Tag: sacrifice

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Oops.

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Sven Brandsma on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Leviticus 4.

“Did you take out the trash?” “I forgot.”

“How did the dog get out?” “Oops.”

“Did you eat all of that?” “I didn’t know you wanted some.”

“Why are these cookies burnt on the bottom?” “I didn’t hear the timer go off.”

“If a person sins unintentionally” (Leviticus 4:2). This chapter covers all the “I forgot,” “Oops,” and “Was I supposed to do that?” moments in life. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a priest, the entire congregation, a leader, or anyone else, it must be dealt with. Yes, there’s a sin offering for that.

You and I would brush off the above offenses with a quick, “I’m sorry.” Most unintentional sins won’t fall into the categories of murder or theft, so how bad can they be?

Back then, such sins cost you an animal and required a meeting with the Lord through a priest. Any sin is a big deal in the presence of a holy God. Most of the sins Jesus died for unintentional sins. You and I may not have many “big” sins, but we have an extensive collection of “little,” unintentional ones that need forgiveness. And our Savior takes care of them all at the cross.

Posted in Devotions, Grace, mercy, Through the Bible Devotions

You want me to do what?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Angel Balashev on Unsplash

A “through the bible devotion from Genesis 22.

God says to Abraham, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you”(Genesis 22:2).

That is a big ask. It seems so unlike God. Why would he ask Abraham to do such a thing? And why would Abraham even consider doing it?

There is only one answer, and it’s the one Abraham vocalizes. “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering” (v8).

It’s too much to ask. The cost is too high. The sacrifice is unthinkable. God is the only one with the resources to redeem a life. He’s the only one who can redeem my life.

We have the advantage of seeing how the whole story plays out. God will provide the ultimate sacrifice, his son, Jesus. He is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.

Of course there is a lesson in all of this. Unless we walk the path of obedience, like Abraham did, we won’t get to experience what God provides.

  • Moses, you’re going to have to throw down that staff if you want to see it turn into a serpent.
  • Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego can’t bow down to an idol if they want to encounter the Son of God in a fiery furnace.
  • The priests had to take that first step into the Jordan river to see God stop it’s flow so the nation could cross into the promised land.
  • A widow didn’t experience God’s provision until she baked that last loaf of bread for Elijah.

Letting my light shine makes the world a brighter place. Asking opens my eyes to the ways God provides. Confessing my sins opens a door for grace. So does forgiving someone. Praying for someone I don’t like changes my attitude towards them. Imitating the Good Samaritan and helping someone unleashes mercy in a cruel and heartless world.

What do you think God will provide today?