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“I” Could Do a Better Job Than My Boss! –2 Samuel 15:32-38

April 28, 2013 in 2 Samuel, 2013 Journey, leadership, Pride, Sin, Workplace with 2 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  2 Samuel 15:1 through 17:14

Today’s reading is not just another day in the life of David and his dysfunctional family.

The story of Absalom is a story that stands as a warning to all of us.  For every leader in any organization there are usually one or two subordinates or under-leaders who think they could do a better job than their leader.

Absalom…

  • bought a chariot and horses
  • Hired 50 bodyguards
  • Got up early and went to the gate of the city
  • Told people that David didn’t have anyone to hear their case
  • “Appeared” to be humble
  • Stole the hearts of the people
  • Had time for them
  • Stirred up a rebellion against his father, King David

He literally devised a plan to steal the kingdom from his father David.

What happened to Absalom to cause him to betray his own father?

  • Offense
  • Hatred
  • Unforgiveness
  • Bitterness

Have you ever been deceived by an Absalom?

It has happened to me.

While suffering at the hand of an Absalom is a tough pill to swallow, there is something worse—being an Absalom.

The next time you find yourself working in a team atmosphere where there’s an appointed leader, watch your self-talk (the thoughts that are going through your head).

Are you thinking things like…

  • This person isn’t that great of a leader
  • This person is insensitive to the needs of the people
  • I could do a much better job leading this team

Let’s go one step further; what are you saying to the other folks on your team or in your organization?

Does it sound anything like Absalom’s words in 2 Samuel 15: 32-38?

  • You really have a strong case here
  • It’s too bad the King doesn’t have anyone to hear it
  • I wish I were the judge
  • Then everyone could bring their cases to me for judgement
  • I would give them real justice

Someone with an Absalom spirit is the under-leader with hidden agendas who eventually draws away disciples unto himself. An “Absalom” is the wolf in sheep’s clothing who steals sheep for his own gain.

This “spirit of Absalom” is rooted in pride.

I can’t believe how a five-letter word:  P-R-I-D-E can cause so many problems.  There is so much deception going on in this type of situation, but the person who is deceived the most is the “Absalom.”  He or she thinks their heart is right.

Friends, let’s make a commitment to check our motives daily.

Why are we saying what we’re saying?

Are we trying to elevate ourselves and put someone else down?

One of Satan’s greatest tools is the spirit of offense which he uses to breed disloyalty and rebellion.

Here’s a great motto to write on the walls of our hearts:

Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.  –Author unknown

Thank you Lord for your Holy Spirit who shines a light in the crooks and corners of my heart!  Help me to always repent quickly and turn from my sins.

In Jesus Name, Amen and Amen!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 17: 15-29; Psalm 3; Psalm 63, 2 Samuel 18: 1 through 19:30

1 Possible Cause of My Tough Times? –2 Samuel 12:11-12

April 27, 2013 in 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel, 2013 Journey, Choices, Depression, Divorce, Failure, Finances, Forgiveness, Health, Sin, Tough Times, Trials with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  2 Samuel 12: 26-31; 1 Chronicles 20: 2-3; 2 Samuel 13: 1 through 14:33

In yesterday’s reading Nathan spoke for the Lord and confronted David of his sin of murdering Uriah and sleeping with Uriah’s wife.  As we discussed yesterday David was sincerely repentant.

The Lord immediately forgave him

but

there were consequences to his actions that would go on throughout his life and into the next generation:

  • The child that he fathered with Bathsheba died
  • From that day forward David’s family would live by the sword
  • David’s household would rebel against him
  • David’s wives would be given to another man and  he will go to bed with them in public view
  • All these things would become public knowledge

As we move into today’s reading we begin to see these things come to pass.

I found an interesting article that helped me to understand how these hard things could happen to someone who was forgiven and set a part for God’s service.

Here is an excerpt from The Law of Sowing and Reaping  by Don Rousu:

In the Book of Genesis we find the expression of a seed principle that runs throughout the scriptures, and a principle that will endure as long as the earth. Chapter 8, verse 22 reads, “As long as the earth endures, seed-time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” In other words, seed-time and harvest, that is “sowing and reaping”, will be as unchangeable and predictable as day and night.

