DCLM Daily Manna Saturday 5 November 2022
TOPIC: Do It in His Way
Text: Leviticus 17:1-7
17 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto Aaron, and unto his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them; This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded, saying,
3 What man soever there be of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it out of the camp,
4 And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer an offering unto the Lord before the tabernacle of the Lord; blood shall be imputed unto that man; he hath shed blood, and that man shall be cut off from among his people:
5 To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they offer in the open field, even that they may bring them unto the Lord, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest, and offer them for peace offerings unto the Lord.
6 And the priest shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar of the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and burn the fat for a sweet savour unto the Lord.
7 And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations.
KEY VERSE
“And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute forever unto them throughout their generations.” .
Leviticus 17:7
DCLM Daily Manna Saturday 5 November 2022 MESSAGE
In the book, Habits of the Heart, Robert Bellah and his colleagues interviewed a young nurse who represents the experience and views of the modern man about his relationship with God. Her thinking emphasises an individualistic way of coming to God, where everyone does according to their own preferences and offers their services anywhere it pleases them. This approach dominates spirituality in the modern world, yet it is not the biblical pattern of becoming right with God.
God established the proper place for the children of Israel to bring their sacrifices: the tabernacle of meeting. To worship and honour Him, an Israelite could not simply be individualistic and follow his heart, feelings or opinions. They were not permitted to slaughter their sacrificial animals outside the camp. It must be done with an officiating priest. Those who did not comply would be regarded as sacrificing “unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring.”
Service to God in worship through the talents, skill and time, which believers offer are incomplete until we present them where He exercises His unquestionable prerogative to choose for us. We may claim to be the possessors of these resources, but man would miss the latent blessings of worship through them if he does not submit to the approval of the One who would decree the blessings He has appointed His Church for corporate worship.
Man should honour his Creator in the place of the Lord’s choice of worship in order not to be “cut off” from His presence. Christians in the modern age must not be carried away by the doctrine of religious libertarianism, which says God is everywhere and can be worshipped everywhere, including dance halls and gambling centres. God is not present there, even if your lavish offerings are brought there.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Let your worship be in His way.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Kings 9-10
