Week 55, Day 4: Feast of Trumpets
Today’s Reading: Numbers 29:1-40
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
Moses continues in this chapter of reminding Israel of the appointed times they are to present offerings to Jehovah. The seventh month is a very important month for Israel. Below is a summary of the events detailed for the seventh month:
1st day – blowing of trumpets (Feast of trumpets, Lev 23:23-25)
Offering: 1 bull, 1 ram, 7 male lambs, 1 male goat. Also the new moon offering and the normal daily offering
This is the new year on the Jewish calendar (new moon, vs 6).
10th day – a holy convocation, humbling themselves, no work (Day of Atonement, Lev 23:37)
Offering: 1 bull, 1 ram, 7 male lambs, 1 male goat.
15th day – a holy convocation, no laborious work, begins a feast for 7 days (Feast of Tabernacles or booths, Lev 23:34)
Offerings: Day 1 – 13 bulls, 2 rams, 14 male lambs, 1 male goat, Day 2 – 12 bulls, 2 rams, 14 male lambs, 1 male goat, Day 3 – 11 bulls, 2 rams, 14 male lambs, 1 male goat, Day 4 – 10 bulls, 2 rams, 14 male lambs, 1 male goat, Day 5 – 9 bulls, 2 rams, 14 male lambs, 1 male goat, Day 6 – 8 bulls, 2 rams, 14 male lambs, 1 male goat, Day 7 – 7 bulls, 2 rams, 14 male lambs, 1 male goat,
On Day 8 they were to have a solemn assembly, do no laborious work and offer 1 bull, 1 ram, 7 male lambs and 1 male goat.
So Moses reminds Israel of the sacrifices that God expects for them to keep.
Question: How important do you think it was for Israel to give these sacrifices? Could Israel decide that the number of animals sacrificed could be lowered to offer a smaller number? Why can people recognize that it would be wrong to change the number of animals required to offer each day but cannot see the importance of seeking Bible guidance in how we worship God?
Week 52, Day 5: Sacrifices
Today’s Reading: Numbers 15:1-41
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
I think that it is interesting that on the heels of Israel’s rebellion against God that the Lord then gives instructions regarding sacrifices that they should offer. Among these different sacrifices to be made are those which are to be made for when a person sins “unwittingly” (22) or “unintentionally” (27). But we are also told about what should happen when the Israelite sins “defiantly” (30). We are told that when they do things defiantly against God’s commands that this person is blaspheming the Lord. This person will be cut off from among Israel. To sin defiantly against God’s commands was not to be tolerated nor allowed.
Question: What is the difference between sinning defiantly verses unintentionally? Do you see a difference in sinning and defiantly sinning (think about what actions were commanded to be done in each situation)?
Week 51, Day 2: Gifts from the Leaders
Today’s Reading: Numbers 7:1-89
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
After the tabernacle is consecrated by Moses the leaders of each tribe bring their offerings. They bring 6 covered carts and 12 oxen as a group. These are to be used by the Levites to transport the tabernacle when they are traveling. They then each bring certain vessels and animals for sacrificing. It is impressive to me how much each one gave. We continue to see a reflection of their desire to complete the tabernacle work. They have been very generous and their giving has been abundant. What changed between now and when they were to enter the promised land? Did anything change or was it that they always had the wrong attitude regarding obeying and believing God? We are told in Heb 3:19 that they could not enter the promised land because of unbelief. Perhaps they were excited to be making a place of worship to God but then when the difficulties came (faced with a formidable enemy) they waivered in their belief.
Question: Why did the Levite family of Kohath receive no carts to aid in their transportation duties? (see verse 9)
Week 48, Day 4: Priestly requirements
Today’s Reading: Leviticus 20:1 – 21:24
Some thoughts from the reading..
Among the many things mentioned in today’s reading, there is a limitation for who can serve as a priest before the Lord. 21:16-24 tells us that no descendant of Aaron who has a defect may not serve as a priest in the tabernacle. Along with wanting sacrifies that are without defect God required that those who served as priest before Him be without defect. I believe this to be a continuation of the aspect of the best is given to God. Those who did not have any defect in them, those who were without blemish.
Question: Why do you think that it would be important for those who serve as priest be without any blemish? What message do you think would be presented if just anyone served?
Week 48, Day 2: Atonement
Today’s Reading: Leviticus 16:1 – 17:16
Some thoughts from the reading..
Once a year the high priest was to go into the holy of holies and make atonement for Israel. Involved in this process is to make atonement for the holy place because of the impurities of Israel (16:16-16). The high priest shall make a sacrifice to atone for himself and his household (16:6, 11) before offering the sin sacrifice on behalf of Israel. After making the sacrifice for himself and for Israel he is to lay hands on the scapegoat (16:10, 21-22). The concept of placing their iniquities on the goat and sending it away is an interesting practice. This process was all to be done in the seventh month, on the tenth day, each year.
