Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.
Our readings today are from Leviticus 1-3 and Matthew 24:23-51.
Leviticus continues on from the end of Exodus. By the end of Exodus we saw that the tabernacle and the things around it and the things inside it had all being build according to the plans that the LORD gave to Moses. Now that we are in Leviticus we will see that the tabernacle is now in use.
Let me read the opening two verses of Leviticus.
Leviticus 1:1–2
[1] The LORD called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, [2] “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of you brings an offering to the LORD, you shall bring your offering of livestock from the herd or from the flock. (ESV)
The LORD says “when” not if you bring an offering, that is, there is a need for people to bring an offering. Leviticus will outline the whole sacrificial system and why sacrifices are needed and what they achieve. It’s also worth noting where people were to get their offering from. They weren’t to find a random wild animal, but one of their own – one that comes at a cost to themselves.
In Leviticus 1-3 we see laws and regulations regarding Burnt Offerings, Grain Offerings, and Peace Offerings. We will see more references to these later in the book and their significance, but for the moment we have been introduced to the key ideas of costly sacrifice through the shedding of blood.
One phrase I was struck by as I read through Leviticus 1-3 was “a pleasing aroma to the LORD”. It’s actually repeated 7 times in these chapters! 1:9, 1:13, 1:17, 2:2, 2:9, 2:12, 3:5. These sacrifices and offerings are “a pleasing aroma to the LORD” which means that God looks favourably upon those who have made the offering.
Leviticus is a heavy book, but also a hope-filled book.
My big encouragement is to feel something of the weight of this book, the amount of blood, the amount of sacrifices that need to be made. But to also not get too weighed down by this book and some of its details. Leviticus is like a massive arrow that points forward to the hope and freedom that comes through Jesus! So look out for the many ways that Jesus is a better sacrifice and more pleasing aroma to God.
Let me close with Ephesians 5:2 “…Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (ESV)
Until tomorrow, keep trusting Jesus.
CORRECTION: “a pleasing aroma to God” in the audio podcast should have been “a pleasing aroma to the LORD”.