Sowing and reaping is a law, like the law of gravity. The law of gravity always works the same way for everyone. So does the law of sowing and reaping. It’s a fixed principle that God built into his creation. In Galatians 6:7, we are told, “Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”

Essentially, this means that every action has a predictable consequence. If I sow corn, I’ll get corn, not potatoes. If I sow radishes, I’ll get radishes, not squash… It also works the same way in the spiritual realm. If I sow (give away) life to others, I will reap life myself.  If I sow provision for others, I will reap provision for myself. If I sow forgiveness toward others, I’ll reap forgiveness for myself…

And I’ll add to that…

If I sow hate for others, I will reap hate from for myself.

If I sow unforgiveness toward others, I’ll reap unforgiveness for myself.

Today the rebellion of David’s household begins:

  • The tragic rape of Tamar
  • David becomes angry but does nothing to address this family sin
  • Absalom determines to kill Amnon and conceals his intentions for two years
  • Absalom begs his father David to attend a feast at his house but for some reason he refuses
  • Amnon goes in David’s place; Absalom’s servants kill Amnon
  • David refuses to see his son for two years
  • Absalom forces Joab to intercede, and David welcomes Absalom home

There have been many times I tried to pray away Satan, the enemy of my soul, out of my life when in reality  I was reaping what I had sown.

Here are a few examples that come to mind:

  • Financial problems-trying to live beyond my means
  • Health Issues-Not treating my body as the temple of God
  • Scheduling Issues- Over-committing and wondering why I can’t get it all done
  • Bitterness-Lack of Forgiveness that was sucking the life out of me

I know that there are times God makes an exception and minimizes the reaping process but many times He does not.

As a disclaimer, I must say that there are many examples in the Bible where God’s people reap good AND bad things that they didn’t sow but when we go through tough times we must self-assess with the help of the Holy Spirit our responsibility to our circumstances.

As I look back on my life I may have made the same mistakes again if I had not had to do some reaping!

Heavenly Father, I don’t want to reap tough times and tough situations.  Help me to sow good things into my life and the lives of others.  Lord, when I make a mistake and sow the wrong thing, help me to learn from my mistakes and move through the reaping as quickly as possible.

In Jesus’ Name!  Amen and Amen!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  2 Samuel 15:1 through 17:14

Is It Possible to Remove the Stains of Sin AND Guilt? Psalm 51:1-9

April 26, 2013 in 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel, 2013 Journey, Divorce, Failure, Forgiveness, Prayer, Psalms, Sin with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  1 Chronicles 20:1; 2 Samuel 11: 1 through 12: 14; Psalm 51; 2 Samuel 12: 15-25; 2 Samuel 5: 14-16; 1 Chronicles 14: 3-7; 1 Chronicles 3: 5-9

Can I be candid?

I’ve often wondered how David could have been a murderer and an adulterer and still have been “a man after God’s own heart.”

Don’t get me wrong, I’m so thankful he was, because it gives me hope; it’s just hard to understand.

After reading David’s prayer of repentance in Psalm 51, I think I know a bit more about the heart of the man who touched the heart of the God of the Universe.

David revealed his broken spirit and repentant heart in that Psalm.  He came clean before the Lord.  David prayed to the Lord in verse 17, The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit, You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

I encourage you to read Psalm 51 out loud; David said the words we would like to say but can never articulate.  I’ve prayed David’s prayer many times when I needed God’s forgiveness but couldn’t put my feelings into words.

There were two phrases that caught my eye in this beautiful Psalm, “blot out the stain of my sins” (1 b) and “remove the stain of my guilt” (9 b).

What do you do with a garment that has a stain that you can’t get out?

I either save it for yard work or give it to Goodwill.  I can’t stand to wear clothes with stains on them.  I wonder if David felt the same way about stains and worried that he would be cast aside because of his imperfections.

Oh the wisdom of David.

He knew these were two separate issues.

He knew he couldn’t get rid of the stain of either by himself.

I have asked the Lord to forgive me of my sins many, many times but I can  never remember asking Him to take away my guilt.  I have often thought that guilt was a consequence of sin that I had to live with; a battle I had to fight alone.

Friends, I have good news!

God answered David’s prayer and He will answer ours as well!

