May the mumbling commence!
When we come before the Lord asking for mercy and reconciliation, we must be prepared to take an active part in the sacrifice that we choose to bring. Though the sacrifices of today are much different than those of the Israelite types as recorded in books like Leviticus, we bring sacrifices from our wealth of possessions and talents and time. Note how the people had an active part in the sacrifice from this passage from Leviticus chapter four:
"If any of the citizens of Israel do something forbidden by the Lord, they will be guilty even if they sinned unintentionally. When they become aware of their sin, they must bring as their offering a female goat with no physical defects. It will be offered for their sin. They are to lay a hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it at the place where burnt offerings are slaughtered. The priest will then dip his finger into the blood, put the blood on the horns of the altar of burnt offerings, and pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. Those who are guilty must remove all the goat's fat, just as is done with the peace offering. Then the priest will burn the fat on the altar, and it will be very pleasing to the Lord. In this way, the priest will make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven. (Verses 27-31)
Not only are the people who bring a sin offering to lay their hands on the head of the goat but they are also to be the one to remove all the fat from the animal. Oh, to be separated from our sin! That is what the laying of the hands on the goat is all about.
Thank God that we have Jesus the Christ, the Lamb of God! Our sin is gone. May we take part in giving of the fat of our lives – the best of what we have… not seeking to slide by with the least amount of sacrifice as possible. Indeed, how much can we keep for ourselves?!?
And, while giving of our best in essential, there were stipulations made in the sacrifice code to account for those who are poorer. Read from Leviticus chapter five:
"If any of them cannot afford to bring a sheep, they must bring to the Lord two young turtledoves or two young pigeons as the penalty for their sin. One of the birds will be a sin offering, and the other will be a burnt offering. They must bring them to the priest, who will offer one of the birds as the sin offering. The priest will wring its neck but without severing its head from the body. Then he will sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering against the sides of the altar, and the rest will be drained out at the base of the altar. The priest will offer the second bird as a whole burnt offering, following all the procedures that have been prescribed. In this way, the priest will make atonement for those who are guilty, and they will be forgiven.
If any of the people cannot afford to bring young turtledoves or pigeons, they must bring two quarts of choice flour for their sin offering. Since it is a sin offering, they must not mix it with olive oil or put any incense on it. They must take the flour to the priest, who will scoop out a handful as a token portion. He will burn this flour on the altar just like any other offering given to the Lord by fire. This will be their sin offering. In this way, the priest will make atonement for those who are guilty, and they will be forgiven. The rest of the flour will belong to the priest, just as with the grain offering." (Verses 7-13)
Let’s remember these allowances made for the poor as we collect the monies from the offering plate. Let’s remember these allowances when we notice a smaller percentage of people who actively participate in the life of the church.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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