Tues.’s Devo - The Sin and the Trespass Offering

Read: Leviticus 4:1-5:19; Mark 2:13-3:6; Psalm 36:1-12; Proverbs 10:1-2 Today we read about the sin offering and the trespass offering and we will discuss the difference between the two. *** The sin offering was to be given when a person unintentionally sinned and then realized they had sinned. Their offering was their act of repentance to make things right between them and God. We are given four categories of people: the anointed priest, the whole congregation, a leader, or the common people. *** The sin of the anointed priest would bring sin on the people. He was to bring a bull and lay his head on the bull transferring his sin to the bull. He was to take the blood from the bull and bring it into the tabernacle and sprinkle part of the blood 7 times before the Lord in front to the veil leading to the Holy of Holies. He was also to put some of the blood on the horns of the incense altar. There rest of the blood was to be poured out at the base of the bronze altar in the courtyard. The kidneys, the fat and the liver were to be burned on the altar and the rest of the bull was to be taken outside the camp and burned completely. If the whole congregation of Israel signed unintentionally then realized their sin, they were to offer a bull and the elders were to lay their hands on the head of the bull and accept responsibility for the people. Everything else was done just like the sacrifice of the anointed priest who sinned. *** When a leader sinned he was to offer a male goat and lay his hands on its head. Its blood would only be put on the horns of the bronze altar. Its fat would be burned on the altar. *** If a common person unintentionally sinned, he was to bring a female goat and it was done like for the leader. The common person may substitute a female lamb instead of the goat. *** The priest and the children of Israel were different than the leader and the common person in that the priest and the children of Israel had a much greater intimacy with the Lord, so they had sinned against the very presence of God. The blood of their sacrifice had to be taken closer to where God’s presence was. God makes a distinction between us and the world. *** A trespass offering was given when a person violated someone’s property or someone’s reputation. *** In the first case given, a person witnessed the truth but did not speak in defense of the person which made him guilty of the sin. He must atone for his sin. Another situation was given where a person testified wrongly in a case then realizes his fault. Two sacrifices were made. One for the blood to sprinkle for cleansing and the other for a burnt offering to take the sin away. Some sins required restitution and they had to bring the shekel of the sanctuary. This was a guilt offering to ransom their soul. *** Doesn’t this make us so grateful that our sacrifice has been given, and our debt paid through the blood of Christ. All we have to do is bring our confession to the Lord and ask his forgiveness. He totally erases it from our slate. Thank you, Jesus! *** In Mark, Jesus passed Levi sitting at the tax booth and called him to follow him. Levi is also Matthew. He ate that day at Matthew’s house along with Matthew’s other tax-collecting friends. The Pharisees questioned why Jesus would eat with such sinners and he explained that it wasn’t the people who were well that needed a physician, but the ones who were sick. He came to call the sinners to him, not the righteous. He was speaking to them who thought they were righteous, but were the greatest sinners of all. *** For some reason, the Pharisees and even John’s disciples were fasting, but Jesus’ disciples were not. The Pharisees questioned Jesus about this also. Jesus explained that wedding guests didn’t fast when the bridegroom was with them. He would be taken from them in the future, and his disciples would fast then. Then he went into the scenario of sewing new cloth to old material that has holes. When the cloth gets wet the new cloth will shrink and tear away from the old material, making the hole even worse. And, Jesus explained that you wouldn’t put old wine into new wineskins because the new wine would burst the new wineskins. *** What Jesus was saying to the Pharisees was that they didn’t understand the things Jesus was doing because he was ushering in the new covenant that was different. If they didn’t change with it, they would not be able to grasp it. They were like the old cloth and the old wineskins. They were not able to adjust to the change because of their hard hearts. *** Jesus then demonstrated what he was talking about. His disciples ate the grain on the Sabbath because the Sabbath was made for man to rule, not for it to rule man. They had made the Sabbath all about rules so hard to keep that it was not restful at all. Jesus reminded them what David did when he was hungry. He ate food that only priests were to eat and it didn’t kill him. David had a relationship with the Lord that gave him access into His house as a priest. *** Jesus demonstrated what was to be done on the Sabbath when he went into the Temple and healed the man with the withered hand. This made the Pharisees so jealous and angry that they met to discuss how they could destroy him. *** Lord, may we enjoy the freedom we have in Christ. May we not be burdened with condemnation but quickly repent and apply the blood of Christ to our hearts. May we live in joy and peace with God and with man.

