Mercy

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 4-7

Over the course of my life, I have been blessed to spend time with some truly great Christians. Men and women of profound spiritual depth who have exerted a shaping influence on the church and the world through their speaking, teaching, and writing. Their names are well-known. They’ve founded and led great ministries, churches, and organizations. Some of them have passed from this life. Others are still very much engaged in their work. And for reasons I still do not know or frankly understand, they have chosen to spend some of their valuable time with me. It’s deeply humbling to be on the receiving end of such mercy. It was not something I achieved. It was not something I earned. It was not the result of my hard work or effort. I simply lucked out. For whatever reason, they chose me.

I think of these experiences as I try to wrap my mind and heart around the words we read in our text for today. “For what great nation is there that has a god near to it as the Lord our God is to us whenever we call to him? And what great nation has righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today?” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬) It’s been decades since that first meeting between Moses and God at the burning bush. In that time, Moses has seen the most breathtaking miracles. He watched God take a rag-tag group of slaves and turn them into a nation. He watched God humble the greatest ruler of the greatest empire in the world. He bore witness to God’s love and mercy as He carried His people through the Red Sea and delivered them to the Promised Land. He grieved at the faithlessness of God’s people that caused them to wander in the wilderness under judgment for forty years. His life has been rich and full and blessed in so many ways. Perhaps the most marvelous thing of all is that Moses never loses his sense of awe over God’s mercy. Here he is at the end of his life and he still can’t get over the fact that among all the nations of the earth, God chose Israel. 

Not only did God choose Israel but God remains faithful to Israel. Despite her constant whining and complaining. Despite her hard hearts and stiff necks. Despite her many sins and acts of unfaithfulness. Despite the fact that God knows she will fail over and over again. He remains true. He lives up to His promises. “But from there, you will search for the Lord your God, and you will find him when you seek him with all your heart and all your soul.  When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, in the future you will return to the Lord your God and obey him. He will not leave you, destroy you, or forget the covenant with your ancestors that he swore to them by oath, because the Lord your God is a compassionate God.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭4‬:‭29‬-‭31‬ ‭CSB‬) God is so good. His mercies endure forever. His covenant love never fails. 

Why does God do all this? Is it for us? On some level yes. God has chosen us from before the foundations of the earth to be the object of His great love. But more than that, God has chosen us to be His instruments of mercy as well. His great desire is to use us to draw an unbelieving world to faith. God wants the whole world to look on us in wonder and awe just like Moses. To stand and stare in disbelief that the God of the universe would choose a people for Himself. Forge them through fire and trial and struggle and war into a people for His own possession. A chosen nation. A royal priesthood. Set apart to declare His glory to the world. “Indeed, ask about the earlier days that preceded you, from the day God created mankind  on the earth and from one end of the heavens to the other: Has anything like this great event ever happened, or has anything like it been heard of? Has a people heard God’s voice speaking from the fire as you have, and lived? Or has a god attempted to go and take a nation as his own out of another nation, by trials, signs, wonders, and war, by a strong hand and an outstretched arm, by great terrors, as the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭4‬:‭32‬-‭34‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Friends, there is no end to the mercy of God. If you seek Him, you will find Him. If you turn to Him, you will find His arms wide open. If you ask Him, He will come into your heart and into your life and you will be saved. 

Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 8-11

Testimony

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 1-3

Moses was an amazing man. He’s right up there with Abraham and David. He’s one of the most important and influential biblical leaders for God’s people. He’s the deliverer. He’s the Law-giver. He’s the one who shapes and forms Israel from a bunch of former slaves into a nation. Moses’ life was broken down into three stages, each lasting around forty years. The first forty years, he was a prince in Egypt. He grew up in Pharaoh’s household. The adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He enjoyed a life of privilege and power. The second forty years, he lived as a shepherd in Midian. He fled Egypt after murdering a man in an attempt to incite an insurrection. He got married. He had kids. He built a life for himself. Things were good. Then God showed up in a burning bush and everything changed yet again. The final forty years of his life was filled with miracle after miracle as well as hardship after hardship. He went back to Egypt. He confronted Pharaoh. He called down plagues. He delivered God’s people. He led them through the Red Sea. He brought them to Mt. Sinai and gave them the Law. He led them through the wilderness to the Promised Land. He faced all kinds of rebellion. He fought wars. He survived death threats. He faced hunger and thirst. The burdens of leading God’s people were overwhelming. Finally, Moses died without experiencing the fulfillment of God’s promise.

Imagine you are Moses. 120 years old. Your eyesight has not dimmed. Your strength unabated. You’re standing on the border of the Promised Land. You know you are not allowed to go in. You have to say goodbye to the people you have led for decades. Men and women whom you have watched grow up and helped raise from birth. A generation who did not know Egypt. Did not walk through the waters of the Red Sea. Did not hear God’s voice at Mt. Sinai. What would you say to them as they prepare to take the next step in their journey without you? This is what the Book of Deuteronomy is all about. It is Moses’ final sermon to God’s people. It is his last will and testament. It is his final chance to encourage, challenge, confront, and comfort God’s people. Given one last chance to address those he loved, Moses points them to God. He points them to God’s faithfulness. Points them to God’s provision and protection. He wants them to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is with them and He is for them and He is going before them as they cross over into new territory under new leadership.

“The Lord your God who goes before you will fight for you, just as you saw him do for you in Egypt. And you saw in the wilderness how the Lord your God carried you as a man carries his son all along the way you traveled until you reached this place.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭1‬:‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭CSB‬‬) 

“For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this immense wilderness. The Lord your God has been with you these past forty years, and you have lacked nothing.”(‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

“Today I will begin to put the fear and dread of you on the peoples everywhere under heaven. They will hear the report about you, tremble, and be in anguish because of you.”(Deuteronomy‬ ‭2‬:‭25‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

“Your own eyes have seen everything the Lord your God has done to these two kings. The Lord will do the same to all the kingdoms you are about to enter. Don’t be afraid of them, for the Lord your God fights for you.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭3‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Now consider your own life. Not many of us - or any of us - will live to be 120. However, in the years we are each given, where do we see God at work? What will our testimony be when our time comes to part from this world? What will we say to those we love and those we lead who will come after us? How can we point them to God?

Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 4-7

Travelogue

Readings for today: Numbers 33-36

Many of us remember the famous words of Captain Kirk from the USS Enterprise as they traveled through uncharted space. “Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its 5-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.” I wonder if Moses had a similar internal monologue going as he led Israel through all kinds of uncharted, new territory on their journey to the Promised Land?

I freely admit I used to pass over the chapters we read today. The names and places listed in these verses simply didn’t mean much to me. The only interesting story is the fascinating one about the daughters of Zelophehad and their inheritance. Possibly one of the earliest examples from the ancient world where the Bible begins challenging cultural and patriarchal norms by expanding the rights of women. However, a few years ago, I was able to visit the Holy Land. My wife and I traveled for two weeks through modern-day Israel and Jordan. As we spent a week in Jordan, it dawned on me that we were traveling over the same territory as ancient Israel. I found myself standing in the ancient Biblical kingdoms of Edom, Ammon, and Moab. I was able to catch a glimpse of what the Israelites experienced and it changed everything for me. The verses we read today came alive in new and fresh ways because I actually had been to some of these places.

For example, Wadi Rum is a desert valley located in the southernmost part of Jordan. It was once part of the ancient kingdoms of Midian and Edom. It is a trackless wasteland with little to no water. Movies like The Martian are filmed there because of how it resembles the surface of the planet Mars. One can easily see how Israel, moving through this territory, would have become discouraged. Petra, the capital of ancient Edom, is located just to the north. The Nabateans used this valley as a trade route and it’s entirely possible the people of Israel used these same routes as they traveled north towards Jericho and the Promised Land.

Jabal Haroun is the traditional site revered by Christians as Mount Hor where Aaron died and was buried. You can reach his shrine today via an 11km trail from the center of Petra. You can also catch a glimpse of Jabal Haroun from the tallest mountains in Petra. I remember standing on top of a “high place” in Petra on a clear day and seeing the shrine across the valley. I tried to imagine Moses and Aaron in their very old age making their way up that mountain so Aaron could die according to the Lord’s command. It couldn’t have been easy.

We finished our week in Jordan on top of Mount Nebo. The very mountain Moses ascends to look out over the Promised Land before he died. Again, we had a clear day and one could see all the way to Jericho. The plains mentioned in the Bible stretched out before us. We saw the Dead Sea and the Jordan River valley. At night, I was told, one could even see the lights of Jerusalem in the Judean hills. It was here that the mantle of leadership passed from Moses to Joshua and it is considered a sacred place for the three Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Like ancient Israel, all of us can list names and places that hold special significance in our spiritual journey. Sacred places where the Lord met us along the way. The journey Israel undertook wasn’t just physical. It wasn’t just about getting from one spot to another. It was formative culturally and spiritually. It’s what shaped them into a nation. They underwent a transformation from a rag-tag bunch of escaped slaves to a powerful nation united by a common law and common faith. This is what empowers them to enter the Promised Land and claim the inheritance God had given them.

Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 1-3

Rorschach Test

Readings for today: Numbers 29-32

There is a famous test in psychology where the patient is shown a series of inkblots. They describe what they see while a psychologist analyzes their responses. It’s what’s known as a “projective test” because, in theory, the patient reveals different aspects of their mental state as they describe what they “see” in the inkblot. It was invented in 1921 by a Swiss psychiatrist named Hermann Rorschach and is one of the most widely used psychological tests to this day.

I thought about the Rorschach test as I read our passage for today. In Numbers 32, we read about a significant conflict between Moses and two of the tribes of Israel. The Reubenites and Gadites came forward with a request. They asked to settle on the wrong side of the Jordan River. They asked for an inheritance outside the Promised Land. This provoked a kind of trauma response in Moses. He assumed they were making the same mistake as their forefathers and mothers by refusing to go into the land. He forcefully reminds them of what happened and threatens them with destruction if they don’t follow through on God’s plan. The Reubenites and Gadites are quick to respond. They will go with the people of Israel into the Promised Land and will not rest until God’s plan is complete.

Isn’t it interesting that a seemingly innocent request spins everyone up so quickly? Even a godly leader like Moses? What is it about human beings that causes us to be so prone to snap judgments? Hot takes? Why do we struggle so much to wait and listen and truly understand? Why is it so hard for us to forgive, extend grace, and assume the best of one another? Over the last week, I’ve had several conversations involving politics, religion, social and cultural issues, and personal differences. As I’ve listened to those I love and serve attempt to process what they are feeling, it’s been amazing how different people can view the same situation or the same conversation through such different eyes. Every situation becomes a Rorschach test of sorts as we project our own fears and insecurities and frustrations on the other person or persons. It could be a political party. It could be a cultural or social group. It could be people of a different faith. It could just be someone with whom we are at odds.

Thankfully, the Reubenites and Gadites are quick to humble themselves. “Your servants will do just as my Lord commands.” (Numbers‬ ‭32‬:‭25‬ ‭CSB‬‬) They not only promise to go with Israel into the Promised Land but they will lead the way. They will make the greater sacrifice. They will honor their commitment to the Lord and to Moses. And because they honor God, Moses honors them. He grants their request and the conflict is resolved. Humility is the key to resolving differences. Seeking to understand rather than be understood. Seeking to love rather than be loved. Seeking to serve rather than be served. This is how we come together even when we disagree and find our unity in Christ.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 33-36

Allegiance

Readings for today: Numbers 25-28

Most of us really struggle to read and understand the Bible. We are too culturally removed from the actual events. We have a hard time deciphering ancient authorial intent. The way ancient people wrote their histories is foreign to us. Take what happened at Peor with the Moabites as an example. The reaction of God to false worship seems extreme, if not downright unjust and evil. Executing every single leader who participated in the pagan rituals? Phineas driving a spear through a man and his wife in their tent? Declaring war on the Midianites and striking them down? Over the years, I’ve heard several atheists claim this episode, like many others found in Scripture, as one of the primary reasons they can’t believe in God.

