Why it Matters - First Fruits

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 24-27

Gratitude. Thanksgiving. Remembering all the things the Lord has done for you. My wife and I are currently enjoying some time up in the mountains. It’s her spring break and a dear family in our church generously offered their condo for us to stay in for the week. As we were eating dinner our first night here, we started talking about all the blessings we’ve been given in our lives. We talked about when we first got married. We had no money. We were living on minimum wage in Boulder, CO at the time. We had no real plan. My grades from college were so bad no seminary would take me. We had experienced significant loss. Our firstborn son, Caleb, didn’t survive past twenty-two weeks in the womb. We had no idea where life would take us. But we did know one thing. We knew God. We knew God was faithful. We knew God was with us. And we knew if we sought God’s will and walked in His ways, our lives would be rich and full. This really is the secret to the Christian life. Seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness first and all the rest will be added to you. Take care of the things God cares about first and He will take care of the things you care about. Put God first in your schedule, in your finances, in your priorities and you will find Him filling your heart and your hands to overflowing with His blessings.

This is why the principle of first-fruits is so important. Before we do anything else, we offer to God the first and best of the fruit of our labor. For ancient Israel, this meant the first-fruits of their harvest and the first-fruits of their flocks and herds and the first-fruits of the tribute they won in battle. For us, it looks like the first-fruits of our paychecks or the first-fruits of the interest we earn on our investments. We do not give because God needs it. He doesn’t. We do not even give because God commands it though He most certainly does. No, we give out of gratitude for all He has done for us. Listen again to the prayer every ancient Israelite made when they came to make their offering of first-fruits to the Lord. “A wandering Aramean was my ancestor, and he went down to Egypt and lived there as a foreigner with a household few in number, but there he became a great, powerful, and numerous people. But the Egyptians mistreated and oppressed us, forcing us to do burdensome labor. So we cried out to the Lord, the God of our ancestors, and he heard us and saw our humiliation, toil, and oppression. Therefore the Lord brought us out of Egypt with tremendous strength and power, as well as with great awe-inspiring signs and wonders. Then he brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. So now, look! I have brought the first of the ground’s produce that you, Lord, have given me.” Then you must set it down before the Lord your God and worship before him. You will celebrate all the good things that the Lord your God has given you and your family, along with the Levites and the resident foreigners among you.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭26‬:‭5‬-‭11‬ ‭NET‬‬) God made them a great and powerful and numerous people. God delivered them from humiliation and toil and oppression. God brought us to a land flowing with milk and honey. Because God did all these good things for us, we give out of gratitude and celebration.

So let’s talk about giving for a moment. Do you give regularly and faithfully to the Lord? Do you prayerfully consider what to give and do you give it cheerfully or out of a sense of duty or obligation? Do you give God the first-fruits of your labor or what’s leftover at the end of a pay period? When you give, do you take time to remember and celebrate and thank the Lord for all He has done for you? Let me encourage and challenge you to spend some time praying over these questions today and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you reflect on what God is calling you to give.

Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 28-30

Why it Matters - Historical Context

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 20-23

Many people who read the Bible assume that because every word is “divinely inspired”, it means every verse represents a timeless principle. And that’s why so many of them struggle when they hit a set of chapters like the ones we read today which talk about warfare, slavery, economics, and ritual purity in the ancient world. They can’t conceive of a God who would command the complete annihilation of the population of a city or the harsh punishment for a rebellious child or adultery in a marriage. They can’t comprehend the prohibitions against mixing seeds or plowing with different animals or mixing fibers when making clothing. It seems so strange and foreign to us in the 21st century. However, this is where historical context comes in as well as some general principles around how to not just to read the Bible but understand it.

First, ancient near east laws were commonly presented as “ideals” but the people implementing such laws were given wide discretion in their application. Laws set the moral boundaries for the nation but the judges and elders who were in charge of enforcing the laws often treated them as guiding principles rather than unbending, unyielding legislation. They applied them in a cultural context where the community was far more important than the individual and their goal was to protect and nurture and guide that community so it could flourish.

Second, the biblical authors often used hyperbole, particularly when it came to their military campaigns. This was very common in the ancient world. For example, we know the Israelites did not actually annihilate the Canaanite cities they attacked because later biblical books record those people still living in the land. Many scholars therefore believe, as I do, that what we are reading is a kind of rhetorical device, declaring total victory. We’ve seen similar language in our own time such as when President Bush declared “Mission accomplished” onboard the USS Lincoln.

Third, and this may be the most challenging aspect to get our minds and hearts around, the Bible records a theological and ethical progression as God reveals Himself and His will to His people over time. Because God has given dominion to the creatures made in His image, He is committed to working in and through us to bring about His will on the earth. He works within human systems of science, law, politics, culture, etc. to make Himself known and push us to greater ethical clarity and understanding. It’s why you don’t see God simply come out and abolish slavery though He certainly moderates the practice. For example, the women taken in captivity in battle are treated with much greater compassion in Israel versus the ancient near east nations around them. Furthermore, when you read about protections for runaway slaves, care for widows and orphans, economic fairness, and safeguarding of an inheritance against favoritism; you are beginning to see ethical advances that will eventually lead to Jesus’ own teachings like the Sermon on the Mount.

Don’t be afraid to use AI or Google to help you understand the historical context in which you’re reading. There are lots of resources available online now to help us grow in our understanding of the Scriptures and the God to whom they point.

Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 24-27

Why it Matters - Yeast

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 16-19

The first few times I read through the Bible in a year, I tended to skip over what I believed were the “minor” details. Obscure Old Testament laws regarding shellfish and mixing fibers. Esoteric religious rituals having to do with the Tabernacle. All the numbers of silver plates, oxen, and sheep that each tribe brought as their offering. These things didn’t concern me. They didn’t seem applicable to my life. I didn’t think they were relevant so I would breeze through them without really taking the time to ask why God put them in the Bible in the first place. All that changed when the Holy Spirit stopped me short in Deuteronomy 16 where the Lord begins talking about the importance of yeast. “You must not eat any yeast with it; for seven days you must eat bread made without yeast, symbolic of affliction, for you came out of Egypt hurriedly. You must do this so you will remember for the rest of your life the day you came out of the land of Egypt. There must not be a scrap of yeast within your land for seven days, nor can any of the meat you sacrifice on the evening of the first day remain until the next morning.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭16‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NET‬‬) What’s the big deal about yeast? Why is God so serious about it? This is where I began to realize how important every single detail is in the Scriptures.

