Week 80, Day 2: Divided kingdom
Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 2:1-32
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
David asks God what he should do and the Lord directs him to go up to Hebron. There Judah makes him king over them. There are quick references such as these that emphasize how David sought after God’s council. On the other hand you have Abner and Ish-bosheth. They continue after Saul’s example and will not accept that God has chosen to replace Saul as the king.
When the fighting begins it is clear that David’s men are superior. Whether this is because God strengthens them or because they are better men of war, David begins to gain the upper hand by his military victories. It is sad to see how many men died because some would not accept what God planned for His people. This is what happens though when men do not seek out God’s guidance. Had Abner and Ish-bosheth been willing to ask God like David did, then many men would not have lost their lives. But you have to be seeking to please God to inquire of him. These men were clearly not seeking to do God’s will but to do their own.
Question: How do we prevent ourselves from just following our own pursuits and instead pursuing God’s ways?
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Week 62, Day 2: When you enter the land
Today’s Reading: Deut 26:1-19
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
Moses tells Israel that when they enter the land they are to bring the firstfruits of the land as an offering to God. God had taken a few people, raised them up to be a numerous people. God delivered them from the hardships in Egypt to deliver to them a land flowing with milk and honey. This sacrifice of the first produce of the land was to be an expression of their thankfulness to God. He had done these things for them and deserved their worship.
At the end of this chapter Moses stresses how God has declared them to be His people, a treasured possession. He has set them high above all nations, to receive praise, fame and honor. They are to be a consecrated people to the Lord and keep all His commands. They had such a potential as a nation. God provided all for them, it would be up to them whether they would keep God’s commands and honor God’s words.
Question: What is the importance in the concept of giving of the firstfruits to God? Why is it important when we are deciding how much to give to the contribution that we give from the “firstfruits”?
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Week 47, Day 2: Null & Void
Today’s Reading: Leviticus 6:1 – 7:38
Some thoughts from the reading..
We have seen already in the instructions given to Moses at Sinai an emphasis placed on the need to do things just as they were instructed. Complete the tabernacle just as instructed. Give heed to the pattern shown to Moses on the mountain. When it comes to the sacrifices we see the same emphasis expressed. Chapter 7 tells us about what portions the priest can eat from the sacrifices. The part of the text that emphasizes the importance of following exactly the instructions is seen in verses 15-18. Here we are told that the one offering the thanksgiving peace offering is permitted to also eat of the sacrifice (as best as I can tell it is speaking of the one offering the sacrifice: “his offering” vs. 15). We are told with this offering that it can be eaten that day only. But if the offering is a freewill or a votive offfering then it can be eaten on the second day also. But if the people eat the offering on the third day then the person offering the sacrifice will not be accepted nor will the sacrifice be to his benefit. He will be guilty of sin, vs. 18. So if someone treated these regulations lightly they could end up causing a detriment to themselves and their sacrifices would be null & void of any value.
Try to go through and outline which sacrifice required what to be done. You have the following types of offerings: guilt, sin, peace, votive, freewill, waive, thanksgiving peace offerings. A concordance would aid you well in such a research effort.
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Sacrificing the Passover Lamb
This morning in Chad’s lesson, he mentioned the fact that worship is for God, and according to what He demands, not what men want to do. As an example, he mentioned the sacrificing of animals under the Old Testament covenant. It was not a pleasant thing to do, and certainly not something that people would “enjoy” doing, save for the fact that it was commanded by God. This reminded me of a video that I saw referenced on Jason Hardin’s blog, which is actual video footage of the sacrificing of a Passover lamb. I know that we are not to follow the Old Testament covenant today, but I thought it would be beneficial to see such a graphic video, showing what the Israelites were supposed to do in offering a lamb.
I want to warn you that the video is quite graphic. However, I think it is worth your while to watch it. I think we are separated by time and practice far too much to really realize what sacrifice was. If you watch the video, you will see a lamb offered, and you will see it die. But, that is what God required. It often turns our stomachs to even think of such a thing. Imagine this being done on a large scale on the day of atonement. Look at the amount of blood that is collected from just one lamb, and think of how much had to be collected when hundreds of animals were sacrificed!
After watching the video, I would really like for you to post your thoughts in the comments section. What comes to your mind? What if you had to do what God demanded under the Old Testament covenant?
Link to Passover Lamb Sacrifice Video
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