February 19

2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

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Leviticus 7:28-9:6
(1) "With his own hands he is to bring the offering made to the LORD by fire;" (7:30).
One question I've always had about Leviticus (and I have never heard a sermon or series nor seen a class taught on Leviticus): do we read it merely as law per se? May we contemplate the person or the mind of the person executing the law? That is, as I read about the offerings & sacrifices required for sins (which I know I have or could commit; or omit) may I imagine what its like for the sinner? Or better yet, may I consider these passages as consequences for sin?

For example, this verse includes "with his own hands" the penitent was to bring the fat of the victim. Having cleaned a trout I have caught I have some idea of what a gory mess it would be to butcher a goat or sheep.

I'm not sure I've read an essay on this but our technology, right down to our grocery store meat departments, have insulated us not just from death necessary for our sustenance (e.g. to eat) but we are far removed from the experience of having to slay a living beast. To deal with the wrestling, uncooperative sacrifice; or the gaze of the confused, trapped victim.

(More later)

(2) (2011)

They took the things Moses commanded to the front of the tent of meeting, and the entire assembly came near and stood before the LORD. 6 Then Moses said, “This is what the LORD has commanded you to do, so that the glory of the LORD may appear to you.”

(3) (2013) Mercy and Propitiation in the Offerings. Matthew Henry offers this comment:

We do not find that men were bound by the law, unless they had bound themselves by vow, to offer these peace-offerings upon such occasions, as they were to bring their sacrifices of atonement in case of sin committed. Not but that prayer and praise are as much our duty as repentance is; but here, in the expressions of their sense of mercy, God left them more to their liberty than in the expressions of their sense of sin—to try the generosity of their devotion, and that their sacrifices, being free-will offerings, might be the more laudable and acceptable; and, by obliging them to bring the sacrifices of atonement, God would show the necessity of the great propitiation.

Mark 3:31-4:25
1.(2012) Jesus' family came to have him put away, although not explicitly stated here in Mark:

31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”

33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.

34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

2.(2012) Matthew Henry doesn't correlate this with the other gospel account of his mother & siblings "coming to have him put away" (cf ?):

Here is, 1. The disrespect which Christ's kindred, according to the flesh, showed to him, when he was preaching (and they knew very well that he was then in his element); they not only stood without, having no desire to come in, and hear him, but they sent in a message to call him out to them (v. 31. 32), as if he must leave his work, to hearken to their impertinences; it is probable that they had no business with him, only sent for him on purpose to oblige him to break off, lest he should kill himself. He knew how far his strength would go, and preferred the salvation of souls before his own life, and soon after made it to appear with a witness; it was therefore an idle thing for them, under pretence of his sparing himself, to interrupt him; and it was worse, if really they had business with him, when they knew he preferred his business, as a Saviour, so much before any other business.

3.(2012) Christ's spiritual kindred - Henry continues with insight into our true family in Christ:

2. The respect which Christ showed to his spiritual kindred upon this occasion. Now, as at other times, he put a comparative neglect upon his mother, which seemed purposely designed to obviate the prevent the extravagant respect which men in aftertimes would be apt to pay her. Our respect ought to be guided and governed by Christ's; now the virgin Mary, or Christ's mother, is not equalled with, but postponed to, ordinary believers, on whom Christ here puts a superlative honour. He looked upon those that at about him, and pronounced those of them that not only heard, but did, the will of God, to be to him as his brother, and sister, and mother; as much esteemed, loved, and cared for, as his nearest relations, v. 33-35. This is a good reason why we should honour those that fear the Lord, and choose them for our people; why we should be not hearers of the word only, but doers of the work, that we may share with the saints in this honour, Surely it is good to be akin to those who are thus nearly allied to Christ, and to have fellowship with those that have fellowship with Christ; and woe to those that hate and persecute Christ's kindred, that are his bone and his flesh, every one resembling the children of a king (see Jdg. 8:18, 19); for he will with jealously plead their cause, and avenge their blood.

Psalm 37:12-29

Proverbs 10:5

Years Read
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013