Mon.’s Devo - Leviticus

Read: Leviticus 1:1-3:17; Mark 1:29-2:12; Psalm 35:17-28; Proverbs 9:13-18 Leviticus was the first book taught to children. It tells us about God’s character and his will, especially in the area of holiness. They wanted their children to be educated in the sanctity of God and their responsibility to live holy lives. The word “Leviticus” means “and He called.” *** God gave them different offerings for different purposes. Today we read about the burnt offering, the grain offering and the peace offering. These offerings are types that picture the work of Christ. The burnt offering was also called the whole offering because the animal is completely consumed on the altar, just as Jesus was completely consumed on the cross. Jesus held nothing back and his death completely dealt with sin. The person offering this would give it of his own free will. He was to lay his hand on the head of the offering to transfer his sin to the animal. The person along with the priests would kill the animal and the priests would sprinkle its blood on the bronze altar which stood for the cross. Even the skin was burned on the fire. *** The grain offering was given to obtain favor from the Lord. The grain offering came from the fruits of their labor much like the tithe we give. When we tithe, God rebukes the devourer from us and we are blessed with his favor instead. *** The grain offering was mixed with oil that represent God’s Spirit. Aaron and his sons got to keep some of this offering. There was to be no leaven or honey in this offering, but there was to be salt and frankincense. Leaven represents sin and honey represents man’s strength. The salt was a preservative meaning everlasting and the frankincense speaks of Christ’s death which was a sweet savor to God. *** The peace offering was to offer appeasement of guilt, and to pay the penalty for their sins. It was to bring them peace and to make peace with God. They would lay hands on the animal transferring their guilt and sin to the animal then the priests would sprinkle its blood on the altar and remove its kidneys and all the fat and burn them on the altar. The fat and the blood was the Lord’s. They represented the Holy Spirit and Jesus. *** In Mark, Jesus went into Simon’s house and healed his mother-in-law. She stood for his mother “in the law” - the nation of Israel. She immediately got up and served them. When Israel is healed, that is what she will do. She will serve and bless all the nations. *** Jesus then went out and healed many who were sick, and filled with demons. Early in the morning he would go and pray. When Simon found him he told him that everyone was looking for him. Jesus didn’t stay long in any town because he wanted to spread the good news to as many as he could. *** Jesus healed a leper and Jesus told him not to tell others but to go straight to the priest so they could see the proof. They had to be given the opportunity to repent also. Instead, the leper went around telling people what had happened which made it very difficult for Jesus to travel freely. He had to go to the wilderness to preach because of the notoriety. *** Jesus finally returned to Capernaum and so many came to see him that the room was filled to the max. A paralytic was brought and when his friends saw they were not going to get inside, they went on the roof, removed the shingles and lowered him before Jesus. Jesus was so impressed by their faith he forgave the sins of the paralyzed man. The scribes who were there were very offended that Jesus thought he could forgive sins. Jesus asked them which was easier to say to the man, his sins were forgiven or to get up and walk. Because he was the Son of Man with the authority to forgive sins, he could also tell him to get up and walk. He turned to the man and commanded him to get up and walk and he did. Everyone was amazed. *** Lord, thank you for being our healer and our savior. Thank you that you are our burnt offering, our grain offering and our peace offering. We gratefully and humbly enjoy all the benefits of your sacrifice on the cross.

