Leviticus 12-15

April 14, 2012

PK Leviticus 5 Comments

If you have been reading along with me – a Chapter a Day – then you should have spent the past 15 days plowing your way through the Book of Leviticus. This is the area of the Bible where most Christians, after starting out with such high hopes and good intentions, start to wane in their commitment to make it through the entire Bible. The book is laced with customs and rituals that are strange to our ears – and quite frankly do not make much sense!

Beyond that – the past 4 chapters have indeed been the strangest chapters in the entire Bible! Lev 12-15 deal with all sorts of disgusting situations and how they are to be dealt with by the Priests as they perform their duties before God in the midst of the Israelites. But – as with the rest of it – there ARE purposes even for these chapters (as I hope to make clear to you).

First, what are the main topics of these 4 strange chapters?

Lev 12 – deals with ritual purification after a woman’s monthly period or childbirth.

Lev 13 – deals with the cleansing of infectious skin diseases.

Lev 14 – deals with more details for skin diseases – and then discusses how to cleanse from mildews on clothing, tents, etc.

Lev 15 – deals with bodily discharges and other unpleasant situations.

 

Ok… so now you’re thinking…

“That was fun. What in the world is PK gonna do with this?”

 

The key verse is Lev 15:31: “Thus you shall separate the Israelites from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness by defiling My tabernacle that is in the midst of them.”

The point of all of this is that there is something about God’s Presence that He cannot allow these various natural occurrences to come near Him. (These are not necessarily acts of sin – just things that happen to humans in nature). God wants His people to wait – allow the natural occurrence to heal, dissipate – and then wash themselves before returning to His presence.

Why?

 

Well, look at what the four main points in the chapters all have in common.

      1. Women’s menstrual cycle and Man’s discharge (Lev 12 & 15) – Both are instruments of LIFE which have not followed their natural course – but instead these occurrences represent life unrealized!
      2. Infectious Skin Diseases (Lev 13) – Again, the skin is a living organism in our bodies. It regenerates completely every 35-45 days (we get new skin). It is a beautiful symbol of new LIFE. Yet these type of skin diseases represent the skin dying – life unrealized!
      3. Mildew on Garments (Lev 14) – As par the course – rot & mildew are all signs of death and the curse. They eventually will completely overcome and destroy the article.

 

In all of these we see perfect symbols of something that WAS alive and life-giving… but is now reduced to wasted potential and destruction.

But that is not how God is at all.

The Bible is replete with statements about God being the Creator of LIFE! He brings life into dead situations – He doesn’t destroy, but brings overflowing LIFE (John 10:10).

He even went as far as redeeming us from the Curse of Genesis 3. (Gal 3:13).

God is not connected with death at all – He is LIFE!

So He is setting up practical lessons to teach His people very early on this major principle. He is not a God of death – but LIFE. So they must not come before Him during signs of death… but wait… wash… and then return to Him with LIFE.

 

Which brings up great questions for us all today.

As followers of Jesus – we are made in the image of God – and our main purpose is to reflect this God throughout the entire world.

A world of death and curse.

But if we speak, listen to, associate with things that represent death, the curse, etc – then we are NOT reflecting the God of life at all.

In fact – we are actually reflecting the OPPOSITE of Him.

 

In Leviticus – God is teaching this newly formed nation of ex-slaves about Himself and what He is really like. The hope is that in generations to follow these people won’t stray into the ungodly habits of their neighbors – developing wrong perspectives about their God and what He represents.

So in many ways – Leviticus is still pertains to us today.

 

 

Be Fruitful & Multiply,

PK

Leviticus 10

April 10, 2012

PK Leviticus 1 Comment

Right out of the gate – Lev chapter 10 is shocking. The Bible says that two of Aaron’s son’s (Nadab and Abihu) fail to follow the rules and “offer strange fire” on the newly consecrated altar – resulting in God striking them down with fire and killing them! (Lev 10:1-2)

There have been many debates about what is meant by “strange fire”. Was it a timing issue? Did they come at it in the wrong heart? Maybe they offered the fire in the wrong spot? This can also be quite confusing to us from our perspective. What happened? Was God trigger happy here?

Think how Aaron felt…

Moses quickly gives us an explanation as to what is happening. He attributes this strange occurrence to the incredible holiness of God. (Lev 10:3-5).

Holiness – “set apart, devoted, clean, no stain”.

Honored – GLORY – “weightiness, heaviness”.

