Leviticus 5

Leviticus 5

MONDAY  Reflections

Leviticus 5:17 "If anyone sins and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD's commands, even though they do not know it, they are guilty and will be held responsible."

 

I have noticed that people like to make the claim, “That’s not fair,” though I am amazed how quick they are to dismiss the claim by others, that however, is a discussion for another time. When we look at this verse we see God doesn’t let anyone off the hook, ignorance is not an excuse

 

The one thing God promised his people was if they did all that He commanded, they would live happier and healthier lives. Yet, we don’t see this happening for the Children of Israel. They look just as miserable and unhealthy as everyone else. So what is the deal?

 

I think the deal is that especially when it comes to matters of health, that ignorance doesn’t protect you. Not knowing the wire was live doesn’t protect you from getting electrocuted. Not knowing that the mushroom is poisonous doesn’t keep you from dying. Not know about STDs doesn’t protect you if you sleep around. Not knowing about bacteria doesn’t keep it from spreading. Not realizing that you’re working too hard, avoiding exercise, and not resting enough doesn’t stop the stroke. Not knowing there is a land mine doesn’t keep it from going off. That is the reality of our world.

 

However, aren’t you glad you don’t have to perfectly understand how a car works before it starts, or that you don’t first have to have an electrical degree for electricity to work or be a pharmacist for medicine to work? Or be a dietitian for food to nourish you or a chef for food to taste good? So maybe a knowledge requirement isn’t all it's cracked up to be?

 

So where does this leave us? We need to realize that there are things, both good and bad, which are not a result of divine intervention but a consequence of our or someone else’s actions. Second, we need to know that if it is our fault then we can go to God and ask for forgiveness. Finally, maybe we ought to be glad that life isn't fair and not complain about it.

Lev 5:1-19

(1)  And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.

(2)  Or if a soul touch any unclean thing, whether it be a carcase of an unclean beast, or a carcase of unclean cattle, or the carcase of unclean creeping things, and if it be hidden from him; he also shall be unclean, and guilty.

(3)  Or if he touch the uncleanness of man, whatsoever uncleanness it be that a man shall be defiled withal, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty.

(4)  Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these.

(5)  And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing:

(6)  And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin.

(7)  And if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the LORD; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering.

(8)  And he shall bring them unto the priest, who shall offer that which is for the sin offering first, and wring off his head from his neck, but shall not divide it asunder:

(9)  And he shall sprinkle of the blood of the sin offering upon the side of the altar; and the rest of the blood shall be wrung out at the bottom of the altar: it is a sin offering.

(10)  And he shall offer the second for a burnt offering, according to the manner: and the priest shall make an atonement for him for his sin which he hath sinned, and it shall be forgiven him.

(11)  But if he be not able to bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he that sinned shall bring for his offering the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering; he shall put no oil upon it, neither shall he put any frankincense thereon: for it is a sin offering.

(12)  Then shall he bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it, even a memorial thereof, and burn it on the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the LORD: it is a sin offering.

(13)  And the priest shall make an atonement for him as touching his sin that he hath sinned in one of these, and it shall be forgiven him: and the remnant shall be the priest's, as a meat offering.

(14)  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

(15)  If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering:

(16)  And he shall make amends for the harm that he hath done in the holy thing, and shall add the fifth part thereto, and give it unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering, and it shall be forgiven him.

(17)  And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD; though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.

(18)  And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his ignorance wherein he erred and wist it not, and it shall be forgiven him.

(19)  It is a trespass offering: he hath certainly trespassed against the LORD.

Photo by James Wheeler on Unsplash

Isaiah 46

Isaiah 46   

SATURDAY  Reflections

Here we see God once again reminding Israel that He is not like the gods others worship. Babylon’s gods are being carried off as treasures like her people. The gods can’t help, and the people can’t rescue their gods (verse 2). Another reminder, God doesn’t need rescuing.

God had rescued them in the past. He has told them what was and is going to happen. Both of these give evidence of God without a miraculous sign. This is like today we have evidence from history both of what took place and the fulfilled prophecies. This gives us reasonable faith, not blind faith. Because if God, showed up in some unquestionable supernatural manifestation then we wouldn’t live by faith but out of fear and this isn’t what God wants it.

Isa 46:1-13

(1)  Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.

(2)  They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.

(3)  Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:

(4)  And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

(5)  To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

(6)  They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.

(7)  They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

(8)  Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.

(9)  Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

(10)  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

(11)  Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

(12)  Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:

(13)  I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

Photo by Daniel Páscoa on Unsplash

Job 41

Job 41  

FRIDAY  Reflections

As I read these questions, I see God saying if you can’t control the mighty things of this earth, how can you hope to understand what I am doing. God is pointing out that we are really powerless and ignorant. For me, the idea is if we can’t control or understand creation how can we possibly understand the creator

Job 41:1-34
(1)  Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?
(2)  Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
(3)  Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?
(4)  Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?
(5)  Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?
(6)  Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?
(7)  Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?
(8)  Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.
(9)  Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?
(10)  None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?
(11)  Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.
(12)  I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion.
(13)  Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle?
(14)  Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about.
(15)  His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.
(16)  One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.
(17)  They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered.
(18)  By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.
(19)  Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.
(20)  Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
(21)  His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.
(22)  In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him.
(23)  The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.
(24)  His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.
(25)  When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.
(26)  The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.
(27)  He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood.
(28)  The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble.
(29)  Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.
(30)  Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.
(31)  He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.
(32)  He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.
(33)  Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.
(34)  He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.

Galatians 3

Galatians 3

THURSDAY  Reflections

Paul is addressing the false teaching that said salvation came through obeying the Jewish laws and traditions. Salvation, Paul is arguing, is not a result of our earning it but only through faith in Jesus’ work on the cross.

 

Paul says our own works can't save us. We aren't perfect so we can't save ourselves. Salvation has to come through faith in Jesus' work on the cross. Paul isn't giving permission for us to live any way we want. He is telling them and us that our own actions can't save us.

Gal 3:1-29

(1)  O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

(2)  This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

(3)  Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

(4)  Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

(5)  He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

(6)  Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

(7)  Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

(8)  And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

(9)  So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

(10)  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

(11)  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

(12)  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

(13)  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

(14)  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

(15)  Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.

(16)  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

(17)  And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

(18)  For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

(19)  Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

(20)  Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

(21)  Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

(22)  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

(23)  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

(24)  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

(25)  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

(26)  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

(27)  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

(28)  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

(29)  And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Proverbs 9

Choose a way.

Proverbs 9  

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

This chapter can be broken down into two parts, The Way of Wisdom and The Way of the Foolish. A good challenge might be to write those things which clearly contrast between those two ways. For example, the wise build the foolish sit. How many can you list?

 

How do you know if you are growing in wisdom? One answer may be found in answering this question, "How do I handle criticism?" Verse 7-9 make it clear that the wise learn from it and the foolish resent it. So do you resent criticism? 

Pro 9:1-18
(1)  Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
(2)  She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
(3)  She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
(4)  Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
(5)  Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
(6)  Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
(7)  He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
(8)  Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
(9)  Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
(10)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
(11)  For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
(12)  If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
(13)  A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
(14)  For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
(15)  To call passengers who go right on their ways:
(16)  Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
(17)  Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
(18)  But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

Photo by Thanos Pal on Unsplash