Sun.’s Devo - Mark

Read: Exodus 39:1-40:38; Mark 1:1-28; Psalm 35:1-16; Procures 9:11-12 Everything needed for the tabernacle and the priest’s garments were finally finished. A detailed description was given us again of the garments of the high priest and the furniture of the tabernacle. As the tabernacle was being assembled, the furniture was brought into the rooms. *** Everything was completed on the first day of the first month of the second year. When it was all in place, the cloud covered the tent and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. The glory was so strong, Moses was not able to enter it. Whenever the cloud rose and moved, the people would pack up and begin to move with it. If the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, then they stayed. The cloud led them by the day and became a fire at night. ***Today, we begin Mark’s writing’s about Jesus. Matthew had been written to the Jews and its theme was the kingship of Jesus. Matthew’s symbol was the lion. Mark was written to the Romans and his theme was the servanthood of Christ. He was represented as the ox. It is believed that Mark was very close with Peter and wrote this after Peter was martyred by Nero. The church lived in constant threat of death. *** He begins with Isaiah’s prophecy of John the Baptist who would be a voice in the wilderness proclaiming to the people to prepare their hearts for the Lord. He baptized the people with a baptism of repentance to forgive their sins. The people in Judea and Jerusalem went out to the Jordan to hear him preach. They were forgiven of their sins and baptized. John spoke of the one who was coming who would be much greater than him and he would baptize with the Holy Spirit. *** Jesus came to John to be baptized and when Jesus was lifted out of the water, the heavens opened and the Spirit descended on him like a dove. A voice from heaven was heard which said, “You are my beloved son; with whom I am well pleased.” *** Jesus was driven by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness where he was tempted by Satan. He was also with wild animals and angels. *** John was arrested and Jesus began proclaiming the kingdom of God was at hand. He also told the people to repent and believe what the prophets had foretold. *** Jesus chose Simon Peter and Andrew, two brothers who were fishermen. Jesus told them to come and follow him and he would make them fishers of men. They immediately left their nets and followed him. They walked a little farther down the shore of Galilee and saw two more brothers, James and John who were mending their nets with their father. Jesus told them to also follow him. They dropped their nets and followed. *** Jesus led them to Capernaum. It was the Sabbath so they entered the synagogue and Jesus astonished everyone with his teachings because he taught with authority. He spoke like he knew what he was talking about, not like the scribes. *** A man with an unclean spirit cried out asking if he had come to destroy them. He recognized Jesus as the holy One of God. Jesus rebuked him and told him to be quiet and come out of the man. The unclean spirit came out with convulsions and yelling. Everyone was amazed at what they saw and his fame spread throughout Galilee. *** Lord, may many hear the call to follow you and drop what they are doing and follow. May we also follow the Holy Spirit who is our cloud and our fire. Thank you for your power to save.

Sat.’s Devo - The Furniture of the Tabernacle

Read: Exodus 35:10-36:38; Matthew 27:32-66; Psalm 34:1-10; Proverbs 9:7-8 Bezalel built the ark to hold the covenant. It would be made of wood and covered with gold. It would be carried by poles that would go through two rings on each side. He hammered gold to form two cherubim whose wings would overshadow the mercy seat. This would be the place the high priest would come and receive God’s mercy for himself and for the people. He made an incense table much like the mercy seat but smaller and taller. This would be where the priest would offer incense to please the Lord. This stood right outside the curtain that lead to the Holy of Holies. When the Temple was built, this was the table where Zechariah was offering incense and the angel appeared to him and told him of his son, John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-17). *** In the Holy Place sat the incense table, the large menorah, and the table of shewbread. The large menorah was made of beaten gold and resembled an almond tree with branches. Three branches came out on both sides to form seven in all. The branches had knobs to represent the almond bud and the almond flower which held the cup to hold the oil and the wick. This was the whole process of becoming a priest. First you were planted by the Lord, then you produced a bud, then matured into a flower. This was the same thing that happened to Aaron’s rod when the Lord chose him as his priest. As priests to the Lord, we go through the same process. *** Outside the tabernacle in the courtyard was where the bronze altar stood. It was made of bronze and had a gutter around it with a downspout on the right side. This was where the priest would offer the burnt offerings given by the people. This altar stood for the cross and Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin. All the people could watch their sacrifice be accepted by the Lord. *** Beside the bronze altar was a bronze basin where the priest would wash their hands and feet before and after they ministered as priests. This stood for our continual cleansing of our sinful nature which we do by confessing to the Lord and letting his blood cleanse us. *** In Matthew, it was the third day after Jesus had been sacrificed. Both Mary’s came to the tomb. There had been an earthquake and the angel had rolled by the stone and was sitting on it. He was glorious. The guards had been slain in the spirit and were lying on the ground. The angel told the women not to be afraid, but Jesus had risen from the dead. The angel invited them to come and see where he had been, then go tell the disciples what had happened. As they were leaving, Jesus met them and told them to tell the disciples to meet him in Galilee. *** Some of the guards got up and went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. They paid them off to lie and say that the disciples had come and stolen his body. *** The eleven of Jesus disciples went to the mountain Jesus had told them to meet him in Galilee. Jesus told them that he had been given all authority in heaven and on earth. They were to go in this authority and make disciples of the nations and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They were to teach them all he had taught them. He would be with them till the end of the age. (We are at the end of that age.) *** Lord, may we walk in Jesus’ authority and make disciples of the nations. May we live all Jesus taught and be an example to those around us.

