sacrificial system – Be Still…

Hebrews 10:1-18 – Old vs. New

It’s a big deal that Jesus is our High Priest. The preacher has kept with this topic for several chapters so that we would understand how Jesus has changed everything. While Jesus’ role ushers in the new covenant, he clarified that he wasn’t doing away with the old laws but simply bringing them up to date, given his role in our lives. But Jesus did cancel the old covenant promise, replacing it with a better promise.

In fact, the Holy Spirit declares here the message we heard a few verses ago. “This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” We don’t have to worry about what laws God wants us to pay attention to because he will put them into our hearts and minds. We won’t be able to miss them, and hopefully we’ll be more obedient. Continue reading “Hebrews 10:1-18 – Old vs. New”

Amos 5:21-24 – What Does God Want?

Read Amos 5:21-24

Our reading may seem a bit obscure at first, so it’s helpful to have a little context. Amos was a prophet living in the time of the more well-known prophet, Isaiah, who was used by God to warn the Israelite people of coming destruction. Amos also brought this warning to the people, and just verses before, he was pleading with the people to repent.

Despite being part of a section warning people of the coming judgment, Amos speaks wisdom to us in support of our theme, “Living as God Desires.” What do we see in that regard? Just a few verses earlier, in verses 14 and 15, Amos says this in his cry to repent: “Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed. Hate evil and love what is good; turn your courts into true halls of justice. Perhaps even yet the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will have mercy on the remnant of his people.” Continue reading “Amos 5:21-24 – What Does God Want?”

Leviticus 7:22-38 – Final Words

Read Leviticus 7:22-38

For now, our discussion about the sacrificial system has come to a close. I, for one, am breathing a sigh of relief. The book of Leviticus challenges readers today to whom these laws don’t seem relevant. Yet God still speaks to us through his word, even when we don’t understand how it can possibly apply to us.

These final two directions focus on fat consumption and the meat portions for priests. We’ve heard before how God wants us to avoid eating animal fat and how he cares for his servants, the priests. Through these practices, we see how much God cared for his people and wanted to be a good Father. Continue reading “Leviticus 7:22-38 – Final Words”

Ezekiel 45:9-25 – Duties and Responsibilities

Read Ezekiel 45:9-25

Have you ever been assigned a task with no clear instructions left to figure it out on your own? It can be frustrating. The potential for failure is great. This part of Ezekiel’s vision is setting leadership up for success.

The kingly leadership leading up to the exile did not always act in God-honoring ways. The people were not led fairly and were often taken advantage of. Yes the people strayed and worshipped other gods, but it wasn’t entirely their own fault. This vision wants to make sure there is not a repeat of such a fiasco. Continue reading “Ezekiel 45:9-25 – Duties and Responsibilities”