Yeast symbolized several things for the ancient Israelites. First and foremost, it reminded them of their history. Particularly the way God had miraculously delivered them from slavery and bondage in Egypt. After four hundred years of hard labor, they suddenly had no time to let their bread rise. They had to bake unleavened bread because of how suddenly God’s rescue came upon them. God never wants them to forget what He has done for them so He commands them to eat only unleavened bread during the Passover meal.

Second, removing all the yeast from the land for seven days symbolized an act of ritual purity. Yeast works its way through the dough by the process of fermentation. It spreads invisibly. Imperceptibly. Incrementally. Until the whole lump of dough is leavened. Sin acts in a similar manner, corrupting the people of Israel, so removing the yeast becomes an act of repentance. A way of showing God how single-minded and whole-hearted they were in their devotion to Him.

Third, removing yeast for a week would have impacted Israel’s daily meals. They would have noticed its absence. It would serve as a daily reminder as they celebrated their feasts of the Exodus. In this way, the unleavened bread becomes a teaching tool they can use to pass on their history to their children and their children’s children. Whenever a child would ask why the bread did not rise, they would recite what God had done for them.

Finally, when they came together for the feast and ate as a community, they celebrated their shared history and national unity and the covenant faithfulness of God. It was a powerful unifying symbol for the entire people of Israel no matter what their particular tribal affiliation.

As I said, no details are too minor for God. He puts them in Scripture for a purpose and the same is true for our lives as well. Every detail matters. Every thought. Every word. Every action. Every desire. God sees it all and God cares about it all and God wants to use it all to advance His Kingdom.

Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 20-23

Why it Matters - Idolatry

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 12-15

I remember talking to one of my kids when she was in middle school. She had a friend who struggled with deep depression and she wanted to know how best to help her. We talked about medical care, licensed counseling, and prayer. I encouraged her to share Christ with her friend which she did. Her friend told her she wasn’t a Christian and instead, believed in a spirit animal. She even described her spirit animal to my daughter. This confused my daughter so she came home to ask me about it. She asked me if I thought it was legitimate. This led to a deep conversation about the danger of idolatry. The reality is her friend believed in a lie. Her spirit animal offered her no help for her depression. Her sincerity of belief didn’t matter because the spirit animal wasn’t real. Contrast that with Jesus. A real person who lived in a real place at a real time in human history. He was born to a real family, led a real ministry, suffered and died a real death. Three days later, His tomb was really empty. He appeared bodily to His followers. His resurrection was real and that means He’s still alive today and more than able to help us in our time of need. Does that mean faith solves all our problems? Of course not. But faith is a key component, along with medical and mental health care, as we seek to process the pain this life can often bring.

Why do I share that story? It illustrates why God hates idolatry. It places in context some of the passages from our readings today where God calls for the complete annihilation of the pagan gods of the people living in the Promised Land. It’s why God refuses to tolerate false prophets among His own people. He doesn’t want His people to fall into the trap of believing something that isn’t real. God has made Himself clear. There is only one God. His name is YHWH. He alone is the creator and sustainer of this world. He alone is worthy of worship. The other gods are human creations, human projections. They don’t exist and therefore have no power to help or comfort or protect or provide. They are simply nothing. No substance. No form. No being. Worshipping them is like worshipping smoke or hot air. Furthermore, the worship the pagan gods demanded was a desecration. An abomination. They often required child sacrifice or immoral sexual fertility rites. By contrast, God wants His people to live holy and sacred lives. They are set apart to represent Him in the world. They are His chosen people. “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. He has chosen you to be his people, prized above all others on the face of the earth.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭14‬:‭2‬ ‭NET‬‬)

Sadly, the modern world is just as full of idols as the ancient world and it’s easy to fall into the trap of falsely believing that our God is just one among many. Because we live in a pluralist society where there is no state sanction of a particular religion, everyone is free to make it up as they go along. However, God’s hatred of idolatry still stands. To worship any other God but the God revealed in Jesus Christ is to engage in idolatry and to risk God’s judgment. The reality there is no other God but Jesus. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the Alpha and Omega. He is the beginning and the end. He is the first and the last. And that’s why there’s no other name under heaven by which we may be saved.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Why it Matters - Discipline

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 8-11

Discipline seems to be a bad word these days. In fact, the opposite seems to be celebrated and promoted. Everyone is encouraged to do what is right in their own eyes. Do what feels good to them. Live life to the fullest, even to excess, without a care of how it might impact others. The results are not good. I’ve watched marriages break up as spouses seek to “live their truth.” I’ve watched children struggle for lack of discipline in the home or at school. I’ve watched people incur hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt as they live beyond their means. On a national and/or global scale, it often maps out as fraud, waste, and abuse. Political leaders taking advantage of the system to line their own pockets or accumulate power or use their influence to hurt those who might stand in their way.

How is discipline developed? Through hardship. Through trial. Through what the Bible calls “long-suffering.” The people of God had wandered in the wilderness for forty years. An entire generation had died. Now they stand on the cusp of the Promised Land. A land flowing with milk and honey. A fertile and prosperous land where they will find great wealth and success. Moses is preaching his final sermon to them. This is the last chance he has to remind them of what’s most important and what does he encourage them to keep in mind? “Remember the whole way by which he has brought you these forty years through the desert so that he might, by humbling you, test you to see if you have it within you to keep his commandments or not. So he humbled you by making you hungry and then feeding you with unfamiliar manna. He did this to teach you that humankind cannot live by bread alone, but also by everything that comes from the Lord’s mouth. Your clothing did not wear out nor did your feet swell all these forty years. Be keenly aware that just as a parent disciplines his child, the Lord your God disciplines you. So you must keep his commandments, live according to his standards, and revere him.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭8‬:‭2‬-‭6‬ ‭NET‬‬) Remember the lessons God taught you. Lessons about His provision. Lessons about His protection. Most of all, lessons on discipline. Learning to live according to God’s Word and God’s commands.

