Monthly Archives: February 2024

Cover Them

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Numbers 4

When the Israelites moved, the Levites needed to be very careful to protect the most holy things used in worship. They covered the Ark with the shielding curtain, the table of the Presence with a blue cloth. Then they put the utensils, bowls, etc. on top of the table and covered it all with a red cloth.

The lamp stand was wrapped in blue cloth as were the gold altar and articles. Even the ashes were protected by a purple cloth. Then everything was covered with top layers of sea cow hides.

The Israelites were told by God to first protect the most holy things, then they were ready to get on the road. Nothing, not a dent or scratch or smudge, was going to harm the most holy things as the Israelites followed God.

What does that have to do with anything? I’m not sure we are as carful to protect the holy things of God today. What about our hearts, our minds, God’s Word, the light He has called us to be to the world, the Gospel of Jesus? Do we cover those things in prayer and Scripture before we follow God into our day?

I’m afraid too often we start our days without giving a thought to the most holy things. I’m afraid we go into worship services with such a casual attitude the most holy things are exposed to the elements of the world. I’m afraid the most holy things are dented, scratched, and smudged by our neglect.

The Jews were intentional about covering the most holy things. I wonder if we shouldn’t learn from their example.

Rest

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Leviticus 25

I can understand why the Israelites might express concern over God’s command that every seven years the land was not to be planted, nor crops harvested. God was really saying there would be no food for two years; the first when the land was resting, the second as the crops grew before the harvest. It wasn’t like they could just go to the grocery.

God foresaw their objection and said, “Don’t worry. The bounty of the sixth year will sustain you for three years!” More than they would need.

Ok, God, if you say so. But I am a bit anxious about the whole thing.

I hear God asking me this morning if I really trust Him with my own future. Or am I so busy making things happen, I miss the blessing that come from rest? Do I plunge into my day with just a quick nod to my Lord, or do I stop and let Him feed me from His bounty?

I hear God remind me to “be still and know that (He) is God.” (Ps 46:10)

He says, “Come unto me… and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28)

And, “Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before you eyes!” (1 Sam 12:16)

Is it possible to be too busy serving God? It would seem so, according to Scripture. Even Jesus took a break from time to time to be alone with the Father.

Do you trust God? Don’t neglect the rest. Not rest FROM God or from serving Him, but rest IN Him before you serve.

Rest. Then get back to work.

All Of Me

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Leviticus 11-14

I was wondering why God instructed that blood be placed on a person’s right ear, thumb, and big toe during a cleansing ceremony. So I Googled it. And what I learned challenges me.

First, the blood of the sacrifice on the ear lobe. It is believed to be a symbol of holy thoughts, which also entails guarding what kinds of things I listen to.

Second, the blood on the thumb represents holy actions. The choices I make every day, from what I put in my mouth to what and who I touch is holy to the Lord. Or should be.

And last, the big toe. It represents my walk with God, my obedience. Following God means not following the world.

Now, this is certainly not an exhaustive study on the subject. It’s a synopsis of the opinions I read on the internet, so I’m not sure how accurate it is. But I am challenged today to apply the blood of Jesus to my thoughts, my actions, and my walk today.

Lord, cleanse all of me. And may I live with the visible signs of your holiness in my thoughts, my actions and obedience to You.

Living What We Believe

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Leviticus 8-11

I recently saw the phrase, “Christian Atheist,” referring to believers who live like God doesn’t exist. I think it can refer to people who believe some, but not all Scripture is true. People who go to church, maybe even preach, who are holding onto sins they refuse to surrender to God. They are Christians who believe God makes exceptions to His rules, and live like they will avoid the consequences spelled out in Scripture.

Nadab and Abihu fit that category. There have been times I have fit that category.

Are you a believer? Is Jesus your Savior? Do you read your Bible, go to church, sing in the choir or teach Sunday School? Then the question is, are you living the truth of what you know? Or are there sins you have yet to surrender to the cross?

James tells us our faith without works is dead. (2:14-26). Faith without living lives that honor God with every choice is as useful as a corpse. Having faith in God yet living like He doesn’t exist is not faith at all. It’s what Christian Atheists are made of.

Dear Christian, if we want to live what we believe, we need to stop right now and confess our sins. All of them. We need to repent, which means turn from those sins, and with the help of the Holy Spirit never repeat them again. It means to surrender to the demands of God as spelled out in His Word, and receive the grace and mercy Jesus died to give us.

Then one step, one choice at a time, we must live to glorify God and not ourselves, to point our loved ones to Jesus as He is revealed in Scripture. We must love our neighbor enough to speak truth, love God enough to stand firm.

It means living like our Holy God really does exist, and to be as serious about sin as He is. It means living what we believe so that others will see Jesus in us and want what we have in Him.

Silence is a Sin

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Leviticus 5-7

If a person sins because he does not speak up when he hears a public charge to testify regarding something he has seen or learned about he will be held responsible. (5:1)

Why do we send missionaries? Because we are responsible to tell what we know. Why do we stand up for life, deny the current belief that gender can be changed, say no to drag queens in public schools, call truth Truth? Because if we don’t, we sin.

And sin is serious. All sin is serious.

It’s easy to say, “Those sinners out there are gonna pay,” until I look in the mirror and see a believer with her mouth closed.

Big Deal

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Exodus 24

Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and 70 elders of Israel went to a dinner party hosted by God. (24:9-11) They saw God, which would normally be a death sentence. But God was merciful. They enjoyed dinner with the God of Creation, and lived to tell about it.

Now I would think that having that experience wouldn’t be soon forgotten. I would think it would change a person, cement belief in and result in obedience to this gracious God. Many skeptics say they would believe in God if they could see Him. These guys we read about today not only saw God up close and personal, they spent time with Him up there on that mountain.

I’ve read their story before and, sadly, this encounter with God did not prevent them from later denying Him. I’m sitting here shaking my head and wondering how that could be.

I see it as a warning.

An encounter with God, a mountain-top experience doesn’t necessarily indicate a relationship with Him. We try so hard to manufacture an experience in our worship services. We aim at a mountain-top experience. But is that the same as encouraging and nurturing a relationship with God?

It is not.

All those guys got out of that encounter with God there on the mountain was a good meal. Their bellies were full. Big deal.

We can sit through a rocking worship service, emotions soaring, tear flowing, hands clapping. Our hearts are full. Big deal.

What I see here in Exodus is that you can encounter God and leave as empty and broken as when you came. The missing elements in this story are repentance, submission, commitment, and the first step toward a relationship with the God whose presence they had just enjoyed.

Oh, that our churches would understand the difference. Because it is a big deal.