365 Reflections

What is the measure of a man? If we take our cues from culture, we may miss the very man God would use! When I consider the choice of David in 1 Samuel 16 I am struck by how many different people groups overlooked him as God's man. This speaks to us today. For who has not been rejected by one of these groups at some point or another? 1 Samuel 16 is the proof text that the only measurement that matters in our lives the one God gives. Consider the groups: First, David's own father Jesse disregards him as a potential choice to succeed Saul. Jesse leaves David out with the sheep. Now I have heard some say that this was because David was the son of Jesse but perhaps not the son of his brother's mother. That is pure speculation and the text says nothing of the sort. But for whatever reason, Jesse is not able to see God's potential in David and leaves him out of the selection process altogether. Second, David's brothers reject him. This doesn't happen until...

Leviticus 14:14–17 (ESV) The priest shall take some of the blood of the guilt offering, and the priest shall put it on the lobe of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. 15 Then the priest shall take some of the log of oil and pour it into the palm of his own left hand 16 and dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand and sprinkle some oil with his finger seven times before the LORD. 17 And some of the oil that remains in his hand the priest shall put on the lobe of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot, on top of the blood of the guilt offering. This is the anointing that is applied to the cleansed leper after the priest inspects and finds him healed. he is earlier in the chapter prescribed to wash, saved, and then be presented before the Lord by the priest. It is a picture of the saving atoning work of Christ on...

Leviticus 8 is the ordination ceremony for the High Priesthood of Israel. The order is important for us to see how it applies as the Priesthood of believers. First, Aaron and his sons are called before the congregation: Leviticus 8:3 (ESV) And assemble all the congregation at the entrance of the tent of meeting.” Second, they are cleansed from their outer filth Leviticus 8:6 (ESV) And Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. Third, they are clothed in the garments made by the determination of God: Leviticus 8:7 (ESV) And he put the coat on him and tied the sash around his waist and clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him and tied the skillfully woven band of the ephod around him, binding it to him with the band. Fourth, they are anointed : Leviticus 8:12 (ESV) And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him. Fifth, they are atoned for: Leviticus 8:14 (ESV) Then he brought the...

Exodus 30 describes two mixtures for the Tabernacle ministry. An anointing oil which is made by the "finest spices" and an incense mixture made with "sweet" spices. The first is the anointing oil. It is made according to a specific recipe and prohibited to be made by anyone else or used on ordinary people. God says: Exodus 30:26–30 (ESV) With it you shall anoint the tent of meeting and the ark of the testimony, 27 and the table and all its utensils, and the lampstand and its utensils, and the altar of incense, 28 and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils and the basin and its stand. 29 You shall consecrate them, that they may be most holy. Whatever touches them will become holy. 30 You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. Sometimes when you read the book of Exodus it can seem like such a bore. But the more you see it through the New Testament revelation of who we are in Christ, the more powerful...