SOAP 02/21/2015; Leviticus 3:17

Today's reading: Leviticus 3

S) "¹⁷ It is a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings: you shall not eat any fat or any blood."

Leviticus 3:17 (NASB)

O) This command was under the old covenant Law, and Jesus was specific about food being made clean under the new covenant (see Matthew 15:11), so it must be read in context. The command about the blood is explained in greater detail in Leviticus 17:10-16, but the command about the fat is not so clearly explained. As far as I can tell, there are only two other places (aside from Leviticus 7, which again gives the command about not eating the fat, but doesn't give explanation as to why). In Ezekiel 39, the prophet is told to tell birds and beasts, that God is preparing a sacrifice for them of the men of war who will receive His wrath. He describes that the wild animals eat the flesh, blood, and fat of the men who are to die. A little before that, in Ezekiel 34, God is speaking against the leadership of Israel, saying that the shepherds of the people, "eat the fat and clothe [themselves] with wool, [they] slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock." God has clearly separated - sanctified - the act of eating fat. It is only to be consumed as part of a sacrifice, and only as He ordains.

A) Just like any other part of the Law of Moses, I must remember that this is not directly applicable. As I noted, Jesus was very clear that unclean food was no longer to be considered. But, this is an important reminder of God's sovereignty. If this really is a matter where He had set a standard, that only He was worthy to eat the fat, and consuming the fat of an animal was sacrificial by its nature, that can easily be seen as elitist. It's an easy trap to think that God is on a "power trip." But, what I must remember, is that He is omnipotent. God does not need to convince Himself of how powerful He is. If any convincing is being done, He is convincing me. If God says something is only for Him, then I must humbly acquiesce to His requirement. I may not get an explanation for why He wants things a certain way. Maybe He explicitly explains it (as with the blood), or maybe I'd have to really dig to find any remotely relevant context clues, but I don't deserve an explanation. I also don't need an explanation to obey His will. He is God, He can do what He wants.

P) Father, Your power and might are too great for me to really comprehend. I am thankful to know enough, to know that I am hopelessly helpless. To call myself weak, relative to Your strength, is an insult to language. I can't even compare myself to You, and woe to me if I try. Let me forever be humbled by Your awesome power. If You command certain things, even if I never understand why, let me immediately humble myself and submit to Your authority and rule. Forgive me of my pride, and help me humble myself, bending my neck before I am broken. Let Your will be done. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/20/2015; Leviticus 1:17

Today's reading: Leviticus 1

S) "¹⁷ Then he shall tear it by its wings, but shall not sever it. And the priest shall offer it up in smoke on the altar on the wood which is on the fire; it is a burnt offering, an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the Lord."

Leviticus 1:17 (NASB)

O) There is some amount of mystery in this verse. The LORD is telling Moses and the priests, how they are to prepare various sacrifices. There are basically three categories, which form a sort of hierarchy. This last, was the sacrifice of a pigeon or a turtledove. The first thing that caught my eye, was that the priest was told not to sever the bird. The only other reference to this, that I could find, was when Abraham set out sacrifices to God in Genesis 15:10. There is little description as to why he did not sever the bird then, either. When I read Matthew Henry's commentary, he brought up an interesting point, though. These three forms of sacrifice were, in essence, the rich, middle-class, and poor. Of the three forms of sacrifice described in this chapter, the sacrifice of the poor was the most labor-intensive for the priests. It could be, that God wanted as much attention and service to be given to the poor, as it would be given to the rich. God consistently calls for His people to care for the poor, and this could be another subtle example of that.

A) Whatever the reason, I can still be sure that God does have a heart for the poor. This verse will serve as a reminder to me, at least, to give every attentive service I can, to the poor around me. It will also remind me that we serve a particular God, not an arbitrary God. He has exact ways, not opinions. Some of the details may be hidden from me, but that shouldn't stop me from seeking to know Him better, and His ways. If I am made aware, then I will praise God for that knowledge, and pray that it informs my behavior all the more. If He keeps this type of detailed information from me, I will not let it paralyze me, but I will still do what I know: caring for the poor, for example.

