Happy Monday!

Good morning!

Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Sun, Feb. 15- If someone cannot afford to bring a lamb for their sin offering what must they bring?
Leviticus 5:7, “Anyone who cannot afford a lamb is to bring two doves or two young pigeons to the Lord as a penalty for their sin.”

And here's the question of the day:
Mon, Feb. 16- Who was overlooked in the daily distribution of the food?

And here's the reflection of the day:
I preached about the tabernacle on Sunday--how God came down and dwelled among them. And I tried to make the connection between the tabernacle and Jesus Christ, who came down and was Emmanuel--God-with-us. Then I explained how, once Jesus ascended, God came down and dwelled among them again in the Holy Spirit, and how we are tabernacles for the Holy Spirit, who lives inside us. Many YOTB-ers expressed their appreciation for a big picture sermon on something that can easily get lost in the details. I have a feeling a sermon on Leviticus is on the horizon. . .

To that end, today's reflection is on Leviticus.

Our friend Samuel Balentine explains that Lev 1-6 mainly concern the role of priests in sacrifices. Lev 6-7:38 concern the role of the laity in sacrifices. So, it would seem important to understand why sacrifices were so important.

Today, we probably think of a sacrifice as something of value that we'd rather keep unless forced to let it go. But Leviticus looks at sacrifices a little differentlly. In the Hebrew, the word "gift" is used. "Gift" is the word used to describe any offering presented in the sanctuary of the tabernacle.

Offerings come in many different shapes and sizes--large and costly or small and ordinary. The critical part is that it is VOLUNTARY and SPONTANEOUS. It is a sacrifice, but it is something willingly given, not reluctantly given up like we normally think of sacifice. Balentine says, ". . . they happily offer something that they know to be worth more as a gift to God than as a personal possession" (Balentine, Leviticus, 28). This gift--this sacrifice--allows them to grow closer to God's side.

Is this how you think of sacrifice? Have you ever willingly sacificed something? unwillingly sacificed something? Is it really a "sacrifice" if it is given unwillingly? Let me know what you think!!

Have a splendid day!
Allison