It takes discipline to follow Jesus. In fact, Jesus Himself said that following Him requires us a deny ourselves daily. Deny the sinful passions and pleasures we would otherwise indulge in. Deny excess and greed. Deny our natural tendencies to cling to pride and entitlement and make “self” the center of our lives. Jesus gets to be the center. But Jesus also knows such discipline doesn’t come naturally so He teaches us. He trains us. He takes us through hard seasons in order to refine and test us. Do not resist the Lord’s discipline when it comes for God only disciplines those He loves and His desire is for you to become like Him.

Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 12-15

Why it Matters - The Law of God

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 4-7

“Listen, Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You must love the Lord your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭6‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NET‬‬)

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 is the most important verse in the Jewish canon. It is known as the Shema and it is recited daily by faithful Jews all over the world and throughout history. It is the core statement of their faith. It summarizes the greatest commandment of them all. Jesus Himself will cite it when asked which commandment is the greatest. But how does one live it out? How does one love the Lord with all one’s mind, being, and strength? This is where the law of God comes in. God doesn’t leave us to wonder about His will. He is specific. He is direct. He is clear. The way we live in this world and the commands we follow determine whether or not we truly love God. It’s why Jesus says, “If you love Me, you will obey My commandments.” It’s not about earning God’s love, it’s about showing God how much we love Him.

What is the purpose of the law of God? A great question. One that’s been asked throughout the centuries. And there’’s not one answer. The law was given to restrain human evil. Just a cursory glance at history reveals the depth of depravity human beings are capable of and it’s terrifying. God sees it all and knows it all and gives us His law so that justice and righteousness will be clearly defined, giving us no excuse. The law was also given to train us in righteousness. Not just a list of “do nots”, it provides us a clear roadmap on how to live a life that glorifies and pleases God. It also lays out the blessings of obedience for all who commit their way to the Lord. Finally, the law of God was given to point us to Christ. None of us can fulfill the law’s demands perfectly. And for those who try, a deep sense of learned helplessness sets in. We know we fall short. We know we aren’t perfect. We know we are guilty. And this points us to our need for a Savior.

Now I know a lot of people reject the law of God today. Even Christians. They point to archaic and obscure regulations regarding the mixing of fibers or the eating of shellfish as examples of the absurdity of following an ancient near east law code in the 21st century. But such protests entirely miss the point. There are definitely laws in the Old Testament that are time-bound to civil and religious life of ancient Israel. But the moral law, embodied by the Ten Commandments, is clearly still in effect. God never wavers on His commitment to His law which is why Jesus deepens and expands on it in His famous Sermon on the Mount. He essentially restates the moral law of the Old Testament and intensifies it for His followers. In this way, it still fulfills the original purpose for which God created it.

Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 8-11

What it Matters - Promised Land

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 1-3

A few years ago, I had the privilege of visiting Israel. One of my favorite sites on the trip was Masada. If you don’t know the history of Masada, it is a two thousand year old fortress built by King Herod the Great. During the first Jewish-Roman War (66-73AD), Jewish zealots seized control of the fortress and courageously held off the full might of the Roman legions. Eventually, however, the legions were able to build a ramp up to the wall (which you can still see today) and break through the defenses of the fortress. Rather than be captured and sold into slavery, the remaining zealots committed mass suicide, thus becoming a powerful witness to future generations of Jewish courage and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. The symbol remains so powerful that for decades, new recruits into the Israeli Defense Force would take their vows at Masada. (This has changed in recent years. Most now take their vows at the Western Wall though some special brigades still go to Masada.) Interestingly enough, when they take their vows, Jewish recruits are handed a rifle and a Tanach (Hebrew Bible containing the 24 books of the Old Testament), and promise to defend the State of Israel.

But what is the State of Israel? This is a highly volatile question. One that is the source of a lot of violence in the region. Certainly, many Arab and Palestinian groups refuse to acknowledge Israel’s right to exist. Many Muslims deny the existence of the historical Temple of Solomon as they too seek to de-legitimize Israel’s right to exist. The United Nations and many other international organizations may accept Israel’s right to exist for the sake of political expediency but certainly would never support Israel’s right to the territories mentioned in Deuteronomy, chapter three. In recent years, many left-wing political groups have joined the chorus against Israel’s right to exist. On the flip side, many right-wing political groups both within Israel and among international pro-Zionist groups do support the concept of a “Greater Israel” which is based on the boundaries set for the Promised Land in the Bible. It’s why settlement construction is taking place in Palestinian Territories and why some advocate for a complete takeover of Gaza or the rebuilding of the Third Temple on the Temple Mount.

Deuteronomy is Moses’ final sermon to God’s people as they camp on the plains below Mount Nebo across the Jordan River facing Jericho. They are poised to begin their conquest of the Promised Land. They will spend the next several years doing what all tribes and civilizations have done throughout history, carving out a place for themselves and their descendants. Their national identity will be forged in the fires of conflict and suffering and pain. They will face and fight against all kinds of overwhelming odds as the powerful empires around them battle for control of what is an important land bridge between Asia and Africa. Egyptians. Assyrians. Babylonians. Persians. Greeks. Seleucids. Romans. Muslims. Crusaders. Ottomans. British. All will take their turn ruling this particular strip of land. And though they would be exiled and displaced and persecuted wherever they went, the Jewish people never stopped believing and hoping for a day when they could return to the Promised Land. It’s why the modern nation-state of Israel isn’t just a political entity but a theological and religious one as well.

Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 4-7

Why it Matters - Death Penalty

Readings for today: Numbers 33-36

I worked for two years at New Jersey State Prison as a volunteer chaplain. NJSP is where the state of New Jersey sends the worst of the worst. Murderers. Violent criminals. Sex offenders. Gang leaders. Mafia dons. It is also where they used to house death row. I never was allowed into death row itself but I remember standing outside the door, looking in. It was a sterile environment and the men housed there were cut off from the general population. New Jersey abolished the death penalty in 2007, five years after I left. But from 1690 to 1963, they executed 361 people. 

The death penalty is a thorny subject for Christians. In theory, it does have biblical support drawn mainly from passages like we read today in Numbers 35. But a careful reading of the passage reveals many fascinating details. Cities of refuge. Premeditated murder vs. accidental death. Avengers of blood. Congregational trials. Evidence. Witnesses. Motives. Methods. It’s a very specific passage that actually places limits on vengeance in a way that would have been striking to other ancient near east cultures. It employs the principle of lex talionis  or “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” Proportional justice. It keeps vendettas from forming between families and clans that last generations. 

