Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus 6:14-18.

“‘Now this is the law of the grain offering: the sons of Aaron shall present it before the LORD in front of the altar.  Then one of them shall lift up from it a handful of the fine flour of the grain offering, with its oil and all the incense that is on the grain offering, and he shall offer it up in smoke on the altar, a soothing aroma, as its memorial offering to the LORD.  What is left of it Aaron and his sons are to eat.  It shall be eaten as unleavened cakes in a holy place;  they are to eat it in the court of the tent of meeting.  It shall not be baked with leaven.  I have given it as their share from My offerings by fire;  it is most holy, like the sin offering and the guilt offering.  Every male among the sons of Aaron may eat it;  it is a permanent ordinance throughout your generations, from the offerings by fire to the LORD.  Whoever touches them will become consecrated.’”  Leviticus 6:14-18.

—————-

The last verse of today’s Scripture, “Whoever touches them will become consecrated.”, reminds me of the precious words of God, “the Word of Life”, as stated in the following Scripture.  

“What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—  what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us;  and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.  These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.”  1 John 1:4.

Every day we receive from God the daily manna of God’s Word.  “He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD.”  Deuteronomy 8:3. 

“Sanctify them in the truth;  Your word is truth.”  John 17:17.

“… 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 5:25-27. 

Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus 6:8-13.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%206&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Command Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the law for the burnt offering:  the burnt offering itself shall remain on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning, and the fire on the altar is to be kept burning on it.  …  The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it.  It shall not go out, but the priest shall burn wood on it every morning;  and he shall lay out the burnt offering on it, and offer up in smoke the fat portions of the peace offerings on it.  Fire shall be kept burning continually on the altar;  it is not to go out.”   Leviticus 6:8-9 and 12-13.

————–

Today’s Scripture reminds us to be filled with the Spirit.  We should not quench the Spirit nor, so to speak, cause the Spirit to be dissipated by wine or by worldly concerns.  According to Collins English Dictionary, “When something dissipates or when you dissipate it, it becomes less or becomes less strong until it disappears or goes away completely.”

Using the language of fire, “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit.”  Luke 12:35.

We are warned by the Parable of the Ten Virgins.

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent.  For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.  …  The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’  But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too;  go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’  And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast;  and the door was shut.  Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’  But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’  Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.”  Matthew 25:1-4 and 8-11.

We are also warned by the Parable of the Sower. 

“And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”  Matthew 13:22.

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.  So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;  always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;  and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”  Ephesians 5:15-21.

“Do not quench the Spirit;  do not despise prophetic utterances.  But examine everything carefully;  hold fast to that which is good;  abstain from every form of evil.”  1 Thessalonians 5:19-22.

But, there is hope!

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;  that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.”  John 14:16-17.

“… for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”  Hebrews 13:5. 

“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 6:1-7.

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “When a person sins and acts unfaithfully against the LORD, and deceives his companion in regard to a deposit or a security entrusted to him, or through robbery, or if he has extorted from his companion, or has found what was lost and lied about it and sworn falsely, so that he sins in regard to any one of the things a man may do;  then it shall be, when he sins and becomes guilty, that he shall restore what he took by robbery or what he got by extortion, or the deposit which was entrusted to him or the lost thing which he found, or anything about which he swore falsely;  he shall make restitution for it in full and add to it one-fifth more.  He shall give it to the one to whom it belongs on the day he presents his guilt offering.  Then he shall bring to the priest his guilt offering to the LORD, a ram without defect from the flock, according to your valuation, for a guilt offering, and the priest shall make atonement for him before the LORD, and he will be forgiven for any one of the things which he may have done to incur guilt.”   Leviticus 6:1-7.

———————

In the highlighted bold italic font, we read that the one who makes a guilt offering asking for forgiveness (mercy) shall on the same day make restitution (justice).  Thus, we understand that the LORD requires justice in order to show mercy.  Mercy and justice are linked together.

“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good;  and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”  Micah 6:8 in King James Version.

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

If ever there was a time for God to refrain from requiring justice when mercy is shown, it was for His only Son.  But, in order for mercy to be shown (to forgive the sins of His elect), God required justice by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to the cross, because justice required punishment for the sins of His elect. 

Consider the following from the Heidelberg Catechism.

Q. 11. Is not God then also merciful?

A. God is indeed merciful, but also just;  therefore His justice requires that sin which is committed against the most high majesty of God be also punished with extreme, that is, with everlasting punishment of body and soul.

Q. 12. Since then, by the righteous judgment of God, we deserve temporal and eternal punishment, is there no way by which we may escape that punishment and be again received into favor?

