A Fit and Proper Present for the Lord (Leviticus 17: 22 17-33)
Supposed for a minute you lived 4000 years ago in ancient Israel, and you felt moved in your heart to present a gift to the Lord. How would you do that, today we have a myriad ways we can give a gift, our modern methods of financial transactions are endless. However, in the context of ancient Israel, there were no bank accounts, credit cards, debit cards, or check books, no plastic never mind plastic money. Giving money was simply not an option for a shepherd or a rural people. So, what would you offer to the Lord? What would you consider presenting a valuable and meaningful gift. Perhaps a lamb from your flock would be an appropriate choice. But then comes the challenge of determining which lamb from your herd is suitable for this special offering. Are there specific requirements or qualifications for this unique gift? How can you discern which lamb meets these criteria of a gift fit for a king?
If you have even a basic understanding of the Old Testament, you are likely aware that the offering given should be without blemish. But what precisely does "without blemish" entail? Does the Bible provide a clear definition of this term? Furthermore, how do you choose among your herd? Would you pick a young lamb, or does age play a crucial role in this decision? These questions are probably unfamiliar to us today, as most of us are not shepherds and we've never pondered such matters regarding offering a gift to the Lord.
However, I believe there is a valuable lesson to be learned here, even though this particular practice is not directly applicable to our lives today. With this in mind, I invite you to journey with me as we continue to delve into Leviticus Chapter 22. In our previous study, we explored the initial part of this chapter. today we'll continue our journey, starting with Leviticus 22:17. In this verse, we read,
The Lord said to Moses, ‘Speak to Aaron and his sons and to all the Israelites and say to them: “If any of you – whether an Israelite or a foreigner residing in Israel – presents a gift for a burnt offering to the Lord, either to fulfil a vow or as a freewill offering, you must present a male without defect from the cattle, sheep or goats in order that it may be accepted on your behalf. offering to the Lord to fulfil a special vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without defect or blemish to be acceptable. Do not bring anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf. When anyone brings from the herd or flock a fellowship offering to the Lord to fulfil a special vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without defect or blemish to be acceptable. Do not offer to the Lord the blind, the injured or the maimed, or anything with warts or festering or running sores. Do not place any of these on the altar as a food offering presented to the Lord. You may, however, present as a freewill offering an ox[b] or a sheep that is deformed or stunted, but it will not be accepted in fulfilment of a vow. You must not offer to the Lord an animal whose testicles are bruised, crushed, torn or cut. You must not do this in your own land, and you must not accept such animals from the hand of a foreigner and offer them as the food of your God. They will not be accepted on your behalf, because they are deformed and have defects.”’
(Leviticus 22: 17-25)
This passage sets the foundation for understanding the criteria of offering a gift to the Lord. This passage emphasizes making a freewill offering, akin to giving a valuable gift to the Lord, one given out of genuine appreciation and devotion. The principle still applies to us all, not just the high priest and his sons, the principle is inclusive for all of us today. To be accepted, the offering must be a male without blemish. While the exact definition of "without defect" is not clear here, it highlights the need to present something perfect and acceptable to the Lord. Subsequent verses will clarify these criteria for us.
Leviticus Chapter 22, although in its detailed administration doesn’t apply to Christians today, but it is still meant to teaches us a valuable lesson about giving our best to God, making personal sacrifices, following His guidance, and maintaining reverence in our relationship with Him.
The passage reflects the meticulous care expected for what we presume to offer to the Lord in our lives of service to him. By mirroring our motivation with these requirements for priests, helps us underlining the importance of reverence in our approach to almighty God. The exception of striving for perfection in free will service of the Lord highlights the principle that the Lord deserves our best and our utmost dedication.
This passage reinforces that if we live in this way the Lord will value our sincere commitment to offering the best we have, even if human perfection, in and of ourselves, is unattainable. It's about striving for excellence in our offerings while acknowledging that God will always acknowledge and appreciates any effort made simply to the best of our abilities. Of course, today, this principle extends to various aspects of our lives, beyond mere animal sacrifices. It applies to the way we offer our time, our talents, and resources to the Lord.
