Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus 10:12-20.

“Then Moses spoke to Aaron, and to his surviving sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, “Take the grain offering that is left over from the LORD’S offerings by fire and eat it unleavened beside the altar, for it is most holy.  You shall eat it, moreover, in a holy place, because it is your due and your sons’ due out of the LORD’S offerings by fire;  for thus I have been commanded.  The breast of the wave offering, however, and the thigh of the offering you may eat in a clean place, you and your sons and your daughters with you;  for they have been given as your due and your sons’ due out of the sacrifices of the peace offerings of the sons of Israel.  The thigh offered by lifting up and the breast offered by waving they shall bring along with the offerings by fire of the portions of fat, to present as a wave offering before the LORD;  so it shall be a thing perpetually due you and your sons with you, just as the LORD has commanded.”

But Moses searched carefully for the goat of the sin offering, and behold, it had been burned up!  So he was angry with Aaron’s surviving sons Eleazar and Ithamar, saying, “Why did you not eat the sin offering at the holy place?  For it is most holy, and He gave it to you to bear away the guilt of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD.  Behold, since its blood had not been brought inside, into the sanctuary, you should certainly have eaten it in the sanctuary, just as I commanded.”  But Aaron spoke to Moses, “Behold, this very day they presented their sin offering and their burnt offering before the LORD.  When things like these happened to me, if I had eaten a sin offering today, would it have been good in the sight of the LORD?”  When Moses heard that, it seemed good in his sight.”  Leviticus 10:12-20.

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Moses’ question was:  “Why did you not eat the sin offering at the holy place?”

Aaron’s answer was:  “When things like these happened to me, if I had eaten a sin offering today, would it have been good in the sight of the LORD?” 

“When Moses heard that, it seemed good in his sight.”

So, let us first consider what happened to Aaron as shown in the same chapter of Leviticus chapter 10.

First, “Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the LORD which He had not commanded them.  And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.  Leviticus 10:1-2.

Second, “Then Moses said to Aaron, “It is what the LORD spoke, saying,

‘By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy,
And before all the people I will be honored.’”

So Aaron, therefore, kept silent.”  Leviticus 10:3.

Third, “The LORD then spoke to Aaron, saying, “Do not drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you will not die—it is a perpetual statute throughout your generations— and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean, and so as to teach the sons of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them through Moses.”  Leviticus 10:8-10.

Consider that these things likely caused Aaron to silently grieve the burning of his sons Nadab and Abihu and tremble in fear at the words of Moses and the LORD that he (Aaron) could do something that would also result in his death too.   

Although the sin offering was not specifically mentioned in the first paragraph of today’s Scripture, other offerings were mentioned and that eating those offerings was “your due and your sons’ due”.  But, in contrast, we do notice the law of sin offering in Leviticus 6:24-30 and that nothing was said that eating it was due Aaron, or in other word, optional.  Rather, it was simply commanded:  “The priest who offers it for sin shall eat it.  It shall be eaten in a holy place, in the court of the tent of meeting.”  Leviticus 6:26.

Nevertheless, as we have reviewed, this was an extraordinary day for Aaron.  Whether or not the following Scriptures provide an excuse for Aaron’s refraining from eating the sin offering, it seems profitable to consider the following Scriptures in today’s devotion.

“2 It is better to go to a house of mourning
Than to go to a house of feasting,
Because that is the end of every man,
And the living takes it to heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter,
For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.
4 The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning,
While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure.
5 It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man
Than for one to listen to the song of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:2-5.

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10. King James Version.

“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable.  All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.  Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food, but God will do away with both of them.  Yet the body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.”  1 Corinthians 6:12-13. 

Specifically considering the Lord’s Supper and how we remember Christ and His sin offering, there are times when we should refrain from eating it when we examine ourselves and consider that our mind is not right and that we may eat it in an unworthy manner.  See 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.

