The Mercies Of God

Date: Monday, February 02, 2015
Chapters: Leviticus 7-9
Message Title: The Mercies Of God

Hello My Friend, 

Have you ever stopped to think about how powerful the things are that we cannot see? For instance, the wind, you cannot see it coming, but when it does, you can sure feel it, it can be pleasant or quite dangerous. Oxygen, you cannot see it either, but it is what we breathe to keep us alive. Electricity, it is perhaps one of the most dangerous elements that God has created, it's all around us, and unless you see a lightening bolt you cannot see it, touch it, and it can kill you. Now, imagine how powerful God is, we cannot see Him, but He, in fact, made all these things, and controls every bit of these elements. Talk about power! God's power is awesome, He uses it on every one of us, and depending on our walk with Him that can be pleasant or quite dangerous. While God is endless in His mercy, he will only give that mercy to those He chooses. “What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” - Romans 9:14-16.

In continuation of God explaining the sacrifices and how the priests were to perform them, God gives more detail into the peace offering. Peace offerings were offered for one of three reasons, to give thanks for some special mercy received, to perform a vow made in distress, or to ask for special mercy. Unlike sin offerings, peace offerings could be consumed, God stresses the importance not eating any of the fat or blood. “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep, or of goat. And the fat of the beast that dieth of itself, and the fat of that which is torn with beasts, may be used in any other use: but ye shall in no wise eat of it. For whosoever eateth the fat of the beast, of which men offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, even the soul that eateth it shall be cut off from his people. Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood, whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings. Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.” - Leviticus 7:23-27.

The exclusion of fat was to preserve in their minds a reverence for God's altar, on which the fat of the inwards was to be burnt. The fat was offered to God only by way of acknowledgment, but the blood made an atonement for the soul, and since life comes from blood, consumption of it was forbidden at any time. The soul shall be cut off meaning, they would not be able to communicate with God until they sought forgiveness and repented of what they had done. Blood has always been required for the atonement of the soul, but the blood of these animals could not permanently redeem a soul, it was and always has been a foreshadow of Christ, who would offer Himself without blemish, to make atonement for the soul once and for all. “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” - Hebrews 10:1,4-6,10.

God commands Moses to consecrate Aaron and his sons in order for them to be able to accept the sacrifices, it was at this time that they would be ordained into the office of priests. “And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith. And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim. And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; as the LORD commanded Moses. And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them.” - Leviticus 8:6-10.

When Aaron committed the vile act of creating the golden calf for the Israelites to worship, God could have easily destroyed him in an instant, but He had mercy on him, and still used him to be the first high priest who would minister to the people and receive their offerings for God. God's mercy endures upon those who are His, and while we may have to face some chastening for our sins, He will still use us, and all will be used for His glory. “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.” - Hebrews 12:11-13.

Before the priests could even stand before God they had to be consecrated, cleansed of all their sins, and separated from any outside influence, which was a seven day process. On the eighth day, the first sin, meat, and peace offerings for the congregation were made to God. “And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel; And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before the LORD. And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering; Also a bullock and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD; and a meat offering mingled with oil: for to day the LORD will appear unto you. And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people. And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.” - Leviticus 9:1-4,22-24.

The glory of the Lord, the fire that came down from heaven and devoured the sacrifices, it was so powerful that the people fell on their knees in fear. There is no greater way to redeem someone than fear, many of us get saved and have no desire to serve God until we see the glory of the Lord. As powerful as God is, He has no power to force us to choose Him. Regardless of whether or not we choose Him, every knee will bow and will have to give an account for the things we have done. “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” - Romans 14:11,12.

Today's Prayer: God, I thank You for Your mercy, it truly does not end for those who love You. Lord, lead me and guide me, keep me looking to You so I do not get swayed by outside influences just eager to get me away from You. I know that You could easily cast us away for disobeying You, but Your promise to never leave nor forsake us still stands for all who put their faith and trust in Your Son. Give me Your power, wisdom, and strength to endure temptation, and get through this day to glorify You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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