Tag Archive | sacrifice

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 19 & 20

Jan19

Days 19 & 20. Reading in Genesis 22-24 and 25-26. (Posted on Monday)

I invite you to read the scripture for the day and meditate on it. Then, share your thoughts in the comments.

 

Genesis 21 (last 14 verses).

After a little battle with King Abimelech about ownership of some wells, he and Abraham come to an understanding, and a deal is made at Beersheba. Abraham planted a tree there as a land marker and worshipped the Lord (as the “Everlasting God.” Then, he and his family (Sarah, Isaac, and all) lived there for a while in the land of the Philistines.

Genesis 22.

Sometime later, God tested Abraham. It was his stiffest test of obedience yet. It was much more difficult than leaving his family, traveling hundreds of miles to a strange land, and then believing God would make of him, an old man with no children, the father of peoples numbering as many as the stars. 

This test was about his most precious possession, Isaac, his son by Sarah, born when he was one hundred years old. God told Abraham to “offer” Isaac as a burnt offering.  Say what????

Early the following morning (with no hesitation), Abraham began to obey.  He took everything necessary, and then he, Isaac, a couple of men, and a donkey carrying supplies traveled for three days towards the mountains. When they got to the place where God showed Abraham (Mt. Moriah), he took the knife and the fire and told Isaac to carry the wood.

(Isaac was a young man, not a little boy, capable of carrying enough wood for a burnt offering. He was maybe about 30 years old.)  The others stayed behind at the camp.

Isaac wasn’t a dummy. He saw all the supplies but not the animal. “Dad, where’s the lamb?”

“Don’t worry, son. God will supply for Himself a lamb.”  (Hebrews 11:17-19 explains Abraham’s great faith. God had said that it was through Isaac that He would make Abraham a great nation. So, “he considered that God was able even to raise him (Isaac) from the dead” if Abraham killed him. Wow.

Abraham built the stone altar, laid out the wood, then tied up Isaac and put him on top of the wood. (Note that Isaac – who could have easily overpowered his elderly father – willingly became the sacrifice.) Abraham raised the knife to slit HIS ONLY SON’S throat.  

“Abraham, Abraham!”

“Here am I.”

“Do not lay your hand on your son, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, YOUR ONLY SON, from Me.”

And, whoa!  Behind Abraham, there appeared a ram caught in the bushes.  Abraham untied Isaac, the young man climbed down, and the ram was sacrificed. 

“On the mount of the LORD, it shall be provided,” Abraham called that place.  And many years later, on that same mountain, the ONLY SON OF GOD, was sacrificed for our salvation. Like Isaac, He went willingly, carrying the “wood” of his own sacrifice.  And yes, God raised Him from the dead as well.

  • I am SO glad that God so loved this world that He gave His ONLY SON, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.  THANK YOU, God! Thank You, Jesus!

The group then returned to Beersheba. (It’s a good thing SARAH didn’t know what was happening!!)

Genesis 23.

Several years later, Sarah died. She was 127.  They were living back at Hebron then, and Abraham purchased a field with a cave in it from his friend, Ephron, as a tomb for her (and later, for himself, Isaac and his wife, and Jacob and his wife, Leah).  It was an act of faith. It was Abraham staking a claim on the land God promised to his descendants. 

Genesis 24.

Okay, Isaac is about 40 now; his mom didn’t get to see him married or any of her grandchildren.  Abraham thought it was time to get him a wife.  NOT A CANAANITE woman, that’s for sure. So he sent his trusted servant back to Haran, to his brother’s household, to get a wife for Isaac. 

The godly servant (Eleazar?) went and after praying for a miracle, found Rebekah, the granddaughter of Abraham’s brother. Her brother, Laban, seeing the considerable dowry on the ten camels the servant brought, said she could go.  Rebekah also agreed to go with the servant, and the next day, she and her “nurse” (personal servant) left.  (Wow, she must have been really tired of being a water girl for the household and thought this would be quite an adventure.) 

After 25-30 days on a camel, at sunset, they finally arrived way south of Beersheba, where Isaac lived.  He, having finished with the duties of the day, was out in a field, contemplating the beautiful sunset.  Rebekah saw him, dismounted, pulled down her veil, and went to him.  It was love at first sight, and she became his wife. (And Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.)

