Our offerings

Lev. 1-7

There were specific offerings to be made to God in the Tabernacle. They atoned for sin. But, Christ’s sacrificial death displaced most of them.

The Psalmist shares with us how we can still please the Lord with our offerings:

“I will praise the name of God with song
And magnify Him with thanksgiving. And it will please the Lord better than an ox
Or a young bull with horns and hoofs.” Ps. 69:30, 31

God’s barbecue

Leviticus 1-4

With all the meat being offered upon the altar, it must’ve been a wonderful aroma. Scripture says it was a sweet smell to the Lord.

When our lives are lived for Christ, it is a sweet and pleasing aroma to the Lord.

Time with God

Ex. 35

Moses spent 40 days and nights with God on Mt. Sinai. Their meeting was so special that Moses’ face glowed from being with God.

Your countenance reflects your current status with God. Try it. Cut out some time to worship and pray. The Lord is anxious for that to happen.

Gifted for service

Ex. 31

God sovereignly gifted Bezalel and Oholiab as skilled craftsmen to create the fine pieces of furniture and utensils to be used in the Tabernacle of Moses.

God still gifts certain people to serve him in skillful ways. For instance, at Trinity Tim Hurt served as worship leader. He is extremely gifted to sing, play sax, piano, guitar, and prepare our worship team to minister.

My own brother, Gary, is a similarly gifted person who builds guitars (demosguitars.com) and fine furniture. He built all the cabinets in a large church in Portland when he attended Bible College.

Preparing to meet with God

Ex. 30

The extensive and exacting process the priests went through speaks of the importance of meeting with God. We are mistaken if we think our preparation is less important.

We are instructed to “Come before His presence with singing.” Also, thanksgiving and praise are recommended. Prayer sanctifies us.

He deserves our focused and sincere preparation.

There I will meet with you

Ex. 25

Between the outstretched wings of the golden cherubs on top of the Ark of the Covenant is where God said He would meet with Moses.

Jesus is the Shekinah Glory of God and we meet with Him when we praise Him. Christ’s presence was so real and wonderful yesterday in church as a group of TCS students led on worship. So many saints all meeting with Jesus on Sunday mornings is almost Heaven. He walks among us!

Our Kinsman Redeemer

Ruth

Through my Sunday School Bible class, the study of what and Who our Kinsman Redeemer is … Jesus. God’s SON… I have a greater appreciation for what Christ DID and what He WILL DO by avenging the lives of many through His destruction of our enemy, the devil.

Little by little

Ex. 24

God’s patience in His methods was revealed when He removed the prior inhabitants of the Promised Land “little by little.” He knew that Israel would have too big a job subduing it all at once. He was mindful of their capabilities.

God doesn’t overwhelm us with too much at one time. He knows our frailties and meters out our blessings such that we can truly enjoy them.

Of Mary, it was said, “He regarded the low estate of His handmaiden.”