Leviticus 1-4 & Proverbs 14:1-8

Leviticus 1-4

The book of Leviticus begins where the book of Exodus ends.  The tabernacle has been completed with precise exactness to God's plans.  Upon its completion, the Israelites will remain at the base of Mount Sinai for about two years while they receive more instructions from God about right and holy living as God's people.  The book of Leviticus is a manual for worship of unholy people to a holy God.  As we read Leviticus, allows its laws and sacrificial instructions to transform your perception of our holy God.  

Leviticus was written primarily to the tribe of Levi (one of the 12 sons of Jacob which later became one of the 12 tribes of Israel.  Every priest that was set aside to serve in the tabernacle came from the tribe of Levi.  The Levites will follow this book even more closely to ensure that everyone else lives right with God.  

The first type of offering that we learn about is the BURNT Offering which is described in Leviticus 1.  It is a voluntary offering and it is not commanded by God on any occasion; however, you would offer it for your sins when you felt compelled to do so.  It would show one's true devotion to God.  

There will be an emphasis on the sacrifices being "without defect".  This would mean that they are strong and healthy animals.  They cannot be animals that are already dead, handicapped, bruised, or any other such "second-rate" offering.  The purpose of the sacrifice is that it hurts you when you give it up.  This is a substitution for your sins!  It must cost you something when you give it up!  The sacrifice that is "without defect" is a reflection of the ultimate sacrifice that was also "without defect", and that is Jesus.  

The second type of offering spoken of in Leviticus is the GRAIN Offering which is described in Leviticus 2.  It was a voluntary offering of true worship to God and would acknowledge to all that you and all that you had belonged to God.  The offering was to be made form "choice" ingredients.  There was no off-brand or out-of-date products used.  Only the best was offered.  Is your offering to God the best that you have to give?  Or could you give better to God?  

A "token portion" of the offering was burned for the sacrifice, while a large portion of the offering was kept by the priests as their food.  This was commanded by God because the priests and other Levitical workers had no other source of income for God put them to full-time labor of the people in the tabernacle.   

The third type of offering spoken of in Leviticus is found in the third chapter and it is a PEACE Offering.  This voluntary offering was to express gratitude and thanksgiving to God for His proper care for you and your family.  It was to express peace and fellowship with a holy God.  Since it was to symbolize peace with God, part of the offering could be eaten and shared with the priests as food to eat. 

The fourth type of offering described in Leviticus 4 is the SIN Offering.  For the first time we read "MUST" language.  The previous three offerings were voluntary and were spread with language such as "when you" or "if you" while this SIN Offering is compacted with the wording of "you must".  It sin occurs, and it will, then a sacrifice must be made as its atonement.  The Bible speaks highly that sin is a serious thing.  And when this serious action occurs, then serious measures must be taken.  Even with sin that was unintentional such as what is spoken of in Leviticus 4. 

Proverbs 14:1-18

The proverbs continue to offer for us the comparison between the fool and the wise one.  However, in some cases, we cannot read an "if, then" situation.  For example, we read in 14:5 that a truthful witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies."  But there are some that do not give a stark comparison for instance, 14:7 we read of just a simple statement about the fool: "Stay away from fools, for you won't find knowledge there."  This verse gives an indication that when you seek wisdom, you will also find knowledge.  Wisdom is defined as knowledge applied and put into practice. We can have a wealth of knowledge as we are gaining from reading the Proverbs; however, if we never apply it and put it into practice, we remain but a smarter fool.  

Acts 26-28 & Proverbs 13:13-25

Acts 26-28

Before Festus and Agrippa II, Paul makes his defense and they two could find no fault with Paul.  So they sent him on to Rome to be tried before Caesar.  He went by boat with a roman guard watching over him.  Along the way, the boat made several stops.  At each stop, Paul was allowed to get off the boat and the companions with Paul saw to it that his needs were met.  The path the boat took is on the map below.  

As winter drew near, the water became rough to sail.  They had planned to stop for the winder on the island of Crete; however, the southern wind turned and a typhoon swelled up.  This made for terribly rough sailing.  The boat came near the island of Malta.  Just before setting to land, the boat ran aground and wrecked causing all aboard to abandon ship.  In Malta, the people were very courteous to the the seamen.  When the bought a new ship, they again set sail for Rome.  

When they arrive in Rome, Paul rents his own house to be inprisoned in.  This was the Roman custom if you were a roman citizen.  In his own rented house, a roman guard would watch over him.  However, Paul had the freedom to have visitors and so he called all of the Jews living in Rome at the time.  There, he gave his testimony of how Jesus was the Messiah.  Some believed him and some didn't.  Either way, what Jesus told Paul was true! "Be encouraged Paul.  Just as I have told the people about me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome" (Acts 23:11).  

The church continued to spread and grow rapidly; even while Paul remained in prison for two more years.  Paul will write letters to the churches he had made visits to while on his missionary journeys while he is prison.  

