Highlights In Today's Reading:
God's first words to Moses are: Speak unto the children of Israel (1:2). Can you imagine what He had to say to Moses? Find out for yourself how to approach God and continue in fellowship with Him.
Three times it is repeated that if his offering be a burnt sacrifice . . . he shall offer it of his own voluntary will . . . before the Lord. . . . it is . . . a sweet savour unto the Lord (1:3, 13,17). But the sin offering and the trespass offering were never a sweet savour for they were required to restore one's relationship with God. Only then could the worshiper present the sweet savour offerings that truly satisfied God.
The burnt offering was often an ox that normally plowed in a field or pulled a cart. It was chosen as a Burnt Offering sacrifice because it represented the most valuable of all clean animals. It was killed and then burned outside the gate and consumed to ashes. (Only then, did it ascend to God as a sweet savour unto the Lord.) There was a transformation that took place from the time the powerful ox was plowing the fields until the time it was reduced to ashes.
We, too, are like the "powerful oxen," proud of our talents and abilities. But they must be reduced to ashes (fully dedicated to God for His glory) to become a sweet savor — a satisfaction to God. This means that in all our activities we will ask: "What would Jesus do?" He has said: It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak (Romans 14:21). If it were possible for you to drink with a clear conscience, you would never know how many you influence to become "drunk." We are to: Present our bodies a living sacrifice (not just on Sunday), holy, acceptable unto God. . . . And not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (12:1-2). To offer God less than our best hinders someone else.
This burning to ashes illustrates the essential characteristics of a Christian's life that affects both the inward cleansing and external conduct such as: Be not drunk with wine . . . but be filled with the (Holy) Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Obviously either wine or the Holy Spirit is in control. God removed all doubt when Paul wrote: The works of the flesh are manifest . . . Adultery (sexual perversions) . . . drunkenness . . . and such like . . . they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. . . . And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh (no longer practice the works of the flesh) (Galatians 5:19-25)
Thought for Today:
Surrendering our will to do God's will brings great victory into our lives.
Christ Revealed:
Through the Meat (Meal, Grain) Offering which was made without leaven (symbolic of sin) (Leviticus 2:11). Christ was without sin (Heb. 4:15).
Word Studies:
2:4 oblation =offering, sacrifice; 3:9 hard by =near.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for our Military worldwide • The Arabic International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts for the month of February sponsored by Mary Hoffmeyer • Staff: Dr. John A. Hash • Government Official/s [listed on their birthday/s] and the state/s represented (statistics from The Original U.S. Congress Handbook): Sen. Mike Enzi (WY), Rep. Paul Gillmor (OH), and Rep. Tom Lantos (CA) • Country (Religious statistics from Operation World and Religious Freedom in the World): Botswana (1.5 million) in southern Africa • Major languages: English and Setswana • Limited religious freedom because of local chiefs • 59% Christian; 40% Indigenous; .8% Baha'i; .2% Muslim; .2% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Amidst uncertainty, seek the guidance of God (Isaiah 42:16).
Optional Reading: Mark 4
NOTE: Bible Pathway covers the Old Testament with devotional and commentary insights over a nine-month period, January through September. Each day during these months, an optional reading of one chapter a day from the New Testament will also be listed. The October, November, and December issues will provide a daily commentary on the New Testament readings. Thus, the reader goes through the New Testament twice each year using the Bible Pathway plan.
Memory Verse for the Week:
Philippians 3:10