I can’t wait for you the read the rest of the Psalms and see

  • the joy flowing out of David’s heart
  • the confidence that could only come from a life that was stain-free before the Lord

Both the sin and the guilt were gone forever!

David found out how he could be perfect, even after committed sins so bad that he is remembered for them to this very day.

From his own lips…

  • God is my strong fortress and He makes my way perfect (2 Samuel 22: 33).
  • God arms me with strength, and He makes my way perfect (Psalm 18:32)

It’s God who makes us perfect.

It’s God who removes the stain of sin and the stain of guilt.

Father, we pray with David…

Create in us a clean heart, O God. 
Renew a loyal spirit within us.
Do not banish us from your presence,
And don’t take your Holy Spirit from us.
Restore to us the joy of your salvation
and make us willing to obey you.
                                                      Psalm 51: 10-12
 
 

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 
©2013, Dianne GuthmullerTomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  2 Samuel 12: 26-31; 1 Chronicles 20: 2-3;2 Samuel 13: 1 through 14:33

It Seemed Right… –Judges 21:25

April 6, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Choices, Judges, Sin with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Judges 19:1 through Judges 21:25

If today’s reading was set to a movie I would not have watched it!  Just ask my hubby, if there’s blood, my head is under the blanket!  There were several times I was actually speaking to my Bible and saying, “you have got to be kidding me?”

But the last sentence explained everything:

In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.  –Judges 21:25

I think the folks from the tribe of Benjamin, all the Israelites for that matter, were having problems with their world view.  My paraphrase of a biblical world view is filtering every decision we make large and small through the principles in the Word of God.

In today’s culture and even in today’s church we are proud to say that we live in a country that anyone can do whatever seems right in their own eyes…

I looked up the word “right” in two dictionaries:

Merrium-Webster’s Online Dictionary: qualities (as adherence to duty or obedience to lawful authority) that together constitute the ideal of moral propriety or merit moral approval.

Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary: In morals and religion, just; equitable; accordant to the standard of truth and justice or the will of God. That alone is right in the sight of God, which is consonant to his will or law; this being the only perfect standard of truth and justice. In social and political affairs, that is right which is consonant to the laws and customs of a country, provided these laws and customs are not repugnant to the laws of God. A man’s intentions may be right, though his actions may be wrong in consequence of a defect in judgment.

What a difference 185 years can make!  Friends, once again I’m so glad we’re taking this journey!  Reading through Word of God helps us to know what the standard of truth is and what is right in the eyes of God!

Father, I pray that You will be my King and my leader.  Show me what’s right in Your eyes.  I don’t want to do what “seems right” to me.  Help me throw away the lie that “right is in the eye of the beholder”!

Jesus, you are my King of Glory!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller


Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Ruth 1:1 through Ruth 4:12

Jesus, I Have a Question About The Law

March 18, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Biblical Principles, Deuteronomy, Jesus, Sin with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 21:10 through Deuteronomy 25:19

Man, today’s reading is tough!  I’m amazed at the “R” rated details!  Several times I wanted to shout T.M.I. (too much information)

In our age of grace it’s hard to imagine living with all of these laws.  As we read, let’s try to take the principle and not get bogged down in the rigid requirements.

I found two things that spoke loudly to me in today’s reading:

  • Take care of your neighbor and the less fortunate.  God certainly answers Cain’s question that he asked in Genesis 4:9, “am I my brother’s guardian (keeper)?”  Well…yeah.
    • If you see your neighbor’s animal wandering off, go get it.  It’s your Responsibility    (22:1)
    • When you build a new house, you must build a railing around the edge of its flat roof,  That way you will  not be considered guilty of murder if someone falls from the roof (22:8)
  •  This “nugget” really helps me to begin to understand the “why” around the drastic measures God required when there was sin in the camp.
    •  The camp must be holy, for the Lord your God moves around in your camp to protect you and to defeat your enemies.  He must not see any shameful thing among you, or He will turn away from you (23:14)

Yes, I know this scripture is talking about ‘relieving yourself’ but let’s forget that detail for a moment and apply the principle. 