  • Father, thank you for these examples of faith and patience in trusting You “over the long haul.”  “Increase my faith,” as Your disciples prayed. 

 

 

 

 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 356-357

Dec23

   Day 356-357—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying the LETTERS of the Apostles.  NOTE: Sunday’s and Monday’s studies will be posted on MONDAY,

Day 356 – Hebrews 7 – 10 (Melchizedek, Better Covenant, Redemption, Sacrifice, Faith)

Read a quick review of Melchizedek and Abraham in Genesis 14:18-20.

Hebrews 7.

The author discusses Melchizedek, king of Salem (peace), king of righteousness (zedek) and a priest of the Most High God. He tells how Abraham, coming home from rescuing his nephew Lot from an invading army, gave this priestly/kingly man a tithe (10th) of the loot. And Melchizedek blessed Abraham.

This was WAY before Israel’s priesthood was set up on Mt. Sinai, with Aaron, the Levite, as High Priest.  In a way (the author of Hebrews says), Aaron, the High Priest, paid tribute to Melchizedek, “being still in Abraham’s loins.” (He had no children at that point.)

Melchizedek is also said to have had “no beginning of days nor end of life” as a priest forever. He was a priest not based on the law (like Aaron) but on the power of an “indestructible” life. The author compares Jesus to this mysterious man, without beginning or end of days, but HIS ministry is much more excellent.  

The first covenant of law could make nothing perfect, so a new one was needed, allowing us to draw near to God. “Consequently, Jesus can save to the uttermost, those who draw near to God through HIM since He always lives to make intercession for them. 

Jesus is a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.  HE HAS NO NEED TO OFFER SACRIFICES DAILY like other priests, first for their own sins, then the people.  Jesus did this ONCE FOR ALL when he offered up HIMSELF.

Hebrews 8.

Jesus, as High Priest, is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a more excellent ministry than the old one.  He can mediate better because the new covenant has better promises and is faultless. In this new covenant, God says He will put His Law on their hearts and minds, not stone tablets, and His people will know Him.

He will be merciful toward their iniquities and will remember their sins no more!

Hebrews 9.

The author then reminds readers how the old covenant worked, with the Holy and Most Holy places in the “tent of worship.”  Behind the second curtain was the ark of the covenant and God’s presence.  No one could go into this place except for the High Priest, and that only once per year… carrying the blood of the sacrifice. 

But Christ, as high priest, entered ONCE FOR ALL into the most holy place through HIS OWN BLOOD. Doing this, he obtained ETERNAL REDEMPTION.  He appeared ONCE FOR ALL to put away sin by sacrificing himself. 

Hebrews 10.

Under the old covenant, the sacrifices were a reminder of sins every year. “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”  Now, we have been sanctified (made clean, holy) through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL.

When Christ had offered FOR ALL TIME A SINGLE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, He sat down at the right hand of God. “For by A SINGLE OFFERING, He has perfected FOR ALL TIME, those who are being sanctified.”

Jesus. the perfect, sinless High Priest, offered Himself a spotless sacrifice and opened the new and living way for us through the curtain so that we can now “draw near (to God) with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” 

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Day 357 – Hebrews 11 – 13 (the FAITH chapter & heroes of the faith, witnesses for us to endure too, discipline as sons, acceptable worship, final instructions)

Hebrews 11.

Hebrews 11 is called the “Faith Chapter” or the “Saint’s Hall of Fame.” In it, the author defines faith and how it’s to be used. He lists heroes of faith from the Old Testament, sixteen by name (including women), and many others by deeds or means of death. These all have served and glorified God.

DEFINITION: “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (verse 1)

WHAT IT INVOLVES: “Without faith, it is impossible to please God, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” (verse 6)

From righteous Abel to the prophet Samuel, men and women have lived and died for God, loved and obeyed Him, trusted and spoke for Him without shame or fear, and many paid for it with their lives. 

These heroes “conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong through weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to fight, and some women received back their dead by resurrection!! 

(I can think of some names that come to mind here, can you?”

Others were tortured for their faith, suffered mocking and flogging, even chains and imprisonments, stoning, beheading (killed by the sword), and even being sawn in two!  They were destitute, afflicted, mistreated, and lived in deserts, mountains, dens, and caves.  OF WHOM THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY!