 

What is happening here is that God is holy – and His immense Presence is not something to be trifled with. His holiness will be honored throughout the earth – and He cannot be mocked (Gal 6:7). God needs to ensure that these people – forming a new nation centered upon Himself – understand that sin is bad and He is GOOD. Furthermore – His Goodness is far and above our best offering (in our own strength) because of sin’s influence.

Unfortunately – it took the example of Nadab and Abihu to get this point across.

(Notice that Aaron never says a word… – Lev 10:3).

 

Right after this tragic event – God speaks to Aaron for the very first time. He warns him not to tread lightly upon His Presence. (Understandable based on what had just happened).

Then God makes an interesting statement:

“You shall make a distinction and recognize a difference between the holy and the common or unholy, and between the clean and the unclean.” - Lev 10:10.

God is helping Aaron (as the first Priest) to understand that there is a big difference between Himself and our perspective. It will do no good for the people, if we casually enter God’s Presence in a flippant or arrogant manner. Instead – be sure to always recognize the difference.

 

This warning was not heeded by the Israelites. Generations later – the prophet Ezekiel delivers a stinging judgment from God in response to this exact issue.

“Her priests have done violence to My law and have profaned My holy things. They have made no distinction between the sacred and the secular, neither have they taught people the difference between the unclean and the clean and have hid their eyes from My Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.”- Ezekiel 22:26 AMP

Notice what God says – “they have profaned My holy things”!

To PROFANE something is to mix what is set apart for God (Holy) into things that are meant for common use. In essence – to walk into God’s Temple and carry something over the threshold – into the common area – belittling it’s sacred intentions.

In God’s eyes this is a huge issue… something we should avoid at all costs.

 

Which brings up some big questions for us all (since we are ALL now priests [1 Pet 2:9] – and our bodies are His temple [1 Cor 6:19]):

Marriage – When we belittle this beautiful relationship – which was created to demonstrate God’s love for all of us – by cheapening it and using it in unnatural ways – we PROFANE it.

Music – When we take this beautiful gift from God – designated to assist us in worshiping Him – and we instead use it to manipulate emotions and sing about “other” things – we cheapen it’s original purpose – we PROFANE it.

These (and may other examples) demonstrate how all of us make the same mistakes of Nadab and Abihu.

 

So… Leviticus Chapter 10 is about more then just ancient rituals and the sudden deaths of two teenage boys. It is about Profanity and how all of us relate.

 

Which makes me so thankful for Jesus once again. :)

 

Be Fruitful & Multiply,

PK

Leviticus 9

April 9, 2012

PK Leviticus 2 Comments

In the first 8 chapters of Leviticus we have been given instructions by God on how to “come near” to Him . These instructions involve blood, priests, animal sacrifices, substitutionary rituals.

In Lev 9 the Lord gives some detailed instructions – and then couples them with a promise:

“… for today the Lord will appear to you.” – Lev 9:4

Basically – if you follow these instructions – then I will appear before you and you will see me!

 

The first step is to gather all the people together. This is huge – because something amazing is going to happen and it won’t happen until everywhere is there to witness it.

Scripture teaches this in other places as well – this gathering together.

Ex 19:3-11 – “all the people”

Neh 8:1-6 – “all the people gathered as one man and listened attentively…”

Acts 2:1-4 – “As they were all together – the fire of Pentecost fell…”

It seems that whenever all of God’s people gathered together in one place – He shows up and does amazing things!

(No wonder Heb 10:25 says what is does!)

 

The second step was obedience (Lev 9:5-12)

God is not impressed with ritualistic religion – but with obedience. Aaron doesn’t waiver one bit from what God told him to do.

God loves obedience (1 John has a lot to say about this!).

 

And finally – the people came expecting God to appear. They trusted that what He said – He will do! That sort of expectation always proves results!

With these ingredients in place – the Lord shows up in FIRE! (Lev 9:23-24).

 

So – hopefully you are starting to get the picture of Leviticus.

It isn’t the priests…

It isn’t the rituals…

It isn’t the blood or sacrifices…

The real point of Leviticus is God appearing through all of this!

THE REAL POINT OF LEVITICUS IS THE FIRE!!!!!

 

You can have all the ritual & procedures & sacrifice

– but until you see God show up – you have nothing!

 

Be Fruitful & Multiply,

PK

Leviticus 8

April 7, 2012

PK Leviticus 2 Comments

So – after all of the instructions God gave to Moses – in Lev 8 He tells him to call all the people together and consecrate Aaron and his son’s as the first priests.

consecrate – “clean, set apart, reserve for God’s use”.