“I” need to be holy so that the Lord my God will feel comfortable moving around in my spirit and soul… wait, let’s bring this into our physical space— my home, my car, my job, my church— so that He will protect me, defeat my enemies and not turn away from me.

Now that we’ve read most of the law it makes it easy understand the question the Pharisees asked Jesus, Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? (Matt. 22:36)  I know they were trying to trick Jesus, but if I had lived in those days I certainly would have wanted Jesus to give me his “Top 5″ so that I would know what to focus on.

In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus does just that; He boiled the Law down to two commandments:

Jesus replied:  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

Thank you Jesus for simplifying the Christian Life—but Lord simple still isn’t easy.  I can’t love you and love my neighbor without your help!

Thank you Holy Spirit for dwelling within me teaching me how to love!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 26:1 through Deuteronomy 29:1

Salvation is in the Details–Numbers 3:11-13

February 27, 2013 in 2013 Journey, God's Merciful Ways, Numbers, Sin, The Cross with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: Numbers 2:1-3:51

The one word that keeps coming to my mind as we leave Leviticus and move to Numbers is details. It’s actually mind-blowing that the God of the universe cares about every detail of our lives.

Today’s discovery gives me sweet assurance that my Heavenly Father didn’t miss me when He was paying for the sins of the human race.

And the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I have chosen the Levites from among the Israelites to serve as substitutes for all the firstborn sons of the people of Israel. The Levites belong to me, for all the firstborn males are mine. On the day I struck down all the firstborn sons of the Egyptians, I set apart for myself all the firstborn in Israel, both of people and of animals. They are mine; I am the Lord. –Numbers 3:11-13

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take the Levites as substitutes for the firstborn sons of the people of Israel. And take the livestock of the Levites as substitutes for the firstborn livestock of the people of Israel. The Levites belong to me; I am the Lord. There are 273 more firstborn sons of Israel than there are Levites. To redeem these extra firstborn sons,  collect five pieces of silver for each of them (each piece weighing the same as the sanctuary shekel, which equals twenty gerahs). Give the silver to Aaron and his sons as the redemption price for the extra firstborn sons. –Numbers 3:44-48

Every first-born son was the Lord’s, set apart to be given to the Him at birth, but the Lord made a substitute.  He set aside the tribe of Levi to be dedicated to His service.  They took the place of all the first-born of Israel.

But

there was a problem.

There were more first-born Israelites than Levites.

With God being God, it’s easy to think that He would say, “This is a symbolic gesture, we don’t have to have it match p-e-r-f-e-c-t-l-y…”

But not the one and only true God.  He did the math.  He made sure EVERY first-born male was redeemed.

Friends, fast-forward 2000 years ago.  Every person ever born was destined for death because of our sinful nature.

God knew the exact number of past, present, and future humans.

He knew the exact depth of our sin.

He decided to make a way to redeem the human race but He had to find a substitute.

Who could cover that much sin?  No one.

Except

His Son.

Jesus, paid the price of every detail of our sinfulness. Our salvation is sure.  God did the math.  He paid the price, His first-born son–>Jesus Christ.

There are a few additional details.  The only way we can receive this gift of salvation is to…

  1. Believe that Jesus
    • is God
    • was born of a virgin, suffered and died for our sins
    • defeated sin and death and now is alive in Heaven making intercession for you and I at the Heavenly Father’s right hand
  2. Believe that we were born with a sinful nature
  3. Ask Jesus to forgive our sins and be the Lord of our lives
  4. Accept Him as our Savior

Heavenly Father, thank you for working out the details of my salvation!  I know my sins are covered because of the price Jesus paid for me.  I’m excited to know You are overseeing every detail of my life.  Use me to share the message of redemption with those who don’t know You.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Numbers 4:1-5:31

But “Everyone” is Doing It–Leviticus 18:1-2

February 22, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Biblical Principles, Choices, Christian Living, Leviticus, Pride, Sin, Word of God with 2 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Leviticus 17:1 through Leviticus 19:37

I wish I had a dollar for every time my kids said, “But Mom, everyone else is doing it!” My children are now parents, but I’m sure they would still testify that telling me “everyone else is doing it” didn’t work for them—and it didn’t work for the children of Israel.

In Leviticus 18:1-2, the Lord said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. I am the Lord your God.  So do not act like the people of Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you.  You must not imitate their way of life.”

