Saturday, August 30, 2014

A BURNT OFFERING

Today’s Reading: Exodus 29

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).

A male Ibex ascends En Gedi in Israel. The Dead Sea and the country of Jordan are in the distance.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: Exodus 29:18

And you shall burn the whole ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the Lord; it is a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to the Lord.

 

This seems like a strange ugly scene in the middle of the ceremony and pageantry of the ordination of the High Priest and his fellow priests. Suddenly there is blood and death in the Tabernacle. Aaron and his sons are compelled to stand in their new beautiful robes and to participate in killing a ram. As they lay their hands on the animal, it is slaughtered, its blood drained and sprinkled around. God ordered this ugly scene to remind us of the ugliness and seriousness of sin. Our sin results in death. The ram’s death is a picture of God’s mercy. An animal was dying in the place of Aaron and his sons. Of course, no animal is worth the value of a human being. Ultimately, only a human being could die for another human. Jesus, fully Human and fully Divine, accomplished this death.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I recognize the horror of my sin which caused the terrible consequences of the death of Your Son, Jesus. I’m so very, very sorry, Lord. May I be sorry enough to quit my sin. The enormity of Christ’s personal sacrifice for me is overwhelming to me. I give You my life according to the grace You’ve given me to do so. I pray these mercies through Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

As a boy I travelled with my Dad from time to time in his visitation of the farming community which he served as minister. On one occasion we happened on the slaughter of a steer. The bellowing, the struggling, the blood, the sight of its agony, the smell of death are scenes graphically imprinted on my mind. Sometimes, even now, when I’m enjoying one of Norma-Jean’s delicious roast beef dinners, that experience comes to my mind. An animal died to provide for me. The enjoyment of the superb taste, including potatoes, gravy, peas, carrots and butternut squash, soon turns the ugly memory to appreciation for such a gift. When I partake in the communion meal at church, I bring to mind John 6:52-59. In particular, verse 54 is startling. “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” This is true and I decided years ago to believe.

Yours, grieving over my sin and at the same time celebrating God’s amazing grace!

David

 

13 thoughts on “Saturday, August 30, 2014

  1. Praise God for the sacrificial Lamb of God to take away all our sins
    for without Jesus going to the cross to die for our sins there would be no remission of our sins OH FOR THE BLOOD OF JESUS
    PRAISE GOD
    PRAISE GOD FOREVER AND EVER

  2. Romans 12:1-2New International Version (NIV)

    A Living Sacrifice
    12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

  3. Love the pic of the ibex.
    A person needs to be quite mature to stomach today’s study. Almost needs an R rating. Won’t be able to eat breakfast ’til later on. Guess I have a bit more maturing to do. I was raised on a farm where some of our animals were slaughtered for food. To this day I find it disturbing but I’m not a vegetarian so must soldier on and thank God for all good food He provides for us.
    Praise the Lord for making us master of animals rather than the other way around. Blessings dear saints.

  4. As a young person, I found that the killing of so many animals so very, very, hard to understand. I thought it was so awful. I think we should be aware that children, without the capability to fully understand, be given more time and explanation. It still is upsetting for me. I hate to pass little piggies going to market. I am GREATFUL to God for His Son’s sacrifice for you and me.

  5. Thank you Jesus for shedding your blood for me because without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. Thinking of the verse; “This shall be a continual burnt offering…at the door of the tabernacle…where I will meet you to speak with you.” verse 42. There is a praise and prayer center in the Fredericton area where praise is offered up around the clock. “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”(Psalm 34:1). Speak to hearts Lord and may there be a great harvest of souls. In Jesus Name. Amen! Have a great day saints!

  6. I Praise you Jesus for the spilling of YOUR blood once and for all …..
    For us all , YOU have forgiven me ,and now I follow YOU,AMEN…R>>>

    • Thank you Davud for explaining that the ugliness of this Chapter is because of the ugliness of our sins. Thank you dear God for sacrificing your son Jesus, so that we can be cleansed iin His blood once and for all. I love the song The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference. Blessings to all.

  7. i cry over the state of the world today! I have to really remind myself that God is in control! I pray for people to see the ugliness of their sins and one by one fall on their knees and tell God they are sorry and ask for His forgiveness. I can’t watch the news anymore! I do continually say “Father forgive them for they know not what they do! Father have mercy on them” of course that includes me also! I am thanklful that some of the readers find this part of the study hard to read. I also find it very hard. I’m going outside to pull weeds. Pool is closed otherwise I would go for a good hard swim! I love the Lord and and I am thankful for everything He has done for His people! I do know that not all people will accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour and that deeply, deeply saddens me. Tears are flowing down so it is time to go. HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD! LET ALL THE WORLD BELIEVE HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD! Peace to all.

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