Those who support the contemporary use of the death penalty on biblical grounds need to wrestle with the boundaries this passage sets. Provision must be made for the safety of the murderer while he/she awaits trial. Motive must be carefully discerned and the accuser must be the one to carry out the sentence. If there was no premeditation, then the congregation is allowed to judge and show mercy by assigning the person to a city of refuge for a certain duration. (Lifetime of the current high priest.) There must be more than one witness to the crime. And you cannot tolerate murder in the land lest it become ritually polluted. 

Obviously, it’s quite the challenge to apply ancient near east law codes in a 21st century context. Layer in the obvious problems we have in our legal system with ethnic and economic injustice (statistically ethnic minorities and the poor are far more likely to be convicted in our culture), as well as the frequency with which our justice system convicts the wrong person (DNA evidence has been a game-changer here), and one can see why many would argue we should abolish the death penalty altogether. Furthermore, what are we do to with Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount? “You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.” (Matt. ‭5:21-22‬) Clearly, Jesus is accusing all of us of being guilty of murder in our hearts.

So what do we do? We must carefully and prayerfully consider our position on the death penalty. We must ask if it is just...not as an abstract concept but as a concrete practice. We must make sure our practices are just and if there is even a hint of incompetence or injustice in the way we prosecute then we must forbear. Furthermore, we have to come to grips with the gravity of our actions. Executing another human being is deeply significant. The shedding of blood is not something to take lightly. Unjust killing pollutes the land in which we dwell. Finally, and most importantly, to take the life of another human being before they accept Christ as Lord and Savior consigns them to an eternity in hell. All these factors must weigh heavily on us as we wrestle with this issue in our society. 

Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 1-3

Divine Judgment

Readings for today: Numbers 29-32

“Exact vengeance for the Israelites on the Midianites – after that you will be gathered to your people.” (Numbers‬ ‭31‬:‭2‬ ‭NET‬‬) Who was Midian and what had they done to Israel to cause God’s judgment to fall on them? Furthermore, why was God’s judgment so harsh and unyielding? Why did it involve women and children? It sounds a lot like an ancient form of jihad and is one of the main reasons many skeptics reject the Bible.

First, some historical context. Midian was a son of Abraham and his servant Keturah. While Abraham was still alive, he sent Midian away so that there would be no competition for Isaac’s inheritance. Midian presumably thrived over the years becoming a great tribal nation. Abraham’s great-grandson Joseph was sold to Midianite traders as they made their way to Egypt. Moses fled to Midian to escape Egyptian justice and actually married a Midianite woman. As Moses learned to lead the nation of Israel, he leaned on his father-in-law, a Midianite priest, for advice but Israel’s close association with Midian would come back to haunt them as they began to intermarry with them and co-mingle their worship practices. This results in judgment as God pours out His wrath on Israel through a plague which is only stopped when Phinehas kills Cozbi, daughter of a Midianite chief named Zur, and her husband Zimri, who was the son of a Simeonite chief. Additionally, the Midianites had allied themselves with the Moabites, setting themselves in opposition to Israel, and called on one of their prophets - Balaam - to come and curse the people of God. So clearly there was a history of enmity between these two tribal nations.

Second, we must remember God’s commandments regarding true worship. For example, the 2nd Commandment says, “You shall not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is on the earth beneath or that is in the water below. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I, the Lord, your God, am a jealous God, responding to the transgression of fathers by dealing with children to the third and fourth generations of those who reject me…” (Exodus‬ ‭20‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NET‬‬) God is jealous for His divine name. Jealous for His divine glory. Jealous for His relationship with His people. He makes it clear over and over again throughout the Scriptures that He will tolerate no rivals. So when Israel begins to worship the Midianite gods, God takes action. He punishes Israel as I mentioned above. Then He calls for holy war. He commands His people to attack Midian and “execute the Lord’s vengeance.” Vengeance, not in the sense of God losing control and lashing out, but vengeance in the sense of the righteous execution of God’s justice. Israel is successful. They kill all the males that come against them. They take the women and children hostage. They plunder their possessions. Then they go one step further. As an act of ritual purity, they kill all the male children and any women who is not a virgin. It is brutal. It is horrifying. It is judgment. The women were just as guilty as the Israelite men in the sin of idolatry at Peor and their guilt conveys to their male children as well who - if left alive - might seek their own revenge against Israel in the future. (Blood feuds between tribes and clans were common in ancient times and could last generations.)

This is a terrifying concept, especially for the 21st century American reader. It doesn’t square with our understanding of a loving God who always shows mercy and grace to the sinner. When we read passages like this, we think of modern-day terrorists. Suicide bombers. Religious extremists like ISIS and we cannot understand how God could ever act in such a way. This is where we come face to face with God’s holiness. God’s righteousness. God’s justice. The stark reality is this...evil makes God righteously angry. Idolatry offends Him. He does not let it go. He does not overlook our sin. He does not turn a blind eye to our rebellion. This is why the cross is itself so brutal and horrifying. On the cross, God pours out the full measure of His righteous wrath and judgment on His Son. He satisfies the demands of divine justice through Jesus’ suffering and death. On the cross, the truly innocent One dies in our place.

So what is our response? Repentance. Repentance is the only appropriate response of the creature when confronted by the Creator and this is the lesson we must all take away. God will not be mocked. Not back then. Not now. Not in the future. God is a God of love and mercy and grace but He is also a God of holiness and righteousness and justice. He is quick to forgive the sin of those who repent but He is also faithful to judge those who persist in their rebellion. Humble yourself before the Lord before it is too late. Embrace the Son and what He has done for you. Give your life to Christ that you might be saved from the coming judgment.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 33-36

Leadership

Readings for today: Numbers 25-28

I am heading back home today after spending time with our denominational leadership. One of the many tasks set before us was to drill down on “ordination standards.” In other words, what qualifications must a person have to be eligible to serve as a pastor in one of our churches. We spent three years trying to answer this question. We interviewed and solicited feedback from a wide variety of stakeholders across the country. We sought expertise from our seminary leaders. We looked models being used effectively in other denominations. We discussed academics, professional experience, and character formation. And we landed on some recommendations that we will put before our denomination at our annual meeting this summer. It was a fascinating process. The people I served alongside are thoughtful and reflective and I believe our end product will be a blessing should it be passed.

