Burunche’s Blog

Reading through the Old Testament, we keep encountering orders regarding burnt offerings involving prime animals and birds, bread and incense. Even if you have only been to the dentist and have smelt the odor of a friction dental drill working, you know that smell, the smell of burning flesh.

“Eww!” you say. “Why would God command burnt offerings? What good is the idea of burnt offerings for today? Must I go out and offer a thick steak on my grill? What’s the point? This article from https://thebiblechristian.com/what-are-burnt-offerings/ offers one of the clearest explanations I have found.

What Are Burnt Offerings?

Burnt offerings, or “olah” in Hebrew, refer to sacrifices made to God where the entire animal was consumed by fire. These offerings signify total surrender and commitment to God. They were meant for atonement and thanking God, reinforcing the idea that true worship involves sacrifice.

The Purpose of Burnt Offerings

God established burnt offerings as a means for His people to approach Him. The purpose encompassed several important spiritual truths:

• Atonement for sin: They served as a way to seek forgiveness.
• Expression of worship: These offerings were acts of devotion and gratitude.
• Restoration of relationship: They symbolized the yearning for restoration with God.

Scriptural Basis for Burnt Offerings

Several key passages provide insight into the significance of burnt offerings. Leviticus 1 outlines the process, detailing every aspect of the offering:

• Selection of the offering: It had to be an unblemished male animal.
• Presentation before the Lord: The individual would lay their hands on it, symbolizing the transfer of sin.
• The act of burning: The complete consumption indicated total surrender to God.

These actions illustrate a profound truth: when we give our best to God, we enter into a deeper relationship with Him.

Burnt Offerings in the Old Testament Context

Understanding the historical and cultural context of burnt offerings enhances our grasp of their significance. The Israelites lived amidst a sacrificial system that required constant offerings, reflecting the seriousness of sin and the need for relational restoration with God.

Cultural Understanding of Sacrifice

In ancient Israel, sacrifices were common practices among surrounding nations. However, God’s instructions for burnt offerings differed significantly:

• They required specific types of animals, emphasizing quality over quantity.
• They were performed with a heart of worship, directing focus toward God.
• They pointed toward future reconciliation through Jesus Christ.

In this context, burnt offerings stood out as distinctive acts of worship directed toward the one true God.

Burnt Offerings and Worship

Burnt offerings served as powerful symbols of worship. These acts compelled worshippers to involve their entire selves, demonstrating a holistic approach to relating to God:

• Physical position: Kneeling or standing during the offering expressed humility.
• Using one’s possessions: Offering something valuable spoke of the importance of sacrifice.

This principle continues today. Consider how your worship reflects your dedication and willingness to give God your all.

Theological Insights on Burnt Offerings

Exploring burnt offerings leads to a deeper understanding of theological themes in Scripture. They present profound insights on the nature of God and humanity’s relationship with Him.

Burnt offerings underscore God’s holiness. The fire consuming the offering represented His divine presence, illuminating the significant gap between a holy God and sinful humanity. Hebrews 12:29 states that “our God is a consuming fire.” This reminds us that approaching God requires reverence and understanding His righteousness.

The Cost of Sin

Burnt offerings graphically display the cost of sin. Each animal sacrifice embodied the seriousness of wrongdoing and the need for repentance. Romans 6:23 explains that “the wages of sin is death.” Each burnt offering reminded the Israelites of their need for atonement and God’s grace in setting things right.

Jesus: The Ultimate Burnt Offering

As believers, understanding burnt offerings can deepen our appreciation of Jesus Christ. He became the ultimate burnt offering, fulfilling the sacrificial system of the Old Testament.

Fulfillment of the Law

In Matthew 5:17, Jesus declared, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” He embodied the sinless sacrifice, requiring no additional offerings.

• His perfection matched the requirements of the law.
• He presented Himself as the unblemished lamb, representing the ultimate expression of God’s love.

Through His sacrifice, believers become righteous in God’s eyes, free from guilt due to sin.

Connection to New Covenant

The burnt offering carries profound implications for the New Covenant established through Christ. Hebrews 10:14 reveals that “by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Jesus’ death established a new relationship with God based on grace, no longer relying on repetitive animal sacrifices.

Practical Implications of Burnt Offerings Today

Understanding burnt offerings offers real-world implications for contemporary believers. The spiritual principles inherent in this practice remain relevant and insightful.

The Call to Offer Ourselves

Romans 12:1 encourages believers to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” Modern burnt offerings involve surrendering our lives and desires to God:

• Consider areas in your life where God calls for surrender.
• Reflect on what it means to live as a holy and pleasing sacrifice.