This is where we have to check our own cultural biases at the door. We have to be self-aware as readers and interpreters of the Bible of what we bring to the table. We are not blank slates. We come with all kinds of prejudices and assumptions baked in. For example, religion for us is a private affair. It’s highly individualistic. It’s something we believe we have a right to choose or not choose. In our minds, religion is often a philosophical idea. It’s a set of abstract beliefs or principles. It’s a theological system. Furthermore, there are no real consequences for “wrong beliefs” because there is no such thing as absolute truth. All religious belief is subjective and therefore dependent on the person. This is not what the writers of Scripture believed nor is it what the ancient peoples of the world believed. Worship was a declaration of allegiance. God or the gods were perceived to be kings in their own right. Endowed with ultimate authority over the world and every single person in it. Religious belief was not a matter of personal choice. It was a matter of life and death. Worship the “wrong” deity and the rains wouldn’t fall. Worship the “wrong” deity and your children died in childbirth. Worship the “wrong” deity and your tribe would be wiped out by their enemies. Why? Because God was real. He was not just an idea. Not just an abstraction. Not just a principle. He was as real as you or me and He held real authority over the world. So to defy God was to commit treason and the punishment for treason, as always, is death. And that’s why conflict in the ancient world always had a religious component to it. The ancient people didn’t separate “church from state” like we do. All of life was submitted to and under their deity’s control.

So where does that leave us today? What do we take away from these chapters? Is there anything we can learn that applies to our own time? Here’s where we look to Jesus. Jesus paid the ultimate “sinner’s” price in our place. He was condemned to death for sedition and treason against the Roman state and the principalities and powers of this world. Jesus laid down His life to save us from condemnation and judgment and by His grace, won the allegiance of our hearts. This is why we worship Him and ascribe to Him the name that is above every other name.

Readings for tomorrow: No readings on Sundays

Superstition

Readings for today: Numbers 21-24

When I first became a Christian, I started eating at a little pit BBQ place in Boulder. It was owned and operated by an amazing man named Bruce. Bruce was the son of the famous “Daddy Bruce” who served the homeless of Denver for so many years, making sure they got a full Thanksgiving dinner. Bruce Jr. was cut from the same cloth as his father. He not only served the homeless of Boulder well, he also was a strong believer in Jesus Christ. I don’t know that I’ve ever met someone quite like him. He literally could quote you chapter and verse from the whole Bible. He would quiz me every time I came in before he would make me any food. He would tell the best stories about how God had worked in his life. One day, he was sharing with me his frustrations with how biblically illiterate Christians tend to be. He was a black Baptist preacher and could preach with the best of them. I still remember the crescendo of his sermon that day...“Doug, when I’m in need, don’t you give me Footprints in the Sand! I don’t need no Prayer of Serenity! Tell me about the donkey that spoke! Now that’s in the Bible!” I still chuckle every time I think of it!

Today we read a story about a pagan fortune-teller named Balaam and his donkey. To set the scene, Israel is marching towards the Promised Land. God is fulfilling His promise to Abraham. But taking the Promised Land won’t be easy. The land is already occupied. There are forces arrayed against them along the way. Nations and tribes and cities whom they will have to fight in order to claim the promise as their own. Arad. Amorites. Bashan. All fall before Israel. All are put to the sword. Now it’s Moab’s turn. One can almost imagine living in Moab in those days, receiving word of a new superpower rising from slavery, defeating the Egyptians, overrunning all who oppose them. Fear and trembling seize the Moabites. And Balak, their king, sends for Balaam. His hope is that Balaam will use his magic to put a curse on Israel, weakening them so they can be defeated. Balaam refuses to come at first but eventually relents under the pressure and promises Balak sends his way. So he mounts his donkey and begins his journey. It’s not long before the donkey freezes in its tracks. It can see the angel of the Lord blocking their path. Balaam, in his blindness both physically and spiritually, is unaware. God opens the mouth of the donkey and speaks to Balaam. The net result of all this is that Balaam will indeed go to Balak but will only speak blessings over Israel. 

So what are we to make of these things? Magic? Fortune-telling? Donkeys that speak? The point is that God uses all things to accomplish His purposes, including our pagan superstitions. Remember when Jacob peeled poplar and almond trees in order to breed a specific kind of goat and sheep in Genesis? Does anyone actually believe the power was in the trees? What about the bronze serpent on the pole? Is it really the talisman that saved Israel from the poisonous snakes that were killing them? Think about the superstitions we live with today. The “invisible hand” of Adam Smith from his famous book, Wealth of Nations. The notion that democracy is transcultural and can be universally applied. The idea that we can choose to reject scientific realities like the laws of physics or biology. The truth of the matter is we too believe in magic. We too believe in myths. They may be couched in more sophisticated language or political, economic, and social theory but they are fairy tales nonetheless. 

So what’s a Christian to do? We have to push past our superstitions and look to God. We have to push past the “bronze serpents” we create and stop looking to “fortune-tellers” to show us the way. We have to dig deep into God’s Word. We must fix our eyes on Jesus.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 25-28

Signs

Readings for today: Numbers 17-20

One of the things I appreciate most about God is His willingness to give us signs. He doesn’t just ask us to take Him at His Word. He actually provides tangible, visible signs because He knows how easy it is for us to forget or lose heart. Abraham and Sarah received the sign of a child in their old age. Jacob was given all kinds of visions in the night. Joseph clearly interpreted the signs when his brothers showed up before him after he became a ruler in Egypt. Moses was given the sign of a burning bush, a parting in the Red Sea, the pillar of fire and cloud, and manna from heaven. These signs were also given to Israel to bolster their faith as they made their journey to the Promised Land.

Over the last few chapters, Moses deals with significant conflict. The people he leads rebel against him. His own brother and sister question his authority. He is accused of all kinds of things. How does he respond? Does he lash out in anger? Does he marshal his supporters and drive the others out? Does he start a campaign to defend himself? No. He remains humble and intercedes on their behalf before God. Most recently, Moses is forced to confront the rebellion of Korah. They sought to overthrow his leadership. And what does Moses do? He calls on God to give them a sign. Every leader of every tribe brings their staff, their symbol of authority, to Moses to lay before the Lord in the Tabernacle. The next day, Moses enters God’s presence to retrieve the staves. Clearly, one is now different than the others. Aaron’s staff has blossomed, producing almonds, while the other staves remain dormant. God has spoken. The sign has been delivered. The leadership of Aaron and Moses is confirmed.

