READING FOR AUGUST 9, 2024: LEVITICUS 3, LUKE 4, PSALM 78:21-55                                           LEVITICUS 3 The peace offering described in this chapter has many similarities to the burnt offerings described in detail along with illustrations in the study guide for Leviticus 1. Thus, this day’s study will focus on the larger context of the offerings and their differences.  Perhaps, by seeing the redemptive trajectory of these sacrifices, greater understanding of their meaning will emerge.  As we learn from Lev. 1:3-4 the purpose of the burnt offerings was to make atonement needed for the person bringing the offering: “so that it may be accepted for him to make atonement on his behalf.”  The study guide for Lev. 2 summarized the purposes given for the grain offering as a memorial (i.e., remembering God’s goodness), providing material support to the priests, and giving God what is pleasing to Him, an aroma. An added dimension was the heightened act of faith shown by those offering the first fruits of their harvest.

Thus, the redemptive trajectory pictured is 1) atonement for imperfect people made in the burnt offering then 2) meeting the needs of priests, still necessary for their mediating role, and expressing faith by first-fruit grain offerings leading to 3) celebration of the resulting peace between God and all believers represented by the peace offering in Leviticus 3. This points toward the ultimate peace possible only in Jesus: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God” (Rom 5:1-2).

That’s the big picture, but let’s keep looking. Female animals can be peace offerings. They highlight the peace between humanity (both man and woman) and God, while the male burnt offering points to the work of Jesus alone. While burnt offerings were completely burned, peace offerings only burned the fat, liver, and kidneys. Lev. 7:16 explains the rest of the animal could be eaten. Eating throughout the Bible is an expression of peaceful fellowship. At the end of the chapter, we see a bridge from the sacrificial process to everyday Jewish living that is still practiced today: “It is a permanent statute throughout your generations in all your dwelling places: you shall not eat any fat or any blood” (Lev 3:17). This dietary ban separated God’s people from other peoples now is fulfilled in Jesus and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

LUKE 4 Jesus in His incarnation was filled with and relied upon the Spirit not His deity: “He [Jesus] already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men” (Phil.2:6). Surprisingly, the Spirit led Him to be tempted by the Devil in the wilderness, as it is written: “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need” (Heb.4:15-16). .                                                                                                                                                                         

READING FOR AUGUST 9, 2024: LUKE 4, PSALM 78:21-55                                                                As noted regarding the genealogies of Jesus, there’s a plausible explanation for discrepancies between Matthew and Luke. Let’s investigate apparent discrepancies of Jesus’s temptations:

There are several explanations for this apparent discrepancy. Writers of ancient history and gospel writers in particular didn’t consider chronological order as the only or necessarily best way to present historical events. Theological significance or intended audience might dictate order of presentation. This writer is most persuaded by textual details. In Matthew’s account, temptations one and two are joined by the word “then” and temptations two and three by the word “again.” This suggests an ordered sequence. Luke joins all the events simply with the word “and.”  Thus, in this case, the text suggests Matthew’s order as what happened.

The content of this event is far more important than the sequence. For a full analysis, review the study guide of Matthew 4 from Feb. 8, 2024. Here are, however, some points to ponder as we move forward in Luke:        1. Is our knowledge of the Bible sufficient to withstand a Satanic attack?                                                                   2. Do we continually put ourselves in reckless situations and expect God to bail us out?                                           3. Are there any features of life that mean more to us than our relationship with God?  BE HONEST!

Luke once again mentions Jesus acting in the power of the Spirit--as all Christians can. His ministry MOO in Galilee was to teach in the synagogues (local places of Torah instruction). Everything went well until He said in Nazareth (His hometown) that He was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. In addition, he voiced the many inner doubts they had about Him. He even suggested Gentiles were more receptive to God’s working than Jews. This didn’t endear him to his Jewish former neighbors. Jesus never stays where He isn’t wanted. He quickly moved to Capernaum teaching, casting out demons, and healing many, including Peter’s mother-in-law. She is a wonderful model to us because she utilized her healing to serve Jesus, not herself!

PSALM 78:21-55 Asaph clarifies what unleashes God’s wrath (opposition to sin) against Israel: Not believing Him nor trusting Him for salvation (vs.22), despite how God’s love redeemed them from slavery in Egypt. Despite God’s love sending His Son to bear our sins as an atoning sacrifice, when we disbelieve and don’t trust Him, this same wrath is justly directed against us. In His mercy, God continued to provide safety and even responded to Israel’s complaint about lacking food. Yet, when their desires were met with quail meat, it made them ill. When some died, they seemingly obeyed for a period of time. God, remembering their human weakness, continued to be compassionate and brought them to the promised land. What happens next?