The Importance of Worship Beyond Sunday

Burnt offerings signify ongoing devotion, reminding believers that worship goes beyond Sunday mornings. Engage in daily practices that honor God:

• Make time for prayer and scripture reading.
• Serve others in love and humility.

This approach fosters a mindset of continual worship, modeling the disciplined lifestyle of the Israelites.

Living in Light of Our Burnt Offering

Believers should embrace a lifestyle that honors the significance of burnt offerings. This perspective encourages intentional living marked by gratitude and devotion to God.

Gratitude in Prayer and Action

Making burnt offerings a reality involves expressing gratitude through prayer and acts of service. Model your life after the teachings of Jesus:

• Pray for guidance as you navigate your daily decisions.
• Seek opportunities to bless others.

Gratitude should motivate every action. Ask yourself: How can your daily acts reflect the love of Christ?

Acknowledging Our Need for Atonement

Understand the significance of atonement as you reflect on the burnt offering’s purpose. Acknowledging personal sin brings humility and gratitude:

• Reflect on how Christ’s sacrifice impacts your life.
• Confess and seek God’s forgiveness regularly.

This practice nourishes your relationship with God, reminding you of the constant need for grace.

Conclusion

Burnt offerings reveal profound truths about God’s character, our need for atonement, and the call to total devotion. As believers, these ancient practices translate into modern expressions of faith, inviting a deeper relationship with God. Jesus Christ fulfills the ultimate burnt offering, allowing us to come boldly into His presence.

Consider areas where God invites you to offer your life as a living sacrifice. Align your daily practices with His desires, seeking continual surrender. In doing so, embrace the fullness of grace found in Christ.  

So, no, you don’t have to incinerate food at your next cookout. But God wants us to do something far more difficult: we are to live for Him every day of our lives, seeking to please Him in everything we do. Jesus has already shed his blood for our sins, making the ultimate blood sacrifice. Now we must continue to confess and seek God’s forgiveness regularly.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, we confess that we are sinners and that nothing we can do is enough to take away that sin. Thank You for sending Jesus to shed his blood. Please forgive our sins and help us to live lives pleasing to You. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 37 Making the Altar of Incense

37:25 He made the incense altar of acacia wood. Its length was a cubit and its width a cubit—it was square—and two cubits was its height. Its horns were of one piece with it. 26 And he overlaid it with pure gold: its top, its sides all around, and its horns. He also made for it a molding of gold all around it. 27 He made two rings of gold for it under its molding, by its two corners on both sides, as holders for the poles with which to bear it. 28 And he made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.

If you’re like most of us, you might feel impelled to read the descriptions of creating the Tabernacle furnishings; however, you find it B*O*R*I*N*G*!!! You might even give God a guilty look as you quickly skip over all these descriptions. “Great,” you think as you yawn, “so this proves the ancient Israelites could keep records meticulously. So what?”

The first thing to notice is the quality of the materials that went into the altar. What’s so important about acacia wood? An AI search reveals the following:

Durability and Strength

• Acacia wood, also known as shittim wood, is known for its density and strength, making it ideal for constructing enduring structures.
• It was used in significant religious artifacts such as the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle, emphasizing its importance in sacred contexts.

Symbolic Significance

• Beyond its practical uses, acacia wood carried deep spiritual symbolism, representing purity, protection, and God’s provision.
• Its thorny branches symbolized trials and resilience, reflecting God’s enduring strength, and the union of humanity and divinity.

Availability

• Acacia trees were prevalent in the regions surrounding ancient Israel, making the wood readily accessible for construction.

Overall, acacia wood was not only a practical resource but also held significant spiritual and symbolic value in the Biblical narrative.

God ordered Moses to overlay the altar with pure gold. While the gold was partially to demonstrate how precious this altar was, that gold would also help protect the altar from termites.

When we first arrived in Ghana, we began learning about various kinds of wood. One of the cheapest and most readily available kinds of wood was called “wawa.” Wawa was a very soft wood, and while it was quite affordable, it was also very weak and incredibly attractive to termites. In those days, termite mounds were everywhere. Termites could appear in your home at any time, particularly if a builder had used low-quality wood. 

Termites will voraciously consume all kinds of material, particularly cotton sheets and clothing. Even if termites don’t chew up something, they will spread “termite mud” all over things, spoiling them. Years ago, termites came up through a tiny crack in a cement floor, entered the bottom drawer of a filing cabinet, and spread mud over several floppy discs, spoiling them completely. Yet another time, termites came up through an electrical outlet and consumed an entire paperback book, leaving only the cover.

