Sunday, February 23, 2014

Again in today's reading, sins of omission or unintentional sins are mentioned. A sin is a sin whether intentional or unintentional.

Two passages of Scripture, one in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament, seem to have a connection. The one in Leviticus lists one of the many regulations concerning another person's property.

Lev 6:2-4
"If anyone sins and is unfaithful to the LORD by deceiving his neighbor about something entrusted to him or left in his care or stolen, or if he cheats him, or if he finds lost property and lies about it, or if he swears falsely, or if he commits any such sin that people may do--when he thus sins and becomes guilty, he must return what he has stolen or taken by extortion, or what was entrusted to him, or the lost property he found,

Matt 13:44
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
The passage in Matthew is a parable that Jesus told. At initial reading it appears to be a good thing that the man found a treasure hidden in a field and was so overjoyed that he sold all he had and bought the field. But if we read this passage in light of the previous one in the Old Testament, it appears as if the man who found the treasure is actually doing a bad thing. First of all the treasure wasn't his to begin with and secondly, he hid it again to keep someone else from finding it. Most of the parables go much deeper if we really dig.

Lev 24 mentions that the lamps must be burning continually.  A light is constantly burning.  Also, there is always to be bread.  Hmm...what spiritual connections can we make here?

God makes provisions for bringing the imperfect as offerings when it is a freewill offering. Freewill offerings are just that over and above the required offerings.

God gives Moses this beautiful blessing for the Israelites. What a great way to start the day or end the day!

Num 6:24-26



"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."

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