This is basically the Opening Ceremony for the Priests. God wanted to ensure that ALL of the people were present – saw this – and paid attention to it.

The priests are disrobed – washed – and then dressed in the sight of all the people!

(Afterall – he is a man… just like all of us!)

If Aaron’s job is to represent us to God – and if he is a man (just like us) – then we want him clean of sin before going to God on our behalf!

BEFORE HE CAN HELP US GET RIGHT WITH GOD – HE MUST BE RIGHT WITH GOD!

So he is washed with water – and then anointed with oil (a symbol of the Holy Spirit).

Check that – he is drenched with oil! (Psalm 133:2)

Clean him… and then drench him with the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Then there is blood – and a weird ceremony involving Moses placing a dab of blood on Aaron’s right ear lobe – right thumb – and right toe.

What does that mean?

Right ear lobe – because he listens with his ears. So we only want him listening to God (otherwise how can we trust him to hear God for us)?

Right thumb – because we work and serve with our hands. So we want those hands to be kept pure (otherwise how can he serve God on our behalf)?

Right toe – because he is to be an example wherever he goes – as one who walks with God. So we want his feet to only walk in pure places (otherwise how can he walk before God on our behalf)?

So they are all consecrated – touched with blood – made clean.

Now, as we saw earlier, the writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus came and abolished the system of sacrifices we see being introduced here in Leviticus. He became the final sacrifice (once and for all) – forever ending the need to kill animals for the forgiveness of sin.

He basically put the priests our of business.

So what is an unemployed priest supposed to do?

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own [a]purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.“ - 1 Pet 2:9 AMP

Today – YOU and I are the priests! YOU and I are to represent God to the world. YOU and I are to be the example in what we listen to… what we do… and where we walk.

So… get out your ear lobe…

Be Fruitful & Multiply,

PK

Leviticus 4-5

April 5, 2012

PK Leviticus Leave a comment

So far we have seen 3 examples of types of Offerings that God has given His people in order to deal with their sin and come near to Him.

  1. Burnt Offering – Sins are covered.
  2. Grain Offering – Life is committed to God.
  3. Fellowship (Peace) Offering – Fellowship with God.

BUT WHAT DO I DO IF I MESS UP AGAIN?

 

That is the point of the final 2 types of offerings.

Lev 4:1 – “When anyone sins unintentionally…” What follows are instructions for what to do when someone makes a mistake without realizing it. The first thing is it must be brought to their attention (“when they are made aware…” – Lev 4:23).

The main idea is that we all make mistakes – and God’s desire isn’t to slam us at the first misstep. Instead He even makes provision for this.

The rest of chapter 4 goes through every type of person who sins and how they can deal with that sin.

The Priests (vs 3)

The whole community (vs 13)

A Leader (vs 22)

An average member (vs 27)

 

Then in chapter 5 we see the Guilt Offering – provided for the person who knows what to do, but fails to do it. (Again – even if they are unaware of it). This time they must bring an offering of a certain monetary value and make restitution for the error.

RESTITUTION is different from FORGIVENESS!

Forgiveness chooses to not hold the person at fault any longer.

Restitution chooses to make things right.

(Jesus refers to this type of offering in Matt 5:23-24).

 

Lev 1 – BURNT OFFERING

Lev 2 – GRAIN OFFERING

Lev 3 – PEACE OFFERING

Lev 4 – SIN OFFERING

Lev 5 – GUILT OFFERING

 

So what is the point of all of this?

Sin is serious. It isn’t something to be trifled with – and God wants to establish that in the minds of His people very early in their partnership. He wants them to understand that something has to die for sin… somethings always dies for sin!

But it’s more than that.

Leviticus is also an instruction manual for the Priests – teaching them how to conduct the community worship. Teaching them how to deal with the people’s sin.

So the priest gets up in the morning and spends 8-10 hours offering sacrifices…

every day…

over and over and over…

and it is bloody…

But the writer of the book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus came (as the High Priest) and offered ONE sacrifice for us all. One day – One time – One sacrifice.

Then He declared it finished – and sat down! (Heb 1:3)

 

Sin is serious… but so is Jesus!