Fri.’s Devo - At the Cross

Read: Exodus 35:10-36:38; Matthew 28:1-20; Psalm 34:1-10; Proverbs 9:7-8 Moses called for all the craftsmen to come and help with constructing the tabernacle. Those whose hearts stirred them to give, gave gold, silver, gems, yarns, skins, wood, etc. *** The Lord had picked Bezelel and Oholiab to oversee the artistic work or building the tabernacle. God had put into their mind what to do. Others who were creative and had skills offered their talents to help. The people brought new supplies every morning till Moses had to ask them to stop bringing materials. *** The seamstresses wove beautiful curtains with the linen and the blue, purple and scarlet yarns. They embroidered cherubim into the fabric for eleven curtains that measured 45 feet long and 6 feet wide. They were hung with clasps on the framework they constructed. The framework was set in bases. The tabernacle was made so it could be assembled and broken down easily and quickly. *** The beautiful cherubim and embroidery was seen on the inside of the tabernacle making it feel like you had entered the Garden of Eden. *** In Matthew, they were taking Jesus to be crucified. He was so beat and weak, the soldiers grabbed Simon, a Syrenean, and forced him to carry Jesus’ cross to Golgotha which means “Place of the Skull.” *** There the soldiers gambled for his robe and guarded the cross. A sign was made and nailed above Jesus’ head that read: “Jesus, King of the Jews.” They ridiculed him and mocked him telling him to save himself if he really was from God. *** At noon, darkness fell on the earth and lasted till three. This would be the time when they would crucify the pascal lamb at the Temple. When the light shone again, Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” This was from Psalm 22:1. Jesus was referring them to this Psalm. In it it tells exactly what he was going through and the outcome of his death. It says that future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord and everything he has done and serve him. We are of the future generations that serve him and read about all he did. *** At Jesus’ next shout he released his spirit and died. The curtain in the sanctuary was torn from top to bottom. There was an earthquake and the earth gave up their dead. Many in the cemetery came back to life after Jesus’ resurrection and appeared to people in Jerusalem. *** The officers who had mocked and gambled for his clothes, and tacked that sign above his head saw and felt all this and realized that Jesus really was the Son of God. What a revelation! *** The women who had walked with Jesus watched all this from afar. Joseph of Arimathea had become a follower of Jesus. He was very rich and had had a tomb carved out of rock for his own burial. He went to Pilate to ask to have possession of Jesus’ body and was given it. He took Jesus and wrapped in him a clean linen cloth and laid Jesus’ body in his new tomb. (Thus fulfilling Isaiah 53:9, “He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.”) Joseph rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. The two Mary’s were observing all this from afar. *** On the Sabbath, the priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate and asked him to seal the tomb so his disciples couldn’t steal his body and claim he rose from the dead. Pilate ordered it sealed and guarded. *** Lord, It is amazing to see the great pains people will go through to maintain their narrative. May we lay down our preconceived ideas about you and let you be who you are and show us your truth. Thank you for your Word. May it be a light to light our path and may we hear your voice and discern your thoughts.