The grain offerings must be prepared by whomever brings the offering by mixing in oil and frankincense. As we have already seen, the use of oil has served to consecrate or set apart the priests and worship materials for service to God. The Bible connects oil with the Holy Spirit: “Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David” (1 Sam. 16:13). Our giving even today needs to be directed and empowered by the Holy Spirt. Frankincense, as seen by being a gift from the Magi to Jesus, was a valued substance from the east that, as the word itself suggests, made a pleasant aroma when burnt. 

Those bringing a grain offering also had the option of baking it in an oven or frying it on a griddle prior to being offered. In both cases, no leaven is to be used. Leaven in the Bible points to the corrupting influence of sin or sinful teaching: “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matt. 16:6). Sin and sinful teaching exist today, especially about the act of giving. These offerings are also to be seasoned with salt, which is both a preservative and flavor enhancement. Elsewhere in the Bible, Jesus calls believers to be salt to the world (Matt. 5:13) and Paul says our speech should be seasoned with salt (Col. 4:6). 

Finally, special direction is given for first-fruit or early ripening grain offerings. These represent givers among us of great faith who give upfront before knowing what the entire harvest might bring. This is like giving one’s entire tithe for the year in the first weeks and then trusting God to provide money to live on for the rest of the year. How might God look upon this approach?“Abel, on his part also brought an offering, from the firstborn of his flock and from their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering; but for Cain and his offering He had no regard” (Gen. 4:4-5).

READING FOR AUGUST 8, 2024 CONTINUED: LUKE 3, PSALM 78:1-20                                      LUKE 3 The introduction of this chapter is multilayered. First Luke confirms that the ministry of John the Baptist occurred at a definite time in history when these high officials were in office. John really existed and is not a religious myth. Luke also conveys the irony of how God operates. Imagine Luke wrote that when Joe Biden was President, Eric Holcomb was Governor, and Julius Trimble was Bishop, the word of the Lord came to... a homeless guy in Muncie who sleeps at the Mission? But that’s the sense of what Luke is saying and the pattern of how God often works. How wonderful. 

John is clearly the one mentioned in Isaiah as the advance man for Jesus. The metaphors are powerful: straightening curve roads, filling valleys, leveling mountains, and paving over potholes to enable the highest number of people to experience Jesus without any barriers. Why? Because Jesus is the salvation provided by God for all who believe. All need to hear. 

John the Baptist’s initial approach was completely honest but not very modern: “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” Ouch, we don’t like this. But Jesus can’t save us if we don’t first know we are lost sinners. John was even bold or foolish enough to confront Herod, a bigtime leader. This landed him in jail. His practical suggestions, however, were, well, very practical: 1) tax collectors--don’t overcharge; 2) soldiers--don’t harass folks or ask for raises; 3) all of us--give to folks in need. For all his out-of-the-box qualities, his main purpose was the same that ours should be: pointing people to Jesus. Speaking of Jesus, if we compare Jesus’s genealogy in Luke with the one in Matthew, we quickly spot differences. Luke 2:23 states it “was commonly held” Jesus was the son of Joseph, implying he really wasn’t. This may mean the entire genealogy in Luke is Mary’s line and not Joseph’s as we see in Matthew.

PSALM 78:1-20 Asaph launches into an instructional Psalm regarding God’s faithfulness to Israel and Israel’s dismal response. He said this is not new material, but these stories must be relayed by fathers to each succeeding generation. Once again, we learn it is the father’s prime obligation--not the mother’s, pastor’s, or youth leader’s--to provide spiritual instruction to our children. Have we done this? If not, let’s get started. Asaph gives us vital examples of not following God. Ephraim (meaning Israel) not only didn’t defeat evil, but they ran away from battle. They didn’t keep God’s covenant, obey God’s commands, and forgot about the miracles of God. What were Israel’s specific problems in the desert? They rebelled against God and His standards. They were not happy with God’s provisions and instead desired greater material pleasures suited to their tastes. Do our children know these as real historical events involving interventions by the unchanging God whom we can know personally today? Or do they consider them as quaint Bible stories having no lessons applicable to life in 2024? Worried.