Are we giving Him the best of what we have to offer or are we offering Him our leftovers?The passage then transitions to the topic of time.
26 The Lord said to Moses, 27 ‘When a calf, a lamb or a goat is born, it is to remain with its mother for seven days. From the eighth day on, it will be acceptable as a food offering presented to the Lord. 28 Do not slaughter a cow or a sheep and its young on the same day.
(Leviticus 22: 26-28)
The specific significance of this seven-day period isn't explained, but it conveys the idea that certain preparatory phases are essential before an offering becomes acceptable as well as a prohibition against killing both the mother and the young on the same day. While the reasoning behind this command isn't explicitly disclosed here, some theories suggest that it had a dual purpose to maintain the nuturing relationship between a mother and the newborn which reflects the sacred connection established by God between the parent and offspring, but also to prevent the practical depletion of the animal stock.
Next the passage addresses Thanksgiving offerings.
When you sacrifice a thank-offering to the Lord, sacrifice it in such a way that it will be accepted on your behalf. It must be eaten that same day; leave none of it till morning. I am the Lord.
(Leviticus 22: 29-30)
This highlights the importance of immediacy in expressing gratitude to the Lord. When we have reasons to be thankful, our responses should be prompt and wholehearted.
‘Keep my commands and follow them. I am the Lord. Do not profane my holy name, for I must be acknowledged as holy by the Israelites. I am the Lord, who made you holy and who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord.’
(Leviticus 22: 31-33)
Finally, the passage concludes with a reminder that keeping the Lord's commandments and performing them is essential. By doing so, we uphold the holiness of His name. This underscores that God's name is to be hallowed among His people. The Lord, who sanctified himself for us through His sacrifices delivered us too from bondage, is indeed worthy of our devotion and obedience. As we reflect on these Levitical principles surely, we should be encouraged to offer the Lord our very best, promptly express our gratitude, and try and live in obedience to His commandments, ensuring that His name is held in the highest regard among His people, and as a witness to the ordinary people who live around us.
This whole 22nd chapter of Leviticus with its rules for making sacrifices is surely meant to offer a compelling encouragement that is as relevant to us today as it was to the ancient Israelites. Because it’s key message revolves around two essential elements: "keep God requirements" and "do not take them or Him lightly. These principles reflect the heart of what the Lord always desires from His people. The encouragement to "keep" His commandments extends beyond the specific requirements for sacrificial animals. It conveys a broader spiritual message: the Lord expects obedience from us. When we offer ourselves as living sacrifices to Him, we are meant to commit to following His guidance and obeying His precepts, it’s not just the words we say, it’s what we do. While we may not offer animals on altars today, we still are meant to present our lives as offerings, and we do that by willingly submitting to His will.
Secondly, we are admonished not to "profane" His holy name, meaning not to take God or his word lightly. This serves as a warning, a reminder of the holiness of God. He is set apart, unique, and worthy of our reverence and respect. To profane His name would be to treat it with disrespect or to dishonour it in any way. Therefore, our offering of ourselves as living sacrifices must include a commitment to uphold the sanctity of God's name in our lives. The motivating force behind these exhortations is the Lord's own declaration: "I am the Lord who sanctified you and brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord." This profound statement encapsulates the core of God's relationship with His people. It is a testament to His redemptive work and His desire to be their God. God in Christ has indeed also redeemed us from the effects of living in a fallen word, he has called us out of that place, and freed us from the effects of sin in both it power, its penalty and indeed even one day it very presence, when we are called hom to be with him for eternity.
This concept of being the people of God is a recurring theme in the Old Testament. It emphasizes the Lord's role as the provider, the guide, and the protector. He wants to meet our needs and shield us on our journey through life. As He declared. "He leads me to lie down in green pastures; He places me beside still waters" (Psalm 23).
