17The Lord said to Moses,
18"Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land to which I am taking you
19and you eat the food of the land, present a portion as an offering to the Lord.
- P131
20Present a loaf from the first of your ground meal and present it as an offering from the threshing floor.
21Throughout the generations to come you are to give this offering to the Lord from the first of your ground meal.
- P131
God instructs Moses about the laws for offerings when the Israelites have entered the promised land. God commands the presentation of grain offerings,
drink offerings, and burnt offerings, along with specific instructions for thepeople and the priesthood. - P129
The people are also commanded to present thefirst of their ground meal as an offering. - P129
Even after the Israelites’ failed attempt at rebellion against God, He still maintains His covenant with them. The offerings He commands are not a tax but a reminder that everything Israel possesses is a testament to God’s faithfulness. It is a reminder to thank Him for His blessings and provisions. - P132
God outlines different types of offerings for various occasions. These offerings serve various purposes such as reconciliation between God and His people, different celebrations, and the building up of the community. - P132
Under the new covenant, we, too, come together to celebrate and commemorate the wonderful things God has done for us. Our celebrations and offerings are a reminder that our community is sustained by God’s continual presence. - P132
In many ancient societies, foreigners were ostracized, subjected to stricter laws, or burdened with higher taxes—a constant reminder that they were not part of the community. In contrast, God commands the Israelites to embrace the foreigner with radical hospitality. - P132
He declares that all people are the same before Him. Just as the Israelites had been blessed by God’s grace, they were to extend that same grace to those who came to sojourn among them. In the same way, we are called to welcome strangers and love them as we ourselves would want to be loved. - P132
By showing love to the stranger, we extend to them the love we receive from our heavenly Father. - P132
When I ask the young believers in my youth group what they think theoffering is for, the response I often receive is, "It‘s to pay the pastor‘s salary."
They tend to see their weekly offering as merely a functional contributionto pay staff and keep the lights on.
- P133
The Bible speaks about offerings as a form of worship, and Scripture high-lights that God is pleased with them. This reminds me of my cousin who,
upon securing a job and earning an income, gave his first paycheck to hisparents as a gift. Much like the Israelites offering their firstfruits to God, thiswas a way of honoring the parents who raised him and played a crucial rolein helping him get to where he is today. His gift was filled with meaningfulintentionality, reflecting gratitude and reverence. How can we infuse thesame meaning into our offerings to God - P133
?In the Early Church, when people came forward to receive the Lord‘s Sup-per, they would also place bread and wine on the altar. This practice servedas a reminder that God calls His people to care for one another. Regardlessof the way we give our offerings, it is important to engage in this discussionand reflect on how God calls us to steward our monetary and material gifts.
- P133
Let us take time to consider how God calls us to use our offerings as an actof worship, to praise and glorify Him. - P133
Dear God, I thank you for Your provisions and abundant blessings. Give me opportunities to share Your gifts generously as a reminder of Your goodness in my life. - P133
Give me Your own heart of hospitality toward those You place around me. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P133
God gives instructions about laws for unintentional and intentional sins. Ifthe community sin‘s unknowingly, they must offer a sacrifice for atonement.
- P135
However, deliberate, defiant sin is met with severe punishment because theone who sins has shown contempt for the Lord‘s word. - P135
"Don‘t be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was cru-cified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him." - Mark 16:6 - P137
Thanksgiving Thank God for reaching you with the gospel of the atoning death and resurrection of His Son.
Petition Ask for a better knowledge of the power of Christ‘s resurrection and its impact inyour life. - P137
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