I’ve been a pastor for over twenty years now and seen my share of conflict. Leading God’s people is not always easy. First and foremost, I recognize that I am chief among sinners. I am compromised myself in so many ways. And that makes it hard at times to know if I am leading from a place of humility or a place of pride. Second, the people of God are also sinners. Shocking I know! So when we gather as a church all we are doing is bringing a bunch of sinful, broken people into close proximity. Is it any wonder that sparks often fly? I’ve felt the sting of betrayal. I’ve had people try to destroy my career by making false accusations against me. I’ve been criticized more times than I can count, much of it probably warranted on some level. Thankfully, God has provided godly men and women in my life who have confirmed for me - over and over again - my call to lead. They have encouraged me and blessed me and spoken truth into my life and held me accountable. In short, God has used them as living “signs” to let me know His call on my life has not come to an end.

What about you? What signs has God given you in your life? As you look back over the course of your life, can you see where God provided the right people at the right time? Perhaps intervened in a particular circumstance? Answered a prayer? Performed a miracle? These are signs given to encourage you, dear friends, as you seek to follow Him.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 21-24

Rebellion

Readings for today: Numbers 14-16, Psalms 95

Rebellion seems hardwired into our nature. I remember when my children were young. One of the first words they learned was “no.” They wanted to be in charge. They wanted to be in control. They wanted to do what they wanted, when they wanted. Very few of us ever progress beyond that stage. Not if we’re honest. I can’t count the number of times my heart resists serving others. I can’t count the number of times I want to say “no” when someone asks me for something. Because I am human, I would much rather serve myself. I would much rather take care of myself. I would much rather focus on myself and my needs and my wants and my desires. Thankfully, the Lord continues to teach me. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit continues to sanctify me. Thankfully, God is changing me from the inside out and making me more like Jesus every single day. And slowly, my rebellious heart is becoming a servant’s heart.

I resonate with today’s reading on a lot of levels. I resonate with it personally because I know how rebellious my own heart can be. I resonate with it professionally because I know what it’s like to lead God’s people right to the edge of the Promised Land only to have them turn back in fear. I remember a season in a church I once served where we were right on the cusp of great things. God had been faithful. By His grace, the church had grown. The church was pressing out into our community to serve. The church had become a fuller, richer picture of the Kingdom as it grew more diverse generationally, economically, and ethnically. Sadly, like Israel, we hesitated. We pulled back. We refused to step into the future God was giving us. Several people left. The leadership got discouraged. And the opportunity was lost.

I’ve been a pastor for over twenty years now. I’ve served in ministry for almost thirty years total. I’ve seen this dynamic time and time again. It’s hard to walk by faith. It’s hard to trust God when there are “giants in the land.” It’s hard to press to the edge of our resources time and time again, hoping and praying the Lord comes through. But God’s command is clear. We must place our lives in His hands. We must place our future in His hands. We must step out in faith. We must risk it all for the sake of His Kingdom. We must be willing to sacrifice everything to further the gospel in our world. Thankfully, God’s promise is equally clear. If we take care of the things He cares about, He will take care of the things we care about. If we put Him first, all our priorities will fall into their proper place. If we seek His Kingdom and His righteousness, everything we need will be added to us. We don’t have to worry. We don’t have to be anxious or afraid. We have nothing to fear. We can let go of our resistance, cease our rebellion, and embrace what He wants to do in and through us for the sake of the world.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 17-20

Complaint

Readings for today: Numbers 10-13, Psalms 90

Humanity is never satisfied. It’s part of our sinful nature. It’s condition we are born into. No matter how much wealth we accumulate, it’s never enough. No matter how much power and position and influence we have, it’s never enough. No matter how much personal and professional success we achieve, it’s never enough. As the Apostle Paul once wrote, “our god is our belly.” Given the right set of circumstances, we will overindulge every time. Food. Alcohol. Material possessions. The list is endless because our appetite is insatiable.

Think of all the miracles the people of Israel had witnessed. The plagues in Egypt. The parting of the Red Sea. Manna from heaven. Water from rocks. The presence of the Lord on Mt. Sinai. Still, it wasn’t enough. They grew tired of the hardship of the journey to the Promised Land and complained about needing rest. They grew tired of eating manna and complained about wanting meat. Aaron and Miriam grew tired of Moses’ leadership and complained about wanting more influence and power. And when God fulfills His promise to bring His people to the edge of the Promised Land, what do they do? They complain about the strength of the people already living in the land. It’s like God can’t win with these people. No matter what He does, it’s never enough.

If we’re not careful, the same could be said for us. How easy is it for us to focus on all we don’t have rather than on all we do have? How easy is it for us to be jealous of our neighbors or friends or colleagues? How easy is it for us to be envious of another‘s success? How easy is it for us to covet the attention and influence that others may have? And how easy is it for us to forget all God has done for us? All God has worked out on our behalf? All God has given us? How easy is it for us to become complacent and start to complain rather than appreciate His blessings?

One of the spiritual practices I engage in on a daily basis is to spend time thanking God for all He has done for me. At the end of every day, as I lie in bed at night before I drift off to sleep, I count the blessings. I lift praises to God. I thank Him for the small things and the big things. For the ordinary and the extraordinary. I try to cultivate a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity by focusing on all I do have rather than what I don’t have. I try to foster an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving rather than envy or jealousy or coveting what others have that I do not. It has been a transformative practice in my life and one I would encourage everyone to engage.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 14-16, Psalms 95

Blessing

Readings for today: Numbers 6-9

One of the most significant milestones in my spiritual journey was when I realized God’s greatest desire was to bless me. For years, I had labored under the assumption that I was primarily a “sinner saved by grace” rather than a “child beloved of God.” While both are definitely true, it matters which one comes first. If I see my primary identity as a child beloved by my Father in heaven, then I will have confidence in His will to bless me. On the other hand, if I see my primary identity as a sinner saved only by grace, then I may live with an underlying fear of judgment. Fear is a terrible motivation. While important on some level, it’s designed only for the short-term. Fear activates our adrenal glands. Our muscles swell. Our heart rate picks up. We prepare to either “fight” or “flee” based on the danger of a particular situation. It’s not intended to work over time. It’s not sustainable over the long-term. And that’s why love is a far better motivation for saving faith.

