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Response to Leviticus 4:1-5:19
As I read today's passage, I reflected on yesterdays passage and realized there was indeed a difference between the burnt offering and the sin offering. As I did not completely understand the difference, I checked the following website:
http://www.jewfaq.org/qorbanot.htm
From what I read, if both sacrifices were given, the first was always the Sin offering. It was given with the intent of obtaining reconciliation with God following unintentional sins and could be given on the part of an individual or community. This sacrifice could be eaten by the priest.
The burnt offering, however, was always completely burned upon the altar. It's purpose was to seek communion with God, offering oneself in submission to His will. It's etymology refers to ascension.
This relates well to today's reading as we are dealing with unintentional sins. I found the passage read like an outline.
A. Verse 2 God told Moses concerning unintentional Sins, atonement is made by the priests as follows:
- Verse 3-12: An act of a priest, offer a bull as a sin offering involving the inner altar and the outer.
- Verse 13-21: If an act of the whole community, follow the same procedure as that of a priest.
- Verse 22-26: If an act of a leader, he presents a male goat processed on the outer altar only.
- Verse 27-35: If a community member, a female goat or lamb processed on the outer altar only.
- When someone refuses to testify as a witness upon request.
- When someone touches anything unclean, whether they are aware of it or not
- When someone thoughtlessly takes an oath, or swears whether good or bad.
D. Rules for guilt offerings of a Ram for unintentional violations regarding any of the Lord's holy things.
This passage has only dealt with unintentional sins that have been brought to the attention of the accused.
For me, It is not difficult to see the correlation between the Sin offering and Jesus death on the cross providing our atonement and the symbolism of His ascension correlating with the burnt offering as He provides communion once again with the Father.
In studying the various Jewish thoughts on sacrifices, it appears Messianic Jews make much of the correlations I have attempted to make here while Orthodox Jews are awaiting the rebuilding of the Temple to re-implement the sacrificial rituals. Tracy Rich, who's website is linked above claims that Jewish practice today focuses on prayer and good deeds for forgiveness. He quotes Hosea 14:2-3 as a turning point in the Jewish theology and claims the ritualistic sacrifice has been abandoned to an earlier era of human history.
Hosea 14;2-3 (RSV) "Take with you words and return to the Lord; say to him, "Take away all iniquity; accept that which is good and we will render the fruit of our lips...and we will say no more, 'Our God,' to the work of our hands. In thee the orphan finds mercy." God's response in this passage is heard in verse 4; "I will heal their faithlessness; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them."
Response to Mark 2:13-3:6
The Levi mentioned in verse 14 carries the name of Matthew also and is the writer of the first gospel. It is in his house that the teachers of the law question the disciples why Jesus hangs with such bad company (tax collectors and sinners). I cherish Jesus response: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." This story is also shared in Matthew 9:9-13 and Luke 5:27-32. Never once did I hear Jesus telling the unbeliever, or outcast "Believe, or you are going to hell," I only hear threats of Hell when he speaks to those within the church as they turn on the less fortunate.
Jesus morality is called into question routinely in this passage, isn't it. We go right from the tax collectors and sinners to questions about fasting. This story also is found in Matthew 9:14-17 and Luke 5:33-39 almost verbatim. Jesus response in each telling refers to the fact the bridegroom is here now, but will soon be taken away. He proceeds in all three tellings to the parable of the new wine and the old wineskins. I am interested in your thoughts on the relevence here. Personally, I am reminded of Matthew 13:52 "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old." Instead of reaching out to those set in their ways - such as the teacher's of the law who are unwilling to take on new inspirations, Jesus chooses to deal with the sinners who's hearts are ready and willing to be transformed.
I choose to wake up each day with a new wineskin ready to be filled with new insights regarding His world. I choose to allow my Holy Father to weed my field of ideologies through His refining fires as He exposes the magnetism of the Prince of Peace within. I choose with each new day to be born anew and to present myself in purity as a child of His, being willing to accept the love and mystery of my almighty Heavenly Father as he cares for, blesses, and challenges me throughout the day.
Staying with the subject of Christ's morality, the next story works into Sabbath laws. This passage (Mark 2:23-28) is also reflected in Matthew 12:1-8 and Luke 6:1-5. All three passages refer to I Samuel 21:1-6. The statement "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath" refers to both Exodus 23:12 and Deuteronomy 5:14 when the law claims the Sabbath was meant for rest and refreshment. When we visited Exodus 20 on February 4, I shared that I feel this is true of the whole law. Jesus closes this passage by stating "The Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath." I would say His Love is the reason for the whole law as it provides for love, relationship, health, joy, peace, and so much more.
The passage from Mark ends with another story of healing on the Sabbath. Perhaps the parable told in the middle of this passage reflected the fact that Jesus new ideas would never work within the ideologies of the religious folk of the day. They were all too set in their ways. By hanging with the outcasts from the religious culture, he had hearts that were more apt to accept his new teachings - and change the world. Perhaps that is what will cause revival in our world today! New hearts, new insights from God's Holy word that were there all the time. Are you willing to see things new all over again? Can you experience conversion more than once in your life? Share your thoughts.
Response to Psalm 36:1-12
Regarding the wicked, Verse 1 says "There is no fear of God before his eyes." Recently I was questioned on what I understood "fear" to mean. I had to admit that I did not think it meant "afraid", but "worship" and "honor". I checked in Webster and found the following: "profound reverence and awe esp. toward God". That's what I believe this verse is talking about. That is what I feel was happening in the wilderness for the Israelites. God was making them Holy. This may have started with them being afraid, but they soon moved into a profound reverence and awe. Throughout their scripture, including this Psalm, that reverence and honor transformed into a profound love. That reminds me of Proverbs 9:10. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (insight).
Without reverence, awe, honor, or love for God, we step into the snare of the pride of life. Verse 2 "For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin." Eventually, one does not even recognize wrong from right through their justification of self indulgence. Yet, I question whether anyone really gets that far away from God.
Psalm 36:1-12 ends with a love letter in verses 5-10 as David calls down blessings upon the righteous. Verse 5 is highlighted in the One Year Bible; "Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep."
I would add to David's Psalm, Lord help us to reach those who run from you in pain or embarrassment with the truth of your Love. May your Kingdom come and your will be done. Perhaps the reason my heart goes out to them is what David sees in verse 12. "See how the evildoers lie fallen - thrown down, not able to rise." This reminds me of the story of the good samaritan from Luke 10:25-37. I have come to believe the man who lay fallen, thrown down, not able to rise in that story is my neighbor. It is my responsibility as the good samaritan to come to his aid and share the Love of God.
Response to Proverbs 10:1-2
I have experienced wisdom and foolishness from my children. I have been wise and I have been foolish as a son. I'm sure we can all relate. Who does not want the best for their children, and experience grief when they make mistakes. How hard it is sometimes to lift them up and focus on the positive. If we as parents are unable to see the wisdom in our children and instead consistently focus on the grief, perhaps we are the fool.
Find joy in your children. Seek joy in your parents. We are all bozo's on the bus. Intentionally sharing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness is all part of righteousness, these virtues will deliver us from unending grief.
Have a great day and seek the positive in your fellow man, and find it in yourself.
Rick
