Not because of the gathering of the manna every day. Not because of the multiple wives thing (even though that’s a pretty serious issue I have). Not because of walking long distances in the heat.
But, because of the sacrifices.
I’ve been reading through Exodus and Leviticus lately. These books can be quite hard to get through but there’s so much to gain from reading them.
I’m amazed at the order and specificity of God seen through, not only the specific instructions for building the tabernacle, but just in simple instructions for everyday life. God told the Israelites how to do everything, especially when it came to sacrifice.
The question that’s been rattling through my brain is: Why was God so specific?
Why was God so specific about the sacrifice? Why was He so about the way each item in the tabernacle was set up?
God is teaching me that He is a specific God.
I often don’t bring my requests to God because I don’t feel they’re that important. It’s not that I think God doesn’t care. I just think He’s got bigger fish to fry and I really don’t want to bother Him about my measly request.
So, basically I’m the one that tells God what He should be doing, right?
I’ve set myself up as knowing more than God by saying, “Lord, you go ahead and solve the crisis in the Middle East and don’t worry your little head about this or that because it’s not that important. I can handle it on my own.”
When really, I can’t handle it on my own. But, Lord knows I try.
This morning I was reading about the individual sacrifices for sin and I thought about how many times I would have to go and slaughter an innocent animal for what I’ve done.
Think about that.
Knowing that you will have to physically gather up an animal and kill him each time you sin might deter some of us from sinning as freely as we do. I know that’s a sad state of affairs to say that seeing as Jesus was that ultimate sacrifice that should ever be before us. But, let’s face it, not seeing that on a regular basis or returning to that thought can make us less sensitive to our sin.
What makes it even more unbelievable is that the Bible says “when a person sins unintentionally” he must bring the sacrifice. Every time it says ” sins unintentionally” in Leviticus 4. Every time.
Think of how many times we could sin “unintentionally” and think about how many animals we would have to kill. Wow. That boggles my mind. And, the description of how specific that slaughter of these animals is still amazes me. It makes me wonder if we would be in the state we are in now if God still required that of us.
Trust me. I’m glad He doesn’t. The thought of cutting open any animal and sprinkling it’s blood and parts over an altar is not appealing to me in the least.
What about those “unintentional” sins? Because they were “unintentional,” they were never brought to your attention and you missed a sacrifice? Then, what? Think about that one for a minute.
Wow. Again, overwhelmed with God’s grace.
I’m so thankful this morning that God made a way for us.
I want to be in that same place spiritually that the Israelites were commanded to be in daily … with that sacrifice ever before me. Constantly remembering and staying in an attitude of gratitude over what God did for us through His ultimate sacrifice.
The other thing I think about when it comes to the specificity of that sacrifice is that God doesn’t want some offering just haphazardly thrown up there on the altar. God wants our best. Our first.
Honestly, we don’t always give Him what’s due Him. We give Him what’s leftover or what’s not orderly or prepared and then expect Him to do something with it. We say, “God, bless it.” Do we really expect God to bless something that we have not put before Him as our best offering or sacrifice?
Goodness. So many things from that one little chapter.
I’ll stop now because I’m starting to sound a little preachy even though I’m preaching to myself.
All that to say … Thank God for Jesus!
Great post! I agree…Thank you God for Jesus!
Blessings,
Amy
I'm glad to know that I am not the only one with the "bigger fish to fry" mentality where God is concerned. I am being convicted lately to lay it ALL at His feet. He is wanting me to SHOW my faith through prayer.
Whew!! Good stuff Lady!! You can get preachy anytime you feel the need! 🙂 Thank God for Jesus! Amen!!