he wants to love through us

Posted on July 10, 2016 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky devotions July 2016 (10)

Leviticus 6:1-7

Lev 6:1 Yahveh spoke to Moses, and this is what he said,
Lev 6:2 “If any soul makes a mistake and commits an act of betrayal against Yahveh by deceiving his associate in a matter of deposit or security, or through robbery, or if he has exploited his associate
Lev 6:3 or has found something lost and lied about it, swearing falsely– in any of all the things that a human does and make a mistake thereby–
Lev 6:4 if he has made a mistake and has realised his offence and will restore what he took by robbery or what he got by exploitation or the deposit that was committed to him or the lost thing that he found
Lev 6:5 or anything about which he has sworn falsely, he will restore it in full and will add a fifth to it, and give it to him to whom it belongs on the day he realises his need for reparation.
Lev 6:6 And he will bring to the priest as his reparation to Yahveh a perfect ram out of the flock, or its equivalent for a reparation offering.
Lev 6:7 And the priest will provide reconciliation for him in Yahveh’s sight, and he will be forgiven for any of the things that he may do and thereby bringing the need for reparation upon himself.”

he wants to love through us

Offences against my associate are regarded in the Law of God as offences against the LORD. That is because the covenant with the LORD demands that we love those we associate with in the same way that we love ourselves. It is also because the LORD loves them in the same way that he loves us. We are all his children, and he does not show partiality. That is why one could not even be devout if he entertained hatred, deception, or envy of his fellow human beings.

The LORD loves us as individuals. But he also wants to love other individuals through us. Failure to love required a reparation sacrifice. It was a serious offence. It still is.

LORD, love our associates through us.

Posted in faithfulness, love, loyalty | Tagged | 2 Comments

forgiveness for starts

Posted on July 9, 2016 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky devotions July 2016 (9)

Leviticus 5:17-19

Lev 5:17 “If any soul makes a mistake, doing any of the things that by Yahveh’s commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realises his offence, he will be responsible for his violation.
Lev 5:18 He will bring to the priest a perfect ram out of the flock, or its equivalent for a reparation offering, and the priest will provide reconciliation for him for the mistake that he made unintentionally, and he will be forgiven.
Lev 5:19 It is a reparation offering; he has indeed committed an offence in Yahveh’s sight.”

forgiveness for starts

God’s way of reparation starts with access to forgiveness from the throne. Without it, we can never hope to repair the damage done inside us by our walking away from God’s holiness. Before we can take advantage of God’s reparation system, we have to remove the barrier between us and God. The LORD removes this barrier by forgiving us — based not on our worthiness — but upon the effectiveness of the blood of Christ. His worthiness, and his sacrificial death make reparation possible.

LORD, thank you for the Way — who makes a way for us to restore our spiritual health. Thank you for the forgiveness he bought by his blood.

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reparation is possible

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky devotions July 2016 (8)

Leviticus 5:14-16

Lev 5:14 Yahveh spoke to Moses, and this is what he said,
Lev 5:15 “If any soul commits an act of betrayal and makes a mistake inadvertently in any of the holy things of Yahveh, he will bring to Yahveh as his reparation, a perfect ram out of the flock, valued in silver shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for a reparation offering.
Lev 5:16 He will also make reparation for his mistake in the holy thing and will add a fifth to it and give it to the priest. And the priest will provide reconciliation for him with the ram of the reparation offering, and he will be forgiven.

reparation is possible

There were standards of holiness set up to reflect the holiness of the presence of God among his people. If some soul transgressed those standards, it was a serious mistake because the Israelites were intended to represent the uniqueness of Yahveh among the nations. Consequently, the ministers at the tabernacle had a reparation sacrifice system to provide reparation for that offence.

It is a beautiful thing to have a way of dealing with a serious problem — a way to undo the spiritual damage that sin causes. For believers today, our way of reparation prescribed under the new covenant involves surrender to the Holy Spirit. His indwelling power can help us repair the damage that walking according to the sinful nature does.

