God doesn't want your 'cast offs'. Why are you giving them to your friends?

Leviticus 22:17-33 What Sacrifices were not Acceptable to God

Day 23 of our self-isolation. It is Good Friday. This morning we sat around the dining room table and enjoyed the special service and communion livestream from our daughter’s church as I am sure millions of others had done or would do today. I also realized 2020 was a special year as celebrate something that can never be taken away from the authentic believer – and we can realize that the Jesus is still with us today.  We press on.  We spend time reading, talking, sharing, studying the Word of God. The Covid-19 peaks have not yet arrived.  But Christ is Risen, Indeed!

The Passage

Today’s passage (which is not being reproduced here) is basically a description of the types of blemished animals that are not to be used by the priests for making sacrifices in God’s sanctuary. The criteria are parallel to the previous passages which outline what kind of descendant of Aaron could not be a priest. The last few verses describe God’s repetition of why these laws are important.

Thoughts on the Passage

Chuck Smith reminds us that we are not to give anything but our best in our offerings, in our service, in our sacrifices to Him. He has no desire for our “cast offs”.

Also, as our giving to God should model to the extent possible, we need to be very careful of how we give our used things to others. In our household we keep several charitable organizations busy picking up things from our porch that we leave out there for them to pick up and recycle. And that’s okay. Even if they resell or give away some of those things to others in need, that’s okay as that is what they want – they want “used” stuff. Where those things go and who gets them, we do not know. But when we choose to give something to a specific person whom God has brought directly into our paths, I would prefer we share that second coat that we would still wear, or to get them a new coat. For what we offer to them is like an offering unto God. That is what freewill offerings are all about. That is what giving out of our abundance is all about.

David Guzik says this requirement of a perfect animal for a sacrifice foreshadow the sacrifice that Christ made with His life for our sins. He lived a perfect life. He was without sin or blemish.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.