Thurs.’s Devo - We Choose Jesus

Read: Exodus 34:1-35:9; Matthew 27:15-31: Psalm 33:12-22; Proverbs 9:1-6 God told Moses to cut two more tablets of stone since he broke the last two. He was to bring them to the top of Mt. Sinai. I wonder how heavy those stone tablets were. *** The Lord came down in a cloud and stood with him and proclaimed who he was: The Lord, merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. He will not clear the guilty but punish them up to the fourth generation. *** Moses asked the Lord to please go with them even if they were sinful and rebellious. He prayed for forgiveness and for the Lord to take them for his inheritance. *** God promised to make a covenant with them and do marvelous things that had never been done before with them. He would drive out all the “ites” before them so that they wouldn’t make a covenant with them and become like them - idolatrous. *** They were not to make gods of cast metal. They were to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread for a week in the month of Abib. Their firstborn were the Lord’s, even their animals. If they had a donkey, they could redeem it with a lamb. If the donkey was not redeemed, his neck must be broken. (This means that a stubborn person can only be saved by the blood of the Lamb. If the stubborn person was not redeemable, he will be made to bow in the end, resulting in his eternal death.) *** They were to rest on the seventh day from their work. They were to observe the Feast of Weeks 50 days after First Fruits. And, they were to observe the Feast of Ingathering or Tabernacles at the end of the year. These feasts were the three times a year that all the males were to come before the Lord. If they observe his feasts and bring their offerings to the Lord, he would cast out their enemies who lived in the land and enlarge their borders and protect them from their enemies. *** Their sacrifices should not be offered with leaven which stands for sin. The lamb of Passover should be eaten that night and nothing left till the next day. Jesus was completely consumed on the cross for our sins. They were not to boil a young goat in his mother’s milk. (This is mentioned three times in the Bible: here, Ex. 23:19, Deut. 14:21). I think it means that a child is not to be set to follow in his mother’s sins. *** Moses stayed on the mountain with the Lord for 40 days and nights and when he came down, his face shone with God’s glory. It made the people so afraid of him that the had to end up putting veil over his face when he was with the people. He would remove the veil when he went before the Lord. *** Moses told the people that they were not to work on the Sabbath or they would be put to death. Neither were they to have a fire going in their dwellings on the Sabbath. The Lord asked for free-will offerings for the tabernacle. *** In Matthew, it was the feast of Unleavened Bread and it was customary for the governor to release a prisoner of the people’s choice. Pilate chose the most notorious prisoner to put next to Jesus, thinking they would surely choose Jesus who did good. His wife had warned him of a dream she had had and told him not to have anything to do with hurting Jesus who was an innocent man. *** The chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to choose Barabbas. When Pilate asked them what they wanted him to do with Jesus, they cried, “Crucify him.” Pilate washed his hand in front of them saying Jesus was innocent and he was not going to be held responsible for what they were doing. But, then he released Barabbas to them and had Jesus scourged and delivered to them to crucify him. (I’m not sure Pilate could say he was released from responsibility.) *** Pilate’s soldiers took Jesus to Pilate’s headquarters and stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They made a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They mocked him, spit on him and struck him on the head. Then they took the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him to be crucified. *** Lord, the shame you bore for us is inconceivable. Thank you for bearing our sin and shame on the cross. You, who knew no sin became sin for us. We glorify and praise your name.

