we offer and present unto Thee

We have finished Leviticus. I found a helpful chart in my NIV Study Bible that I reproduce below, outlining the various kinds of sacrifices described in Leviticus, what was offered, and why they were offered. Then I'd like for us to think about how reading these long descriptions of sacrifices is important and helpful for us as Christians.

Old Testament Sacrifices

1. Burnt offering
Leviticus 1; 6:8-13; 8:18-21; 16:24
Offering: bull, ram or male bird; wholly consumed; no defect
Purpose: Voluntary act of worship, atonement for unintentional sin in general; expression of devotion, commitment, and complete surrender to God


2. Grain offering
Leviticus 2; 6:14-23
Offering: Grain, flour, olive oil, incense, bread, salt; accompanied burnt offering and fellowship offering
Purpose: Voluntary act of worship; recognition of God's provision and goodness; devotion to God


3. Fellowship offering
Leviticus 3; 7:11-34
Offering: Any animal without defect; variety of breads
Purpose: Voluntary act of worship; thanksgiving and fellowship (it included a communal meal)


4. Sin Offering
Leviticus 4:1-5:13; 6:24-30; 8:14-17; 16:3-22
Offering:
1. Young bull (for high priest and congregation)
2. Male goat (for leader)
3. Female goat or lamb (for common person)
4. Dove or pigeon (for the poor)
5. Fine flour (for very poor)
Purpose: Mandatory atonement for specific unintentional sin; confession of sin; forgiveness of sin; cleansing from defilement


5. Guilt Offering
Leviticus 5:14-6:7; 7:1-6
Offering: Ram or lamb
Purpose: Mandatory atonement for unintentional sin requiring restitution; cleansing from defilement; make restitution; pay 20% fine


After reading over this chart, I had one question: What about intentional sin? I expected one of these, such as the guilt offering, to be for intentional sin. Is there no way to atone for intentional sin in the law? The law clearly calls for death in many situations of intentional sin, but does it require death in all cases? Also, What does "unintentional sin" mean? Purely accidental sin (such as, "oops, I didn't see that dead body there, and I bumped into it"), or sin in which the person is not aware of the gravity of their error? (I guess I actually had more than one question!) I will try to find some answers to these questions.

Parallels in the Christian tradition
As you read Leviticus, you probably asked yourself at least once, How in the world does any of this relate to me or to my faith? The answer is that it relates in deeply profound ways that are not obvious to most of us. The symbols of the sacrificial system continued in altered form in the Christian tradition. Understanding the sacrificial system as laid out in Leviticus provides much greater depth of meaning to our own Christian tradition. So many of these ideas make their way into the central story that we remember each Sunday when we gather for worship. Here is where I see these 5 showing up in the Eucharist today:

Grain Offering
We might think of the offertory as simply the time when the ushers pass the plates, and we pony up while the choir serenades us with a lovely song to remind us of how much we like church and want to keep it running :) In our Anglican tradition, however, we still retain the original theological significance of the offertory. Originally early Christians would bring wine and homemade bread to church to offer up in thanksgiving to God for Christ. That is why we still have the ushers bring up the bread and wine at communion, though usually the elements are purchased by the church and not brought by home. (I know of some congregations where the bread is still homemade, which is wonderful.)  Therefore, the offering is about all of our gifts - not just of money but also of bread and wine - being offered to God. When the priest elevates the host and the cup, he/she is offering it up to God. Having read Leviticus, we can see that this offering of bread and wine bears some resemblance to the grain offering, which was made voluntarily in thanksgiving to God.

Fellowship Offering
We can also see echoes of the fellowship offering in the Eucharist, as it is a celebratory meal that we share together in God's presence.

Sin and Guilt Offerings

God provides the lamb, just as he did for Abraham on Mount Moriah. God has provided Christ as the offering for sin and guilt; we provide the bread and wine as an offering of thanksgiving in response to God's provision for us. (Eucharist itself means "to give thanks.") We are not trying to atone for our sins at the Eucharist; we are instead responding to God's gracious initiative.

Burnt Offering

What would be the parallel here? I see it in the words of the Eucharistic prayer Rite I:

"And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee."

