Articles / Class Lessons
“Live Everyday with a Thankful Heart”
You shall not offer anything that has a blemish, for it will not be acceptable for you. And when anyone offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to the LORD to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering from the herd or from the flock, to be accepted it must be perfect; there shall be no blemish in it. Animals blind or disabled or mutilated or having a discharge or an itch or scabs you shall not offer to the LORD or give them to the LORD as a food offering on the altar. You may present a bull or a lamb that has a part too long or too short for a freewill offering, but for a vow offering it cannot be accepted. Any animal that has its testicles bruised or crushed or torn or cut you shall not offer to the LORD; you shall not do it within your land, neither shall you offer as the bread of your God any such animals gotten from a foreigner. Since there is a blemish in them, because of their mutilation, they will not be accepted for you.
TODAY’S READING: Leviticus 22-23
Any animal that was blemished, disfigured, or diseased would not be an acceptable offering to God. Because of God’s holiness, He expected the firstlings and best of the flock to be used in sacrifice. Israel did not always respect God’s expectations. Just four hundred years before Jesus, Malachi pointed out their woeful disobedience through offering the lame, sick, and wounded, Malachi 1.7-8. God rejected their worship. God must be approached with respect and awe. He had saved Israel from Egypt. He had provided for their every need. He deserved their best. It is no different for New Testament Christians. God has saved us from sin. He provides us with our every need. Do we respect His holiness and appreciate His blessings? Do we joyfully approach worship and allow it to be an expression of our heartfelt love and praise? Never forget how God has delivered you from sin and promises to bring you home once this life ends. Live everyday with thankfulness and offer your whole self to Him.