P) Father, in Christ Jesus, every sin has been cleansed. Reading through the Law of the old covenant, I stand in awe of the permanent sacrifice of Your Son on my behalf. You found me a poor wretch, unable to redeem myself, but You took care of me with great patience, detailed ministry, and lovingkindness. You treated me with the same grace given to much greater men. The depths of Your grace are still too much for me to fully know, but I am humbled by what You have taught me. Please let me know Your ways deeper and deeper. Help me to seek Your ways first, in everything I do. I want to glorify Your name. Let me respond to this great grace, by showing lovingkindness to others, too. Help me take the time, effort, and joy, in ministering to the poorest of people, Father God. Let Your will be done. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/19/2015; Exodus 40:36-37

Today's reading: Exodus 40

S) "³⁶ Throughout all their journeys whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; ³⁷ but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up."

Exodus 40:36-37 (NASB)

O) The tabernacle had now been completed, "just as the LORD had commanded Moses." (which is a phrase repeated seven times in this chapter). Everything would seem to be back on track (after the incident with the golden calf, after Moses' trip up Mount Sinai). The following years would not be perfect, and there would prove to be so much struggle that the generation that saw the tabernacle completed for the first time, would actually pass away because of the troubles they had (or caused, depending on which circumstance we see). But, the one constant amid all of that turmoil, was that the people were still being led by the Spirit of God in that cloud. God would not abandon them. The Israelites were not lost in the wilderness for forty years, as some mistakenly believe. God led them, very purposefully, each day (whether by going or staying). He proved Himself faithful to them throughout this forty year exodus, never willing to desert them, despite their frequent infidelities. And, it is notable that they did continue to follow, even if the particulars of their daily lives were missing God's plan.

A) I have made the mistake of thinking, somehow, it might be easier to serve God if I had lived among the Israelites of the Bible. I see some of the obvious signs and think that I would figure it out. I've made the mistake of thinking I would be the exception - if only I could witness God's glory in such a way as seeing a pillar of cloud leading me. This is truly foolish! How could I now so easily miss the glory of God, seeing His manifested words in writing, in the Holy Bible I possess? It is so easy to forget; just as He was faithful to lead His people everyday in an obvious way, He is faithful now to lead me in a way just as obvious, if only I will make myself look for Him! His Word is that obvious manifestation of His will. If I am looking to His words every single morning, reading them, studying them, asking God to lead me or stay me, then He will faithfully respond by opening my eyes to see His will. The key is in my willingness to follow His lead every morning, whether I am going or staying.

P) Father, the faithfulness You display to me is gut-wrenching sometimes. I am so reminded of my obvious shortcomings as an unfaithful follower. All too often, I wake up everyday and just take off running. Too seldom, do I ever start my day by looking to You, to follow Your lead first. Father God, instill in me a new discipline. Lord, I want to change my habits. I want to start each day by first and foremost, giving You the time You so clearly deserve. You are worthy of all of my time, and You're worthy of my first and best. Even starting tomorrow, God, let me wake up and look to You first. Help me to slow down, so that I am not in such a hurry as I am distracted away from You. Help me to look first to Your Word, and in prayer let me consider the way I should go. Open my eyes to see and my ears to hear, because I want to follow You, whatever else may happen in my day. Be glorified. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/18/2015; Exodus 37:29

Today's reading: Exodus 37

S) "²⁹ And he made the holy anointing oil and the pure, fragrant incense of spices, the work of a perfumer."

Exodus 37:29 (NASB)

O) Most of this chapter describes, in great detail, how Bezalel constructed the ark, the lampstands, the table, and the alter for the incense. After reading straight through Exodus, most of these details are not exactly new reading. After all, Bezalel was only constructing exactly what Moses told him, which was exactly how the LORD described it to Moses. However, this verse (which closes the chapter), sheds more light on God's plans and how He blesses and empowers. The entire chapter is all about construction and metalworking. He's building out of wood and overlaying with gold. Then, almost incongruously tacked to the end of the chapter, is this verse telling us that Bezalel created the anointing oil and fragrant incense. Not only did he create it, but it was at such a high skill level that it was the work of a perfumer. People spent their lives becoming perfumers by trade, because (like many other refined skills) it takes a long time to become good at it. Just as it would take a long time to become skilled at woodworking. Just as it would take a long time to become skilled at metalworking. But, the people had a need for someone to create these things expertly the first time, so that man could then teach them how to reproduce it. God gave Bezalel broad, immense, expert skills.