But there is an evil in this present age: an evil that blames God for the mistakes, identifies with them, and demands the right to be accepted even when one keeps making them. Christians need to avoid that attitude. It only leads to more sin.

LORD, thank you for the repair that is possible for us through obedience to your Holy Spirit.

Posted in deliverance, holiness, Holy Spirit, repentance | Tagged | 1 Comment

the same forgiveness

Posted on July 7, 2016 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky devotions July 2016 (7)

Leviticus 5:11-13

Lev 5:11 “But if he cannot afford two turtledoves or two pigeons, then he will bring as his offering for the mistake that he has made a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a mistake offering. He will put no oil on it and will put no frankincense on it, because it is a mistake offering.
Lev 5:12 And he will bring it to the priest, and the priest will take a handful of it as its reminiscence and burn this on the altar, on Yahveh’s fire offerings; it is a mistake offering.
Lev 5:13 Thus the priest will provide reconciliation for him for the mistake which he has made in any one of these things, and he will be forgiven. And the remainder will be for the priest, as in the tribute offering.”

the same forgiveness

The most meager of the mistake offerings is similar to the tribute offering. It is the barest of essentials for an offering, and is reserved for the poorest of the poor. It is a reminder that God’s standards of morality and faithfulness to the covenant are the same for everyone, yet he does know our situation. He is aware of our need, as well as our weaknesses. He offers the same forgiveness for the repentant heart, no matter how it is expressed, because he looks not on the outside — on the herd or flock, or on the bank account. He looks at the heart, and gives grace reflecting the giver, not the gift.

LORD, thank you for loving us enough to look past our weakness, and respond to our repentance.

Posted in atonement, forgiveness, grace | Tagged | 2 Comments

the second bird

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky devotions July 2016 (6)

Leviticus 5:7-10

Lev 5:7 “But if he cannot afford a lamb, then he will bring to Yahveh as his reparation for the mistake that he has made two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a mistake offering and the other for an ascending offering.
Lev 5:8 He will bring them to the priest, who will offer first the one for the mistake offering. He will wring its head from its neck but will not divide it completely,
Lev 5:9 and he will spritz some of the blood of the mistake offering on the wall of the altar, while the remainder of the blood will be pressed out at the base of the altar; it is a mistake offering.
Lev 5:10 Then he will offer the second for an ascending offering according to the rule. And the priest will provide reconciliation for him for the mistake that he has made, and he will be forgiven.

the second bird

Why two separate offerings for the person who has made a mistake, but cannot afford a lamb? Well, the extra offering is an ascending offering. Perhaps this is a way of dealing with the poverty. One bird for the mistake, and the second to appeal for God’s blessing. This approach takes faith, because, even though two birds for the offerings is still a less expensive price than the lamb, it is giving in expectation of a blessing. That is why we are wrong to teach people that God does not want them to give if they are poor. Stewardship of existing resources is always appropriate, and sometimes God is looking for the widow to give her mite, so that he can be glorified by the gift.

LORD, thank you for giving us the dignity of giving, even when we have less to give.

Posted in faith, giving, tithing | Tagged | 1 Comment

reparation for failures

Posted on July 5, 2016 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky devotions July 2016 (5)

Leviticus 5:1-6

Lev 5:1 “If any soul makes a mistake by hearing a public call to testify, and he is a witness, either seeing or coming to know the matter, yet does not speak, he will be responsible for his violation;
Lev 5:2 or if any soul touches a contaminated thing, whether a carcass of an contaminated wild animal or a carcass of contaminated livestock or a carcass of contaminated swarming things, and it is hidden from him and he has become contaminated, and he realises his offence;
Lev 5:3 or if he touches human contamination, of whatever sort the contamination may be with which one becomes contaminated, and it is hidden from him, when he comes to know it, and realises his offence;
Lev 5:4 or if any soul utters with his lips an overconfident oath to do evil or to do good, any sort of overconfident oath that a human swears, and it is hidden from him, when he comes to know it, and he realises his offence in any of these;
Lev 5:5 when he realises his offence in any of these and confesses the mistake he has made,
Lev 5:6 he will bring to Yahveh as his reparation for the mistake that he has made, a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat, for a mistake offering. And the priest will provide reconciliation for him for his mistake.

reparation for failures

This passage highlights three ways a person might make a mistake, not realising it at the time. Once it becomes clear that the worshipper has made a mistake, he must make reparation.

