Leviticus 24:3-4,8-9,11-12,17-20 Outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, Aaron is to tend the lamps before the LORD from evening till morning, continually. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. The lamps on the pure gold lampstand before the LORD must be tended continually… This bread is to be set out before the LORD regularly, Sabbath after Sabbath, on behalf of the Israelites, as a lasting covenant. It belongs to Aaron and his sons, who are to eat it in the sanctuary area, because it is a most holy part of their perpetual share of the food offerings presented to the LORD”… The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name with a curse; so they brought him to Moses. (His mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri the Danite.) They put him in custody until the will of the LORD should be made clear to them… “‘Anyone who takes the life of a human being is to be put to death. Anyone who takes the life of someone’s animal must make restitution—life for life. Anyone who injures their neighbor is to be injured in the same manner: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury.
God’s law was clear, concise and to be kept without failing in any way. Those keeping His law were held to a higher standard that those living outside of it.
Isn’t there a terrible contrast between this God who took life for a life and His son Jesus Christ who gave life for a life?
It has been weeks since I last wrote a word and the reason is that we have had a busy summer with many relatives and friends visiting and a dear friend’s daughter’s wedding that just got over.
This time was also a time for me to take a break and reflect on God, hear from Him, walk and talk with Him in a way that I was unable to before and for that I am grateful.
As I look at today’s scripture, I seem to see it in a new light altogether and I pray that is God’s insight and not my human wisdom at play.
The first aspect is the need for law and rules as stipulated by God to Moses and the Israelites regarding the lighting of the golden lamp stands and the placing and consumption of the bread.
The God of the Old Testament is specific, clear in His instructions and expected those who worship Him to follow without failing. There was no room for mistakes and His own were duty bound.
This was made obvious when the son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the name of God and was punished with death by stoning. God certainly made no allowance for anyone who disregarded Him and His kingdom.
This contrasts with Jesus who seems to continually forgive anyone who fell short of the glory of God and how is that possible if Jesus came from God?
The purpose of Jesus coming into this world was to bridge the gap between man and God. Ever since creation when Adam and Eve fell short of God’s glory, we as a race have lived in sin.
This sin has been in us from birth because of which we were condemned to die without hope and there was no restitution for it but to keep the law and live by it.
Jesus’ life purpose was to take away the burden of sin and the weight of the law away from us and free us to live for God’s glory.
His sacrifice of His own life served as the only and final payment for sin for all mankind and by accepting His sacrifice as the payment for our past, present and future brokenness, we are found acceptable in God’s sight forever.
The question we need to ask ourselves today is not about God’s changing character, rather it is about our hopeless end without God.
Are you willing to call on the name of Jesus and be saved from an unimaginable end far away from God goodness or do you still want to question the one who formed you before time began?
In His Loving Service,
ServantBoy
Matthew 5:38-42 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Welcome back, Vineet! 🙂 I’m going with the “calling on the name of Jesus” choice. There is no other name by which we can be saved.
Thank you and God bless you for glorifying Him here.
p.s. I have had little times away this summer, with more to come yet, and they too are proving to be times to listen to Him and learn what I need to know, that somehow happens easier if I can step away some. 🙂
Hi Deb,
Thank you for the warm welcome! Glad to know that you choose to call on the name of Jesus alone, a choice I hope the whole world makes.
God bless you and your family as you enjoy some time away to reflect and rejuvenate. I continue to pray for you and your precious family.
In Christ,
Vineet