So basically in one sentence, the Lord through Moses told the Israelites, “you aren’t to be like anyone you’ve seen in the past or you will see in the future!”  They were God’s chosen people and He wanted them to be different!

Why did I tell my children not to do what everybody was doing?

The same reason God told the Israelites, to protect them.

God knew the plans He had for them (Jeremiah 29:11) and He knew the false gods of the Egyptians and the Canaanites would interfere with those plans.

It’s interesting to me that God prefaced his “sex” talk (18:1-30) with the “everybody’s doing it won’t work” talk.  As Larry Richards says in the Bible Reader’s Companion:

“Do as they do” (18:2–3). One of the most common excuses for sexual looseness is, “everyone else does it.” While particularly strong in high school, where many teens are ridiculed for being virgins, our society pressures young and older adults by making sexual promiscuity seem “normal.” God reminded Israel that as His people, they were not to do as the people of Egypt, where they had lived, do. They were not to do as the people of Canaan, where they would live, do. “Everybody else does it” has never been a valid excuse. Because we are God’s people, we are to do as He says, not follow the practices of pagans.

The paganism ( little or no belief in Jehovah God, one who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods: an irreligious or hedonistic person) of the Egyptians and Canaanites is alive and well in today’s culture.

I must confess…

  • I have imitated these folks too many times to count!
  • I have been interested in sensual pleasures, material goods and hedonism (the pursuit of pleasure and self-gratification).

If I would have been a Jew is those days, I certainly could have been one of those whose bones were left in the desert!  I’m thankful for Jesus and the grace He offered me!  But I’m sad and have regrets that I fell for the “everybody’s doing it” trick of the enemy of my soul!

Father God, help us to look to Your Word to show us who and what You want us to be.  Help us to be like Jesus, not everyone else!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Leviticus 20:1 through Leviticus 22:33

Do You Need a Scapegoat? Leviticus 16:20-22

February 21, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Failure, Guilt, Jesus, Leviticus, Sin with 0 Comments


Today’s Scripture Reading: Leviticus 14:33-16:34

Dictionary.com’s definition of scapegoat: A person or group made to bear the blame for others or to suffer in their place.

The other goat, the scapegoat chosen by lot to be sent away, will be kept alive, standing before the Lord. –Leviticus 16:10a

When Aaron has finished purifying the Most Holy Place and the Tabernacle and the altar, he must present the live goat. He will lay both of his hands on the goat’s head and confess over it all the wickedness, rebellion, and sins of the people of Israel. In this way, he will transfer the people’s sins to the head of the goat. Then a man specially chosen for the task will drive the goat into the wilderness. As the goat goes into the wilderness, it will carry all the people’s sins upon itself into a desolate land. –Leviticus 16:20-22

…laying the sins of the people on the head of the goat and then driving the goat and the sins into the wilderness.

That sounds like a great idea… Right?

When all was said and done–

The Israelites were still sinful people.

Still dealing with the guilt of their sin.

Until one day, our Heavenly Father decided the Israelites had experienced enough failure to realize…

  • They could not keep the law
  • They could not be good enough to be free from sin and guilt
  • They were hopelessly sinful

That’s the day God sent His son Jesus to this earth to live as a man, suffer, and die for our sins–To be our scapegoat.

It must have been easy for the Jews to understand Jesus’ message of redemption.  They had been using scapegoats for hundreds of years.

They knew something (or someone) had to bear their sins.

They knew a goat wasn’t working.

Let’s fast-forward to today’s world…

What or who have you been using as your scapegoat?

Who have you been blaming for your sins?

  • Parents
  • Teachers
  • Siblings
  • Spouses, significant others
  • Peers
  • Society
  • Our corrupt world

Friends, there’s only one scapegoat that will take your sins so far away they can never show their ugly head again–Jesus Christ.

If you’ve never asked Jesus Christ to be your scapegoat repeat this prayer with me:

Jesus, I know that I was born with a sinful nature and I’m hopelessly lost without You.  I believe You came to this earth, suffered and died for my sins, and rose from the grave to defeat the enemy of my soul who has eternal damnation planned for me.  I believe that if I was the only sinner You would have come just for me.