And YET, they did not “see” the promised Messiah they spoke about and waited for like WE HAVE!  (How totally blessed we are!)

Hebrews 12.

“Therefore, SINCE we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (those heroes listed above), let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith.  He, for the JOY that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated now at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Jesus, as God’s Son, endured much hostility against Him. And so we, as God’s children, must endure “discipline” too.  God disciplines us (through suffering/persecution) for OUR GOOD, so we may share His holiness.  It doesn’t seem pleasant at the moment, but later, it “yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness” to those trained by it. 

So…. lift your drooping hands….strengthen your weak knees….and make straight paths for your feet.   And “let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken (by persecution or death), and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

Hebrews 13.

The author encourages readers to continue in brotherly love, hospitality to strangers, and prayer and support for those imprisoned for their faith.  They are to be faithful in marriage, not love money but be content with what they have.

They are to “remember their leaders (in prayer and financially), the ones who first spoke the Word of God to them.”  They are to consider the fruit of those men’s ministry and imitate their faith.  They are to pray and support their leaders and also to submit to and obey them (for THOSE MEN will have to give an account one day).

He ends with a doxology. ‘Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant….equip you with everything good, that you may do His will.

To Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen”

 

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 49 & 50

Feb19

   Day 49 & 50 —  We are in the second month! We’ve been reading for a 1/12 of a year! Praise God! I hope that it’s become a GOOD habit that will continue. (SUNDAY’s reading is combined with MONDAY’s)

   Day 49 – Leviticus 16 – 18  (Day of Atonement, Place of Sacrifice, Unlawful sexual relations)

In the middle of Leviticus (chapter16), God tells Moses about the most solemn day of the year. The Day of Atonement, when all Israel was to mourn for their sin.

At that time the High Priest would take the blood of a special sacrifice all the way into the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle. He would then sprinkle some of the blood on top of the Ark of the Covenant, on the Mercy Seat, the place where God’s “throne” on earth was.

The priest had to be thoroughly washed, and both sin and burnt offerings made for him before approaching the Holy of Holies. Two goats were to be brought. Lots were drawn and one goat was killed. With great fear (I’m sure.) Aaron would carry its blood into the Tent and behind the separating veil and sprinkle it on the Mercy Seat. It would be an atonement (a covering) of the people’s sin, so a Most Holy God could dwell among them.

Then Aaron would lay his hands on the other goat, confessing all the iniquities, transgressions, and sins of the people, symbolically transferring them to the animal. Then it would be driven away into the desert never to be seen again.

These were both pictures of what Jesus accomplished for all who are saved. Our sin was transferred onto Him and He bore God’s wrath for it to his death.  And God remembers our sin no more, removing it as far as the east is from the west.” (Psalm 103:12)

Chapter 17 reinforces that the Tabernacle was the ONLY place animals could be brought as an offering or sacrifice. He also reminds them that the LIFE of all living in is the blood, to be used on the alter to make atonement. NO ONE was to eat any blood…. or else!

In Chapter 18, God gives Moses strict laws prohibiting any abhorrent sexual practices, including adultery, incest of any kind, homosexuality, bestiality, and even child sacrifice. These were the practices (abominations), of the pagan peoples Israel would be destroying in the Promised Land. The LORD’s people were not to be like them.

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Day 50 – Leviticus 19 – 21 (Holy people for a Holy God, prohibitions & punishments, priests)

In chapter 19, God reviews and expands on some of the Ten Commandments.  “You shall be holy, for I, the LORD am holy,” is all encompassing. Parents are to be revered, the Sabbath is to be kept.  To “Love your neighbor as yourself,” covers helping the poor, not stealing, dealing falsely, oppressing, slandering, or taking vengeance on others

Added are the prohibitions about seeking mediums and fortune tellers and cutting or tattooing themselves in pagan worship.  Also respecting elders, being kind to strangers and fair in business practices are commanded.

Chapter 20 covers more serious “no-no’s” like child sacrifice, cursing parents, adultery and homosexuality and bestiality, and the severe punishments that are to be meted out for disobeying.

God continually emphasizes that they are to be His Holy People, separate from the world and pagan nations that they will encounter in the Promised Land. “You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the peoples that you should be mine.” 20:26

Chapter 21 tells of the even higher standard of holiness that Aaron and the priests are to hold to.  Purity in marriage (only a virgin), dress, and appearance are all requirements.