“All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable.  All things are lawful, but not all things edify.  …

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”  1 Corinthians 6:23 and 31.    

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” Revelation 4:11.

“And they *sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

“Great and marvelous are Your works,
O Lord God, the Almighty;
Righteous and true are Your ways,
King of the nations!
4 “Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy;
FOR ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU,
FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED.” Revelation 15:3-4.

“And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying,

“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” Revelation 5:13.

“After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying,

“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God;” Revelation 19:1.

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:36.

Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus 10:1-11.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2010&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them.  And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.  Then Moses said to Aaron, “It is what the LORD spoke, saying,

‘By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy,
And before all the people I will be honored.’”

So Aaron, therefore, kept silent.

…

The LORD then spoke to Aaron, saying, “Do not drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you will not die—it is a perpetual statute throughout your generations— and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean, and so as to teach the sons of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them through Moses.”   Leviticus 10:1-3 and 8-11.

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But, there is hope!

“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;  and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another;  and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”  Hebrews 10:19-25.

What is this “confession of our hope” in verse 23 highlighted in bold italic font above?

What is the Good News a/k/a Gospel?

What was accomplished by the blood of Jesus?

Article 8.  For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation:  that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father;  that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death; should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing;  and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.  Canons of Dordt in the section titled SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.  …”  Ephesians 1:3-8. 

“…  Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing;  but that she would be holy and blameless.”  Ephesians 5:25-26. 

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.

Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus chapter 9.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%209&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses herein.

“Now it came about on the eighth day that Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel;  and he said to Aaron, “Take for yourself a calf, a bull, for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both without defect, and offer them before the LORD.  Then to the sons of Israel you shall speak, saying, ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering, and a calf and a lamb, both one year old, without defect, for a burnt offering, and an ox and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD, and a grain offering mixed with oil;  for today the LORD will appear to you.’”  So they took what Moses had commanded to the front of the tent of meeting, and the whole congregation came near and stood before the LORD.  Moses said, “This is the thing which the LORD has commanded you to do, that the glory of the LORD may appear to you.”  Moses then said to Aaron, “Come near to the altar and offer your sin offering and your burnt offering, that you may make atonement for yourself and for the people;  then make the offering for the people, that you may make atonement for them, just as the LORD has commanded.”

…

Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he stepped down after making the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings.  Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting.  When they came out and blessed the people, the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people.  Then fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.” Leviticus 9:1-7 and 22-24.

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We may be tempted to worship God to get some dazzling sign or wonder like fire from heaven.  But, we are forbidden to test the LORD.  “Jesus said to him (the devil), “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’”  Matthew 4:7.

“Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered Him, saying, `Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”  But He answered and said to them, `An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign;  and yet no sign shall be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet;”  Matthew 12:38-39.

After “Doubting” Thomas saw, heard, and felt Jesus, he thought he “believed”.  But, “Jesus said to him, ‘Because you have seen Me, have you believed?  Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.’” John 20:29.

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”  Hebrews 11:6.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”  Hebrews 11:1.

“For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope;  for why does one also hope for what he sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”  Romans 8:24-25.

But, there is hope that when we worship God as we should, then God will appear to us in some way.  

“For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU.”  And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.”  Hebrews 6:13-15.

“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  John 4:24.

“And He *said to them, “It is written, ‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER’;  but you are making it a ROBBERS’ DEN.”  Matthew 21:3.

“16 Come and hear, all who fear God,
And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.
17 I cried to Him with my mouth,
And He was extolled with my tongue.
18 If I regard wickedness in my heart,
The Lord will not hear;
19 But certainly God has heard;
He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer
Nor His lovingkindness from me.” Psalm 66:16-20.

“15 “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 “With a long life I will satisfy him
And let him see My salvation.” Psalm 91:15-16.

Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus 7:28-34.

