READING FOR AUGUST 8, 2024: LEVITICUS 2, LUKE 3, PSALM 78:1-20 LEVITICUS 2 The grain offerings have some differences from the burnt offerings mentioned in chapter 1. Perhaps these might give us legitimate hints regarding its significance. The burnt offerings from the previous chapter required the person bringing the offering to place his hand on the animal’s head signifying atonement offered to God on behalf of His imperfect people. The text specifically mentions in this chapter that the part of the grain offering placed in the fire is 1) a memorial portion to the Lord-perhaps reminding of God’s faithfulness in providing the harvest. It serves to 2) please the Lord though its aroma. Also, since the priests keep all that is not burnt, it 3) provides sustenance for those in ministry. These three aspects of offerings are still valid in the offerings we give to church. Perhaps it would be healthy to consciously reflect on them whenever dropping money in the basket or when all of offerings are presented to the Lord during the worship service.
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.