You would think that God wouldn’t have to worry about termites consuming the various parts of the Tabernacle; however, you would be wrong. There are desert subterranean termites, specifically Amitermes desertorum, in the Sinai region, infesting various wood and fruit trees. Even today, the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine has had to combat termite infestations. This is why throughout the descriptions of creating the various parts of the Tabernacle, acacia wood continues to be mentioned.

The altar of incense was designed to be used twice daily, combining prayer and worship. Throughout the Bible, incense is used to represent the prayers of believers. And this brings us to the point of this study.

We can tell you from much sad experience that termites work quietly and persistently. Few things are more difficult to eradicate than termites. One end of the house in which we live has suffered repeated termite infestations, and we fear the wooden beams of our roof are likely turning into lace, no thanks to those persistent insects. We once had a wooden chest that appeared quite strong, until we realized that we could practically put our fingers through the bottom boards. The termites had found our chest, leaving nothing but poor-grade fire wood.

While we might not build small altars for ourselves, we still need someplace to which we can retreat, where we can pray quietly. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, was one of nineteen children, nine of whom survived beyond infancy. Susanna Wesley, John’s mother,  
used her apron as a signal for prayer. In her busy household, she found it challenging to find a quiet place to pray. To create a moment of solitude, she would pull her apron over her head, signaling to her children that she was in prayer and should not be disturbed. This practice became well-known in her family, allowing her to dedicate time to her spiritual life amidst daily distractions. Think about that! Here was a woman with every excuse for not praying; after all, the “termites of exigency” were all around her; yet, she prayed regularly and trained her children to give her time and space to do so.

All of us are assailed by termites of various kinds-jobs, tight schedules, housework, financial burdens, health challenges, etc. If we are not careful, these termites can consume our time for prayer and worship just as surely as those Ghanaian termites consumed wawa boards.

Your place of worship might be your car as you commute to and from work. Now, phone apps allow us to listen to Scripture, to prayers, and to praise music anytime and anywhere. You might have to worship in bits as you bathe or brush your teeth. From experience, we strongly encourage you to worship and pray before your day gets started, for once the “termites of time” appear, prayer and worship become very difficult. May God help you, so that you create an altar, even if it’s only your bathroom sink, and continue to pray and worship God. Your prayers are still just as valuable to God and to you as that costly incense was in the days of Moses.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. Help us to carve out time to pray and worship, realizing that some time is far better than none. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 36:2-7 The People Give More than Enough

2 Then Moses called Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, everyone whose heart was stirred, to come and do the work. 3 And they received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of making the sanctuary. So they continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning. 4 Then all the craftsmen who were doing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work he was doing, 5 and they spoke to Moses, saying, “The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which the Lord commanded us to do.”

6 So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, “Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary.” And the people were restrained from bringing, 7 for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done—indeed too much.

If you have ever been involved in fund-raising for any cause, you know the problems. You present the needs, and everybody applauds. People respond enthusiastically and make extravagant promises…until it’s time to fulfill the promises. Suddenly, people develop very bad memories. Experienced fund raisers know that they must have several budgets, including a budget allowing for all donations as well as a budget that allows for varying degrees of revenue. Such planning is not a matter of faithlessness but of realistic thinking.

When Jesus was teaching his disciples, he warned them to count the cost of discipleship. Luke 14:25-33 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

If we fail to count costs, we are setting ourselves up for disaster as well as profound embarrassment. Missionaries presenting needs to congregations find themselves struggling to ensure that they have represented needs responsibly so projects will be completed successfully, even when promised funding fails to materialize. Such disappointing experiences make the account recorded in Exodus 36:2-7 even more remarkable. The same Israelites who have previously proved faithless and unreliable are so stirred that they persist in bringing daily free will offerings. Nobody is sitting back in their tents, clutching that gorgeous Egyptian material and jewelry and resenting Moses for his requests. Nobody is competing so that others will applaud and praise them. Each morning, as Moses and the artisans report to the donation site, a long line stretches out through the camp comprised of people bearing the most precious things they have in their tents. Those who have already donated see what others are giving and return to bring even more. The Spirit of the Lord is moving, the same Spirit that sends rain on the just and the unjust, the same Spirit who has provided food and water for two million people in the wilderness. And under the influence of the Holy Spirit, the Israelites truly believe that no sacrifice is too much.

I like to think that later, when Moses is reflecting on everything that has happened during the journey through the wilderness, the days of these collections will remain as glorious memories. What happens to the Israelites that they become so generous? God, the God of abundance, is moving in the hearts of the people. But there’s also another principle at work.