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘He who offers the sacrifice of his peace offerings to the LORD shall bring his offering to the LORD from the sacrifice of his peace offerings.  His own hands are to bring offerings by fire to the LORD.  He shall bring the fat with the breast, that the breast may be presented as a wave offering before the LORD.  The priest shall offer up the fat in smoke on the altar, but the breast shall belong to Aaron and his sons.  You shall give the right thigh to the priest as a contribution from the sacrifices of your peace offerings.  The one among the sons of Aaron who offers the blood of the peace offerings and the fat, the right thigh shall be his as his portion.  For I have taken the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the contribution from the sons of Israel from the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them to Aaron the priest and to his sons as their due forever from the sons of Israel.”   Leviticus 7:28-34.

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What is the significance of the breast and the thigh being given to Aaron the priest and to his sons as their due forever?

Generally, they are good parts, and people seek to eat them.  But, is there more significance?

As I did meditate on it, I came across the following Scriptures which shows how God treats His “CHOSEN RACE”, His “royal PRIESTHOOD”, and His “PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION”  (from 1 Peter 2:9-10). 

In Genesis 24:1-4, we see the thigh being used to swear an oath.  “Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he owned, “Please place your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live, but you will go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”

“For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU.”  And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.”  Hebrews 6:13-15.

In Isaiah 66:10-14, we see breasts being used to describe the comfort the LORD gives His people.   

“10 “Be joyful with Jerusalem and rejoice for her, all you who love her;
Be exceedingly glad with her, all you who mourn over her,
11 That you may nurse and be satisfied with her comforting breasts,
That you may suck and be delighted with her bountiful bosom.”
12 For thus says the LORD, “Behold, I extend peace to her like a river,
And the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream;
And you will be nursed, you will be carried on the hip and fondled on the knees.
13 “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you;
And you will be comforted in Jerusalem.”
14 Then you will see this, and your heart will be glad,
And your bones will flourish like the new grass;
And the hand of the LORD will be made known to His servants,
But He will be indignant toward His enemies.” Isaiah 66:10-14.

In the following concluding Scripture, we read a good summary of what God has done for His “CHOSEN RACE”, His “royal PRIESTHOOD”, and His “PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION”.

“11 For the LORD has ransomed Jacob
And redeemed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he.
12 “They will come and shout for joy on the height of Zion,
And they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD—
Over the grain and the new wine and the oil,
And over the young of the flock and the herd;
And their life will be like a watered garden,
And they will never languish again.
13 “Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance,
And the young men and the old, together,
For I will turn their mourning into joy
And will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow.
14 “I will fill the soul of the priests with abundance,
And My people will be satisfied with My goodness,” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 33:11-14.

Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus 7:11-18.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%207&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“‘Now this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings which shall be presented to the LORD.  If he offers it by way of thanksgiving, then along with the sacrifice of thanksgiving he shall offer unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers spread with oil, and cakes of well stirred fine flour mixed with oil.  With the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving, he shall present his offering with cakes of leavened bread.  Of this he shall present one of every offering as a contribution to the LORD;  it shall belong to the priest who sprinkles the blood of the peace offerings.

‘Now as for the flesh of the sacrifice of his thanksgiving peace offerings, it shall be eaten on the day of his offering;  he shall not leave any of it over until morning.  …”  Leviticus 7:11-15.

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We are reminded of the manna that God provided to the sons of Israel for food in the wilderness each day.  “Moses said to them, “Let no man leave any of it until morning.”  Exodus 16:19.

“But they did not listen to Moses, and some left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and became foul;  and Moses was angry with them.”  Exodus 16:20.  

Whether we receive food or other material things from God, rather than trust God to provide what we need each day, we tend to hoard them to our harm.  

“For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.  If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.  But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”  1 Timothy 6:7-10.

But, there is hope!

“22 The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23.

“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you?  You of little faith!  Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’  For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things;  for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

“So do not worry about tomorrow;  for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  Matthew 6:30-34.

“Peace I leave with you;  My peace I give to you;  not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”  John 14:27.