It reminds me of 1 Peter 2:9 for believing Jews and Gentiles alike.  “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”  (Also Romans 9:24)

#2024 GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 19

Jan19

Won’t you read the Bible with me this year?   It only takes a few minutes.  (You can also listen to an audio recording.)

   Day 19 – Genesis 22 – 24 (A sacrifice, a death, a marriage)

Chapter 22 begins with God testing Abraham with the words, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go…offer him as a burnt offering…” 

That isn’t any way that I’d like my day to begin!  But Abraham’s immediate response was obedience. There are no questions, complaints, or refusals. He gets up early with the boy, the wood and the fire, and heads to the place God will show him…. to kill his only son. He builds an alter, lays the wood on it, binds and places Isaac on top (the boy is about 20 years old!), raises the knife to kill him, and is micro-seconds away from plunging it into the “son he loves,” the son of the Covenant, through whom the Messiah would come.  Yet Abe is willing to do it.

Hebrews 11:17-19 gives us the bulwark of his faith.  He believed God would raise Isaac from the dead in order to fulfill His promise.  God’s promises are always YES! and AMEN!  God never changes. God later imputes “righteousness” to Abraham because of his faith.

1 Corinthians 10:13 — “No temptation (testing) has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted (tested) beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also PROVIDE the way of escape that you may be able to endure it.”

And this is what God did for His friend, Abraham. STOP!  Now I know that you fear God. (God knew this all the time of course. He’s omnicient. But now ABRAHAM knew it too.)  And Abraham immeditely saw a ram caught in the brambles. This animal became the sacrifice. And the place became know as “Tthe LORD provides.” And indeed it was on that very mount that God Almighty “provided” His only begotton Son to the world, as a sacrifice and payment for their sin. (John 3:16)

Oh my! God renews His promises and gives even more:

  • I will surely bless you
  • I will surely multiply your offspring (as the sand on the seashore)
  • Your offspring will possess the gate of his enemies
  • In your Offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed

In chapter 23, Abraham’s faithful wife of 62 years dies. He negotiates with his long-time friends near Hebron to buy a burial ground, and he buries her there. (He, Isaac & Rebekah, and Jacob & Leah will all be buried there as well. It is the first concrete piece of the Promised Land that Abraham actually OWNS.)  

Isaac is 37 when his mother dieds and Abraham thinks it’s high-time that the “boy” is married. Through the 66 verses of chapter 24 we are treated with a remarkable love story.  Abe sends his faithful servant (who HAD BEEN in the line of inheritance) back to Haran where Abraham’s brother’s family still lived to acquire a wife for Isaac. (No Canaanite wife for the Son of Promise!)  

The story shows the sovereignty and plan of God in very wonderful ways as the 85-year-old faithful steward, Eliezer, travels the long distance, and relies solely on God to choose the woman whom he will take back to his master’s son.  Read it again. It’s beautiful.

And Isaac (40 years old now) sees the beautiful Rebekah and takes her as his wife. The last words of the chapter are, “So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.”

Isn’t love grand?

“We Three (gifts of the) Kings”

Dec19

3Kings.moonMy favorite Christmas carol has always been We Three Kings, written by John H. Hopkins, but I know it’s not one of the most popular Christmas songs. I think everyone gets hung up on the “O-o-o, star of wonder” part, or maybe even the minor key in which it’s been written.

But the words! It’s the words that sell it for me.

The Bible does not say how many “kings” or “wise men”  or “Magi” came to worship Jesus. It only mentions the three gifts they brought; valuable tokens of their esteem, and very useful “cash” for Joseph & Mary to use as they fled with Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod’s murderous madness.

Herod, as you recall, was very jealous to hear that a new King had been born, and so inquired of the visitors when they first saw the star. Using that time frame he ordered all boys – age two and under – to be killed. Killed! Innocent babies, precious sons, destroyed!

But by this decree we can be pretty sure the visitors from the East did not make an appearance at the stable, but came to a house in Bethlehem, “where the Christ child lay.”  That’s where they presented the gifts, on bent knees. Gold. Frankincense. Myrrh.