We are the burnt offering, but rather than being toasted to a crisp, we are a "living sacrifice," to borrow the words of Romans 12:1. This is what is called an oblation, a prayer of self-dedication. (See the prayer book catechism, page 857.)

Francisco de Zurbaran's Agnus Dei

Getting Involved with Leviticus: Part 2

I discovered something very helpful this morning - the Read the Bible for Life iPhone app, which includes a reading plan for Reading God's Story. I downloaded this app when I began this project but found it a little confusing, so I didn't explore what it can do at the time. I still get the feeling I've only figured out about 10% of what the app can do, but it's the 10% that's most helpful to me. You can track your progress in the reading plan and check off the days that you have read. Then you can look up the reading for the day and read it right on your phone and mark it as read. Usually I will read out of my physical Bible, but on days when I have to get to church really early or when I'm away from home, I can stay up to date through this app.

Read the Bible for Life App



I usually think of Leviticus as dragging along, but with this reading plan it flew by. Now that Leviticus is behind us, you might wondering, what was that all about? I have been reviewing what I learned about Leviticus from Dr. Ellen Davis, and I've gleaned some insights from her that might help us to understand this challenging book.

Whereas the end of Exodus focuses on the building of the tabernacle, Leviticus focuses on the Torah - which is best translated not as "law," as we normally think, but as teaching or instruction. The Torah gives instructions about how Israel should live in and around that tabernacle.

Dr. Davis addressed the difficulty we can have in relating to Leviticus by pointing out that the writers of Leviticus tend to think in symbols. We often use symbols when we are trying to speak about something we can't get a handle on, something that is a mystery. She describes the mystery with which Leviticus wrestles in this way: "How can Israel host the radical presence and dangerous holiness of God? How do we get back into the presence of God without being burnt to a crisp?"

Leviticus gives two answers to that question: the sacrificial system, and the regulations about purity. If you've been reading Leviticus, you've no doubt noticed that it is loaded with descriptions of both. Both of these are systems of symbols that acknowledge God as the Creator of all material things and the responsibility of humanity to mediate between God and the rest of creation. We saw that humans were given this role of steward and priest back in Genesis 1. Humans blew it in Genesis 3 and failed to live up to their calling. Here we see Israel being called back into that role, but now that role is less simple and straightforward and beautiful than it was intended to be. Now it is fraught with the complications brought about by the unholiness of humanity and creation compared with God's holiness.

There are also several themes begun here in Leviticus that will find their fulfillment in Christ. In particular, the idea of shedding blood as atonement for human life is central to Leviticus and is also central to how we understand what Christ has done for us.

Getting Involved with Leviticus

We are now smack in the middle of Leviticus. It's not easy to wade through these long and detailed instructions that may strike us as confusing, random, or harsh. Remember the refrain God continues to give: "Be holy, as I am holy." This is in part about setting apart the Israelites from the people around them. When we get to the book of Hebrews in the New Testament, all of this will make more sense!

I was trying to think of Christian songs that use the language of Exodus/Leviticus. Sandra McCracken and Derek Webb's  song "She Must and Shall Go Free" reminded me of what I have been reading - its language about the debt of sin, the shedding of blood for atonement, sins being cast on a scapegoat, and the peace and rest that comes from being right with God.

I love the stripped down recording of this on the Indelible Grace album to the version on Derek's album with the same name. This live video captures the beauty of their voices together:

Mercy speaks by Jesus' blood
Hear and sing, ye sons of God
Justice satisfied indeed
Christ has full atonement made

Jesus' blood speaks loud and sweet
Here all deity can meet
And without a jarring voice
Welcome Zion to rejoice
Welcome Zion to rejoice

All her debt's been cast on Me
She must and shall go
All her debt's been cast on Me
She must and shall go free

Peace of conscience, peace with God
We obtain through Jesus' blood
Jesus' blood speaks solid rest
We believe and we are blessed
We believe and we are blessed

All her debt's been cast on Me
She must and shall go free

Should the law against her roar
Jesus' blood still speaks with power
All her debts were cast on Me
She must and shall go free

I'd like to suggest this book about the Old Testament by Ellen Davis, who was my Old Testament professor in seminary. It's called Getting Involved With God: Rediscovering the Old Testament. The Introduction describes the book well:

“This is a book about getting, and staying, involved with God—what it takes, what it costs, what it looks and feels like, why anyone would want to do it anyway. It is at the same time a book about reading the Old Testament as a source of Good News and guidance for our life with God. The key piece of Good News that the Old Testament communicates over and over again is that God is involved with us, deeply and irrevocably so.”