God has ordered His people to give their first fruits as an act of obedience and faith. Now God is asking these same people to freely offer the treasures they have received from the Egyptians, trusting that God can give even more. Jesus tells us in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

This teaching is one of the foundational teachings about the Kingdom of God, and yet, there’s more to learn. For when we give what we can, God gives us more than we have given in the first place. Exodus 39 tells us what happened once the Israelites had completed creating everything for the Tabernacle and the priestly garments. Exodus 39:42 According to all that the Lord had commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work. 43 Then Moses looked over all the work, and indeed they had done it; as the Lord had commanded, just so they had done it. And Moses blessed them.

What happens when we enjoy the blessing of the Lord? An AI search reveals the following:
The blessing of the Lord signifies divine favor and well-being. It represents a central theme in the Bible, often associated with prosperity, protection, and spiritual enrichment bestowed upon individuals, families, and nations. This blessing is typically linked to obedience to God’s commandments and living a righteous life, reflecting a relationship of faithfulness with God.

Key Aspects

• Divine Favor: The blessing indicates God’s goodwill and support in various aspects of life.
• Prosperity and Well-Being: It encompasses not just material wealth but also spiritual and emotional health.
• Obedience and Faithfulness: Receiving God’s blessings often requires adherence to His teachings and commandments.

Biblical Context

• The Hebrew word for “bless” implies kneeling in worship, emphasizing reverence and acknowledgment of God’s greatness.
• Blessings are seen as declarations of God’s inherent goodness and a wish for His favor.

By their generosity, the Israelites unlocked God’s favor and abundance. And no matter how much we give, God can give far more than we ever can. Truly, God is the God of “Too much.”

Are you struggling financially or in other areas today? Ask God what He wants you to give Him and then obey. You will find that God can do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” as it says in Ephesians 3:20. May God help you to rest in His Love and trust that the God of Too Much will supply your needs as you give to Him and obey.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to give when You ask, trusting that You will provide exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.” In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 36:1 “And Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whom the Lord has put wisdom and understanding, to know how to do all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the Lord has commanded.”

It is amazing to realize that God is identifying these two artisans to Moses by their names and commending them as skilled, having wisdom and understanding. God also knows the names of every “gifted artisan.” God knows our names and our abilities!!! With everything God has to do to keep the universe going, God knows our names and every part of us. Psalm 139:1-6 tells us,

“1 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
5 You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

When God is instructing Moses on the creation of the Tabernacle, He mentions Bezalel and Aholiab by name, designating them as the chief artisans for this holy work. But it’s a mistake if we assume that God does not know the names of all the other skilled craftsmen and women, for God is the One who has created them with these gifts.

In a recent video commenting on the beginning of school, one educator has adjured all school workers to watch the children attending their schools carefully. School workers should watch out for the kids who have changed in any way, the kids who were happy last year and now are sad, the kids who were doing good school work and now are falling behind, the kids who are hiding during lunch period. These children might be facing bullying or family problems or even abject poverty so bad that they can’t even afford soap or deodorant or clean socks. Many times, it’s not teachers who have identified and encouraged such kids but janitors and bus drivers or cafeteria workers or crossing guards-people with minor positions but who are very perceptive.

You might feel very disgruntled, assuming that you are so insignificant that nobody knows you and nothing you do is important. But God knows your name just as He did those artisans in Israel, and God views your work as vital to His kingdom. Consider Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, a seventeenth century Catholic monk who served as a cook and sandal maker for the Discalced Carmelite Priory in Paris.

In the mid-17th century, a man named Nicolas Herman joined the Carmelite monastery in Paris, France. Wounded from fighting in the European Thirty Years’ war, and suffering a sustained leg injury, he took the monastic name “Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection.” He worked in the monastery kitchen and eventually became the head cook. Amid the chaos of food preparation and the clanging of pots and pans, Brother Lawrence began to practice a simple method of prayer that helped him return to an awareness of Divine presence. He called it the practice of the presence of God and described it as “the most sacred, the most robust, the easiest, and the most effective form of prayer.” [1] 

Brother Lawrence’s method of prayer is so simple that it might seem misleading. It is to cultivate and hand over one’s awareness to God in every moment, in whatever we are doing. Brother Lawrence recommends that newcomers to the prayer use a phrase to recollect their intention toward the Divine presence, such as “‘My God, I am all yours,’ or ‘God of love, I love you with all my heart,’ or ‘Love, create in me a new heart,’ or any other phrases love produces on the spot.” [2] Practice of the Divine presence sometimes simply means taking brief pauses “to love God deep in our heart” and “savor grace.” [3] It involves a surrendered and resting trust in God to which one returns at all times.    (https://cac.org/daily-meditations/brother-lawrence-of-the-resurrection/)