But then I read about the leadership transition from Moses to Joshua today and I wonder if we haven’t overcomplicated the process? I wonder if we prioritize the wrong things? Moses asks God for a person who would “go out before Israel.” In other words, someone who would lead them into battle. Someone with courage. Someone who is unafraid to put themselves in harm’s way. Second, he asks God for a person who would “come in before Israel.” Someone who would govern them in their day to day life. Point them to God. Teach and train them in righteousness. Finally, he asks God for a shepherd. Someone who would care deeply for the sheep. Someone who would love the sheep enough to lay down their life for them. And how does God respond? He identifies a man in whom “there is such a spirit.” His name is Joshua. A man with a track record of courage and faithfulness. A man who has already demonstrated the gifts Moses is looking for in the person who would succeed him. A man who has already served God’s people in so many ways.

Obviously, there is a vast difference between leading a nation and leading a local church. There is also a great cultural difference between leaders in the ancient near east and leaders in the modern Western world. At the same time, I wonder what would happen if we privileged life experience more than education? I wonder what would happen if we put more of an emphasis on what a person has already demonstrated by the way they have led and served rather than focus on potential? I wonder what would happen if we focused more on the “spirit” of a person rather than an educational credential? Leadership is more caught than taught. It is a gift we receive from the Holy Spirit more than it is a set of principles we read in a book. Take some time to pray today that the Lord would make you the kind of leader you need to be in your home, your workplace, your church, and your community.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Water

Readings for today: Numbers 21-24

Many years ago, I was sitting with indigenous denominational leaders in southern Ethiopia, talking about church planting. It was our first trip to the region and they shared with us how difficult it had been for them over the years. They faced all kinds of persecution. They had access to very few resources. In many ways, they felt forgotten. The image they used was of the wadi’s that Israel journeyed through on their way to the Promised Land. Dry riverbeds with little to no water. Certainly not enough to sustain a growing population. In the same way, they felt like their lack of access to any kinds of resources was hamstringing their ability to grow the Kingdom in their part of the country. When we signed our partnership agreement, they rejoiced. They literally started singing the opening lines of the song from Numbers 21:17-18, “Spring up, O well, sing to it! The well which the princes dug, which the leaders of the people opened with their scepters and their staffs.” And they talked about God fulfilling His promise to fill the dry riverbeds all around them and that’s exactly what happened. Hundreds of churches were planted. Thousands of people came to saving faith. It was an amazing movement of God.

The people of Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years. And though God provided for them all along the way, it wasn’t an easy journey. If you trace their route, you can easily see it goes through some incredibly challenging terrain. They were essentially traveling through the desert. There was little to no food or water. Furthermore, this was new territory for them. They didn’t know all the different oases or watering holes along the way. They didn’t know when and where to stop to conserve their strength. They were literally walking by faith and not by sight. Trusting God to lead them every step of the way. Take a look at the pictures I’ve included to get a sense of what they experienced. Is it any wonder they grumbled and complained? Is it any wonder they questioned why they ever left Egypt? Is it any wonder they struggled to maintain their faith in the face of all their hardship and suffering?

We too are on a wandering journey through this life and through this world. We often face challenging times and difficult seasons. Periods in our lives where basic provisions may be scarce. It causes us to wonder where is God in the midst of it all? Is He still with us? Is He still leading and guiding us? This is where we have to walk by faith as well. Trust Jesus to provide the Living Water that never runs dry. Living Water that spring up like a well deep within our souls. If we drink from this water, we will never thirst again.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 25-28

Fruitfulness

Readings for today: Numbers 17-20

I am in Orlando this week serving my denomination alongside some wonderful colleagues. These men and women are deeply faithful. They love Jesus. They make so many sacrifices. They give so much of themselves. I am blessed by our conversations and discussions. One of the big topics that always comes up is how we believe the church is doing. Are we heading in a healthy direction? Are we growing in gospel faithfulness? Are we making disciples who make disciples? Are we making an impact for the Kingdom of God in this world? These aren’t easy questions to answer. It’s hard to even quantify the metrics we would use to make our assessments. At the same time, when we look across our denomination, we do see churches that seem to be thriving. They are engaged in all kinds of wonderful, growing ministry. They are bearing all kinds of wonderful gospel fruit. The Spirit is blessing and empowering them for all kinds of sacrificial acts of service. It’s awesome and I love it.

I’ve often wondered why some ministries flourish and others fade. I’ve often wrestled why some pastors seem to be so effective while others struggle. I’ve often questioned why some churches grow and others decline. I’ve read a ton of books on the subject. I’ve listened to all kinds of podcasts. I’ve even engaged different well-known thought leaders on the subject. None of them have given me much of an answer. Then I read a passage like the one we read today. The people of God have barely survived a rebellion. They have no idea how close they came to destruction. All because they questioned the leadership of Moses and Aaron. So God commands each tribe to bring a staff, representing the leader of that tribe, and place it before the ark of the covenant. When they come back the next day, Aaron’s staff has “sprouted, and brought forth buds, and produced blossoms, and yielded almonds!” (Numbers 17:8 NET) What an incredible miracle! And one that had nothing to do with Aaron. Aaron’s staff didn’t bud because of Aaron’s hard work. Aaron’s staff didn’t produce blossoms because of Aaron’s great ideas. Aaron’s staff didn’t yield almonds because of Aaron’s spiritual maturity and faith. Heck, Aaron wasn’t even around when it all happened! No, this is all about the glory and providence and sovereignty of Almighty God.

Like Aaron and the rest of the leaders of the tribes of Israel, we bring what we have to offer to the Lord. We present our “staffs” and lay them before His altar. That’s all we are charged to do. That’s all we can do. It is God who gives the increase. God who grows His church. God who fills His people with His Spirit and empowers them to do mighty things in His name. The call of God is clear from Scripture. Seek Him first. Seek His Kingdom first. Seek His righteousness first. If we do these things, then all the rest will be added to us. Everything we care about will be taken care of. That’s God’s promise. Trust Him. Put your life in His hands and let Him make your life fruitful for His glory.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 21-24

Glory

Readings for today: Numbers 14-16, Psalms 95

Today’s passage reveals two things in stark terms. First, the greatest obstacle to the fulfillment of God’s mission is us. Humanity. Human beings made in the image of God who continually rebel against God. Second, the reason God’s mission will always succeed is because of His great faithfulness. His steadfast, loyal love. His grace that extends from generation to generation. Without God’s love, we would be doomed. Destroyed. Our sin is simply too much. Our tendency to rebel to hard to resist. Our pride too much to overcome.

