The Jesus Bible Reading Plan / OFFERINGS OF JOY

The Jesus Bible Reading Plan

Day 137 of 365 OFFERINGS OF JOY The Old Testament sacrificial system was complex and costly. God provided instructions that required hundreds and hundreds of bulls, rams, lambs and goats to be killed every year (not to mention the use of massive amounts of grain, oil and wine). The altar of the tabernacle became messy and bloody - much like the hearts of God's people. But these instructions concerning worship were given to a people who were already in relationship with God - they are his people and he is their God. These sacrifices were never meant to be a means whereby people, by their own merit, could procure a relationship with God. They were meant to be offerings of joy, acts of worship, an outpouring of praise to the God who had already redeemed them. This is true for all of God's people throughout redemptive history. Sacrifices, whether of time, money, obedience or praise, are not meant to make one right before God. Only Jesus can do that. His death redeemed a people, called them to himself and made them right with God. The response to that grace is seen in the sacrifices of praise offered by the people of God. Jesus, thank you for your ultimate sacrifice. Please help me to daily respond with a sacrifice of praise. Amen. Numbers 29:1-6 NASB 1 'Now in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall also have a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work. It will be to you a day for blowing trumpets. 2 You shall offer a burnt offering as a soothing aroma to the L ord : one bull, one ram, and seven male lambs one year old without defect; 3 also their grain offering, fine flour mixed with oil: three-tenths of an ephah for the bull, two-tenths for the ram, 4 and one-tenth for each of the seven lambs. 5 Offer one male goat for a sin offering, to make atonement for you, 6 besides the burnt offering of the new moon and its grain offering, and the continual burnt offering and its grain offering, and their drink offerings, according to their ordinance, for a soothing aroma, an offering by fire to the L ord .