Good morning!
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Mon, Feb. 16- Who was overlooked in the daily distribution of the food?
Acts 6:1, “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their [Hellenistic Jews] widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.”
And here's the question of the day:
Tues, Feb. 17- What did Stephen see when he looked up to heaven?
And here's the reflection of the day:
I thought I'd do a little more with sacrifices today, since we are reading SO many chapters about this kind of sacrifice and that kind of sacrifice. I wanted to tell you a little bit about what I read about burnt sacrifices or offerings.
The priest is supposed to burn the whole offering on the altar. The verb "hiqtir" literally means "to turn into smoke." Now, the normal word for burn is "sarap," used for nonsacrificial incinerations. From a theological perspective, Balentine says, one can conclude that the act of burning is mostly concerned with the transformation of something into smoke, and not so much the actual burning up of the offering (p 25).
What is placed on the altar was an animal. And this ritual transforms it into smoke, and the smoke rises as a "gift," a food offering specifically and intentionally given to God. The intention of the gift is to provide a "pleasing odor to the Lord."
Fast forward to the book of Revelation. . . "And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints (5:8)."
Just as the smoke from the burnt offerings was a pleasing odor to the Lord, so too our prayers are a pleasing odor. The prayers of the saints fill the heavens above. . . my prayers and your prayers, filling up golden bowls in heaven.
Pretty cool, huh?
Allison
Showing posts with label offering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label offering. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
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
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
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Stone Soup
Hello! Thanks for stopping by today--I'm glad you visited us!
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Tues, Feb. 10- In the last days, what will God pour out on all people?
Acts 2:17, “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.”
And here's the question of the day:
Weds, Feb. 11- What would happen to the Israelites if they worked on the seventh day?
And here's the reflection of the day:
Exodus 36:3-5 3 They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. 4 So all the skilled craftsmen who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left their work 5 and said to Moses, "The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done."
What a little gem of a story tucked away in all this talk about the tabernacle! Exodus 35 tells how God provided a divine grocery list. Technically, it was probably more like a divine "Pier 1" list (since it's mostly decorative items on the list!). At any rate, God provides the list of things needed to complete the tabernacle.
And He receives an overwhelming response! So many offerings are given that Moses orders people to STOP bringing offerings (v 6). They have more than enough. It's just amazing to me. I am overwhelmed at their response of obedience and gratitude to God. (I suppose I also have to admit feeling a little ashamed that my own offerings are not quite so overwhelming!)
I don't know about the origin of the story "Stone Soup," but I see the seeds of the story here in Exodus. Everyone has something to contribute to the pot. God did not call just the rich to contribute to the tabernacle; He called everyone. Everyone had a part to play: gold, silver, bronze, yarn, linen, goat hair, ram skins, olive oil, spices, and precious stones. God honors all the offerings, big and small. God sees all offerings as costly and valuable.
In "Stone Soup," just as in the Body of Christ, each person has a part to play and an offering to give. What is your part? What can you give?
Have a splendid day!
Allison
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Tues, Feb. 10- In the last days, what will God pour out on all people?
Acts 2:17, “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.”
And here's the question of the day:
Weds, Feb. 11- What would happen to the Israelites if they worked on the seventh day?
And here's the reflection of the day:
Exodus 36:3-5 3 They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. 4 So all the skilled craftsmen who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left their work 5 and said to Moses, "The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done."
What a little gem of a story tucked away in all this talk about the tabernacle! Exodus 35 tells how God provided a divine grocery list. Technically, it was probably more like a divine "Pier 1" list (since it's mostly decorative items on the list!). At any rate, God provides the list of things needed to complete the tabernacle.
And He receives an overwhelming response! So many offerings are given that Moses orders people to STOP bringing offerings (v 6). They have more than enough. It's just amazing to me. I am overwhelmed at their response of obedience and gratitude to God. (I suppose I also have to admit feeling a little ashamed that my own offerings are not quite so overwhelming!)
I don't know about the origin of the story "Stone Soup," but I see the seeds of the story here in Exodus. Everyone has something to contribute to the pot. God did not call just the rich to contribute to the tabernacle; He called everyone. Everyone had a part to play: gold, silver, bronze, yarn, linen, goat hair, ram skins, olive oil, spices, and precious stones. God honors all the offerings, big and small. God sees all offerings as costly and valuable.
In "Stone Soup," just as in the Body of Christ, each person has a part to play and an offering to give. What is your part? What can you give?
Have a splendid day!
Allison
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