The people of God quake in fear at the report of the spies. They mutiny against Moses and the Lord. They make plans to head back to Egypt. Back to slavery. Back to what was familiar. But for the intervention of the Lord, they would even have stoned Moses to death! Incredible! Korah rebels. Dathan and Abiram rebel. The people blame Moses and Aaron for their deaths. God sends plagues. He opens the earth. He allows them to be defeated in battle. He makes them wander in the wilderness until an entire generation passes away. It’s depressing how often God’s people turn their back on Him. But still He remains faithful. Faithful to love. Faithful to judge. Faithful to discipline. Faithful to comfort. Through the intercession of Moses and Aaron, God makes His steadfast love and faithfulness known. He reveals His nature and character and the people are once again reminded of God’s greatest desire which is the fill the earth with His glory.

Friends, come hell or high water, God will make His glory known. No obstacle will stand in His way. No power will prevent Him from accomplishing this great task. Not sin. Not evil. Not even death. “But truly, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord.” (Numbers‬ ‭14‬:‭21‬ ‭NET‬‬) It’s an incredible statement! One that drives God even to this day. God’s plan is for God’s people who are made in God’s image to multiply and fill the earth! This is the “Great Commission” given to Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the people of Israel. And Jesus renews this Great Commission at the end of Matthew’s Gospel when He sends His disciples out into all the world to make other disciples.

So think about your own life? Where are you living in willful disobedience? Where are you living in stubborn rebellion? What sins are you clinging to, refusing to let go? Is it pride? Is it anger? Is it disappointment? Is it fear? Where are you personally getting in the way of God’s mission to fill the world with His glory? Repent and believe and let the Spirit of God fill you and use you to spread His glory.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 17-20

Pure in Heart

Readings for today: Numbers 10-13, Psalms 90

Jesus once said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” He might have been talking about Moses. Moses was a humble man. In fact, he was more humble than anyone living on earth at the time. His humility was demonstrated over and over again throughout the course of his life. His leadership was a model of humility as he collaborated with others. One never gets the sense that Moses had any ambitions of his own. He simply lived to serve God and His people.

In our reading today, Moses’ humility is put to the test by his own family. Those closest to him. Those he loved and trusted the most. They became bitter and resentful towards Moses. They aspired to the same position and authority as Moses held among the people. More than anything, they were jealous of the unique relationship Moses had with God. “Is it only through Moses that God speaks? Doesn’t He also speak through us?” The obvious answer is “no.” God clearly wasn’t speaking through Aaron and Miriam like He was through Moses and He even goes on to tell us why. Moses is no ordinary prophet. He is God’s special servant with whom God speaks face to face.

If we’re honest, this grates a bit. We probably sympathize more with Aaron and Miriam. Believing rightly that all are equal in the eyes of God, we often make the false assumption that all are called to the same roles in God’s Kingdom. I see and hear it all the time. Men and women who look to those in authority above them in an organization and believe they can do as good a job or better. Those who are just getting started in their professional careers who believe they can do just as good a job as those who have years of experience. Even among pastors this dynamic often comes into play as associate pastors become jealous of the influence or the position or the authority of a senior pastor. In fact, this is so common most churches have special rules in place to make it harder for associate pastors to ascend to the senior pastor role! So we are more like Aaron and Miriam than we want to admit.

To see God, we must be pure in heart. We must have the purest of intentions. We cannot allow selfish ambition or vain conceit to get in the way. We cannot let our aspirations or dreams to become more important than God’s dream for our lives. We must learn to humbly accept the role God has called us to play in His Kingdom. We should not look to others and play the comparison game. We should not allow envy or jealousy to get in the way. We should fix our eyes on Jesus who humbled Himself and became our servant. We should follow the example of Moses who humbled himself and became a servant. After all, the greatest in the Kingdom are the servants which is why they shall see God.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 14-16, Psalms 95

Succession Planning

Readings for today: Numbers 6-9

“How many years do you have left?” I got asked this question for the first time in my life on our recent elder retreat. It’s a good one. One all of us have to answer at some point in time in our lives. Some of us get to choose when we retire. Some have retirement forced upon them. Some work in industries where there is a mandatory retirement age. Others are forced into retirement when their bodies break down or age catches up to them or their memory begins to fade. Some make enough money or save enough to retire on their terms. But no matter who you are or how successful you’ve been, retirement is a reality we all have to face one day.

This was true for God’s people as well. Particularly, the Levites who served the Lord at the Tabernacle and later, the Temple. Their years of service were pre-determined. They started at twenty-five and ended at fifty. “This is what pertains to the Levites: At the age of twenty-five years and upward one may begin to join the company in the work of the tent of meeting, and at the age of fifty years they must retire from performing the work and may no longer work. They may assist their colleagues in the tent of meeting, to attend to needs, but they must do no work. This is the way you must establish the Levites regarding their duties.” (‭‭Numbers‬ ‭8‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭NET‬‬) I don’t know why the Lord chose those particular ages as boundaries for service but I do know it established a rotational system among the Levites. The older generation routinely handing off their authority and duties to the younger generation. It made for a healthy succession plan that maintained consistency and competency when it came to the priestly duties they performed. And it guarded against a particular person holding on too long or refusing to relinquish control.

I can’t tell you the number of people I’ve seen over the years try to hold onto long. The politician who dies in office well into their nineties. The parent who never writes a will or does any estate planning. The pastor who refuses to entertain the idea of stepping down. On the flip side, I can’t tell you the number of people I’ve seen over the years use their “retirement” to check out on life. Though they have so much to offer, they spend their days largely entertaining themselves rather than continuing to make a difference for the Kingdom of God. I don’t think either approach is what God wants. God wants us to use our years to bless and serve others. And then even when we retire and hand off our responsibilities, He wants us to assist those who come after us, attend to their needs, mentor them, coach them, and share with them all we have learned. This is God’s plan for succession and it’s worth considering for every one of us.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 10-13, Psalms 90

Assignment

Readings for today: Numbers 3-5

As a young pastor just out of seminary, I struggled with my “call.” I am not sure what I expected. A voice from heaven? A burning bush? A pillar of fire? I had multiple opportunities to consider and didn’t quite know how to make a decision. So I asked an older, wiser pastor for his thoughts. He challenged me to stop overthinking things and instead simply focus on the “assignment” the Lord had given me. I was called to be a pastor. Nothing more. Nothing less. Nothing else. I was called to serve God’s people and that could happen in a variety of different contexts. Over the years, I’ve served in large churches and small churches. I’ve taught in seminaries and trained church planters overseas. I’ve been offered opportunities to serve my denomination in several different leadership roles. I’ve loved all of them but never in a million years could I have planned them out.