I ask you to forgive me of my sins, take them from me, and be my scapegoat.  I ask You to come into my heart and live forever.  I believe I’m a different person because of You and Your love for me.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen!

If you prayed this prayer I’d love to hear from you.  Click on the [contact Dianne] tab at the top of this page and send me a short note.  I want to pray for you!

Blessings in Jesus!

 

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Leviticus 17:1-19:37

Only Jesus Can Make Me Clean–Leviticus 13:17

February 20, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Guilt, Leviticus, Sin with 0 Comments


Today’s Scripture Reading: Leviticus 12:1-14:32

…the priest will then pronounce the person ceremonially clean by declaring, ‘You are clean! –Leviticus 13:17

There are many practical aspects to Leviticus.  It sounds sort like a crash course in disease prevention.  One thing for sure, if God tells us to do or not to do something, there is a reason…

It’s interesting to think about walking up to a priest unclean and walking away clean.

How can that happen?

The unclean person had to do something, make a sacrifice.

But were they really clean?

Were they really changed?

Probably not.  That’s the reason they had to make sacrifices for their sins on a daily basis.  It wasn’t just that they had sinned, they were sinners.In the days of Leviticus most folks spent a lot of time in front of the priest trying to get clean.

Can you say with me,

“Thank the Lord we don’t live in the days of Leviticus!”

Thank you Jesus, our High Priest for settling the sin issue on the cross 2,000 years ago.

  • A priest can’t make us clean
  • Sacrificial offerings can’t make us clean
  • Punishing ourselves can’t make us clean
  • Ignoring our sins can’t make us clean
  • Numbing our pain with drugs, alcohol, sex, work, etc. can’t make us clean

Only You Lord, can make us free from the guilt and responsibility of our sins.

Only You Lord, can make us clean.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the cross.  Thank You for thinking we were worth the sacrifice of Your Son.  Jesus, thank You for forgiving me of my sins and making a way for me to come to Your once and be free from the pain of my sinful nature.  Thank You Lord that I can come to You anytime I mess up and You are faithful and just to forgive me (1 John 1:9).  Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus!

In Jesus’ Name I pray.  Amen and Amen!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Leviticus 14:33-16:34

What Good is Sacrifice if Change Doesn’t Occur?

February 18, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Choices, Guilt, Leviticus, Obedience, Sin with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Leviticus 7:1 through Leviticus 8:36

As I read the instructions for guilt offerings and peace offerings I began to ask questions…

“Did the guilt go away after the guilt offering?”

“Was there peace in the camp after the peace-offering?”

After the last few days of reading we know the significance of the shedding of blood, but were the people changed?

Was the blood shed in vain?

Here in lies the problem with the law.  We can follow every tradition, ritual, or superstition that changes the outside but if change doesn’t happen on the inside, sooner or later we have to ask, what’s the point?

At the end of today’s reading Moses said to Aaron and his sons, “Everything we have done today was commanded by the Lord in order to purify you, making you right with Him (The Lord).”  –Leviticus 8:34

This is the same Aaron who just a few chapters back gathered the Israelites’ gold and made them a golden calf to worship in Moses absence. (Exodus 32)  As I think back I really haven’t seen Aaron’s relationship with the Lord growing.  I know, my problem is—I’m comparing him to Moses.  I’m just wondering out loud, but do you think Moses might have said, “Okay Aaron we’ve done everything we can to purify you and make you right with the Lord, now you better not mess this up!”

Jesus’ words to a group of priests in Matthew 23:25-27 would come many years later, but I couldn’t help but think of these words as I imagined Aaron and his sons in their priestly garments.

What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence!  You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too. What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites!  For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity.

Think about how beautiful Aaron and his brothers must have looked in their priestly garments but were they “filled with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurities”?  Were they just going through the motions or did they want to “What Good is Sacrifice if Change Doesn’t Occur?  Were they just “going through the motions’ or did they really want to “Know Him More?

Father, help us to filter every religious tradition, ritual, and superstition through the Your Word. God show us our motives.  Lord, “create in me a clean heart, O Lord. Renew a loyal spirit within me”. (Psalm 51:10)  …help us to Know You More!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Leviticus 9:1 through Leviticus 11:47

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