From the out-of-the-mouth-of-babes department: I had hot lunch with my first-grade daughter Brianne today at school (giant pretzels dipped in artificial cheese . . . is that even a food group?) and couldn't help but notice artwork posted outside the classroom. Each student had colored an American flag and answered the question in pencil, "If I were president." One little boy said he'd "keep the sea animals safe from scuba divers." In the heart and mind of a 7-year-old, finding Nemo is more critical than finding Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Bad, scuba diver, bad!!! BAD!!!! I remember years ago a pastor asking young children during a church service what reminded them of evil. One kid blurted, "Texas!" Another hand shot up, "Broccoli!" I love this age. Children are so trusting and innocent. This is why Messiah Yeshua instructed His disciples, " Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:14)."
Random thoughts while reading the book of Leviticus:
• Yeshua spared believers the burdensome rituals of the Old Testament sacrificial law by offering Himself as the sacrificial Lamb. Sometimes I take that freedom for granted. The ancient Israelites labored for their salvation by having to repeatedly make sacrifices and offerings. Not only was it a lot of work, the priests knew that making a mistake might cost them their life as well as Israel's covering.
• The root for the Hebrew word for "offering" means to approach or draw close intimately. God created the sacrificial system to draw the nation of Israel to Himself. Offerings were presented to YHVH, the name that represents God's attribute of mercy. The name Elohim, which represents His attribute of judgment, was not applied. Unlike pagans, who believed that animal sacrifices were necessary to appease judgmental and bloodthirsty gods, the Hebrews could draw near to God's kindness and mercy through sacrificial offerings appointed by Him.
The Hebrew rendering might help explain why Yeshua, YHVH in the flesh, brandished a whip and drove out money changers from the Temple. Merchants were selling blemished animals to the Jewish population, denying it an opportunity to draw close to HaShem. Many Jews failed to notice the poor condition of their offering. Remember, the sacrificial law was still in effect because Yeshua had not yet gone to the cross. Leviticus 22:20 warns "whatever has a defect, you shall not offer, for it shall not be acceptable on your behalf."
• Sweet aroma is a term used repeatedly in the Old Testament to describe an acceptable sacrifice. As we see in this rabbinic commentary, it is about satisfying God's heart, not His sense of smell:
"The aroma of the offering going up in smoke on the altar pleases God because, as the sages express it, 'I have spoken and My will has been done.' . . . It is remarkable that the huge animal offering and the tiny bird offered are described identically as a satisfying aroma. It matters not to God whether one brings much or little, so long as one's heart is directed sincerely to heaven."
Yeshua taught this principle as he directed His disciples' attention to a poor widow depositing two mites in the Temple treasury (Mark 12:41-44). "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury," the Lord marveled. "For they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."