Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”...Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.”

 Leviticus 5-6

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”...Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” Exodus 19:5-6, 24:7

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - starting chapter six - When We Are Guilty - covering Leviticus 5:14-6:7, looking specifically at the theme - We Are Guilty When We Violate Our Covenant Relationship with God. Here, the commentary describes the restitution offering, which as part of the Old Testament sacrificial system, includes "provisions for reparations, or restitution, to be made against whom we sin." See v5:16 where "restitution" is described, and v6:4-5 where we are instructed to "restore" or compensate those we've sinned against. As the commentary starts to unpack the chapter theme - When We Are Guilty - it starts by looking at the covenant God makes with His people, first in the Old Testament, and then ultimately with Jesus Christ with the Second Covenant.  The commentary urges us to look the covenant God establishes with the Israelites at Mount Sinai as written in Exodus 19 and 24.  The commentary then states that in the context of the covenant we make with God - as established in the Old Testament with the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 and superseded with the Second Covenant - when we sin, regardless of the nature of our sin, it is sin nonetheless and we are being unfaithful to God and we are breaking the covenant we have with God. Of course, as I have been posting recently, although sin separates us from God, He provides a path for atonement, reconciliation and forgiveness.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God in that although we are unfaithful - as believers - to You and the covenant we establish with You, You are full of grace and compassion and provide a path for atonement, reconciliation, and forgiveness.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace and compassion.  My sin continues, including worry, etc. Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to Your Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt.

Leviticus 2

You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt. Leviticus 2:13

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - looking at chapter two - Giving to God in Worship - covering 2:1-16, looking specifically at the theme We Express Communion with God which focuses on v2:13.  Here, my commentary focuses on the covenant relationship established with Abraham in Genesis 15:13-14, with the Israelites in Exodus 19:5-6, and then ultimately the covenant relationship established with Jesus. The grain offering described in Leviticus 2 expresses our desire to be in communion with God. The commentary describes how salt represents both a preservative and a covenant and that God sought to have His children preserve the covenant relationship He established. The grain offering is also described in two parts, one as a memorial portion, and the remainder offered to Aaron and the priests.  Finally, my commentary writes how a memorial portion emphasizes how we are to remember all God has done, who He is, how we all need atonement for sin, and how God provides a path for atonement of sin. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and You established a covenant with me and Your promises offer hope, strength and peace - regardless of the circumstances.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am not deserving of how You bless me and love me.  My sin of worry, harshness towards others, etc. continues.  Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[Ahaziah] followed the ways of the house of Ahab and did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done, for he was related by marriage to Ahab’s family.

2 Kings 8-10, 2 Chronicles 21-22 

[Ahaziah] followed the ways of the house of Ahab and did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done, for he was related by marriage to Ahab’s family. 2 Kings 8:27

 

Day 161 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with a study of the violent deaths among the houses of both King Ahab (Joram, Jehu, and royal family) of Israel and King Ahaziah (including royal family members) of Judah.

The Bible is filled with stories of how evil and wicked people meet their end.  Believers are not immune to violence and tragedy (see John 16:33, the stories of Stephen, and other martyrs).  We must also understand that tragedy is part of life since The Fall when God promised difficulties for Adam and his descendants.

John Piper provides this very useful post to share his view on why God is "so harsh in the Old Testament but more forgiving in the New".  Piper writes:

"So I think there is an intention that the Old Testament look bleak, sin look horrible, God look just, and that there be much less mercy, proportionate to what you see in the three years of the ministry of Jesus. And that's intentional. This is what God's heart is to the world right now. Come!

And then the New Testament closes with another Old Testament. The Book of Revelation is horrific! So we're in a window right now.

So if people are watching this right now, they should feel, 'I'm in a window of mercy, and I should embrace it so that I can escape the wrath when it comes again'".

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and You have never left me or forsaken me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your love.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me for my worry and other sins.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses."

1 Kings 1-2; 2:1-10, 12; 2 Samuel 23:1-7, 1 Chronicles 29:23-25, and 29:28-30

“So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses." 2 Kings 2:2-3

Day 129 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) moves from a study of Psalms to Solomon's rise to the throne after David's passing - this transition of power is not without incident as one of David's sons - Adonijah - attempts a coup which ultimately proves unsuccessful.

While noteworthy, Solomon's grace and compassion towards his brother Adonijah (1 Kings 1:49-53) is not my focus for today's post. Prior to his death, David imparts his final words to Solomon with an emphasis on how obedience to God will result on fulfillment of God's promise to David (2 Kings 2:3-4).  I am reminded of God's many promises and in particular the Second Covenant - this is the gift of grace and compassion of Jesus Christ - the greatest gift of all time.  

John Piper has this excellent summary of what the Second Covenant means - part 1 and part 2 - drawing on Hebrews 8:6-13.

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Messiah, King of kings, Lord of lords, and You are sovereign over all.  You came to rescue me and to nail my sins and the sin of all humanity to the cross.  You offer salvation to me and to all.  I am grateful for such an incredible gift but I am undeserving.  I see first my own comfort and earthly desires often before You.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Thank You for healing Lisa from her cancer but please continue to keep her well from this cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.