We have inherited a rebellious nature, and because of this we are capable of missing God’s perfection without even noticing. That does not excuse us from the violation. The law of Moses detailed a way of making reparation once it became evident that a mistake had been made. Reparation was not only essential to make up for the mistake, but also to avoid the spiral that would occur, if it was allowed to stand. God does not want to punish, but punishment is essential to reformation.

LORD, thank you for providing a way for us to make reparation for our failings.

Posted in forgiveness, reconciliation | Tagged | 1 Comment

lamb instead of goat

Posted on July 4, 2016 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky devotions July 2016 (4)

Leviticus 4:32-35

Lev 4:32 “If he brings a lamb as his offering for a mistake offering, he will bring a perfect female
Lev 4:33 and lay his hand on the head of the mistake offering and kill it for a mistake offering in the place where they kill the ascending offering.
Lev 4:34 Then the priest will take some of the blood of the mistake offering with his finger and put it on the horns of the altar of ascending offering and pour out all the rest of its blood at the base of the altar.
Lev 4:35 And all its fat he will remove as the fat of the lamb is removed from the sacrifice for healthy relationships, and the priest will burn it on the altar, on top of Yahveh’s fire offerings. And the priest will provide reconciliation for him for the mistake which he has made, and he will be forgiven.

lamb instead of goat

Not everyone would have been able to supply a lamb for their mistake offering. It was the more expensive of the options. It is also a reminder that those who have more, have more responsibility. All people make mistakes, but the mistakes of rich people have a way of hurting the community more. God does not “need” a goat or a lamb. What he wants is for us all — rich and poor — to seek forgiveness from him.

LORD, thank you for offering a way for us to correct our failures. Thank you for Christ, the perfect Lamb, offering reconciliation and deliverance for everyone through his shed blood.

Posted in deliverance, forgiveness, reconciliation | Tagged | 1 Comment

when I fail myself

Posted on July 3, 2016 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky devotions July 2016 (3)

Leviticus 4:27-31

Lev 4:27 “If any one soul of the people in the land makes a mistake inadvertently in doing any one of the things that by Yahveh’s commandments ought not to be done, and realises his offence,
Lev 4:28 or the mistake which he has made is made known to him, he will bring for his offering a goat, a perfect female, for his mistake which he has made.
Lev 4:29 And he will lay his hand on the head of the mistake offering and kill the mistake offering in the place of the ascending offering.
Lev 4:30 And the priest will take some of its blood with his finger and put it on the horns of the altar of ascending offering and pour out all the rest of its blood at the base of the altar.
Lev 4:31 And all its fat he will remove, as the fat is removed from the sacrifice for healthy relationships, and the priest will burn it on the altar for a soothing aroma to Yahveh. And the priest will provide reconciliation for him, and he will be forgiven.

when I fail myself

The prescriptions have been given for a mistake offering applied to the entire nation (4:13-21), and for a leader within the community (4:22-26). Now, the prescription is given for when an individual makes a mistake. One of the principle differences in this prescription is that the animal sacrificed must be female. This detail probably draws attention to and reflects the fact that the first individual among humans to make a mistake was our mother, Eve. When we remember that fact, we should also remember that her sin was only the beginning of a long history of failures and consequences. The LORD offers forgiveness for my failure, but it does not come cheap. The penalty for all our sin was ultimately paid by Christ on the cross: his life.