For years, I wrestled with a deep fear of God’s judgment. Then I started meditating on these words from Number 6:24-26. “May the Lord bless you and protect you; may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.” It’s known as the Aaronic Blessing. It is the most ancient blessing or benediction in the Bible. It comes directly from God and, as such, communicates His heart for His people. God loves His people. His desire is to bless them not curse them. He looks with favor upon them not judgment. His face shines upon them, conveying the pleasure of God as He interacts with those He loves. Most of all, God gives us peace. Not as the world gives. Not just a ceasefire or a temporary cessation of hostilities. But a true and lasting peace that transcends all understanding.

Do you understand God’s heart for you? Do you believe God’s primary will for your life is blessing? Do you believe God is at work protecting and providing for you? Do you believe God’s face shines when He thinks about you? Do you believe His face is shining on you even now? Have you accepted the gift of God’s grace? The gift of forgiveness and reconciliation with your Creator? Do you believe God looks with favor on you and those you love? Do you believe God wants to give you peace? Peace with Him? Peace with others? Peace with the world? Peace within your own heart? This is literally what the name of the Lord means. This is what God is trying to convey by giving them the blessing. Whenever His name is pronounced over His people, He wants them to know they will be blessed. And what was true for the ancient Israelites is still true for us today.

Take some time today and listen to “The Blessing.” You can find it on YouTube in several different versions. The one I like best was one produced while our world struggled to fight COVID. Different artists came together to sing this blessing over the world. Here’s the link - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d48-qbcovVY.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 10-13, Psalms 90

Weird

Readings for today: Numbers 3-5

The Bible is full of rituals that seem strange to us. This is part of the cultural distance we must keep in mind as we read. What may have been normative for an ancient near east Israelite is certainly not normative for a 21st century American and vice versa. Of all the strange rituals recorded in the Bible, the one detailed in Numbers 5 has to be among the strangest. A woman suspected of adultery is put to a test whereby she has to drink bitter water to determine if she is guilty of committing adultery.

First and foremost, we need to remember the context. Women and men were not considered equals in the ancient near east. In fact, women were more property than people so we shouldn’t be surprised at the patriarchal tone of the text. It doesn’t make it right. It doesn’t mean God is in favor of patriarchy. It simply means God is speaking to His people through the cultural norms of the day and revealing His sovereign will just as He does to this day.

Second, we need to remember the seriousness of adultery. Adultery was one of the “big three” crimes in ancient Israel. It was punishable by death along with idolatry and murder. The reason God lays out such harsh penalties is to protect the family. The family unit is the fundamental building block for God’s chosen people. It is through the family unit that faith is passed from one generation to the next and the story of God’s history with His people kept alive. God wants to protect the family at all costs and adultery puts the family at significant risk.

Third, God is a God of justice. Unlike the pagan cultures that surrounded Israel, God wanted to make sure that women were not cast aside on the jealous whims of their husbands. He wanted to protect women by providing a way for them to prove their innocence. He uses the cultic practices of the ancient world to place a hedge of protection around women to prevent them from being slanderously accused.

Finally, God is a God of honor. The honor of the wife and the honor of the husband and the honor of the family are of paramount importance to Him. Jealously threatens the honor of the family as does suspicion, gossip, and whisper campaigns that human beings seem to take so much delight in. By subjecting the woman to a public sacred ritual, all potential dishonor is put to rest. Furthermore, the public nature of the ritual would also act as a deterrent to husbands who might be tempted to bring frivolous charges against their wives.

So what do we take away from our reading today? Well, it’s worth pondering our own attitudes towards sexual fidelity in marriage. Do we guard our hearts and take adultery as seriously as God? Second, how can we protect the honor of our families in the way we think, speak, or act? How can we protect those we love from frivolous and slanderous accusations? Finally, we look to Christ who drank the bitter cup and took on the curse for us and we give thanks for His willingness to take our place.

Readings for tomorrow: No readings on Sundays

Covenant

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

Throughout the Bible, we see God establish a series of covenants with His people. Adam and Eve. Noah and his family. Abraham and Sarah. Isaac and Rebekah. Jacob and Leah and Rachel. Moses. David. The climax of the covenants is Jesus Christ. The new covenant God makes with us through the death and resurrection of His eternal Son. All of these covenants hold several things in common. They are initiated and established by God. They are grounded in God’s desire to have a relationship, even to dwell, with His people. There are blessings and curses associated with obedience and disobedience. Finally, covenant renewal is always possible through confession and repentance.

Consider how this maps out in Leviticus 26. The covenant is established in the right worship of God. He essentially summarizes the first four commandments in verses one and two. This is followed by the promise of blessings to those who are faithful. The point here is not to create some legalistic system whereby God’s people “earn” God’s favor and blessing. The point is that these blessings are the natural byproducts of living for God. The flip side is also true of course. There are natural byproducts to disobedience. Natural consequences for sin. God will not bless us when we walk away from Him. Instead, He will patiently wait for us to repent and turn from our sinful ways. This is why, when we finally do come to the end of ourselves, He welcomes us back with open arms. He renews or “remembers” His covenant with them.

The covenantal way of life promoted throughout Scripture offers a pattern for us to follow as Christians. God has initiated a covenant with us through Jesus Christ. He has fixed His covenant in our hearts through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. He has promised blessings for obedience and discipline for those who do not follow His will. Finally, He never closes the door on us but always offers forgiveness and grace for those who confess and repent of their sins.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 3-5

Trust

Readings for today: Leviticus 23-25

If you’ve ever wondered what life will be like once heaven comes to earth and Jesus returns again, spend some time meditating on the verses from Leviticus 25. Consider the care God exercises for His creation. Ponder God’s perspective on personal property. Think deeply about God’s special love and provision for the poor. Fundamentally, these laws are designed to build trust.