The entry in Wikipedia describes Lawrence this way:

Despite his lowly position in life and the priory, his character attracted many to him. He had a reputation for experiencing profound peace and visitors came to seek spiritual guidance from him.^[10] The wisdom he passed on to them, in conversations and in letters, would later become the basis for the book The Practice of the Presence of God. The conversations had been conducted and recorded by a notable cleric, the Abbé Joseph de Beaufort, who compiled this work after Brother Lawrence died.^[11] This little book was approved by Archbishop of Paris, Louis Antoine de Noailles. When the Archbishop of Paris approved the life of Brother Lawrence made by his Grand Vicar and in his own organisation, he approved that it is said that this brother “forgot himself and was willing to lose himself for God, That he no longer thought of virtue or his salvation … that he had always governed himself by love without interest.^[12] The book consists of sixteen short Letters by himself, a short collection of Spiritual Maxims embodying his views, four Conversations, probably written down by M. Beaufort and a brief Life, apparently from the same hand. It became popular among Catholics and Protestants alike, with John Wesley,^[13] Willard L Sperry,^[14][15] A. W. Tozer^[16] and Hannah Whitall Smith recommending it to others. Hannah Whitall Smith writes: “This little book seems to me one of the most helpful I know.”^[17]

Father de Beaufort recalls that “Lawrence was open, eliciting confidence, letting you feel you could tell him anything … Once you got past the rough exterior you discovered unusual wisdom, a freedom beyond the reach of the ordinary lay brother”. God chooses those through whom He can work. Brother Lawrence continues to influence Christians today because he surrendered his work to God and allowed God to have full control.

When God sent the prophet Samuel to Jesse’s house in Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the next king, Samuel looked at Jesse’s seven tall handsome sons and was certain one of them must be the one he was called to anoint. But God had other ideas. 1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” God rejected every one of those impressive-looking men. It was when Jesse finally called David, the youngest and smallest, from the sheep pasture, that God moved Samuel to anoint a son of Jesse. While the other young men had remained at home with their father, David was out there on the mountainside, protecting sheep and goats from wild animals and writing praise songs to God.

This morning, take heart! God knows your name! God knows your problems! And God wants you to enjoy His peace. Let’s pray.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, please cause everyone who reads these words to realize that You love them individually and that You know everything about them. Help them to realize that no matter where they are, You have called them to be there and they can be Your ministers, no matter how humble their job titles are. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

For years, we maintained a small storage shed; now it was time to clear it completely. When we began, we were certain that clearing that shed would be a piece of cake, in fact, German chocolate cake with thick icing. After all, two years ago, we had given away much of the clothing, so what could possibly be left? Boy! Were we wrong!

There was a TV show entitled Gilligan’s Island that aired between September 1964 and April 1967. The plot revolved around seven people who set sail on what is scheduled to be a three-hour sightseeing tour on the charter boat The Minnow, get caught in a storm and end up stranded on an uncharted tropical island together. The show itself contains a lot of gentle humor and works because of the dynamics among the various members of the cast. Week after week, the cast think they will escape, only for their hopes to be dashed. After passing into syndication, the show has become a cult classic.

For us, clearing our storage shed turned into an adventure reminiscent of Gilligan’s Island. We thought we were going to make it through in one or two days; after all, what could be so difficult about some containers of glassware, clothing, papers, and photographs? We really did assume we might clear the entire thing in three hours. But we rapidly found that our anticipated three hour-tour eventually stranded us in a relative’s garage piled full of containers. We were stuck on a desert island called Memorabilia with no means of escape apart from making agonizing decisions. And we didn’t even have a catchy theme song to encourage us.

We found photographs-bags, boxes, albums. We found correspondence from Emmaus Walks we had taken in 2008. We found old photos from 1967. We also found all my class notes from my Tropical Medicine course at Tulane thirty years ago. Why didn’t we handle these things better or more expeditiously? We kept thinking there would be more time, and there wasn’t.

Along the way, there were some great discoveries. We found my husband’s U.S. Navy uniform, along with two white hats. We found a small dresser we could ship to a cousin, whose father had refinished it in the first place. We were able to pass on a few pieces of furniture to another relative who was thrilled. And one local thrift store catering to a large Congolese population was happy to take all the African stuff we could bring them. Finally, we were left with boxes previously stored in my grandmother’s home, and that was when we found much of my mom’s crystal, something one niece had longed for.

Now we are left with papers and photos to scan. The cloud and peripheral hard drives are  definitely our friends, for without digital records, we have no space to store these things and we can’t carry them any further.

