TOPIC: This Pleases Him! Friday, July 25, 2014 TEXT: LEVITICUS 17:1-7 Key verse: “To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they offer in the open field, even that they may bring them unto the LORD, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest, and offer them for peace offerings unto the LORD” (Leviticus 17:5). What can a man bring to God which will be excellent and acceptable in His sight? John Bunyan’s answer may surprise us - a broken and contrite heart. This was the subject of his book ‘acceptable sacrifice’ a moving exposition of Psalm 51:17, the last work which he prepared for the press before his departure to glory. Bunyan shows from Scripture why a broken heart is so acceptable to God. He characterizes the unbroken heart of man, showing why it must be made contrite, and explains the nature of the change which is involved. He also guides the reader in discerning whether this change has taken place, and shows how the heart, once broken, can be kept tender. The Israelites, before the building of the tabernacle, did offer their sacrifices in the open field from which they are now restrained through this new order given by God in our text. For their sacrifices to be acceptable unto God, all Israelites and persons sojourning in their land were commanded to bring their sacrifices to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. The sacrifices were to be offered unto the Lord, and those who disobeyed were to be cut off. This was done that the sacrifices might be offered publicly, and be known to be offered to the Lord and not to idols or devils. It was equally God’s intention to prevent private idolatry taking place in the land and to avoid unauthorized persons intruding into the priests’ office. Under the New Testament dispensation, the emphasis is no longer on animal sacrifices to be brought to the priest but on individual believers becoming living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto God. It is the kind of sacrifice that resonates with the relationship we have received – as God has received us freely, we give ourselves freely. As we prepare to enter into a new day, our focus must be on Christ who gave Himself to us that we might live unto Him. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Nothing pleases God more as a whole- hearted sacrifice!
Posted on: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 08:59:23 +0000
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