LORD, thank you for a way of escape from the consequences of our personal failures.

Posted in atonement, Eve, forgiveness, Jesus Christ, sin | Tagged | 2 Comments

when our leaders fail us

Posted on July 2, 2016 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky devotions July 2016 (2)

Leviticus 4:22-26

Lev 4:22 “When a leader makes a mistake, doing inadvertently any one of all the things that by the commandments of Yahveh his God ought not to be done, and realises his offence,
Lev 4:23 or the mistake which he has made is made known to him, he will bring as his offering a goat, a perfect male,
Lev 4:24 and will lay his hand on the head of the goat and kill it in the place where they kill the ascending offering in Yahveh’s sight; it is a mistake offering.
Lev 4:25 Then the priest will take some of the blood of the mistake offering with his finger and put it on the horns of the altar of ascending offering and pour out the rest of its blood at the base of the altar of ascending offering.
Lev 4:26 And all its fat he will burn on the altar, like the fat of the sacrifice for healthy relationships. So the priest will provide reconciliation for him for his mistake, and he will be forgiven.

when our leaders fail us

Leaders in the Israelite community gained prominence first in their families and clans. They were appointed to community leadership only after having proved themselves loyal to God, and considerate of those they represented before him. Yet, God knew that even these tried and faithful leaders would be tempted, and would inadvertently make mistakes. He provided a way for leaders to get back on track, so that their failures would not result in the loss of the wisdom that it takes to lead their people prudently and fairly. The LORD is the great shepherd, and he cares for all the sheep, providing for the under-shepherds as well.

LORD, thank you for godly leaders. Help our leaders stay true to you, and to us.

Posted in faithfulness, leadership, loyalty, restoration | Tagged | 1 Comment

when democracy fails us

Posted on July 1, 2016 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky devotions July 2016 (1)

Leviticus 4:13-21

Lev 4:13 “If the whole congregation of Israel makes a mistake inadvertently and the thing is hidden from the eyes of the collected assembly, and they do any one of the things that by Yahveh’s commandments ought not to be done, and they realise their offence,
Lev 4:14 when the mistake which they have made becomes known, the collected assembly will offer a bull from the herd for a mistake offering and bring it in front of the conference tent.
Lev 4:15 And the elders of the congregation will lay their hands on the head of the bull in Yahveh’s sight, and the bull will be killed in Yahveh’s sight.
Lev 4:16 Then the anointed priest will bring some of the blood of the bull into the conference tent,
Lev 4:17 and the priest will dip his finger in the blood and spritz it seven times in Yahveh’s sight in front of the veil.
Lev 4:18 And he will put some of the blood on the horns of the altar that is in the conference tent in Yahveh’s sight, and the rest of the blood he will pour out at the base of the altar of ascending offering that is at the entrance of the conference tent.
Lev 4:19 And all its fat he will take from it and burn on the altar.
Lev 4:20 Thus will he do with the bull. As he did with the bull of the mistake offering, so will he do with this. And the priest will provide reconciliation for them, and they will be forgiven.
Lev 4:21 And he will carry the bull outside the camp and burn it up as he burned the first bull; it is the mistake offering for the collected assembly.

when democracy fails us

In a democratic society, the will of the whole people is intended to protect the community from the avarice and corruption of the privileged few. But there are times when democracy fails us, because the will of the whole people leads the entire nation to fail God.

The mistake offering for the collected assembly was a provision for reconciling the entire nation of Israel when they had collectively gone astray. It was a way of dealing with the estrangement from God caused by collective sin. Without it, no revival could occur. Because once a nation rebels, the covenant has been breached. So, God lovingly provided a way to rescue his people from their own rebellion.

LORD, thank you for the gift of democracy. Thank you as well for a way to repent for democracy gone wrong.

Posted in deliverance, ethnic Israel, loyalty, reconciliation, repentance | Tagged | 1 Comment