Will you trust God to provide when you give your land a Sabbath rest? Will you trust the land to yield up enough of a crop on its own to feed your family and your livestock? Will you trust God to bless the land and make it fruitful? Allowing land to lie fallow for a period of time is important. It allows nutrients to replenish so it can produce during the years where you sow seed. We see similar practices in our own time as farmers rotate crops to allow certain sections of the land to rest for a year.

Will you trust God with your personal property? The Year of Jubilee was designed to serve as a reset for the people of Israel. All property was returned every fifty years to the original owners. Those who had fallen on hard times over the previous fifty years and were forced to sell off their inheritance as a result had the opportunity to get it back and start over. Those who had accumulated much and grown wealthy during the previous fifty years were reminded who truly owned the land and therefore were set free to be generous. While there is no evidence Israel ever declared a Year of Jubilee, the principle is a beautiful one. We are all essentially “stewards” of what we’ve been given. Everything we own is God’s and is intended to be used for the blessing of others.

Will you trust God as you care for the poor? No charging him interest. No enslaving him for economic gain. No price gouging or huge markups to take advantage of his helpless condition. Quite the contrary. You are called to take him into your home. Care for him as you would your own. Treat him as part of the family. You do this to honor the memory of your family’s slavery in Egypt and to honor the redemption of God.

Can you imagine how different life would be if we would follow these principles? Imagine a world where the church were on the frontlines of caring for creation, caring for the poor, and held all things in common. You actually don’t have to imagine it. Just look to the early church. This describes the life they pursued and it’s what gave their witness such power. From the first to the fourth century, the number of believers grew from a few thousand to almost twenty million! They literally conquered an empire! Not by military might but by the sacrificial way they lived. I know there are many praying for revival in our nation today. Many praying for the spiritual renewal of the church. I am too. I join them in those prayers. However, I also know revival comes through repentance. And repentance is about turning from the sinful, exploitative ways of this world to the generous and gracious ways of God.

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

Love in Action

Readings for today: Leviticus 19-22

Everyone is a fan of love. We all want love. We all need love. We all crave love. It’s essential for the flourishing of human life. Without love, we fail to thrive. Without love, we struggle to connect. Without love, we become isolated, alone, afraid, and anxious. If we remain without love, our hearts fill up with hate, rage, and potentially, even violence. Violence against others. Violence against ourselves. Communities that lack love are fractured, divided, abusive, and exploitative in all kinds of ways. Nations where love is absent are chaotic, unjust, oppressive, and volatile. The lack of love in our world today creates all kinds of trauma and brokenness in our lives.

This is why God gives us a law. He is not only seeking to restrain our worst impulses as human beings but also seeking to create an environment where love is put into action. Don’t glean to the edges of your fields. Why? Because you are to love the poor. Don’t dishonor your father or mother. Why? Because you love your parents. Do not steal or lie. Why? Because you love your neighbor. Do not have sex with someone other than your spouse. Why? Because you love others and don’t want them to be exploited for your own sexual pleasure. Give the land rest from agriculture. Why? Because you love creation. Offer pure offerings before the Lord. Why? Because you love the Lord. Such boundaries are not arbitrary. They are absolutely necessary to create the conditions for love.

Loving one another is not an abstract idea. It’s not an aspirational idea or wishful thinking. Love takes concrete form in laws and regulations and policies and healthy boundaries that define relationships. The relationships might be familial or collegial or communal or civic. As much as we may resist them at times, they are essential for us to experience love or learn love or show love to those around us. The fact that we don’t often associate laws with love - especially God’s Law with God’s Love - only shows how much we need them. As you read through the laws in Leviticus, I know many of them may seem archaic and strange. It’s because they were designed to some extent for a far different world. Don’t let that throw you. Instead, think about how such laws might promote the experience of love in an ancient near east context. Now think about the laws we live by in our own world. The moral law God has given us through His Word. The civic law we live by in our communities and nation. Prayerfully reflect on how such laws lead you to experience love and share love with others.

Readings for tomorrow: Leviticus 23-25

Atonement

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 permanent statute for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month you are to practice self-denial and do no work, both the native and the alien who resides among you. Atonement will be made for you on this day to cleanse you,  and you will be clean from all your sins before the Lord. It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, and you must practice self-denial; it is a permanent statute. The priest who is anointed and align, to serve as high priest in place of his father will make atonement. He will put on the linen garments, the holy garments, and make atonement for the most holy place. He will make atonement for the tent of meeting and the altar and will make atonement for the priests and all the people of the assembly. This is to be a permanent statute for you, to make atonement for the Israelites once a year because of all their sins.” (Leviticus‬ ‭16‬:‭29‬-‭34‬ ‭CSB) 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

Holy

Readings for today: Leviticus 11-14

Holy. It’s a word that defies definition. We don’t really understand it. We can’t fully grasp it. We’ve never experienced it or seen it or touched it with our hands. At best we use words like “sacred”, “perfection”, and “righteous” as we grope after it. But it’s like the blind leading the blind in the dark. Only God is holy. Perhaps this is why we struggle to grasp what holiness is all about. It is something unique to Him. And because holiness is unique to God and because God cannot be defined, we will never be able to truly define what holiness is all about. At the same time, we run across passages where God calls us to be holy as He is holy. How is that possible if holiness is a quality reserved for God alone? How in the world can we be holy as He is holy?

The answer, as always, is found in relationship. This is why God says, “For I am the Lord, who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God, so you must be holy because I am holy.” (Leviticus‬ ‭11‬:‭45‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Holiness is not a quality we can muster on our own. It is not a characteristic we can develop over time. Even if we were able to channel all our effort and energy and attention into being holy every single day of our lives, we would fall short. Holiness is something that comes from God alone. It flows from a deep, intimate relationship with Him. It cannot be experienced apart from Him. It is a byproduct of dwelling in God’s presence. Remember how Moses’ face lit up with the glory of God after meeting with Him? It was like a bit of God’s glory “stuck” to Moses and he had to veil his face as a result. The same is true for holiness. As we spend time with God and develop our relationship with Him, we will find His holiness beginning to stick to us.