How would we advise others who find themselves in our position? Take care of things today! You will NEVER have more time to deal with those photos, that correspondence, those memories. Scan things, save them to the cloud, save them to peripheral hard drives, save them any way you can and then shred what you must shred and burn what you must burn. And as you deal with memorabilia, thank God for all those people, all those friends, all those relatives, all that travel, all the good times. There are people throughout the world who have lost everything in fires, floods, earthquakes, or other natural disasters. Those people would give anything if they just had a few items left. May God help you so that you will treasure what you have and preserve it in a fashion that does not become a burden!

Exodus 35:4-9 And Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which the Lord commanded, saying: 5 ‘Take from among you an offering to the Lord. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the Lord: gold, silver, and bronze; 6 blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair; 7 ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood; 8 oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; 9 onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate.

Wow! God isn’t asking very much, is He? The Israelites are out in the wilderness without access to any markets; yet, look at the shopping list God has given Moses. Where are the Israelites supposed to get all these costly materials? Actually, they have them already, and God knows exactly who has what. Remember when the Israelites were leaving Egypt, and God ordered them to ask their Egyptian neighbors for their most precious belongings? The Egyptians were so terrified that they were GLAD to load the Israelites with everything they could, just so the Israelites would leave Egypt as quickly as possible. God was moving the Egyptians to give whatever they could, already designating the purpose for each donation. Now, out here in the wilderness, the Israelites have everything they require to create the Tabernacle.

Exodus 35: 20 And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. 21 Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments. 22 They came, both men and women, as many as had a willing heart, and brought earrings and nose rings, rings and necklaces, all jewelry of gold, that is, every man who made an offering of gold to the Lord. 23 And every man, with whom was found blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair, red skins of rams, and badger skins, brought them. 24 Everyone who offered an offering of silver or bronze brought the Lord’s offering. And everyone with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it. 25 All the women who were gifted artisans spun yarn with their hands, and brought what they had spun, of blue, purple, and scarlet, and fine linen. 26 And all the women whose hearts stirred with wisdom spun yarn of goats’ hair. 27 The rulers brought onyx stones, and the stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate, 28 and spices and oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense. 29 The children of Israel brought a freewill offering to the Lord, all the men and women whose hearts were willing to bring material for all kinds of work which the Lord, by the hand of Moses, had commanded to be done.

It’s likely that until now, the Israelites have simply been reveling in possessing wonderful precious things that they could never have afforded on their own. God has already ordered the Israelites to stop wearing this jewelry, and now we realize part of the reason. That jewelry was never intended for the Israelites to wear all the way to the Promised Land but was earmarked for the creation of the Tabernacle. But look at the rest of the list: there’s every kind of cloth, animal skin, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen thread. There are precious stones and spices and premium quality olive oil. Best of all, the Israelites are rushing to give these things freely, without any need for Moses to lecture or threaten.

One of the chief ways in which we lose our peace is failure to trust in God’s provision. Although “God helps them who help themselves” does not appear anywhere in Scripture, many of us are haunted by that phrase and believe that we must continually act as our own Providences. While it’s true that God wants us to be diligent and diligence is commended throughout the Scriptures, it’s equally true that God is the Ultimate Owner of creation. Psalm 50:7-11 tells us, “Hear, O My people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you; I am God, your God! I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are continually before Me. I will not take a bull from your house, nor goats out of your folds. For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are Mine.”

No matter how much wealth we have amassed or the number of our resources, we still must trust God. Catastrophic financial disasters can wipe out retirement savings overnight. Natural disasters such as fires, floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes can devastate our homes, and sometimes, the insurance we have counted on fails to compensate us. Illnesses can ravage our bodies, adding medical costs to our woes. We all are aging; however, as we approach the latter stages of our lives, we become far more aware of the need to depend on God for everything.

How can we combat fear so that we can continue to live victoriously without succumbing to panic or despair? Rely on the God Who has created you and Who has kept you safe right up to today. Our prayer for today is found in Psalm 27. The next time fear threatens to overwhelm you, read this psalm over at least five times. Your situation might not change; however, God can give you peace in the middle of your problems. Find one or two of the verses that speak to you, write them out on post-it notes, and stick those notes everywhere you are likely to see them as reminders of God’s protection and provision.

PSALM 27

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked came against me
To eat[a] up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.

4 One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the [b]beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.
5 For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.

6 And now my head shall be [c]lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of [d]joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
9 Do not hide Your face from me;
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not leave me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the Lord will take care of me.