A. God will have His justice satisfied;  and therefore we must make this full satisfaction, either by ourselves or by another.

Q. 13. Can we ourselves then make this satisfaction?

A. By no means;  but on the contrary we daily increase our debt.

Q. 14. Can there be found anywhere one who is a mere creature, able to satisfy for us?

A. None;  for, first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which man hath committed;  and further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God’s eternal wrath against sin, so as to deliver others from it.

Q. 15. What sort of a mediator and deliverer then must we seek for?

A. For one who is very man, and perfectly righteous; and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is also very God.

Q. 16. Why must He be very man, and also perfectly righteous?

A. Because the justice of God requires that the same human nature which hath sinned should likewise make satisfaction for sin;  and one who is himself a sinner cannot satisfy for others.

Q. 17. Why must He in one person be also very God?

A.  That He might, by the power of His Godhead, sustain in His human nature the burden of God’s wrath;  and might obtain for, and restore to us, righteousness and life.

Q. 18.  Who then is that Mediator, who is in one person both very God and a real righteous man?

A.  Our Lord Jesus Christ, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.

“But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.

Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus 5:1-13.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+5&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“‘Now if a person sins after he hears a public adjuration to testify when he is a witness, whether he has seen or otherwise known, if he does not tell it, then he will bear his guilt.  Or if a person touches any unclean thing, whether a carcass of an unclean beast or the carcass of unclean cattle or a carcass of unclean swarming things, though it is hidden from him and he is unclean, then he will be guilty.  …  Or if a person swears thoughtlessly with his lips to do evil or to do good, in whatever matter a man may speak thoughtlessly with an oath, and it is hidden from him, and then he comes to know it, he will be guilty in one of these.  So it shall be when he becomes guilty in one of these, that he shall confess that in which he has sinned.  He shall also bring his guilt offering to the LORD for his sin which he has committed, a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat as a sin offering.  So the priest shall make atonement on his behalf for his sin.

‘But if he cannot afford a lamb, then he shall bring to the LORD his guilt offering for that in which he has sinned, two turtledoves or two young pigeons, one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering.  …

‘But if his means are insufficient for two turtledoves or two young pigeons, then for his offering for that which he has sinned, he shall bring the tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering;  he shall not put oil on it or place incense on it, for it is a sin offering.  …  So the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin which he has committed from one of these, and it will be forgiven him;  then the rest shall become the priest’s, like the grain offering.’”  Leviticus 5:1-2 and 4-7 and 11 and 13.

———————

Today’s devotion includes three topics.  First, it includes the two sins which I will summarize as being a false witness and touching what is unclean.  Second, it includes the command to “confess that in which he has sinned”.  Third, it includes God’s provisions of less expensive offerings which show God’s concern for the poor in that He provided the means by which the poor too can be forgiven.  I have highlighted words to help focus on these topics.

Regarding being a false witness, here are Scriptures on how God views it.    

It is one of the Ten Commandments.  “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”  Exodus 20:16.

It is one of the six things which the LORD hates;  it is “an abomination” to Him:

“16 There are six things which the LORD hates,
Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,
19 A false witness who utters lies,
And one who spreads strife among brothers.” Proverbs 6:16-19.

Regarding touching what is unclean, no one who is unclean will be allowed into heaven, and for those who do not touch what is unclean there are also promises.

“and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21:27.

“17 “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord.
“AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;
And I will welcome you.
18 “And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:17-18.

Regarding the command to “confess that in which he has sinned”, there is a promise of forgiveness and cleansing.  

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9. 

Regarding God’s provisions of less expensive offerings which show God’s concern for the poor in that He provided the means by which the poor too can be forgiven, there is God’s “Irresistible Grace” to “Come.”

“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.”  And let the one who hears say, “Come.”  And let the one who is thirsty come;  let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.”  Revelation 22:17.

“Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters;
And you who have no money come, buy and eat.
Come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without cost.
2 “Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And delight yourself in abundance.
3 “Incline your ear and come to Me.
Listen, that you may live;
And I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
According to the faithful mercies shown to David.” Isaiah 55:1-3.

Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus 4:22-35.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%204&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“‘Now if anyone of the common people sins unintentionally in doing any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, and becomes guilty, if his sin which he has committed is made known to him, then he shall bring for his offering a goat, a female without defect, for his sin which he has committed.  He shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and slay the sin offering at the place of the burnt offering. The priest shall take some of its blood with his finger and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering; and all the rest of its blood he shall pour out at the base of the altar. Then he shall remove all its fat, just as the fat was removed from the sacrifice of peace offerings;  and the priest shall offer it up in smoke on the altar for a soothing aroma to the LORD.  Thus the priest shall make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven.” Leviticus 4:27-31.