Proverbs 13:13-25

Heed the advice of the wise for it will bring you success!  Tell the truth (this is a reoccurring proverb).  And I take to heart Proverbs 13:18--accept criticism and you will be honored.  Criticism is a hard pill to swallow sometimes.  In many cases, criticism is simply complaining in a proper form.  However, I believe that all criticism can be beneficial if when you receive it you are looking for the good in it.  Guard against hurt feelings and allow God to grow you in Him in all things.  

Acts 22-25 & Proverbs 13:1-12

Acts 22-25

Upon Paul's arrest, he requests to speak to the Jews in a public speech.  While he was still tied up, Paul makes an address that points out to the crowd: 1) Who he is; 2) What he did as a Pharisee,  3) Where he was born; 4) How he was converted to Jesus; 5) Jesus sent Paul to preach to the Gentiles.  At this remark, the Jews caused an even greater uproar.  The guard then were to take Paul to punish him; however, Paul made it known that he was a Roman citizen as well.  It is Roman law that if you are a citizen then you must receive a proper trial before being punished for breaking the law.  

Paul is taken before the Jewish High Council which was composed of Jewish religious leaders.  As they learned of a plot to kill Paul, Paul was moved to the Roman governor's headquarters in Caesarea (north of Jerusalem).  There, the governor of the Judean province heard Paul's defense.  He could find no wrong in his story (anything worthy of death anyway) but in response to the Jewish acqcuasations, he kept Paul in prison for two years.  

At the end of the two years,  a new governor is placed in office replacing Felix.  His name was Festus.  As Festus hears Paul's defense, he too believes there is no need for punishment and agrees to send Paul to stand trial back in Jerusalem; however, Paul is indignant to go back.  He makes a Roman citizen request to see Caesar, the Roman Emperor.  

Before being able to speak to Caesar, Festus calls on another governor named Agrippa II.  And Paul gives his defense to him. 

Proverbs 13:1-12

Again the chapter opens with the urge of the child to listen to the discipline of the parent.  Listen to the words of the wise man and heed them yourself!  

Acts 19-21 & Proverbs 12:15-28

Acts 19-21

Now we begin the reading of the details of Paul's third missionary journey.  This time, he will spend much of his time in the city of Ephesus (about two years).  Many of the cities that we read about Paul visiting and starting churches in bear some of the names of the letters that Paul wrote that later became other New Testament books in our bible.  The church of the Ephesians is one of those letters.  As Paul made many lasting relationships with the Christians in Ephesus, many people became Christians as a result.  The people of Ephesus worshipped the pagan goddess Diana (or also known as Artemis) who was the goddess of fertility.  Paul utilized these pagan temples as places for public preaching the Gospel.  

After making his way through Macedonia and Greece, Paul turned toward Jerusalem to return with an offering from the Asian churches.  Along the way, he made several stops and several of the churches urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem for they were told in their prophecies that if Paul did go, it would be the last time they would see him.  Paul went on against their urging for he felt strongly that God was sending him to Jerusalem. 

Upon his arrival in Jerusalem, some Ephesian Jews who witnessed Paul preaching in Ephesus, gathered a riot to beat up Paul.  An uproar ensued and caused the roman officials to arrest Paul.  Upon his arrest, Paul requested to speak to the crowd and they allowed him to do so. 

Proverbs 12:15-28

There is one proverb that jumps to my attention from this reading.  It is Proverbs 12:25--"Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up."  I have always understood the first half of the proverb.  Worry is not a major weakness for me.  My philosophy has always been, "if I have no control, no worry is needed.  If I have control, then do what is in my power for that which I am tempted to worry."  But it is the second half of the proverb that jumps to me.  "An encouraging word cheers a person up."  Why would the writer place these two together?  Perhaps if someone you know is worrying, then we should do our part to encourage them and cheer them up.  Or else perhaps it is a challenge to do away with the daily worries and replace them with an encouraging word.  What do you think?  Post your comments.  

Acts 16-18 & Proverbs 12:1-14

Acts 16-18

After returning from Jerusalem conference with what the apostles and elders had decided on the matters of Jewish law, Paul set out on another mission not only to carry the letter, but also to preach the good news of Jesus to more gentiles.  This time, he and Silas set out on the journey.  Their travels are on the map below.  

Occasionally you will read a reference to "WE" for example in Acts 16:11 "We boarded a boat at Troas..."  The change in reference is probably due to at this point the author of Acts named Luke joins Paul in his journey.  Notice throughout the book where Luke joins.  This offers credibility to his written account for some of it is first-hand, eye witness accounts.  

Proverbs 12:1-14

Proverbs 12:1 opens with a charge for instruction: "To learn, you must love instruction; it is stupid to hate correction" (NLT).   As we have been reading through the Proverbs, are you yielding to the correction of the Scripture?  There is much application of God's word, especially in this book.  We can mold our lives to be like the "wise" one and not the "fool".  We can learn to become more generous, to guide our children, to listen to advice and, to speak the truth.