11 Teach me Your way, O Lord,
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.

14 Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, many of us are frightened and worried, fearing our resources will fail and we will be caught in disasters. But You, O Lord, are the Holy One who has kept us ever since birth. Please strengthen the hearts of all who read these words, so that they KNOW that You love them, that You care for them, and that You will never leave them nor forsake them. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 34:27 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write down all these instructions, for they represent the terms of the covenant I am making with you and with Israel.”

Moses spent forty days and nights copying out all the guidelines for living God wanted the Israelites to follow. God could easily just hand Moses a copy of His laws, but He didn’t. Why did God put Moses through all that work? God knew that Moses needed to become intimately acquainted with all His commands. While Moses likely had a memory trained by Egyptian instructors so that he could remember large volumes of material, he still needed a record. By having Moses copy out the laws, God was ensuring that Moses would study and remember them as he was copying them.

When God was giving instructions for the proper behavior of kings in Deuteronomy 17, He ordered that the king should copy all God’s laws for himself so that he would become expert on them and know them thoroughly. Sadly, not a single king in Israel ever did this, not even King Solomon, who was fond of writing proverbs and other treatises. Somehow, not even Solomon found time to follow God’s orders.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 18 “When he (the king) sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. 19 He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. 20 This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. And it will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel.

Why was God so insistent on writing out His commands by hand? Studies are in, and writing by hand still matters. An AI search reveals the following: Writing things down significantly enhances retention compared to typing. Studies indicate that handwritten notes lead to stronger brain activity and better memory recall. For instance, students using handwritten notes scored 34% higher on concept-based exams than those who typed their notes. Additionally, writing by hand engages more areas of the brain associated with memory and learning, resulting in improved retention of information.

When you write things down, you become involved in what you are writing. Recently, we cleared out a storage shed, and one LARGE container contained my class notes from my studies at Tulane when I earned my Master’s degree in Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Glancing at my notes, I could see my side comments, my high lighting, and all the ways I became involved as I studied those notes for what essentially was a board examination.

Sadly, there is little point in keeping these notes, for tropical medicine has moved on and much of what was considered fresh knowledge has now been supplanted by new discoveries. Some concepts that were considered cutting edge have been discarded entirely. This is why Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:9-10 that “Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless.”

Isaiah 40:8 tells us, “The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”  God’s Word gives us immortal unchangeable truth. God tells us in Psalm 138:2 that “I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name.”

I Peter 1:22-25 repeats Isaiah, saying, “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

You might be entranced by videos or e-books, but how much of that material will endure forever? Even though the writings of Shakespeare and many others have been taught for centuries, there are many people who know nothing about that literature. Teachers know that some writers come in and out of vogue, depending on world events. But the Word of the Lord endures forever.

“But,” you say, “are you suggesting that I should copy out the entire Bible?” No. While such a task might be useful, you won’t do it. But you can find Bible verses that particularly speak to you and write those out on post-it notes, sticking them in places where you can read them and gain comfort from them. In an earlier age, women embroidered samplers with Scripture; however, post-it notes will still work. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” We need God’s Word in our hearts for encouragement to keep going and for guidance, so that we will not sin against God. And you will find that different parts of Scripture apply to your life at different times. The verses that meant so much a few months ago may be supplanted by others that seem more relevant now. No problem. Just keep copying, posting, reading, and memorizing.

Medical workers are constantly reminded of the need for documentation. You might deliver the best care in the world, but if you don’t document it, later someone can accuse you of negligence. Only your records will save you. God has documented His Will for our lives in His Word. When we engage our brains by copying parts of His Word and studying it, we are incorporating that Word into our souls.

Want peace? Try post-it note documentation and Scripture memorization. You’ll be glad you did.PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to study Your Word and to copy those parts that speak most to us so that we will hide them in our hearts. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 34:26 “As you harvest your crops, bring the very best of the first harvest to the house of the Lord your God.

Malachi 1:6-8 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says to the priests: “A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name!

“But you ask, ‘How have we ever shown contempt for your name?’

7 “You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar.

“Then you ask, ‘How have we defiled the sacrifices?

“You defile them by saying the altar of the Lord deserves no respect. 8 When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn’t that wrong? And isn’t it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”

The story is as old as Caine and Abel. Abel offered the very best of his flocks while Caine evidently offered whatever he had gathered up, assuming God should be happy that he had made any effort at all. Abel’s offering pleased God while Caine’s did not. When God told Caine his offering wasn’t adequate, Caine refused to repent. Caine could have humbled himself and asked God to educate him on the sacrifices God wanted and then made better offerings, but he murdered Abel instead. Caine’s problem was simple: He had no respect for God, no regard for the Ruler of the Universe, the One who held his life in divine hands.  