———————-

In Leviticus 4:22-35 which concerns sin offerings, we see the following sentence repeated (substantially the same) three times, although in the verses I quoted above you see it only once.  “Thus the priest shall make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven.”

This leads us to meditate on Jesus Christ, our high priest Who made atonement through His blood on the cross for all of the sins of God’s elect, and the forgiveness of their sins which He thereby obtained.

“For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;  who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.  For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.”  Hebrews 7:26-28.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace“.  Ephesians 1:7.

“For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.  Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins?  But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year.  For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.  …

…

Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins;  but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, waiting from that time onward UNTIL HIS ENEMIES BE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET.  For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.   And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,

“THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM
AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD:
I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART,
AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM,”

He then says,

“AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS
I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.”

Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.”  Hebrews 10:1-4 and 11-18.

Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus chapter 3.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%203&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“‘Now if his offering is a sacrifice of peace offerings, if he is going to offer out of the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without defect before the LORD.  He shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and slay it at the doorway of the tent of meeting, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood around on the altar.  From the sacrifice of the peace offerings he shall present an offering by fire to the LORD, the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails, and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, which is on the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he shall remove with the kidneys.  Then Aaron’s sons shall offer it up in smoke on the altar on the burnt offering, which is on the wood that is on the fire;  it is an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the LORD.  …

…  The priest shall offer them up in smoke on the altar as food, an offering by fire for a soothing aroma;  all fat is the LORD’S.  It is a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings:  you shall not eat any fat or any blood.’”  Leviticus 3:1-5 and 16-17.  

————-

What is the significance of all the fat that was in the peace offerings?

Fat represents the best.  The best should be given to the LORD.  

“Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions.  And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering;”  Genesis 4:4.

“Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this:  load your beasts and go to the land of Canaan, and take your father and your households and come to me, and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you will eat the fat of the land.’  Now you are ordered, ‘Do this:  take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and bring your father and come.  Do not concern yourselves with your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’”  Genesis 45:17-20.

And, there is hope for those chosen of God!

“and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “On the day when I chose Israel and swore to the descendants of the house of Jacob and made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I swore to them, saying, I am the LORD your God, on that day I swore to them, to bring them out from the land of Egypt into a land that I had selected for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands.”  Ezekiel 20:5-6.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified;  and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:28-31.

“So then let no one boast in men.  For all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come;  all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ;  and Christ belongs to God.”  1 Corinthians 3:21-23.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.”  Luke 12:32.

Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus chapter 2.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%202&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“‘Now when anyone presents a grain offering as an offering to the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour, and he shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it.  He shall then bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests;  and shall take from it his handful of its fine flour and of its oil with all of its frankincense.  And the priest shall offer it up in smoke as its memorial portion on the altar, an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the LORD.  …

…

‘No grain offering, which you bring to the LORD, shall be made with leaven, for you shall not offer up in smoke any leaven or any honey as an offering by fire to the LORD.  …  Every grain offering of yours, moreover, you shall season with salt, so that the salt of the covenant of your God shall not be lacking from your grain offering;  with all your offerings you shall offer salt.”  Leviticus 2:1-2 and 11 and 13.

—————-

What is the significance of frankincense, leaven, and salt in the grain offering?

Frankincense represents Christ and that ultimately the grain offering is acceptable because of Christ.  Like Christ is well-pleasing to God, the aroma of frankincense is a fragrant and soothing aroma to God.  Also, we are a fragrance of Christ to God.

“After coming into the house they (the magi a/k/a wise men) saw the Child (Christ) with Mary His mother;  and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him.  Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”  Matthew 2:11.

“For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;  to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life.  …”  2 Corinthians 2:11.

Leaven represents false teaching.  We must worship God in spirit and truth.

“Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”  Luke 12:1.

“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth;  for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.  God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  John 4:23-24.

Salt is distinctive.  Food is seasoned with salt to change the food from being bland to being flavorful.  Grain particularly can be bland, and salt is useful to make it more flavorful.  

But, the salt also has a deeper meaning.  Salt represents grace, distinctive and particular grace.  

“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”  Colossians 4:6.

The world tries to push everyone to believe that everyone is the same and to act alike.  But, Reformed Doctrine teaches that there is no common grace.  Those whom God saved are unique, distinctive, fragrant, and  flavorful, and they should believe it and act like it.  They should not be conformed to the world, but they should declare the excellencies of God, including the sovereign particular grace of God.   

“You are the salt of the earth;  but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.”  Matthew 5:11.

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD;  you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”  1 Peter 2:9-10.