Acts 13-15 & Proverbs 11:16-31

**Due to the hospitalization of my Father-in-Law, I have been behind in many of my responsibilities including posting the blog.  I am now going to catch up my thoughts and reflections concerning our daily readings in the Bible.  I apologize for my being behind.  God bless you in your reading! 

Acts 13-15

As Paul and Barnabas had finished their work in Jerusalem, they returned to the church in Antioch which lied North of Jerusalem in the province of Syria.  It served as a hub for Paul in his missionary journeys westward into Central Asia and Western Europe.  The church in Antioch was the first non-Jewish church which believed strongly in the mission of bringing the Gospel to Gentile people.  It was in Antioch that the name "Christian" was given to followers of Christ (Acts 11:19-26).  Following the map below, you can see the path that Paul chose on his first missionary journey throughout Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).  He circled through cities, first going to the Jewish synagogues to share the good news.  Why do you think this was his method?  Probably because these people already had a belief in one God and a foundational belief in the coming Messiah.  Paul's message is clear: "The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus!" (Acts 18:28)

In Acts 15, there is a dispute between Jewish Christians who believed that in order to be saved, you must keep the whole Jewish Law and be circumcised.  Therefore, a council consisting of the Apostles and the Elders of the church at Jerusalem and they drafted a response letter to all churches explaining what would be the requirements regarding the Jewish law for Christians. Disputes arise in churches today many times as a result of ignorance to what God's word says concerning the matter in dispute.  In many cases, the dispute is not even concerning a matter in God's word, but instead a personal preference.  In such cases, men of God who have been selected to serve in positions of leadership in the church assist in resolving such matters.  Wisdom and prayer should always be exercised.  The goal is not a compromise; however, the goal is what is to resolve the conflict in a healthy manner.

Proverbs 11:16-31

As we continue to read the themes and proverbs in this book, continue to note bits of wisdom applicable for your life and the lives of your children.  The theme continues to be a comparison between the wise and the fools.  

Acts 10-12 & Proverbs 11:1-16

Acts 10-12

Until this chapter, the church remained in and around Jerusalem with its members only being Jews.  The Jewish law made it mandatory that Jews remain a distance and do not associate with non-Jews (Gentiles).  This chapter is a pivotal point in the history of the church.  Cornelius is a Gentile Roman Army official who oversees 100 roman soldiers.  His wealth and power would be great.  However, in his time spent outside Jerusalem in the coastal city of Joppa, he began to fear the God of the Jews.  In a vision, God instructs him to send for Peter who is north a few miles in the city of Caesarea.  While this is going on, Peter has a vision of his own.  In his vision, God makes it known that there are no longer "unclean" foods such as pork and other animals that were by law not allowed to be eaten.  This was a preparation for Peter's mindset to be changed concerning association with gentiles as well.  When Peter meets with Cornelius and his household, he begins to preach and many of the same evidences of God pouring out His spirit on the Christians of Jerusalem occurred in Cornelius' house.  

What were  they for?  In the beginnings of the church, there was not yet  the New Testament Bible for the Christians to know God's teachings.  Therefore, God would offer certain spiritual gifts to the Christians to have divine revelation as to what God wanted Christians to know.  They would be coupled with other gifts possessed by other people.  For instance, if one person had the gift of speaking in tongues, it was the gift of someone else to interpret the tongues therefore keeping one man from being able to warp the revelation from God.  

These in and of themselves did not save people though.  As they were showing signs that they had received the gifts of the Spirit, Peter still instructed them to be baptized-which will forgive their sins (Acts 2:38).  

When he left there, he met with the church leaders in Jerusalem to explain how God is now converting gentiles as well as jews.  And about this time, a famine began to spread throughout the land.  There was a church north in a town called Antioch which will send assistance to the church in Jerusalem for the were badly hurting from the famine.  God always uses Christians to help fellow Christians.  We must remember that we do not only belong to the church in our local community; however, we also belong to the global church that is ONE and is GOD'S.

From there, the church in Jerusalem sends more people back to Antioch to spread the good news.  This will begin the first missionary journey by Paul (formerly Saul) in Acts 13.  

  

Proverbs 11:1-16

Many of the proverbs in this chapter offer God's perspective on the consequences and the blessings of right living.  For instance, when one is honest, they are guided and they please God.  However, when they lie and cheat, it angers God and they will be destroyed.  In our society, however, is this always the case?  It seems that people teach more today that if you lie and steal to get ahead, it is okay so long as you do not get caught.  In recent news, there was a Wall Street scandal in which one man squandered $50 Billion of investors money...but he was caught and now it is devastating his life!  Remember the theme of sin in the Bible--it always has its consequences, although not always immediate, they will always see to happen.    I have been writing proverbs on a notecard that I hope to one day spend time teaching my children.  I hope you can find lasting value in some practical application like this for your children or even for yourself!