One cannot understand the heart of today’s readings without understanding this basic principle. All the rules and regulations regarding what is clean and unclean seem arbitrary and capricious if you do not ground them in relationship to God. God is seeking to set His people apart. He wants them to live a particular way. A purified way. A sacred way. And that requires they take certain steps to keep their food and kitchens clean, maintain personal hygiene, and eliminate disease. Even the person who is “unclean” bears a responsibility to make sure he or she doesn’t contaminate the entire community. It’s why they separate themselves and live alone. It’s why they yell, “unclean” when others are around. Everyone has a share in making sure the community remains pure and holy before the Lord. I know this sounds strange to our 21st century Western ears but in ancient near east culture, the community is always prioritized over the individual. (Important Note: The text doesn’t say the community should shun or not care for the individual in need. It simply says that person should live alone. Don’t let how human beings have cruelly chosen to treat those with disease over the centuries skew your reading of the Bible.)

“Be holy as I am holy.” Thankfully, as always, Jesus Christ shows us the way. He was unafraid to dine with the unclean. Unafraid to touch women with menstrual conditions. Unafraid to touch lepers and others with disease. He was unafraid because He knew He was the conduit for His Father’s holiness. He knew God’s holiness was far more “contagious” than any mold or blood or disease. He knew as soon as people came into relationship with Him that a bit of His holiness would stick to them. And the same is true for us today. As we enter into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, we are made holy. We become holy because He is holy and this leads to a desire to remain holy in order to honor Him.

Readings for tomorrow: Leviticus 15-18

Ordination

Readings for today: Leviticus 8-10

Ordination. It is the act of setting apart certain individuals for a holy purpose in the community. Typically, this is something we do for pastors and priests, elders and deacons. They take vows. They undergo strict training. There is often a ritual during worship where they are anointed and prayed over as they begin their work. Historically, the practice of ordination goes all the way back to ancient Israel. The priesthood was first established by God through Moses. Aaron and his children were set apart for this holy purpose. Special garments were made. Special rituals performed. And a host of expectations were now laid on these men as they went about their work. They were entrusted with nothing less than the worshipping life of Israel. There could be no higher calling. Nothing more sacred. Through their priestly actions, the people of Israel will be given an opportunity to experience the glory of God.

This is why it’s so painful when Nadab and Abihu fall. They refused to honor God by performing their prescribed duties. Instead, they decided to do their own thing. Go their own way. Offer “unauthorized fire” before the Lord. No one really knows what constituted the “unauthorized fire” but we do know it dishonored God. They deliberately presented something unholy before the Holy One and they paid the ultimate price. Fire came down from heaven and consumed them on the spot and they died “before the Lord.” Their disobedience was so severe, their father, Aaron, and their brothers, Eleazar and Ithamar, were forbidden to grieve. Why did God treat them so harshly? Here is what He says, “This is what the Lord has spoken: I will demonstrate my holiness to those who are near me, and I will reveal my glory before all the people.”(Leviticus‬ ‭10‬:‭3‬ ‭CSB‬‬) God will not be mocked. He will not be trifled with. He will not be taken for granted or treated with contempt. His glory and holiness are a double edged sword.

I was always taught that leaders are held to a higher standard. As an Eagle Scout, I was held to a higher standard than a Tenderfoot. As a senior on the football and lacrosse teams, I was held to a higher standard than a freshman. As a leader in my college youth group, I was held to a higher moral standard than someone who just attended. As a Manager of Patient Access Services at Boulder Community Hospital, I was held to a higher standard than my employees. And, of course, as a pastor, I’ve always been held to a higher standard because of the nature of my position in the church. It’s why it’s so painful when leaders fall. Over the years, I’ve been called to help in situations where pastors have failed. Sometimes it’s a moral failing usually having to do with money or sexual sin. Sometimes it’s a leadership failure usually having to do with the sin of pride. In either case, the fallout is brutal. The congregation suffers the most. Their trust is broken. Their faith is shaken. Their fellowship with believers is typically torn apart by division as people take sides. The pastor’s family suffers as well. Especially in the case of sexual sin, there is often a divorce. The wife and children lose friendships and community as the pastor is no longer allowed to be part of the church. And then there is the pastor themselves. The damage to the soul of their leadership is almost incalculable. Not to mention the loss of a job or career or livelihood. Most refuse to walk the road of restoration and instead try to find ways back in without having to repent. It’s painful to witness.

This is worth thinking about in our own lives. All of us hold positions of influence and power in some way, shape, or form in life. It may be in our homes. It may be at school or at work. It may be in our church or community. The greater the influence and power and leadership entrusted to us, the more God expects of us. The more He demands from us. And the greater the consequences when we fail. As Christians, all of us are called to a higher standard. The standard set by Jesus Christ. How are you seeking to embody that standard today?

Readings for tomorrow: No readings on Sundays

Purity

Readings for today: Leviticus 5-7

Who is God? This is the ultimate question the Bible is written to answer. What kind of God is He? What qualities make up His nature and character? Can He be trusted? Is He good? Is He worthy of our love and devotion? So many have this idea that God is harsh and rigid and legalistic and pedantic. They read a book like Leviticus and it only confirms their worst fears. God is arbitrary and capricious. He is arrogant and egotistical. Why else would He need all these sacrifices? Why else would He put in place all these laws? Why else would He want His people making sacrifice after sacrifice in order to stay right with Him? Where is His grace? Where is His unconditional love? Where is His mercy? Why can’t He give them a break? What these questions reveal is the fundamental problem that plagues humanity. We think too highly of ourselves and too lowly of God. We believe, on some level, that we are in a position to judge God. We think we have the right or the standing to put Him on the witness stand and make Him defend His actions. The reality, of course, is much different.

Why doesn’t God walk away? That’s the question we should be asking. Why didn’t God just walk away when Adam and Eve sinned? Why didn’t God walk away when He flooded the earth? Why doesn’t God walk away as humanity plunges into ruin over and over again? What is it about God that keeps Him coming back? Why does God keep offering us an olive branch? Why does He make way after way after way for us to approach Him and live in relationship with Him? That’s what these laws in Leviticus are ultimately all about. Purity. Ritual purity. Sacred purity. The kind of purity we need if we are to meet with God and talk with God face to face. Without purity, we would be destroyed. His holiness would overwhelm us. That’s why He protected Moses in the cleft of the rock when His glory passed by. Even Moses couldn’t stand in God’s presence without some kind of protection!