Question: Why would the high priest need to offer a separate sacrifice for his own sins before offering a sacrifice for Israel’s sins?
Week 47, Day 4: Not Treated as Holy
Today’s Reading: Leviticus 10:1 – 11:47
Some thoughts from the reading..
Chapter 10 is mainly devoted to events related to the sin of Nadab & Abihu. They offer “strange fire”. This is fire that God had not given them instruction to give. It has been suggested that perhaps this means that they obtained the fire from a different location than where they were supposed to. It is not specified exactly what this phrase means other than they had not been commanded to do so. This keeps with the repeated “theme” of stating things were done just as God had instructed them.
This event is recorded just after Aaron and his sons had been consecrated to be priests. No exact timing is given for how long it was between their consecration and this event but it seems noteworthy to say that they should have known better. They had obviously been instructed on what to do, how to do it and here they are already deviating from God’s commands. We can see from this that God regarded this deviation with contempt. The Lord had told them that He was to be treated as Holy and to be honored before all the people. This action of disobedience was a mark of not treating God as holy and as not honoring Him. Disobedience shows a disrespect for God. We may think it is nothign big to alter things but keep this account in mind. Are we “splitting hairs” as some would accuse today to say that we need to find our guidance for worship and service to God within the scriptures? Or is it a manner of treating God as holy and showing Him honor.
Question: Why were Aaron and his sons not allowed to mourn over the loss of Nadab & Abihu?
Week 47, Day 3: The Priest begin serving
Today’s Reading: Leviticus 8:1 – 9:24
Some thoughts from the reading..
In these chapters we have the beginning of the service of Aaron and his sons as priest in the tabernacle. Moses is instructed to serve in the role of “presiding” over things. There is a process of sacrifices through which Aaron and his sons are consecrated for their service as priests. This is a great moment for Israel. They will now be able to begin offering sacrifices in order to obtain forgiveness of their sins. How important this step was for them. Once again God has provided a way for man to obtain forgiveness and to be able to worship Him.
Question: Why did Aaron and his sons present their offering first (9:7) before presenting the people’s offering (9:15)?
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.
Week 46, Day 5: Grain offerings
Today’s Reading: Leviticus 2:1 – 3:17
Some thoughts from the reading..
We are told about the grain offerings that were to be given by the Israelites. Notice that only a memorial portion of the offering was actually burnt on the altar, Lev 2:2. The rest was to go to the priest. By doing so God had provided a way in which the priests would be provided for through the sacrifices. The offering would be given and the priests serving would have food. We are told several different ways that the grain offering could be prepared. This could be to provide variety of foods for the priests or it could be for a convenience to the people. Either way, God stated what He expected. We also see that salt was to be included in the offering. I suspect that salt was a valuable commodity. During the days of the Roman empire, the Roman soldiers are said to have been paid with salt. This could be where the phrase comes from of saying, “any man worth his salt will do…”. Salt was a valuable additive to foods. This may be the case here, in which case the people would be adding into this simple offering something very valuable to them.
Question: Why do you think God commanded Israel not to eat the fat or the blood (Lev 3:17). Does it matter if the reason is given?
Week 46, Day 4: Just as the Lord had commanded
Today’s Reading: Exodus 40:1-37 through Leviticus 1:17
Some thoughts from the reading..
We are going to be doing things a little differently for the next few days. Since I did not do the post Monday through Wednesday, we are going to double up today, Friday and Monday. So we will be reading two chapters a day. Today’s chapters had some very interesting concepts. I will not comment on all of the points that could be made, feel free though to comment on the other points that could be made. What stands out to me from the text is the way God gave specific instructions for what they were to do in the sacrifices in order for the offering to be a “soothing arome to the Lord”. Why was the entrails and legs before burning them? Why does it matter that the animal is slain on the north side of the altar? Why tear the bird but not sever it? I was filled with a lot of questions and curiosity about the instructions given by God. Why do it this way? Was there something special about these practices? We are not told and it really doesn’t matter if the Israelites understood why they were to do it this way. But in order for the offering to be a soothing aroma before God it needed to be done the way He commanded. I just find this very interesting when considering the attitude that many have today when it comes to worshipping God. They have a very laid back attitude towards God. They almost act like if they met God they would go up and give Him a high five. Do whatever, act however, practice whatever, worship in whatever manner you choose and God will be happy with you. God will not be pleased with such things. Where is there an indication in the scriptures that God is honored and glorified when man elects to do things his own way?
Question: Exodus 40 tells us that the cloud and fire rested over the tabernacle after it was completed. Giving Israel a very visual confirmation of God’s presence. How then could Israel not enter into the promise land because of unbelief? What warnings can we gather to apply to our own lives about not understanding or “seeing” that God is with us?