May 7, 2003
Reading: Lev 1:1-9

 

“He shall offer it of his own free will” (3)

 

The first thing that strikes me in these verses is the Lord “spoke to him from the tabernacle of meeting” (1). The last time the Lord spoke to Moses and to His people was from fiery Mt. Sinai, but now it was from the tabernacle of meeting. The law had been mandated from the mountain amidst clashes of thunder, bolts of lightening and the loud sound of trumpets, so frightening was it that the entire camp of Israel trembled (Exod 19:16). Now, in the serenity of the tabernacle, where God chose to place His presence, He would speak to them again, not about their stiff-necked attitude but about atonement for their sins. He was to reveal His mercy and grace by showing them how to avoid His wrath and judgment.

This, however wonderful, is not the import of our thought today. God presented the people with a way of atonement, but the effectiveness of it depended on their willingness to offer the best of their herd or flock as a sacrifice to God. Those few words, “of his own free will” are of vital importance, for later in their history, the people chose to ignore this wonderful opportunity and suffered the consequences of their unwillingness. Their rebellion against Jehovah was so great they dismantled the entire priesthood and sacrificial process until Josiah reinstated it. Following seventy years of captivity, they rebuilt the Temple and once again willingly made their offerings to the Lord. As time passed, they continued to offer their animals to God, but this time they kept the best for themselves and offered Him blemished stock (Mal 1:13-14).

During the lifetime of Jesus, the people practiced a different slant on the practice of offering and sacrifice – they purchased the animals. Herds of animals were bred specifically for sacrifice and could be purchased in the Temple itself. All a Jew had to do was buy an animal and have it delivered to the priests who would kill it in the name of the purchaser. It is very clear what Jesus thought of this practice (John 2:13-17). Then, as now, those who profess to love God often seek to circumvent His Word by devising a compromise. Many in the church practice “convenient Christianity” by “buying God off.” Tithes are given and missionaries supported in lieu of personal involvement. When the sacrificial law was first given by Jehovah, the unblemished animal was willingly provided by the worshiper from his personal herd or flock. This was the only way acceptable to God, the only sacrifice that rose to God as a “sweet aroma to the Lord” (Lev 1:9).

We are called upon to offer sacrifices to the same Lord in the same way – willingly. “I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of (all) the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies (presenting all your members and faculties) as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service and spiritual worship” (Rom 12:1 Amplified Bible). We are to “walk in Love,” which is accepted by God as “an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Eph 5:2). Whether it is the support of those who serve God (Phil 4:18), or the sincere praise of our lips (Heb 13:15), our calling and high purpose in life is “to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5-6).

“Then Hezekiah answered and said, ‘Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the LORD, come near, and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD.’ So the assembly brought in sacrifices and thank offerings, and as many as were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings” (2 Chron 29:31-32).