The law of God is given to teach us the depth and breadth of our sin. The law is like a mirror for the soul. It reveals all that is sinful about us. The law also provides a way to forgiveness. A way to purity. A way to holiness. By performing the prescribed sacrifices and living intentionally within the boundaries the law set, Israel would enjoy a deep, intimate relationship with God. A relationship that would set them apart from the other tribal nations who surrounded them. They would experience the blessing of God. The favor of God. The protection of God. The provision of God. They would become a city set on a hill. A light in the darkness. Salt on the earth. And in this way, God’s reputation and glory would spread. The nations would come to Jerusalem to see this God and to know this God. They would bring their own offerings and sacrifices. This is the glorious vision God has for His people and it’s why He makes a way for them to literally dwell in His presence.

None of us live in ancient Israel. We are not governed by the same laws that governed them. So what can we draw out from Leviticus? What practical purpose does this book serve in our lives? It points us to Jesus. Jesus, our great high priest and perfect sacrifice. Jesus, the one who fulfilled all the demands of the law by offering His own life in our place. Jesus, the one whose purity and holiness is available to us by faith. Jesus, the one who covers us in His own righteousness. In Jesus, God made yet another way, the only way, for us to live in relationship with Him. And because Jesus died once for all, we no longer have a need to bring any sacrifice except the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for all He has done.

Readings for tomorrow: Leviticus 8-10

Offering

Readings for today: Leviticus 1-4

Cattle. Sheep. Goats. Grain. The fundamental building blocks of an agrarian society. I have seen this firsthand in some of the places I go around the world. Places where there is little to no modern infrastructure. Places where the people are still very nomadic, following the rains. Places where survival depends on a good harvest and your herds producing offspring on a regular basis. Places where drought, famine, disease, and plague are not just inconveniences but life-threatening to entire populations of people.

Imagine you are an ancient Israelite. You were just delivered from back-breaking slavery. You find yourself experiencing freedom for the first time in centuries. You now have hope for a future. You are on your way to a land full of milk and honey and promise. You are excited about the potential opportunities that await you. But first you stop at Mt. Sinai. You receive laws from the same God who delivered you. These laws are intended to shape and form you into a nation. A particular people with a particular culture. One of the first laws has to do with worship. It has to do with sacrifice. It has to do with what is acceptable before the Lord.

Without blemish. Firstfruits. Fresh grain. Fine flour. The best of what you have to offer. This is what you are commanded to bring before God. Before you take care of yourself and your family and your clan and your tribe, you honor God for all He has done for you. You honor God for creating the conditions under which your flocks and herds and fields can thrive. You honor God for providing the rain in due season. For protecting you from plague and disease. For preserving you through periods of famine and drought. You honor God with your best because He has blessed you beyond measure. You offer back to God a portion of what you have in recognition of all He has given you. The regularity of these sacrifices are intended to keep God always before you. To remind you of all He has done for you. This is why we are commanded to give. Not out of obligation. Not out of guilt. Not because we have to “pay God off” like some kind of mafia boss. We give because He has first given to us. We give out of gratitude of all He has done for us. We give to honor Him for His grace and love and mercy in our lives.

The same principles hold true for us today. Do we offer to God our best? Do we offer to God our firstfruits? Do we offer Him the best of our wealth and time and energy? Do we give Him the firstfuits of our day or give out of the firstfruits of what we earn? Do we offer Him an unblemished sacrifice? Do we give from a pure heart? A desire to honor Him and bring Him glory? Do we give from a posture of gratitude for all He has done for us?

Readings for tomorrow: Leviticus 5-7

Sealed

Readings for today: Exodus 37-40

My grandmother was an incredible, but very eccentric lady. She experienced a ton of grief and loss in her life. She lost her first husband, my grandfather, when he was only 38 years old to a wasting neurological disease. She lost one of her sons, my uncle, to a drunk driving accident when he was only 18 years old. She lost her second husband, my step-grandfather, as he recovered from open heart surgery when I was four years old. As a result, she was vulnerable to exploitation. Add in the fact that she was independently wealthy, having inherited a lot of property from her first husband and a lot of valuable stock from one of her aunts, and it made her even more of a target. Sadly, she fell prey to a heretical Christian cult who robbed her of almost everything.

The cult she joined believed the Old Testament should be taken literally. They kept all the feasts and high holy days of the Jewish faith. My grandmother was so serious about following their rituals that she actually commissioned a piece of jewelry that was patterned after the breastplate mentioned in today’s reading from Exodus 39. She had the same precious stones mounted in four rows just like the Old Testament law called for. As a young boy, I remember being struck by how weird it looked on the one hand and how special it was to my grandmother on the other hand.

The high priest wore the breastplate for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, his role was to present the twelve tribes of Israel before the Lord in worship. He was there to represent them. He was there to intercede for them. He was there to make the prescribed sacrifices on their behalf. Just as the names of the tribes of Israel were sealed on his breastplate, the names were also sealed on God’s own heart. God had chosen them among all the people groups on the face of the earth to be His chosen possession. A second reason was to remind the high priest that when he entered the holy places and most holy place, he didn’t go alone. All of Israel was standing there with him on some level and this added significant weight to his responsibility. Finally, and this may be more practical, I imagine as the priest offered the sacrifices, the blood must have spattered all over him. Once his duties were finished and he removed his sacred garments, washing the blood off the precious stones must have reminded him yet again of what God had done to redeem Israel.

In the same way, we have a faithful high priest who lives eternally in the heavens. He is the great high priest. Greater than Aaron or any of his descendants. The Song of Solomon says our names are “sealed on God’s heart.” Isaiah 49:16 says our names are “graven on God’s own hands.” So Jesus offers His own blood to redeem us from our sins. He lives to make intercession for us before His Heavenly Father. And He represents us before the throne of grace. This is why we can rejoice! God has chosen us among all the peoples of the earth to be His treasured possession.

Readings for tomorrow: Leviticus 1-4