 

Be Fruitful & Multiply,

PK

Leviticus 3

April 4, 2012

PK A Chapter a Day, Leviticus 2 Comments

Let’s review…

In Lev 1 – we are told about the Burnt Offering. Blood – sacrifice – penalty – leaning on the lamb – forgiveness.

In Lev 2 – we are told about the Grain Offering. Fine Flour – Oil – Incense – Yeast – Salt – Surrender – Comittment.

We learned that one sacrifice follows the other. First you recognize that your sins are forgiven – then you make a statement of commitment to God.

Now in Lev 3 we see a third offering – the Free-Will Offering (also known as a Peace Offering).

While the first 2 offerings are commandments – this offering is an invitation. After you have made atonement for your sins (Burnt Offering) and after you have recommitted your ways to the Lord (Grain Offering) – THEN you are invited to enter into fellowship with Him. (Peace – Free-will)

In this offering you give God your very best – the FAT PORTIONS. The fat and meat were delicacies in those days. Reserved for the very best part of the meal. God says burn them as an offering to Him. This is a confession of love – devotion – from the heart.

After you burn the fat portions… what do you do with the leftovers?

According to Deut 12:4-7 – after you offer your Free-Will Offering… you eat with family and friends – rejoice – throw a party!

So the concept is this: Offer a Burnt Offering (Forgiveness) – then offer a Grain Offering (Commitment) – then, if you would like, offer a Free-Will Offering (Devotion) and throw a party with the leftovers!

That is a natural reaction… Forgiveness – Commitment – Party.

Solomon follows this order when dedicating the Temple in 1 Kings 8:64.

Forgiveness – Commitment – Party.

(You cannot have the Party without Forgiveness and Commitment.)

Does this sound like Jesus to you?

Jesus offers us forgiveness on the cross – invites us to commit our lives to Him – then tells us to gather with others and remember Him in fellowship.

In Matt 26:26-28 – Jesus gathers with His disciples for a final meal. There He takes wine (as a symbol of His blood) – and bread (symbol of His body) and shares them with His closest followers.

Do you see it?

Wine – Blood – Sacrifice – Burnt Offering – Forgiveness – Lev 1

Bread – Grain – Provision – Commitment – Lev 2

A Meal – Fellowship – Free-Will – Peace – Lev 3

There is no forgiveness of sin without the shedding of blood. (Heb 9:22)

There is no provision from God without a commitment. (John 8:51)

There is no peace without Jesus. (John 14:27)

Wow… suddenly Communion isn’t just a ritual you do on the 1st Sunday of the month!

Be Fruitful & Multiply,

PK

Leviticus 2

April 3, 2012

PK A Chapter a Day, Leviticus 5 Comments

The next chapter of Leviticus deals with another type of offering the Priests would make for the people of Israel… it was called the Grain (Cereal) Offering.

“When anyone offers a cereal offering to the Lord…” - Lev 2:1

Now notice how God details the exact ingrediants for this offering? Not only how to mix it and how to apply it to the altar – but also the exact ingredients that make up the offering itself? What is the purpose for these ingredients? What does it all mean? We already know that everything in God’s Word is for us – so what is God trying to tell the Israelites (and ultimately us) through these details?

Well, lets look briefly at the four ingredients and what they represent:

  1. Fine Flour (vs 1) – In order to make the typical flour mixture “fine” it would require a LOT of work by the preparer! This is to symbolize excellence… God only wanted their BEST. No half-hearted offering accepted.
  2. Oil (vs 1) – In the Bible, oil is a symbol of God’s anointed presence and the power of His Holy Spirit. The command by God is to drench this offering with oil – as drenching it with His presence and Anointing Spirit!
  3. Incense (vs 2) – The particular type of incense God calls for in this offering is frankincense. What it interesting about that herb is that it does not give off it’s aroma until it has been crushed and beaten. This foreshadows another Offering who will give off a pleasing aroma after He is crushed and beaten…
  1. Yeast (vs 4,11) – God then commands them to not allow any yeast or honey in the mixture. These are symbols of corruption (yeast) and decay (honey – which sours with time). Both of these are a symbol of sin… no sin in this offering!

These ingredients are not just a random list for the Israelites to gather… they play a much bigger, deeper role! All of this points (once again) to Jesus – who will eventually come and deal with the sin and separation once and for all (Heb 9:26).

Jesus is perfect (like fine flour).

Jesus is anointed (like the oil)

Jesus gave off a pleasing aroma after being beaten (like frankincense).

Jesus contained no sin (like yeast & honey).

