The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Leviticus 22:1-2,
"The Lord said to Moses, 'Tell Aaron and his sons to treat with respect the sacred offerings the Israelites consecrate to me, so they will not profane my holy name. I am the Lord.'"
In this chapter the Lord explains to Moses his expectations concerning how the priests should regard the things the Israelites brought for offerings. The priests were to perform the offerings on behalf of the people and as the Israelites brought the animals and items to be offered for worship, those were to be treated with respect and honored by the priests. They were to be considered as sacred.
Although portions of the offerings brought by the Israelites were to be consumed by the priests, the priests were to nevertheless handle those offerings in such a way as to recognize they were set apart and dedicated to the Lord himself. Reverence and respect for these offerings was the order of the day and the Lord told Moses how that was to be observed by the priests.
This speaks to me of something in regard to what people of today bring to the Lord. Today people bring their hearts to the Lord by embracing him in faith. As believers they bring offerings of their income, of their time, of their talents. They yield themselves to teaching and training in the Scriptures and find their place in the work of the gospel as the Lord builds his kingdom.
Leaders in the church today should treat all these offerings believers bring as sacred, set apart and dedicated to the Lord. They are to be treated with reverence and respect as these offerings belong to the Lord, not to the local assembly and certainly not to the pastor, elders and other leaders of the congregation.
Peter addresses this in his first letter, "To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." 1 Peter 5:1-4.
God bless the wonderful leaders in the church today that follow in Peter's footsteps and heed the concepts the Lord provided Moses in Leviticus 22. As for the others, well, something other than "the crown of glory that will never fade away" awaits them.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"The Lord said to Moses, 'Tell Aaron and his sons to treat with respect the sacred offerings the Israelites consecrate to me, so they will not profane my holy name. I am the Lord.'"
In this chapter the Lord explains to Moses his expectations concerning how the priests should regard the things the Israelites brought for offerings. The priests were to perform the offerings on behalf of the people and as the Israelites brought the animals and items to be offered for worship, those were to be treated with respect and honored by the priests. They were to be considered as sacred.
Although portions of the offerings brought by the Israelites were to be consumed by the priests, the priests were to nevertheless handle those offerings in such a way as to recognize they were set apart and dedicated to the Lord himself. Reverence and respect for these offerings was the order of the day and the Lord told Moses how that was to be observed by the priests.
This speaks to me of something in regard to what people of today bring to the Lord. Today people bring their hearts to the Lord by embracing him in faith. As believers they bring offerings of their income, of their time, of their talents. They yield themselves to teaching and training in the Scriptures and find their place in the work of the gospel as the Lord builds his kingdom.
Leaders in the church today should treat all these offerings believers bring as sacred, set apart and dedicated to the Lord. They are to be treated with reverence and respect as these offerings belong to the Lord, not to the local assembly and certainly not to the pastor, elders and other leaders of the congregation.
Peter addresses this in his first letter, "To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." 1 Peter 5:1-4.
God bless the wonderful leaders in the church today that follow in Peter's footsteps and heed the concepts the Lord provided Moses in Leviticus 22. As for the others, well, something other than "the crown of glory that will never fade away" awaits them.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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