The Lord desires to provide, guide, and protect His people. However, there is a dimension to this relationship that cannot be ignored. God's is possessiveness when it come to our worship of Him. He insists on Him being the one and only God in our lives. He redeems us and sets us apart for Himself, and He expects us to respond in the same way. The Lord does not tolerate the pursuit of other gods or idols in our lives. This jealousy stems from His deep love and desire for an exclusive, devoted relationship between you and Him. While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, we do offer our very lives as living sacrifices. Romans 12:1 beautifully conveys this truth:
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
This verse encapsulates the essence of Christian living. However, it's crucial to clarify a common misconception regarding this verse. Some people suggest this is a a once-and-for-all dedication, a singular moment reflected in some sort of childhood service or statement, made at a christening or a baptism. I don’t believe this is the case I think this is talking about an ongoing presentation of ourselves to God, a continuous commitment to live according to His will in an act of daily devotion obedience and service. In essence, this passage invites us to offer the Lord the entirety of our lives as living sacrifices. It urges us to maintain a lifestyle of obedience and reverence for God's name.
The Old Testament principles of offering the best without defects and adhering to a timetable for sacrifices has passed but we find their spiritual counterpart in the New Testament as we give ourselves fully to the Lord, commit to obey His commandments, and honour His holy name as best we can every day. As we conclude this episode today, we're faced with an intriguing question: What is the keyword in Romans 12:1?
Let me read it to you again, this times from the NIV translation. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” The word "therefore" points to a conclusion, of what has been talked about so far. The word therefore links it back to the entire letter and serves as a culmination of the book's overarching message.
Throughout Romans, Paul expounds on God's grace and mercy saving us.. Therefore, the “therefore”, in Romans 12:1 summarizes the message, calling us to respond to God's mercy as a comprehensive response to the entire Gospel. Romans 12:1 instructs us to present our bodies as living sacrifices and this offering is characterized by three vital qualities.
First, it is "living," signifying ongoing dedication, a continuous commitment.
Second, it is "holy," indicating being set apart for the Lord's purposes.
Finally, it is "acceptable," reflecting a heart committed to following God's will.
In this way, Romans 12:1 echoes the concepts found in the whole of Leviticus. While Leviticus focused on physical aspects, Romans emphasizes the spiritual aspect for us. Our lives become the offering, characterized by purity, dedication, and acceptability to God. Presenting our bodies as living sacrifices is a heartfelt response to God's immense mercy and grace. It's our logical answer to a God who first loved and redeemed us. Our lives, lived in dedication, are our most significant offering to the Lord we can make. May we strive to be living, holy, and acceptable sacrifices in His service.
May I suggest that the argument of Leviticus 22 is very similar if not identical to the argument of Romans 12/1. In Leviticus chapter 22, we are presented with a significant message. The text highlights the acceptability of certain animals for sacrifice while designating others as unacceptable. These sacrifices are offered as a response to God's act of redemption. The core argument can be summarized as follows: God, having redeemed His people, and He desires to be our God. In light of this, it is only reasonable that we should people obey His commands. This same line of reasoning can be found in Romans, God wants to be our God. And don’t forget Paul also will tell us one of the benefits of this is that, “all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose”.
The connection between Leviticus 22 and Romans 12:1 is clear. Both passages stress the importance of dedicating ourselves to God in response to His mercy, grace, and redemption. This dedication is our reasonable service – a logical, rational, but heartfelt response to all that God has done for us.
As we reflect on Leviticus principles, we are encouraged to offer the Lord our very best, promptly express our gratitude, and live in obedience to His commandments, ensuring His name is held in the highest regard among His people and beyond. The heart of what the Lord desires from His people remains unchanged: obedience, reverence, and exclusive devotion. When we consider the wondrous cross and God's love for us, our response should be a thankful wholehearted devotion. Our lives should be dedicated in service to God, for that, “is our reasonable service”.