I thought about those words as I read about the assignments given to the different Levitical clans. The Levites were set apart by God to serve God. Unlike the other tribes, they were given no inheritance because their inheritance was the Lord. He had redeemed them as His own. “Then the Lord spoke to Moses: “Look, I myself have taken the Levites from among the Israelites instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the Israelites. So the Levites belong to me, because all the firstborn are mine. When I destroyed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I set apart for myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They belong to me. I am the Lord.” (Numbers‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NET‬‬) Furthermore, the sons of Levi and their descendants were also set apart for specific tasks. The Kohathites were charged to carry the most holy objects from the Tabernacle. The Gershonites were to carry the curtains and the tent. The Merarites were to basically carry the rest of the equipment. Each of these sons and their descendants would shoulder this burden into perpetuity. This was their divine call. This was God’s assignment for them.

Everyone is born with a divine assignment. I know this may be hard to grasp or understand. After all, we live in a culture where we get to choose our profession. Choose, to some extent, our place in society. Choose where we will live and who we will live among. Most of humanity throughout history has not had the freedom to make such choices. And with such freedom comes an even greater temptation. We are tempted to believe we are the captains of our fate, the masters of our destiny. We are tempted to believe we are in control of our lives. We are tempted to believe we somehow are free from any “assignment” others might place on us. However, this is a lie. God has a plan for each of our lives. His divine plan includes our assignment in His Kingdom. It’s a space only we can occupy because each of us is fearfully and wonderfully made and, as such, have a unique contribution to make. What is your assignment? Have you asked God to show you His plan for your life in this particular season?

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Conditions

Readings for today: Leviticus 26-27, Numbers 1-2

One of the most common questions I get in my role as pastor is “have I done enough” to get into heaven. To put it another way, have I done enough to earn God’s favor? Have I been good enough? Have I been obedient enough? Such questions are quite natural and they reflect a conditional way of thinking about our relationship with God. Such thinking is also reinforced when we read chapters like Leviticus 26 which outlines the blessings and the curses of the covenant. It’s tempting to assume everything rests on our obedience, including our eternal destiny. But such thinking betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of God, His covenant, and what He’s done for us in Jesus Christ.

The Israelites didn’t initiate this covenant. God did. In fact, if you remember, when God first made this covenant with His people it was while Abraham was asleep. God committed Himself to Abraham and his descendants, walking through the pieces of the animals to seal His promise. After delivering His people from slavery in Egypt, He reinforces His covenant by giving them the Law. The Law is not just a list of what they can and cannot do. It’s frames a covenantal way of life. A way of walking before the Lord in faithfulness and gratitude for all He has done. When God lays out the “blessings and curses”, it’s not a threat but simply describing the reality of what will happen if Israel chooses to abandon or walk in rebellion to the covenant God has made. Think of them as natural consequences for the decisions they make. Obviously, God wants to walk with them and bless them and support them but they must want these same things as well. Thankfully, the covenant doesn’t rely on their perfect obedience or performance because even when the incur the curses, God makes a way for the covenant to be renewed through repentance and restoration.

Fast forward two thousand years. We who live on this side of the death and resurrection of Jesus enjoy an even greater freedom for all the curses of our disobedience - past, present, and future - have fallen on God’s one and only Son. On the cross, Jesus literally became cursed on our behalf so we might live in the blessing of God. At the same time, if we want to experience that blessing, we must walk in the blessing. We cannot live a life apart from God and expect to experience the blessing of His presence. It’s not that He’s gone anywhere, of course, it’s that our ability to perceive Him is clouded by our life of sin. Thankfully, God provides the same path back to Him that He provided Israel. Confession. Repentance. Reconciliation. Make your peace with God today.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 3-5

Sabbath

Readings for today: Leviticus 23-25

The first feast of the Lord listed in Leviticus 23 is the Sabbath. One day a week set aside for rest. Hardwired into creation itself, the Sabbath may be the most important and most neglected spiritual discipline of our time. The world runs 24/7. The ubiquity of social media creates an expectation that we must be “on” all the time. Most of us feel like we can’t get away from our work even for an hour, much less an entire day. As rates of anxiety and depression rise, accompanied by self-destructive coping mechanisms of self-harm, addiction, and suicide; one must ask the question, is it time to re-commit ourselves to a weekly Sabbath?

I keep a Sabbath. Every Monday I purposefully set aside all my work. I do not answer email. I do not answer phone calls. I do not prepare for sermons. Instead, I spend time in personal worship. I spend time talking to my accountability partner of almost twenty-five years. I spend time reading, resting, relaxing. I go to the gym. I spend time with my wife and adult kids when they get home from work. We do not schedule any events on Monday evenings if at all possible. This weekly rhythm acts as a “speed bump” in my life, slowing me down on a regular basis.  

Are there times when I violate my Sabbath? Yes. Sometimes I fail to be diligent and get all my work done in the previous six days. Sometimes I’m working on a big project or taking on new obligations. Sometimes I’m under a significant deadline. However, I try to build in extra rest after those seasons come to an end so I dial life back to a sustainable pace.  

My life is busy. I have a wife of 30 years who I cherish and adore. I have four adult children who deserve my time and attention and love. I have parents and siblings who I love spending time with. Professionally, I serve as the senior pastor for a growing, missional church in a community with many needs. I serve as an adjunct professor teaching graduate students about evangelism and mission two semesters every year. I serve as the chair of the board for a mission organization that’s doing amazing work in the Horn of Africa. I’ve been given opportunities to serve at different levels of my denomination. It’s a rich and full and beautiful life. But without a Sabbath, I would quickly burn out. 