Wed.’s Devo -Moses - God’s Intercessor

Read: Exodus 32:1-33:23; Matthew 26:69-27:14; Psalm 33:1-11; Proverbs 8:33-36 The people got tired of waiting for Moses to come down and went to Aaron and told him to make them gods to go before them. Aaron foolishly told them to each bring one of their gold earrings they were all wearing and he took the gold, melted it and fashioned it with a tool into the shape of a calf. The people said that these were the gods who brought them out of Egypt. When Aaron saw that his calf was accepted by the people he built an altar before it and proclaimed a feast to the Lord. They brought offerings and sacrificed them and “rose up to play.” The Hebrew word for “play” means to laugh outright in merriment or scorn; to laugh, mock, play, make sport. They were making a mockery of the things of God. *** God told Moses to go down and told him what the people were doing. God wanted to kill them all and make a nation from Moses’ descendants but Moses reminded the Lord of what that would look like to his enemies who were spying on them. He also reminded God of his promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. *** Moses took the two tablets and picked up Joshua on his way down. Joshua heard all the revelry of the people and thought they were fighting a battle. Moses told him it wasn’t war, but singing that he heard. When he saw the calf and saw all the dancing he was so angry he threw the tablets down breaking them. He ground the calf into powder and scattered it on the water and made the people drink it. *** Then, Moses asked Aaron what the people did to him to make him do this. Aaron blamed it on the people. He said the were bent on evil and they came to him to ask him to make them gods to go before them because they didn’t think their leader was coming back. He asked for their earrings, threw them into the fire and out came this calf. (That explanation is laughable!) *** Moses saw that the people were exposed and a joke to their enemies. He stood at the gate of the camp and asked who was on the Lord’s side. All the sons of Levi came to him. He told them to put on their swords and go and kill all who were participating in this orgy. They killed 3,000 people. Moses told the Levites that what they did today qualified them for service to the Lord because they did not spare their relatives. *** The next day, Moses told the people that because of what they did, he would need to go to the Lord and make atonement for their sin. He told the Lord that if he didn’t forgive them then he wanted his name blotted out of his book. God said he would only blot out the names of the ones who sinned. *** In reading what the Bible says about what is written in God’s book and what is blotted out, it seems that everyone’s name who is born of God is written in his book. During their lifetime they can have their name blotted out by their rebellion against God. Daniel 12:1 says that, Michael will stand up when Israel is in trouble in the end. God’s people will be delivered, if their name is found written in the book. *** When we get saved, our name is sealed in that book and cannot be erased. *** God told Moses to go lead the people to their land and his angel would go before them and drive out all the “ites.” God would not go with them because he was afraid get so mad at them because of their hard hearts, that he would kill them. God sent a plague because of the calf that Aaron made. *** The people mourned when they heard what God said and took off their beautiful Egyptian garments and jewelry. *** Moses put the Lord’s tabernacle outside the camp and called it the tent of meeting. If the people wanted to seek the Lord, they had to come there. Whenever Moses came out his tent to enter the tabernacle, the people would stand at their tent door and watch. The pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent and the Lord would talk with Moses. The people would watch from their tent and worship the Lord. *** The Lord spoke to Moses as his friend. Moses would then leave the tabernacle and go back to his tent but Joshua, Moses’ assistant, never left the tabernacle. *** In one of Moses’ talks with the Lord, Moses asked to know God’s ways so that he might please him. He reminded the Lord that this nation of people were also his people. God promised that his presence would go with them. Then Moses asked to see his glory. God let him stand in the cleft of a rock where he covered Moses with his hand as he walked by. Then he removed his hand so Moses could see his back. God was gracious and merciful to Moses and let his goodness pass before him. *** In Matthew, Peter was sitting in Caiapas’ courtyard listening to all they were doing to Jesus when a servant girl recognized him as a follower of Jesus. Peter quickly denied it. When another servant girl said the same thing he denied it also. Then a bystander approached Peter and noticed his dialect and knew he was one of Jesus’ followers. Peter cursed and swore he wasn’t. The rooster crowed and Peter remembered what Jesus had said. He went out and cried bitterly. *** By morning the priests and elders had rendered the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him and delivered him to Pilate. When Judas saw the outcome, he tried to pay the priests back the money they had given him to betray Jesus. They didn’t want it. They had used Judas and they could care less about his soul. Judas took the money and threw it into the temple. He went and hanged himself. Since his money was blood money, they took it and bought the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers. (Jeremiah 32:6-9). *** When Jesus stood before Pilate, he asked him if he was the king of the Jews. Jesus replied, “You have said so.” Jesus turned his question back on him. When he heard the accusations of the priests and elders, he remained silent and offered no defense. This amazed the governor. *** Lord, may we seek to know your ways and may we see your glory.