Dr. Davis is coming to Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Nashville this coming weekend! Unfortunately I am unable to attend any of her lectures. I would encourage anyone who wants to hear a life-giving and fascinating interpretation of Old Testament Scripture to go and listen to her. More information on her visit can be found here:
http://www.christcathedral.org/Education/Symposia

a glimpse of God's splendor

I'm plowing through Exodus this week. It is such a mix of different stories - at times the people are blatantly disobedient and God gets downright frustrated with them, and yet at other times the people are moved in their hearts to give their most precious belongings to build a house of worship for God. One of my favorite stories so far is Moses' encounter with God on the mountain in chapter 33, when Moses asks God, "Show me your glory." As I continue to focus on reaching Leviticus, I leave you with this song by Third Day, inspired by Moses' request.

the tabernacle

"They are to make a sanctuary for me so I may dwell among them." - Exodus 25:8

I love this verse. It shows that God, who used to come down to the garden of Eden to walk in the cool of the day, is still working on the same project - getting back to earth so he can be with people. Sin has disrupted the original relationship between God and humankind in such a way that God's holiness - his set-apart-ness - has become a danger to them. It was sad to read in Exodus 20 how the people are afraid of God and don't want to approach him - understandably so, but it is evidence of just how far we've come from Eden. God is still intent, however, on restoring this relationship, as 25:8 illustrates. Throughout Scripture we will see this refrain over and over - I will dwell with them as their God, and they will be my people. That is the ultimate goal of God's mission - not to have little human underlings to do his every bidding, but to share fellowship with his creation.

Exodus takes several chapters to outline extremely detailed instructions about how to build the tabernacle. It is helpful to have a visual of what they are building so we don't get lost in all those details. The mission group I worked with in high school, Teen Missions, has built a life-sized replica of the Old Testament Tabernacle. They did a spectacular job. There are a few pictures of it here: http://www.oldtestamenttabernacle.org/

My dear Teen Missions friend, Jessi Mitchell, and I went back and visited boot camp a couple of years ago and stopped by the tabernacle. They have the actual tabernacle as well as the "furniture" that was in it. Perhaps this helps you to visualize what the tabernacle would have looked like.

The tabernacle itself; the lavabo and the altar were covered in white sheets when we visited; you can see the white fence around the whole thing; the tabernacle is stored in a huge open barn so ignore the wooden ceiling overhead

The inside of the tabernacle. To the left you can see the golden lampstand, to the right the table of the showbread, and at the back the incense altar.

The lampstand up close.

The Holy of Holies with the Ark of the Covenant. Yes, we made it back out alive without tying a cord around our ankles!

Whether you are back in Exodus like me or up in Leviticus, remember that this part of the Bible can be tough going. Leviticus is the classic place that people's intentions to read the whole Bible get bogged down and clogged up and eventually ended. Keep up the good work, and I'll post more on how to keep the bigger picture in mind as you read these books so the details don't wear us down.

catching up

I've been MIA this past week. I am still trying to learn how to balance blogging a few times a week with all the other things I need to do in the mornings. I've gotten about a week behind in my reading. The Israelites just received the Ten Commandments at Sinai.

This raises the question, what's the best way to handle setbacks? When you set out on such a project, how can you deal with bumps in the road without getting defeated and quitting? In this case, I'm setting a goal of reading 2 days worth of reading for the next few days until I catch up. The other thing I am trying to remember is to keep pace - because I am reading sections of the Bible I haven't read in forever, I am tempted to stop and explore and go in depth, and this project doesn't really allow for that. I am starting a list of passages/books that I want to go back and reread in greater depth after this year is over.

While I'm busy catching up, check out this beautiful song by Andrew Peterson called "Pillar of Fire."

Bible Resources Galore!

I have discovered some resources that might be helpful to those of you who are using Reading God's Story this year:

Reader's Guide to the Bible

This is a reader's guide that complements Reading God's Story. It follows along with the readings for the day and provides commentary on what you're reading. It's $10 on Amazon. If you are working your way through Reading God's Story and finding yourself asking a lot of questions, I would recommend it. Caveat, I haven't read this myself yet but am about to order it.

