Posts Tagged ‘Sabbath rest’

Scripture reading for November 2nd: Hebrews 4:1-16

“Therefore, since the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be  careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.  For we also have had the Gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.  Now we who have believed enter that rest. .” (Hebrews 4:1-3a)

Faith in Jesus Christ for complete salvation brings us into what the writer of Hebrews says is ‘His rest’.   Jesus Christ finished our salvation when He cried from the cross, “It is finished!” (John 19:30)   However, even this act was completed in God’s mind before the creation of the world. (Hebrews 4:3b)   God rested along with creation on the seventh day, which God set aside as a day of rest.  (Genesis 2:1-3)  Man’s first full day on earth was to be this day of rest.  Man was to rest in God’s finished provision and to worship and enjoy God’s fellowship as a child with a loving Father!

However, sin entered and man was lured into a dependency on his own abilities to know good and evil.  He gave into Satan’s temptation to try and become like God in his own effort.  The consequences were deadly!  Man died because sin separated him from the relationship of rest in God’s complete provision.   There is truly no rest for those outside of God’s grace.  Eternal weeping and gnashing of teeth is the fate of those dying in their sins! (Revelation 20:15)

God set apart a nation of people through Abraham who He could use as an example of those who would follow Him by faith back into the rest.  Moses was leading this nation out of slavery in Egypt, but the people would not listen to God’s command to possess the promised land.  They did not mix faith with the word of God!  (Hebrews 4:2)  God swore that they would never enter His rest because of their unbelief!  (Psalm 95:11)

But ‘Today’ the promise of rest in Jesus Christ is open to all men.  “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.” (Hebrews 4:11)  What a joy it is to rest in the hope of eternal life!  Let’s lay hold by faith and enter in today!

Scripture reading for February 9th: Leviticus 21-23

The job of a priest is to represent the people before a holy God.  In the old covenant, these priests had some strict rules about their dress and conduct if they were to do this job and live.  Dealing with God was (and is) not a matter to take lightly.  Two anointed young men, Nadab and Abihu, found out the hard way!  They took strange fire and entered the Holy of Holies where the Ark of the Covenant was and died instantly!  (Leviticus 10:1-2)  As we think about these requirements today, we can be thankful for the New Covenant and the blood of Jesus Christ!

Priests had to be careful what they touched and where they went.  They were forbidden to touch a dead body, except for a very close relative.  Shaving their heads or trimming their beards or cutting their bodies for a tattoo was forbidden.  God evidently loved and wanted them to present their bodies before Him without any modifications, other than a bath.

Priests also had to be careful who they married.  They must marry virgins only and could not marry anyone divorced or defiled by prostitution. (Leviticus 21:7, 13-15) God evidently looked on a priest’s marriage as He designed marriage.  The two of them become one and any defilement in the wife would also defile the husband.  God wanted holy offspring and these children would serve as priests as well so must be pure.  (Malachi 2:15)  Sexual immorality is often related to idolatry. In fact, God says this in His word and warns that an immoral person will not inherit the kingdom of God!  (Ephesians 5:8)

No priest could have a physical defect or deformity or sores related to disease and serve as a priest.  He could eat the holy food but could not go behind the curtain and come before the Lord.  These defects included blindness, lameness, dwarfism, or even damaged testicles.  Holiness in God’s sight was also related to physical health and soundness.  (Leviticus 21:18-23)

As we look at the requirements for priests, we are reminded of God’s statement, “I am the Lord, who makes them holy.” (Leviticus 21:8,15,23) Even though the priests kept the rules, only God’s grace allowed them to serve and come before Him.  A blood sacrifice must be offered to complete the process.  Cleansing is by faith and granted through God’s amazing grace!