I’m sure your life is busy as well. Work. Family. School. Church. Kid’s activities. I am sure you feel like you barely get through each day. Let me encourage you to master your schedule. Wrest control of your life from the enemy who wants to drive you to exhaustion and burnout. Set aside one day out of every week for Sabbath rest. Turn off your phone. Fast from social media. Create a “no-tech” zone in your life for just 24 hours. Rest. Relax. Take a walk with those you love. Worship. Spend uninterrupted time with God. Let Him renew and restore you for the week ahead. There is no “one” way to keep a Sabbath. The only guidance Scripture gives is worship and rest. Gather with God’s people to give Him the praise He is due and then do whatever you need to do to relax and let your mind and body recover.

Readings for tomorrow: Leviticus 26-27, Numbers 1-2

Boundaries

Readings for today: Leviticus 19-22

The primary challenge in reading and understanding Leviticus is the cultural gap that exists between modern, Western culture and the ancient Near East world. There are fundamental differences between how both cultures understand human identity, social order, ritual purity, and moral codes. We have to keep in mind the progressive nature both of God’s revelation and of humanity’s own growth in self-understanding and awareness. Ancient Near East cultures did not believe in modern concepts like universal human rights, free market capitalism, democracy, freedom, etc. They lived in a world with strict hierarchies drawn from a shared understanding of the cosmic order where ritual purity must be maintained lest they incur the wrath of God and the destruction of their society. As He always does, God was working in and through their cultural and social worldview to bring about His will and teach them about Himself.

Israel was set apart as a nation from all of her neighbors in any number of ways. She was a God-centered rather than a king-centered society. She was called to holiness and purity in all of life not just when she worshipped at the Temple. Her ethics were universal because every person - no matter their social or political or economic status - lived under the same covenant with God. So when we read about prohibitions against mixing seeds or mixing fibers, we have to understand their worldview. While such things seem trivial to us, they were Israel’s way of maintaining purity. The same was true when it came to sexual boundaries. The harsh penalties listed were necessary in a world where families and clans often struggled and even fought violently to protect clean lineages and tribal inheritances and strict patriarchy was a way to maintain stability and social order. Finally, Israel understood the priesthood to serve a critical role in maintaining not just social and religious order but the cosmic order itself. As they performed their duties, they maintained a right relationship with God on which all of human society depended.

I know all this may seem strange and esoteric to us. The gap is definitely hard to bridge. And yet, there are some beautifully progressive, even radical, concepts embedded within the Levitical code as well. Leaving the gleanings of a field for the poor. Outlawing the oppression of hired workers. Banning the cursing of those who are deaf. Requiring fairness and impartiality in a court’s judgment. And, of course, the Golden Rule. Loving your neighbor as yourself. All of these were grounded not in kingly authority but in sacred obligation in service to God. As such, they reframe human understanding of civic law as imitation of the divine character of God.

Readings for tomorrow: Leviticus 23-25

Sacred Time

Readings for today: Leviticus 15-18

I still remember the first time I celebrated the Day of Atonement. I was with my grandmother in Beijing, China. She belonged to a religious group that made it a point to celebrate all the Jewish high holy days and festivals. Each year, they would host “feast sites” around the world where church members could go to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles and the Day of Atonement. It was a day of self-denial. It was a day of prayer and fasting. It was a day when we basically engaged in little to no activity. I was twelve years old and I have to admit I found it very strange. I wasn’t sure I understood all the reasons why non-Jews would engage in Jewish religious practices. As I got older, I learned that my grandmother was part of a Christian cult who believed they had “replaced” Israel on some level. Not only that but they preyed on the elderly and widowed - my grandmother was both - and stole millions from the people who belonged to their “church.” It was a textbook case of spiritual abuse and my grandmother would eventually die, in part, from the guilt and shame of being part of it.

Though the views of the religious cult were abusive, manipulative, and highly destructive; they gave me my first introduction to God’s time. God’s time is not like our time. It is not time as it ticks away on a clock or watch. It is sacred time. It is heavenly time. It is time oriented around the first commandment which is to worship God alone. In the passage we read today, we are introduced to God’s time. He sets up the Day of Atonement. A single day every year where the high priest would make a special sacrifice for the sins of Israel. Listen to how Leviticus describes it again, “This is to be a perpetual statute for you. In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you must humble yourselves and do no work of any kind, both the native citizen and the foreigner who resides in your midst, for on this day atonement is to be made for you to cleanse you from all your sins; you must be clean before the Lord. It is to be a Sabbath of complete rest for you, and you must humble yourselves. It is a perpetual statute. The priest who is anointed and ordained to act as high priest in place of his father is to make atonement. He is to put on the linen garments, the holy garments, and he is to purify the Most Holy Place, he is to purify the Meeting Tent and the altar, and he is to make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly. This is to be a perpetual statute for you to make atonement for the Israelites for all their sins once a year. So he did just as the Lord had commanded Moses.” (Leviticus‬ ‭16‬:‭29‬-‭34‬ ‭NET‬‬) Incredibly enough, this day is still observed by faithful Jews all over the world. It’s called Yom Kippur. A day set aside for prayer, fasting, and confession of sins. It’s a day to remember the grace and forgiveness of God and concludes with the blowing of the shofar which signifies hope for the future.

Day of Atonement. Weekly Sabbath. Annual feasts and festivals to govern the life of Israel once they arrive in the Promised Land. These festivals serve as a regular reminder to the people that it is God on whom they depend. He is the one who provides the rain and sunshine that allows their crops to grow and their herds to flourish. The weekly Sabbath reminds us that life does not depend on us or our hard work but on the work God is doing all around us. The Day of Atonement reminds us that no matter how deep we plunge into sin, God’s grace is deeper still. As Christians, we believe the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus fulfills the true meaning of these ancient feasts, including the Day of Atonement and the Sabbath. This is why we no longer celebrate them or offer animal or grain sacrifices. However, that doesn’t mean we don’t hold to sacred time. Christmas, Easter, Advent, Lent, Pentecost, and Epiphany. These are the Christian feasts and festivals we honor and celebrate because they help us center our hearts around the life of Jesus. We do continue to keep the Sabbath holy - though it is now held on the first day of the week because of the resurrection - for Jesus is worthy of all praise, honor, and glory. We continue to orient our lives around God’s time in order to remember all He has done for us.

Readings for tomorrow: Leviticus 19-22