Scripture Reading and Thoughts - July 10, 2008

Posted by David Jesse

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE READING: Leviticus 1:1-5:26; Isaiah 43:21-44:23; Romans 8:1-13; Hebrews 10:1-14; 13:10-16Today we begin the Book of Leviticus. Before we look at today's thought, let me encourage to go beyond just reading my thoughts, but please take the time to read the Scriptures indicated above. I believe that this will help you to become "a workman that is not ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth," as Paul wrote to Timothy.Also, each of these text versions of my thoughts are available in video form on Grafted Together TV at www.graftedtogether.net. Please check it out in the On Demand section, under July Daily Scripture Reading and Thoughts, and please give me some feedback.The opening chapters of Leviticus are about the sacrifices that YHWH commands the nation of Israel to make. The five offerings or sacrfices are:1. The Burnt Offering2. The Grain or Meal Offering3. The Peace Offering4. The Sin Offering5. The Trespass OfferingEach offering was different, and it would take a week of these emails to go into details of each, but there is one common theme between all of them: they are all burned up to some extent, and the smoke of the offering was said to be a "fragrant aroma" to the LORD.Our sacrifice, when done to the glory of God and according to His Word, is considered a fragrant aroma. He takes pleasure in it.Chapters 4 and 5 of Leviticus go into detail regarding the Sin and Trespass offerings. There is something that is important to note: God commanded Israel to offer these sacrifices, even if they unintenionally sinned. And if they refused to offer the sacrifice, they would be punished for it.What can we learn from this? Our motives aren't always the most important thing. We can't say, "I didn't know it was wrong," or "I meant well." If it is shown to have been wrong, it's wrong. There's no other way to look at it.Is there someone you need to ask to forgive you?DavidCheck out the video version of today's Scripture Reading and Thoughts, and sign up for Grafted In!, the newsletter of Grafted Together.

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