Leviticus 2

Leviticus 2

Acts 6

Food for Life:

Leviticus 2

Leviticus can be difficult to read through and make a connection of application to our everyday life, mostly because unless we are from Jewish religious heritage and practice or Old Testament scholars or of Levitical Law, we don't understand the significance of the instruction and practice in that day and time. I have chosen to share standing commentary on most of Leviticus for our purposes of devotions. The following is from Matthew Henry's Commentary, referenced below the piece. The last sentence is the priority and substance...we must depend on Christ for our sufficiency.

Meat-offerings may typify Christ, as presented to God for us, and as being the Bread of life to our souls; but they rather seem to denote our obligation to God for the blessings of providence, and those good works which are acceptable to God. The term "meat" was, and still is, properly given to any kind of provision, and the greater part of this offering was to be eaten for food, not burned. These meat-offerings are mentioned after the burnt-offerings: without an interest in the sacrifice of Christ, and devotedness of heart to God, such services cannot be accepted. Leaven is the emblem of pride, malice, and hypocrisy, and honey of sensual pleasure. The former are directly opposed to the graces of humility, love, and sincerity, which God approves; the latter takes men from the exercises of devotion, and the practice of good works. Christ, in his character and sacrifice, was wholly free from the things denoted by leaven; and his suffering life and agonizing death were the very opposites to worldly pleasure. His people are called to follow, and to be like him. Salt is required in all the offerings. God hereby intimates to them that their sacrifices, in themselves, were unsavoury. All religious services must be seasoned with grace. Christianity is the salt of the earth. Directions are given about offering their first-fruits at harvest. If a man, with a thankful sense of God's goodness in giving him a plentiful crop, was disposed to present an offering to God, let him bring the first ripe and full ears. Whatever was brought to God must be the best in its kind, though it were but green ears of corn. Oil and frankincense must be put upon it. Wisdom and humility soften and sweeten the spirits and services of young people, and their green ears of corn shall be acceptable. God takes delight in the first ripe fruits of the Spirit, and the expressions of early piety and devotion. Holy love to God is the fire by which all our offerings must be made. The frankincense denotes the mediation and intercession of Christ, by which our services are accepted. Blessed be God that we have the substance, of which these observances were but shadows. There is that excellency in Christ, and in his work as Mediator, which no types and shadows can fully represent. And our dependence thereon must be so entire, that we must never lose sight of it in any thing we do, if we would be accepted of God.

Matthew Henry Commentary "Christ's Notes online ©2010

Acts 6

Some men from the "Synagogue of Freedmen" 'stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and they came up to him [Stephen] and dragged him away and brought him before the Council' (6:12). These men brought being "lied on" to a new level! When was the last time you were dragged before a council of religious leaders because of a false accusation against you? And when, as the accusers looked at you, did they see your face "like the face of an angel" (6:15).

Jealousy, envy, strife - destructive emotions within that can lead to destructive actions for those it is directed to and ultimately for the ones from within it exists.

The Scripture says that we (the people of God) have 3 enemies - the world, the flesh, the devil - and that the devil is the 'accuser of the brethren - the people of God."

Not always, but often when we are accused of something, there is at least a hint of reality to the accusation - if not true, at least in appearance or unintentionally so on our part. And then there are those times when the accusation is just not anywhere near reality.

How do we handle those times? How do we handle it when those thoughts and feelings of jealous, envy, and strife well up within ourselves toward another? Stephen was " of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom...full of grace and power, performing great wonders and signs among the people...full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" (6:3,8,5). His accusers saw the Holy Spirit strikingly apparent in Stephens life and they were jealous - they were actually railing against God Himself within Stephen. And then others just jumped on the band-wagon in rallying around the crowd, probably many of whom didn't even know what was actually happening.

"Lord, I ask that You would bring to mind my (our) mind anytime I (we) have been the accusers and Lord please forgive me (us). And then Lord, anytime I (we) have been wrongly accused, please help us by Your Holy Spirit to 'entrust ourselves to You our faithful Creator in doing what is right, knowing that in due time we will reap our reward' (1 Peter 4:19). Lord, it can be hard to endure false treatment and accusation, help us to see clearly, from Your perspective, and glean what is for our good from the situation - as we continue to be transformed into the Image of Your Son, glory to glory; purified through fire, as pure gold. We don't understand it all Lord, but we trust You, help us to trust You."