Communion with God (Lev. chapter 3 & 7:11-38)

8/19/2008 10:47 PM

My Worship Time           Focus:  Communion with God

Bible Reading & Meditation     Reference:  Leviticus 3; 7:11-38

            Message of the verses:  This section is all about having communion with God and there are different sacrifices that the children of Israel were to offer to God that would bring this about.  The fellowship or peace offering had some differences about them that the other sacrifices did not have.  A female animal could be offered for these sacrifices and this was not permitted with other offerings.  Another thing different if the offerer was not offering this sacrifice to fulfil a vow then the animal could have a defect in it.  “23 ‘In respect to an ox or a lamb which has an overgrown or stunted member, you may present it for a freewill offering, but for a vow it will not be accepted.”  (Lev. 22:23)  This sacrifice was basically used for food for the priest and also for the one who was offering it. There were certain portions in these sacrifices that belonged to the priest and the rest could be eaten by the worshiper with the exception of what was to be burned on the altar to God.  The blood was never to be eater and neither the fat could be eaten and the fat portion was burned on the altar to God. 

            The Jewish people did not make a habit of eating from their flocks and herds but when they did they would share it with others and they had to be friends in order to do this.

            In the church today we celebrate the “Lord’s Supper” and this is done with other believers where there can be fellowship involved.

            Part of this section discusses the peace offering and it was on the cross that Jesus Christ made peace with God for those who would put their trust in Him for their salvation.  “20  and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”  (Col. 1:20)  Pastor Burns made the statement that this is the only verse in the NT that has blood and peace in it, for without the blood of Jesus Christ their could be no peace with God for the believers.  I also think of the Spiritual armor that Paul writes about the shoes of the Gospel of peace and I have often thought that could mean both the peace of God and peace with God.  One cannot have the peace of God unless he has peace with God.

            In Hebrews 13:15 the believer is told to offer the sacrifice of praise and that is a kind of sacrifice that a believer can offer to the Lord and he does not need an animal to do it.  In Romans 12:1-2 the believer is told to offer his body as a living sacrifice to the Lord.

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I can offer a sacrifice of praise to the Lord without having to go through the process that is described in the verses that go along with his section.  I can have fellowship with the Lord providing I keep my life clean from sin by confessing it to the Lord without going through the process spoken of in this section of verses.  This is al wonderful news for me as a NT believer in Jesus Christ.  I can lift up my heart and hands in praise to the Lord for this truth.

My Steps of Faith for Today:

1. Offer myself as a living sacrifice to the Lord for worship and service today.
2. Put on my spiritual armor to be able to stand today.
3. Trust the Lord to guide my path today.

8/19/2008 11:24 PM