One final thought… Grain comes from the earth. The people couldn’t “make” it grow – it just did, by the hand of God. To offer up a grain offering was to “give back to God” after He gave them so much (such as rain).

Is it an accident that the Grain Offering immediately follows the Burnt Offering?

The Burnt offering covers my sin… then the Grain offering is my reaction to that forgiveness – I want to give back to God out of what He has given me.

Again… Jesus.

Be Fruitful & Multiply,

PK

Leviticus 1

April 2, 2012

PK A Chapter a Day, Leviticus 3 Comments

I am posting a few days behind our actual reading… but I want to lead us through a methodical reading of the third book of the Torah – Leviticus. This is where most people quit in their Bible reading (or skip parts) – but I want to encourage you to not do that. By staying disciplined and taking your time – you will learn so much that God is saying here. Nothing in God’s Word is by accident!

One of the first things we notice when we start reading this book is that it is quite ritualistic and a bit boring! Many scholars believe it was written this way because it’s original purpose was to instruct the Priests on how to run the sacrifical system for the people of Israel. The priests would have memorized it – hence why it was simplistic and monotonous.

Right off the bat we see something change in the opening of this book.

“The LORD called Moses out of the Tent of Meeting…” - Lev 1:1

In the book of Exodus we see God speaking to Moses from the top of Mt Sinai – with thunder and smoke. No one else could come near… only Moses. But now – with the completion of the Tent of Meeting – we see God dwelling within the camp of His people! This is a reflection of God’s heart… to be with His people (just like in the garden)! Unfortunately – sin makes this relationship level a huge issue. In Leviticus we see it a bit closer then the day man was sent “east of Eden”.

Chapter 1 details the start of the sacrificial system. Over the next 5 chapters we will see 5 main types of offerings. The first one is the Burnt Offering. The word for “offering” is “Corban” and it means “to bring or to come near.” The main point is that God is setting up a system which will allow people who are under a curse of sin to approach Him in all His holiness.

Remember God’s heart?

The details of the Burnt Offering are for a reason. We cannot just come to God on our own terms… we must come on God’s terms (because He is God). Sin is serious… (just ask the lamb!). The individual must bring a lamb to the priests – then he lays his hands upon the head of the lamb while it is being killed (as a way of recognizing the lamb being punished in his place).

This was known as “leaning on the lamb”.

Today – you and I have another Lamb who took our place.

“The next day John saw Jesus coming to him and said, ‘Look! There is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” - John 1:29

Have you leaned on the Lamb?

Be Fruitful & Multiply,

PK

Exodus Review

March 30, 2012

PK A Chapter a Day, Exodus 3 Comments

So we have reached the end of the 2nd book of the Bible… Exodus! In it we have seen the formation of a nation of people – the Israelites – who are rescued out of slavery by the Lord God and led through the desert towards the land God has promised to give them through their ancestors – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We watch as Moses does his best to lead this group of ex-slaves… being guided by the instruction from God Himself – speaking directly with Moses face to face (as a man speaks with a friend).

The last portion of Exodus has this group of ex-slaves encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai – on the northern edge of the desert – south of the Promised Land of Canaan. It is here that God calls Moses up to the top of that mountain and begins to download specific instructions to Moses in minute detail. Moses writes them all down… beginning with the infamous Ten Commandments – and right on through the blue prints for the Tent of Meeting.

As we read – it can start to become tedious… all those details. What is the point of the details anyway? Why does God go through such effort to ensure Moses follows the plan exactly?

Well – we have to remember that God already knows the beginning from the end. (Isaiah 46:10). He knew that Adam & Eve would fall in the garden… He knew that Joseph would be sold into slavery by his brothers… He knew that Moses would become a great leader and lead the Israelites out of Egypt. And even as God knew all these things before they happened – He also had a plan! That plan was Jesus.

So in this foreknowledge… God has reasons for the details. Every step He gives Moses – every bit of instruction and detail – is actually pointing to something MUCH bigger… bigger than Moses or the Israelites could have ever foreseen! (Because we have the gift of hindsight – we can see these “hidden” symbols today!).

For example… in the instructions on how to layout the Tent of Meeting in Chapter 40 – we see a beautiful image being portrayed that will not actually happen for several thousand years. Around the Tent of Meeting itself is a gate which encompasses a courtyard of sorts. When someone enters the initial gate – the first piece of “furniture” they come upon is an altar. This altar was to be used for the sacrifices to God as payment for the sins of the nation. This has HUGE symbolism about Jesus – who would become the Final Sacrifice years later!. It also is the first step of salvation for anyone of us… sacrifice – surrender – dying to self – altaring your direction. First piece of imagery.

