January 28, 2023 - Leviticus 6-7
When someone deceives his neighbor and robs him, or if he swears falsely against another, the offender is not merely to ask forgiveness, but is expected to make restitution. The OT law is right and just. It’s just appropriate, if I have taken something from someone, that I return it or make adequate restitution.
Additionally, God instructs Moses, “Command Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the law of the burnt offering. The burnt offering shall be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it. . . . Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out’” (6:9,13). Couldn’t help myself; once again, I glanced at my ESV Study Bible: “The continuation of the altar fire indicates the insufficiency of repeated sacrifices (Heb. 10:1-4), in contrast to the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice (Heb. 10:10) and intercession (Heb. 7:25)” Makes sense. What wonderful, absolutely wonderful, hope we have because of the sacrifice of Jesus!
Free from the law, O happy condition,
Jesus hath bled, and there is remission;
Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall,
Grace hath redeemed us once for all.
Once for all, O sinner, receive it,
Once for all, O friend, now believe it;
Cling to the cross, the burden will fall,
Christ hath redeemed us once for all. -- P. P. Bliss (1874)