Articles / Class Lessons
“Our Common Need”
The LORD said to Moses, “When you take the census of the people of Israel, then each shall give a ransom for his life to the LORD when you number them, that there be no plague among them when you number them. Each one who is numbered in the census shall give this: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs), half a shekel as an offering to the LORD. Everyone who is numbered in the census, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the LORD’s offering. The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when you give the LORD’s offering to make atonement for your lives. You shall take the atonement money from the people of Israel and shall give it for the service of the tent of meeting, that it may bring the people of Israel to remembrance before the LORD, so as to make atonement for your lives.
Exodus 30.11-16 ESV
TODAY’S READING: Exodus 30-32
Each year when the national census was taken God's people were required to pay a census tax of one half shekel. The cost for everyone was the same. Everyone had the same need for forgiveness of sin. One's social status and ability to pay did not matter. Every person needed to remember the activity of God in making atonement for their sin. It is the same today. Every person approaches God with the same need. Salvation cannot be bought. Salvation cannot be earned through good works. Salvation cannot be obtained just by "good moral living." The price is the same for all - humble submission to God. Do you realize your need for Him? Have you surrendered your life to Him? Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light, Matthew 11.28-30.
