devotion and defiled offerings

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

jd-at-beachLeviticus 22:17-33       God neither wants nor is pleased by the offerings of foreigners.  The Israelites were to follow strict guidelines to make sure that what was presented to the LORD was in perfect condition.  He was more interested in obedience that more offerings.

Today the LORD does not require that we sacrifice our animals to him, but he is still very interested in our obedience, and our commitment to be his wholeheartedly.  He enjoys our worship, but he does not want us to worship more.  He wants more of us in our worship.

LORD, we want to worship you with acceptable offerings.

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devotion and defiled service

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

jd-at-beachLeviticus 21:1-22:16     Moses was commanded to warn Aaron that those of his descendants who were not qualified to enter the LORD’s presence in ministry must not presume to do so.  A physical defect or a marriage outside the parameters for the priesthood, or a temporary defilement were among the reasons a person would be deemed unfit. 

In the covenant established by Christ, and paid for by his blood, there are also things that would render a believer unfit for ministry.  We should not presume upon God’s grace, but seek his forgiveness and cleansing before attempting to serve others in God’s name.

LORD, forgive us for presuming to serve with defiled hands.

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devotion and separation

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

jd-at-beachLeviticus 20    Once you have given your life to Christ, you cannot go back.  God’s Holy Spirit will drive you to repentance until your relationship with the LORD is restored.  His goal is to sanctify you. 

This reality is seen in the LORD’s commands to the Israelites here.  Since they have been rescued by the LORD, they are not allowed to live like the nations around them.  God says:

“You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.” (Leviticus 20:26 ESV)

The separated life is not a monastic life.  It is a life lived differently.

LORD, forgive us for seeking the status quo when you have called us to rise higher.

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devotion and identity

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

jd-at-beachLeviticus 19    

The Israelites followed strict codes of conduct that set them apart as holy, because the God they were to represent is holy.  That holiness was not merely ritualistic.  It included the concepts of justice, love and sexual purity.  It could be summed up with these words:

“You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.” (2)

We are learning in Leviticus what it means to live like believers.  The issue is never “how do I get saved?”  That question was answered by the exodus.  God rescued his people through the blood of the lamb: by his grace.  No, from then on, the Bible’s message is about how to live like someone redeemed.

LORD, help us to live like the rescued saints we are.

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devotion and sexuality

Posted on April 22, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

jd-at-beachLeviticus 18      Sexuality appears to be a temporary phenomenon for humanity.  Jesus said: 

“The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage” (Luke 20:34-35)

But sexuality is an important part of God’s kingdom.  It is a means of demonstrating one’s allegiance to the LORD by staying within the parameters he has set for physical relationships.  That is not a popular way of seeing things today, but its truth is clear. 

LORD, make us faithful to you in the area of our sexuality.

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singular devotion

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

jd-at-beachLeviticus 17  It was not enough for the Israelites to simply name the name of the LORD and go about their worship the same as in Egypt.  Neither would they be allowed to follow the Canaanite worship practices and just insert the name of YHVH in place of that of the Canaanite deities.  The God who rescued the Israelites demanded that there be no hint of pluralism or syncretism in their worship of him. It must be singular devotion.

“Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”  (Rev. 15:4)

LORD,  remove from us those practices in our worship which do not point to you exclusively.

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Azazel devotion

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

jd-at-beachLeviticus 16    Each element of the Day of Atonement was profoundly significant.  The bull represented the high priest whose sins had to be atoned for because he was representing the Messianic high priest, who would be (and is) sinless.  The two goats represent a single sin-offering.  Christ’s death is depicted in the dying goat, and his resurrection in the released one.  Also, the act of releasing Azazel looked forward to the complete removal of sin from the planet. It was to encourage believers to look beyond sin to see the culmination of God’s plan for their complete sanctification.

LORD, help us to see the full significance of what Christ has accomplished for us.

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reproductive devotion

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

jd-at-beachLeviticus 15

Both types of bodily fluid discharges regulated here had to do with the reproductive system: the male discharge of semen and the female menstrual cycle.  This is the LORD’s way of highlighting the importance of purity and integrity with regard to sexuality.  Any culture which regards sex as merely recreational activity misses God’s point.  Sexual pleasure is a gift from God, but like God’s other gifts, it can be abused and must be enjoyed within the confines of God’s limits.  Even our pleasures belong to God.

LORD, we surrender our sexuality to your sovereignty.

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devoted families

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

jd-at-beachLeviticus 14:33-57  

The skin disease that can affect a person can also affect an entire household.  Likewise, sin can pass from person to person in a family.  Houses that became carriers of leprosy were to be either healed or destroyed.  They became a visible demonstration of God’s demands for holy families, as well as holy individuals.

LORD, we claim your restorative forgiveness for our households.

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restored devotion

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

jd-at-beachLeviticus 14:1-32   

The same sacrifices which atoned for sin and guilt were applied to cleansing of skin diseases.  The same Christ whose death on the cross saved you from hell can also clean up your life on earth today.

The LORD calls us to cleansing:

“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18).

LORD, we surrender to you our today, as well as our eternal tomorrow.

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