlights:
Consecration and 10 steps to cleansing. They do dovetail with our responsibilities. What is required of a priest and how does the priesthood parallel with those who are Christians? Can you draw a parallel between Aaron, the first high priest (Lev. 21:10), and Christ, a Christian's Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14)?
In the place where they kill the Burnt Offering shall they kill the Trespass Offering: and the blood thereof shall he sprinkle round about upon the Altar (Lev. 7:2).
The Trespass Offering implied sin against another, as well as sin against God. The Sin Offering was required because all men are sinners. But the Trespass Offering was made for specific sins.
God not only demanded that all who committed an unlawful act should bring an offering, but if he had wronged another, he was to restore equal value, plus an additional 20 percent.
The offender could not eat of the Trespass Offering, as he could of the Peace Offering. Instead, he came as an unworthy sinner seeking to restore peace with God.
Even if the offender had committed a trespass in ignorance, he was just as guilty. His ignorance showed that he had neglected to hear or read the Word of God (6:26).
God chose Aaron to be the high priest, the most prominent position in Israel's worship. To prepare him for this, God commanded Moses to wash Aaron and his sons with water (7:6).
In addition, it was commanded that the blood of it (the sacrificed ram be) . . . put . . . upon the tip of Aaron's right ear, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot (8:22-23). This signified that their whole bodies were set apart for service to God.
The applications of the blood as described meant that the ear was prepared to hear, the hand was prepared to work, and the foot was prepared to walk in the way and in the will of God.
Christians should prayerfully weigh each decision and conduct their daily walk in ways which honor the Lord.
Christ . . . gave Himself for it (the Church); That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word . . . (Therefore, the Christian) should be holy and without blemish (Eph. 5:25-27).
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water (Heb. 10:22).
Thought for Today:
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10).
Christ Portrayed:
By Moses as he consecrated the priests who were called for the ministry of the Tabernacle (Lev. 8:1-36). 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:
7:4 flanks, sides; 7:18 abomination, offensive thing, unclean, detestable to God; 8:7 curious girdle, artistic band; 8:8 U'rim and the Thum'mim, unspecified items used to determine the will of God; 8:9 mitre, turban, headdress; 8:11 foot, base; 8:13 bonnets, headpieces; 8:35 keep the charge, obey the ordinances.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts: Sponsored by Iva Jo Swinsburg • Staff: Dan Murton • Government Officials: Rep. Tom Graves (GA), Rep. Rob J. Whitman (VA), and Gov. Robert J. Bentley (AL) • Country: Portugal (10 million) in western Europe • Major language: Portuguese • Limited religious freedom • 95% Christian; 4% non-Religious/Other; .5% Muslim; .1% Hindu; .01% Jewish • Prayer Suggestion: Pray in one accord and praise God as the Creator (Acts 4:24).
Optional Reading: Mark 6
Memory Verse for the Week: John 3:18