Moving on towards the Tent entrance you come across the laver. This is the basin of water where Aaron (and the other priests) would wash their hands and feet prior to entering the Tent of Meeting. In the same way, for us, after our initial surrendering – we are “washed clean by the water of the Word and the blood of the Lamb”. (Heb 10:22; Eph 5:26). Second piece of imagery.

Finally we enter the actual Tent of Meeting through the “door”. It is in this Tent that the Shekinah presence of the Lord rests. The Hebrew word “Shekinah” means “heaviness” – and that is how the presence of God many times feels… like a heavy weight upon you of love and power! In the same way – we are invited to enter the Shekinah Presence of God through the “Door” – being Jesus. (John 10:1-9).

Ironically – this furniture layout is in the shape of a cross.

So you see, nothing in the Word of God is there by chance or accident. It all has a much deeper purpose and meaning for us today. All we have to do is search it out, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit. Even seemingly meaningless details such as where to place the furniture for this Tent of Meeting Moses is told to construct has deep connections to you and I thousands of years later!

So when Jesus said “These are the Scriptures that testify about Me.” (John 5:39) – He wasn’t kidding!

Next up is Leviticus… and while you read – remember – it all points to Jesus!

Be Fruitful & Multiply,

PK

Exodus 32

March 22, 2012

PK A Chapter a Day, Exodus 3 Comments

Some things change… and some things stay the same.

That is an ancient quote – yet holds so much wisdom and Truth in it. In Exodus 32 we see this ageless proverb in action as well. The Israelites are still encamped at the base of Mt. Sinai. Moses has been up on the mountain for the past several chapters getting instructions from the Lord on everything from how to construct the tabernacle to how this new nation of people will live day to day. He took his assistant Joshua with him – and left Aaron in charge of the people.

But notice what happens:

“When the people saw that Moses was delayed…” – Ex 32:1

Even back then the human propensity for impatience was a huge stumbling block. Remember – these people had heard God and seen his presence on the mountain top by smoke and thunder! They all watched Moses and Joshua go up the mountain to speak with the Lord – yet here they were getting impatient. (I can imagine it got pretty boring sitting encamped at the base of that mountain for so long…) In their impatience – they fail to obey God and take matters into their own hands.

Some things stay the same…

So the Bible tells us that the people pressured Aaron into melting all of the gold down and forming a golden calf for them to worship. (This is what they were used to… idol worship was quite prevalent in Egypt!). Aaron does not have the fortitude which Moses has… and caves in to the pressure. So, as we see today, the “Mob Rules” mentality causes the people to get into trouble. Instead of trusting Moses (and Aaron) – they demand their own way and out-muscle their leader.

Some things stay the same…

It also strikes me how quickly the people fall back into their previous habits. We are not told how long Moses was actually up there on that mountain (with Joshua waiting all by himself…) – but it is amazing how the people, when left to their own devices, turn back and repeat the things they know not to do – yet do anyway.

Some things stay the same…

But through all of this – there is a part of this chapter which glows like the dawn of a sunrise. God interrupts His discussion with Moses and informs him that the people are doing a detestable thing down in the valley. Moses, after pleading with God and securing mercy, heads back down the mountain and deals with the people. The calf is destroyed – the people drink their sin – and consequences are experienced. Then, Moses says something interesting…

“The next day, Moses said to the people, You have sinned a great sin. And now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” - Ex 32:30

This act of Moses was not just a random reaction – it is actually a beautiful foreshadow of Jesus. Just as Moses goes before God and speaks on their behalf (intercedes) – in order to gain God’s favor and assuage God’s anger at their sin; Jesus did the same for us! By going to the cross in obedience – and taking upon Himself the penalty for sin – He stayed our execution as a payment for our sin. That is why we no longer see God demanding 3000 people be killed as a result of sin. Yes – sin has it’s consequences… but because of Jesus – there is now great mercy available for us all.

Some things change…

It isn’t the seriousness of sin which has changed – nor is it God’s take on sin – nor is it even the penalty for sin that has changed. What has changed is WHO that penalty get’s laid upon. Jesus took my penalty for my sin – and He wants to take yours as well – If you will let Him…

Be Fruitful & Multiply,

PK

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