Read The Bible for Life

This book, written by George Guthrie, creator of Reading God's Story, outlines the "basic tools and attitudes needed to read the Bible more effectively." While the book above helps you to understand what you're reading each day, this book talks more generally about how to read the Bible.








The Essential Bible Companion

This book provides just 2 pages of information for each book of the Bible, including historical background, photos, maps, and timelines. You will not get bogged down by the content in this book; it is very user friendly. We have several copies of this book in the St. George's bookstore for those who are in Nashville. On a side note, John Walton was a professor at Wheaton while i was there; I took one class that he team taught with several science professors called "Theories of Origins." That was one of the most unique courses I have ever taken.






The Story

I haven't read this yet, but I found it in our church bookstore yesterday. It is similar to Reading God's Story in that it tells the grand, overarching story of the Bible. However, this is the abridged version :) Rather then rearranging the entire text of the Bible, The Story pares the content down to its major highlights and crucial turning points. I haven't read this, so I don't yet have an opinion about the editorial choices that they've made. Are any of you familiar with this? It seems like it could be a good way to get an overall grasp of the Bible. There is also a teen version and a kids' version.

turning evil into good

I've reached a turning point in Job. Up until now, Job has been dialoguing with three of his friends. At the end of chapter 31, Job has had it. He is tired of going around and around in verbal circles about whether or not he is to blame for his suffering. In 31:35-37 he says he wants a new conversation partner:

If only I had someone to hear my case!
Here is my signature; let the Almighty answer me.
Let my Opponent compose His indictment.
I would surely carry it on my shoulder
and wear it like a crown.
I would give Him an account of all my steps;
I would approach Him like a prince.

Job wants to hear from God himself. Job gets a new conversation partner, but it turns out to be Elihu at first. Whereas Job's friends have mostly described suffering as punishment for the wicked, Elihu adds something new to the conversation by suggesting that suffering can be the means by which God brings people back to himself:

A person may be disciplined on his bed with pain and constant distress in his bones, 
so that he detests bread, and his soul despises his favorite food. 
His flesh wastes away to nothing, and his unseen bones stick out...
God certainly does all these things two or three times to a man 
in order to turn him back from the Pit, so he may shine with the light of life. 
- Job 33:19-21, 29-30

Redemption means to bring good out of bad - to win back something good that has been taken captive. After Creation with all its goodness, the Fall occurred, and ever since then Redemption has been God's main task in the world. Elihu's speeches illustrate one form of that redemption, in that suffering, a consequence of sin, can become a portal to encountering God and returning to him. My Old Testament professor, Ellen Davis, said it this way: "Suffering is itself a means of approach to God; it can be a gateway into wisdom." The consequences of sin are not merely a means of alienation from God; rather, they can become the means by which wayward humanity sees the light and returns to God.

This is an idea that must be carefully nuanced; I do not mean that God wants people to suffer, or that all suffering is deserved (Job is an excellent counter point to that idea), or that we need to just accept suffering in every situation. But rather, I mean what Joseph meant when he told his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20). As the beginning of Job illustrates, the accuser seeks to alienate us from God, to get God to focus on our failures, to get us to distrust God. God, however, is able to weave things meant to undo us into his larger story. God can turn things meant for evil into the means for good. The same idea shows up in the New Testament; Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him."

I noticed another passage in Job that reflects the coming Christ:

If there is an angel on his side, one mediator out of a thousand, to tell a person what is right for himand to be gracious to him and say, “Spare him from going down to the Pit; I have found a ransom,” then his flesh will be healthier than in his youth, and he will return to the days of his youthful vigor.- Job 33:23-25

The theologian Karl Barth saw the person of Job as a witness to Christ; he believed that the book of Job prepares us to understand the suffering Christ. After all, similar things happened with Jesus; he too suffered unjustly, but in his case, he did so on behalf of others; he became the ransom that spares the sinner from his doom. Because of Christ, we are spared from the pit and can say along with the voice of verses 27-28:

They will go to others and say, “I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.He redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit, and I will continue to see the light.”