And this is where THE WORDS to the carol, We Three Kings come in.  They explain what these3Kings.silohoet gifts represented; what they told of the life of Jesus, the Messiah.

  1. We three kings of Orient are; bearing GIFTS we traverse afar,  field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.

Refrain: O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect Light.

Okay, now let’s look at the GIFTS presented to the Christ child:

  1. Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, GOLD I bring to crown him again, KING forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign.

GOLD to represent Jesus as King, the promised descendant of King David, one day to be hailed as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

  1. FRANKINCENSE to offer have I; incense owns a Deity nigh; prayer and praising, voices raising, worshiping GOD on high.

FRANKINCENSE was used in the worship of Almighty God, the Holy One of Israel. Not only is Jesus KING, He is also GOD

  1. MYRRH is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom;  sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

MYRRH was a very costly ointment used to mask the odor of a body when it is buried. When Mary Magdalene broke an alabaster jar of it and poured it over Jesus as an act of extreme love and devotion, Jesus said she had “anointed Him for burial.” Now look again at where verse four leaves Jesus: crucified and buried in a “stone-cold tomb.”

But hallelujah! Praise God!  See how verse five brings us to His resurrection!

  1. Glorious now behold him arise; KING and GOD and SACRIFICE, Alleluia, Alleluia, sounds through the earth and skies.

 We Three Kings is a carol of worship and praise. It’s why I love it. Jesus, my King, my God, my living Sacrifice for sin. The visitors traveled half way around the world to worship Jesus. Let US open our hearts and let our praises rise to the skies!

Star

 

Oh, and don’t get hung up on the Star of Wonder – wondering perhaps (sorry for the pun) if it actually moved before the travelers, or if it was a juxtaposition of several stars that alerted them to the birth, or if it was maybe a comet, or a “shooting star.”

If it bothers you, just remember that Jesus is called the Morning Star in Revelation 22:16, the Day Star in 2 Peter 1:19, and the Light of the World in John 1:5-9 and 8:12. Could it have been Jesus who drew these “wise” men to Himself?  A thought.

 

The Good Shepherd

May27

Today’s Bible reading brought me to John 10:1-30

In these verses Jesus says He is…

shepherd.sheepfold

…The SHEPHERD of his people  

Psalm 23 lists the many benefits the Shepherd provides for his people – take a moment to read it (see below). One of those benefits may be needed in your life right now, and you can ask God for it. (Lord, lead me in paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake!)

The sheepfold is where God’s people dwell in safety and satisfaction. His sheep know this place and eagerly follow the Shepherd through the door.  Everyone who enters the place of safety by Jesus will be saved, and go in and out and find pasture.

…The DOOR of the sheepfold

Jesus is also the Door, the only true entrance and access to the sheepfold.   (“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. NO ONE comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6)

…The GOOD SHEPHERD guarding the door or gate of the sheepfold with His own life

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, not a hired hand who cares nothing for the sheep, but the Good Shepherd who loves his sheep and lays himself down at the gate, or door, to protect them all through the night. Jesus laid down his life on the cross, in order that his people might be saved.

The Bible calls us…

sheep

…The SHEEP

It’s not really flattering to be compared to sheep.

They are dumb, they wander off and get into trouble, they lay down in places where they can’t get up, if they stand too deep in moving water to get a drink, their wool gets saturated and pulls them under and away. They get frightened to the slightest unfamiliar noise or movement. Burrs and bugs cling to their wool and they can stink, and the follow each other blindly… even over a cliff.

The Bible says of us,  “All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned—every one—to his own way;  and the LORD has laid on him  the iniquity of us all.”  Isaiah 53:6

For you were like straying sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:25

BUT…  “My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the Son of God, but He came to earth as a man, to identify with us (sheep), to show us how a life pleasing to God is lived, and to be the substitute sacrifice for our sin.

John the Baptist called Him…

lamb

…The Lamb

“Behold, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

Jesus (God Himself) humbled Himself and took on the form of man. He lived a perfectly righteous life before God and man. Then this “spotless Lamb” became the sacrifice for our sin.  “God laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”  Then he crushed him (punished the sin of all who would trust in Him) so that we might live (eternally).

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”  2 Corinthians 5:21

 SHEPHERD who cares for me, LAMB who was sacrificed for me:  JESUS.    Thank You!!

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PSALM 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.