ljhortonhouse: You said last night you loved yesterday’s read. Well, I think you will love this one even more. Happy Valentines Day. ❤️
Guilt Offering: This is also called the trespass offering. I actually “listened” to today’s read rather than read it. Why? Because it was boring (feeling a little guilty about saying that, ha…get it). So when I listened to it I heard one word repeated: “Restitution”. This act removed the guilt of certain sins that involved trespassing or “sinning” against God. The Hebrew word ‘asham, translated as “guilt,” also means “reparation or restitution.” Guilt in the biblical sense is not just a feeling but a condition. There may be known transgressions that bring feelings of guilt, but there is also the condition of guilt before God, caused by sins known or unknown. Sometimes a hardened sinner has few feelings of guilt when he is the most guilty. (I call it rationalizing our sin!) Ouch.
The trespass or guilt offering demonstrates the seriousness of violations against God (even accidental ones) and against others. An atoning sacrifice has to be made before God, and restitution has to be made to man.
OK, so now this chapter isn’t as boring as I thought. I have to go make restitution because I am guilty of skimming and I need to reread. 😢
I got to Chapters 6 and 7: thought “didn’t we read this already?” We were reading about how WE offer the sacrifice, this next section is about the priests’ requirements of the offering. We need to stop and remember that this sacrificial system IS as important as the CROSS for us. It really is worth taking the time to read it. The one phrase I want you to go back and underline is:
“Say to Aaron and his sons: ‘These are the regulations for the sin…
Tomorrow you will find out why….😔
Levitical Graveyard…Nope! You can make it through this book!
- You are going to make it. (Use the “listen to option if you need to)
Feb 13: Lev 1-4
Feb 14: Lev 5-7
Feb 15: Lev 8-10
Feb 16: Lev 11-13
Feb 17: Lev 14-15
Feb 18: Lev 16-18
Feb 19: Lev 19-21
Feb 20: Lev 22-23
Feb 21: Lev 24-25
Feb 22: Lev 26-27
Reading the Bible - 2021 
Thanks for all your notes. I’ve been especially reflecting about the Leviticus overview— these people weren’t saved by their sacrifices…but still their faith in God.
And I’ve been reflecting on atonement, that it means reconciliation. It’s a divine act of GRACE where God draws himself and makes “at one” with the people. This is mercy (which makes sense why the atonement cover is the “mercy” seat). And so, I have always read these sacrifices as acts of worship and dedication and have missed the communal aspect. The atonement parts are what bring the communion, the “at oneness”, with God bc of His mercy and grace.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Research the Wave offering verse the Heave offering. I felt the same thing. One was to apologize to God one was to apologize to man. He loves when we love people.
LikeLike
That’s really insightful!
LikeLike
Today I circled the words “guilty, held responsible, must confess, make atonement” — isn’t it amazing how intelligent this design was? Pointing to a Messiah who would take away the sins of the world. Imagine how many bulls, rams, goats, doves, grains, oils, etc…would have continued to be slaughtered. Of which are now used for our good pleasure. Crazy.
I also zoned in on the payback of restitution in Ch 6:5 — adding a fifth of the value in addition to pay back to the owner from which an item was stolen. God is saying “give it back with an apology that costs”. I had a client once who was arrested for theft. She definitely paid her dues, plus some. It makes me wonder how much of God’s law made its way into our laws…hmm.
I’m not sure I would want to be a priest. This is a lot of work. I wonder if Aaron’s sons were like “Hey…you get fire duty.” 🤣 At least they got free food.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I kept thinking about the 20% but yet our greedy world “goes for the throat”. Think about it, a 2 mph fender bender and the first thing we think of is “Are they going o sue me”. 😢
LikeLike