A) It is important to define who had the need in this story. God did not have the need for Bezalel to possess these skills. God does not have needs. People had this need, and God provided for them. He has a standard that is too high for us to reach alone. But, in His infinite love and amazing grace, He always provides a way for the people He is calling, to reach His standard. First, it was through a great many requirements, passed down through myriad laws. Now, it is through the redeeming work at the cross, and the indwelling Holy Spirit. There are half a dozen verses in the New Testament, which speak to my ability to do anything through God. This did not, however, start to begin being true when Jesus came along. God does not change. He has always had a heart to provide for His people, a way for them to reach Him. How sweet it is, to know that He does not require me to reach Him on my own, which would be a truly impossible task.

P) Father, Your grace precedes my knowledge. I am truly amazed at how You have, in every conceivable way, always provided for everything I have ever needed. Right now, I am facing another need, Father God. I am, myself, inadequate to do what I know must be done. It is a trap, to think that my own wisdom, knowledge, or skill, will be enough to accomplish what must be done. Let me rest then, in the grace of Your provision. Please let the Holy Spirit lead me, as I approach my task. There is great glory at stake here, Lord, and I forfeit it all to You. Help me to take the focus off myself, off of my own abilities and skills. Keep me humble and work through me. Use me, not because You need me, but exactly because I need You. Let Your will be done. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/17/2015; Exodus 35:34

Today's reading: Exodus 35

S) " ³⁴ He also has put in his heart to teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan."

Exodus 35:34 (NASB)

O) Moses was referring to Bezalel, who was the head craftsman overseeing the construction of the components that would be assembled for the tabernacle, alter, ark, and everything to do with it all. The preceding few verses outline how God had given Bezalel these skills and knowledge, "so as to perform in every inventive work." Not only had God empowered these men to create all of this beauty, but He also made them to be teachers. In many ways, this is even more important because it allowed for all of this work to be reproduced. After Bezalel and Oholiab passed away, the work was able to continue.

A) Many times, I hear men called to emulate the character of God as a warrior, or a provider, or even a lover. I do not often hear men called to emulate the character of God the Creator. That is exactly what we see at work here, though. Men called to create beauty, exactly as God intended them to create it. Not only are they creating, but they are reproducing. God is a teacher, and they are teaching. I know some men will argue that they "just aren't creative," and I suppose some people have more God-given skill than others. I would also argue that there are many, many expressions of creativity and reproducing beauty. For myself, God has given me some creativity. It is a blessing to create for God, to put my hands to work, crafting things for His glory. Even more applicable, though, is that I am using the abilities He gave me as a teacher. It will always start at home, that I am teaching my wife (if possible), and my children (as often as possible), then it extends outward. I need to be faithful to the abilities and call that God has placed within me.

P) Father, Your beauty overtakes me. I cannot escape the wonderful things You have made, I am happy to be overcome. By grace, You have put in me skills and knowledge for certain things, but I confess that I have not been faithful in using them for Your glory. Forgive me, Father God. Discipline me to action, to create and teach for You, to glorify Your name. Help me start by being faithful at home, in sharing beauty with my wife and kids, and teaching them to reproduce it. Then, help me be faithful over the skills You have given me as a teacher, and help me refocus to live my life to Your glory. Let Your will be done. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/16/2015; Exodus 33:13

Today's reading: Exodus 33

S) "¹³ Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. Consider too, that this nation is Your people."

Exodus 33:13 (NASB)

O) Moses understood that to know God was the only way to please God. How could he lead the Israelites in the ways of the LORD, if His ways were still unknown? What really grabbed my attention about this verse, though, was that Moses did not simply want to know God's ways, His ordinances, His rules. Moses wanted to know who God is. He wanted to know His character, His will, His personhood. Moses wanted relationship, not just rules.

