God Makes the Rules

Joshua 22:29 God forbid that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tabernacle.

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS

Since God is the rightful recipient of man’s sacrifices, then, by necessity, He is the only One who can rightfully provide the rules for the administration of the sacrifices. In the Old Testament, God established rules about the place (Joshua 22:29) and purity (Malachi 1:8, 14) of man’s sacrifices. Men who violated these rules, choosing rather to adopt their own rules of sacrifice and worship, often suffered harsh consequences, including death. The sacrifice of Christ for sin has changed many details of God’s demands for sacrifice; it has not, however, changed the fact that man must do things God’s way. God’s rules for sacrifice whether performed in the past, present, or future are to be dictated by scripture.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

(For children):We should sacrifice to God, but before we do, God wants something else from us first (Proverbs 23:26a). Consider these passages: 1 Samuel 15:22; Jeremiah 6:19-20. The Macedonians first gave their hearts to the Lord and then honoured Him with their giving (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).

(For everyone):What gods competed with the one true God as the recipients of men’s sacrifices? What are some things (gods) to which modern societies might offer sacrifices, spiritual or otherwise?

(For everyone):Why is it so crucial that we learn to whom we should offer our sacrifices? How does this dictate the nature and purity of our sacrifices?

PRAYER THOUGHTS

Ask the Lord to show you the rivals for receiving your sacrifices.

Ask God to help you submit to His plan rather than your own.

SONG

Faithful Is He that Promises

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