Merciful Sacrifice

The Old Testament is very symbolic in nature. God did not require so many sacrifices because He enjoys watching animals be killed. Each sacrifice meant something. The Israelites were not performing acts of animal cruelty; they were shepherds, and they brought their very livelihood before the presence of God. It symbolized trust and submission.

The ritual describe in Leviticus 8 is also very symbolic in nature. Horatius Bonar explains, "The victim was selected by Moses, who was thus representing God. It was not Aaron and his sons who chose the sacrifice; it was God who made the choice for them... Thus, in one sense, God lays our sins upon the sacrifice; but, in another, it is we who lay our sins upon it, when we bring them to it and confess them over its head." Moses selected a ram to consecrate Aaron; God chose Jesus to consecrate us. Just as the ram's blood covered Aaron, Jesus' blood covers us.

We have entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ. It was He, in His mercy, who offered an acceptable sacrifice for our sins. But we are still required to accept His gift of mercy. Accepting God's mercy must be taken seriously, and it calls us to proper action. Just days after being anointed as priests of Israel, Aaron's two eldest sons were killed by God for failing to honor the commands they were given. Commit yourselves to God, but realize what it means to be committed to God. When we accept Jesus Christ into our hearts, our lives must become different. We are exhorted again and again to no longer live for the world. By ourselves, that is impossible, That is why, in His mercy, Jesus offered Himself as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to the Lord.

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Loving Kindness

Anyone who knows more than one language understands that translating languages can be very difficult. The same is true for the Bible. The Bible was originally written in Greek, Hebrew, and Aramic. Due to the difference in language syntax, translating the original documents into modern languages can sometimes prove to be challenging. Because of differences in vocabulary and grammar, translators will either choose to translate word for word (like the KJV), or thought for thought (like the NIV). As best as we try to translate the original writings, unspoken understandings or contexts can be left out.

One example is the Hebrew word "chesed." "Chesed" is closely associated with English word "mercy," but as N.HSnaith describes, it is also with the phrase "loving kindness" comes from,. Snaith says, "God's loving-kindness is that sure love which will not let Israel go. Not all Israel's persistent waywardness could every destroy it. Though Israel be faithless, yet God remains faithful still. This steady, persistent refusal of God to wash his hands of wayward Israel is the essential meaning of the Hebrew word which is translated loving-kindness."

Understanding the greater context of the word "mercy" helps us to understand our God better. "Chesed" shows us a God who actively pursues us in mercy. It shows us that God shows mercy and kindness to us, long before we regret or even realize what we are doing.

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A Thankful Heart

When Christians prepare for a long trip, they often lift up prayers of blessing and protection. When someone in sick, believers gather to pray for healing. It is not uncommon in the Christian community to commit prayers before major events such as surgery and during major events such as lingering sickness.

As Christians, we learn to lift up prayers for many things. But what do we do when God answers our prayers? We might spend a few minutes thanking God for answering our prayers, but then we go right back to asking for more and more. Our prayers lives are important to God, and although He wants us to bring our desires before Him, we are also called to give thanks to God.

Giving thanks to God is shat should mark our thoughts and actions. J.R.Miller writes," When there was any special favor shown or blessing received, the heart's gratitude should express itself in this way...if One recovered from a dangerous sickness, his first walk abroad was to the tabernacle with his sacrifice. Should we not bring some new gift to God's altar-after every recovery from sickness, every deliverance from danger every new kindness enjoyed?"

Lamentations 3:22-23 says, "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." God's mercy to us is new every morning, so we should come before Him every morning with an offering of thanks.

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