A) This is like the difference between me wanting to know how to get on my wife's good side, and wanting to know who my wife is. When my wife and I were dating, I wanted to know everything I could about her. I was studying her, learning about her, and I was eager and happy to do it. Her interests started to become my interests. Our conversations were long, frequent, and happy. This is how the early stages of Christian life often look. However, just as with a marriage, some of that passionate pursuit can lose fervor. It takes committed determination to continue with that kind of attention, and intention with my wife. The same is true in my relationship with God. I must be careful that my prayer time is not simply a request line. I should be able to tell God about my day without asking Him to fix everything. When I read the Word, it should not simply be mining for topical information, I should be studying to know Him better. My approach to our relationship should be steady and intentional, not sporadic or rushed. I must seek God for relationship, not just for rules to avoid hell.

P) Father, I love You Lord. I sing that often, but I am a little embarrassed to realize I don't say it often. I speak thanks for Your grace and mercy, but I don't often slow down and simply tell You that I love You. Open my eyes and ears, Father God, that when I read Your Word, I am approaching it understanding that I am truly approaching You. That when I open the Bible, I am letting You speak to me. When I pray, God, I don't want to just make requests, however urgent the needs are. I want to spend time in prayer, opening my heart up to You, Lord. be glorified in my life, Father God. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/15/2015; Exodus 32:20

Today's reading: Exodus 32

S) "²⁰ He took the calf which they had made and burned it with fire, and ground it to powder, and scattered it over the surface of the water and made the sons of Israel drink it."

Exodus 32:20 (NASB)

O) Moses took a little longer than expected, to return from the mountain top with the Ten Commandments. The impatient people had Aaron make them an idol to worship, which he willingly did by melting down their golden earrings and fashioning a calf (see v.4), despite claiming it was some kind of accidental outcome (see v.24). In the meantime, God was ready to destroy His people and start a new nation from Moses, but the man of God went down the mountain to make things right on their behalf. The above verse is a picture of repentance (albeit a sort of forced repentance). There is no real biblical explanation for why the Israelites were made to drink the gold they had made into an idol. Maybe to prove its worthlessness, maybe to so it would eventually be eliminated from the body as literally and symbolically unclean. What is clear, however, is that this action was irreversible. It was not possible for them to take this gold and make it something new. It was not possible to go back and reclaim this gold. There was no fence-walking or wavering.

A) Sometimes, a drastic problem requires a drastic solution. I have been there. I try not to lead a life of extreme behaviors, but sometimes (especially as it pertains to sin), there is a level of seriousness that is completely justified. There are sometimes stigmas about drastic behaviors (or at least, behaviors that people view as extreme), but I cannot let the opinions of others, or how they will perceive me, affect what I know is right. Jesus described that it's better for a person to enter eternal life while missing a hand, than for them to enter into eternal death with both hands in tact - if the hand causes a sin, cut it off (see Matthew 18:8). While its certainly possible that Jesus was speaking in hyperbole, what we see here in Exodus gives me pause. Now, the other issue was that Exodus story does predate the pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon God's people. Because of the Spirit within me, I have the power in Christ Jesus to walk in the righteousness to which I am called. However, a severe repentance seems like it is always justifiable. I would rather throw away my cell phone, get rid of my TV, stop reading the newspaper, talking to specific people - I'd rather take all of these drastic measures than to continue in sin because of them. Sin and repentance are serious business, and should be treated as such.

P) Father, You are holy, and You call me to holiness. You didn't simply call me to an impossible standard, but You also enabled and empowered me to reach that standard. In Jesus Christ, in Your grace, You provided a way for me to live how You require me to live. Forgive me for my sinfulness, and thank You for Your mercy and grace. Give me the courage to be drastic with my repentance, regardless of how it might be viewed. I want to glorify Your name, not concern myself with how others might react to my repentance. Be glorified in my life, Father God. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.