The Israelites had spent years of exile in Babylon because of their sins; yet, when they returned to Jerusalem, after a while, they became very lackadaisical about offerings. Although they began by offering prime animals, eventually, they offered whatever they hadn’t been able to sell in the marketplace, animals so bad that they wouldn’t consider slaughtering them for their own consumption. Now the animals being offered were blind, crippled, and diseased-a total insult to God. God through Malachi observed, “Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!” And then God reminded the Israelites that He was the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. These people weren’t merely insulting a local politician, something they would never dare to do anyway. These people were insulting the Almighty God, and He was angry!

Many of us are just as guilty as Caine or the ancient Israelites. We give God leftovers-our leftover time, our leftover money, our leftover attention, our leftover energy. We get up in the morning, making extravagant promises to ourselves about how we’re going to read our Bibles later. Then later never comes because by evening, we are exhausted. We excuse ourselves from helping with outreaches because we are tired; however, we seem to have enough energy to watch football games, play computer games, or indulge in hobbies. We don’t tithe, but rather give something small, even though we seem to have enough money to go shopping or maintain our Netflix subscription. All the time we are making excuses, the Creator of the Universe is offering us fellowship, love, grace, joy, and peace. But we aren’t interested.

Recently, information has leaked that several major candy companies are now using artificial chocolate rather than the real thing. For those of us who are chocolate lovers, this is devastating news. But are we any better than the makers of Cadbury or Kitkats? We want prime service from God; yet, we refuse to honor Him. We want to fake piety. Nobody does business in this fashion, and God is an excellent businessman.

Giving God our best and giving Him first fruits demonstrates trust in God. We are trusting that if we give God the best of our first harvest, the rest of the harvest will come and will be abundant. When we give God our best, we are trusting that God can give us something even better. When we give God leftovers, we show that we don’t care about God and have no idea of His importance in our lives and the lives of our family members.

When we give freely to God, we are opening our hands so that He can also pour out blessings on us. When we clutch everything to ourselves, our hands are closed. God cannot put anything into closed hands. Want peace? Stop giving God leftovers! Make prime offerings and see how God will meet and exceed everything that you have given.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to give You our very best in everything. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 34:21 “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working, even during the seasons of plowing and harvest.”

You read these words and think, “But we’ve already covered this during the discussion of the Ten Commandments.” True, but this verse adds something that was not mentioned in the original Ten Commandments, the proviso about observing Sabbath even during harvest time.

I grew up on an Illinois farm when our equipment was much smaller and less capable. These days, the equipment is so large that moving it from one farm to another is a major operation in itself. But some things have not changed, and one of those is the dependence of farmers on the weather. Corn and soybeans must both be harvested once they are ripe, and if left in the field too long, the nutritional value deteriorates. At the same time, farmers need clear weather to harvest. Even in this age of grain dryers, harvesting wet crops is still a problem. And then there’s another thing: mud. The fields must be dry enough to bear the weight of the equipment without combines sinking in mud to their axles. Nobody wants to have to call a wrecker to haul out a huge piece of equipment.

Given these exigencies, it’s very tempting for farmers to harvest seven days a week without any rest. One thing my dad did of which I am quite proud is that he did not harvest on Sundays, no matter how urgent the situation seemed to be.  

Why does God specifically mention refusing to harvest on the Sabbath? God knows how much we worry and how prone we are to allow fear to override faith. Remember the rules concerning manna? Even though manna collected during the week would spoil in 24 hours, manna collected on the day before the Sabbath remained good, preserved by divine intervention.

We are on home leave for a few months. Driving around, we can see that the corn and beans are both drying out, becoming ready to harvest. Farmers who have stored grain previously are loading it into large vehicles, selling last year’s grain so they will have room for this year’s. As harvest approaches, so does the temptation to run equipment 24/7 without a Sabbath break.

An AI summary of several articles on farmer fatigue produces the following:
Fatigue significantly contributes to farm accidents during harvest time. Studies indicate that the pressure to maximize harvest output, combined with long working hours and reduced sleep, heightens the risk of injuries. Farmers often work early mornings and late nights, sacrificing rest to meet deadlines, which can lead to impaired judgment and increased accident rates.

Research shows that fatigue is linked to various factors, including longer working hours, heat exposure, and even alcohol consumption, all of which can exacerbate the likelihood of agricultural incidents. Furthermore, specific demographics, such as younger or foreign-born workers, may be at a higher risk for fatigue-related injuries.

In an article entitled “Prevent accidents by focusing on safety during busy harvest season,” Emily Steele, from the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences, gives these warnings:

To prevent fatigue, farmers and agricultural workers should eat protein-packed snacks, not junk food, to maintain energy throughout the day. Drink plenty of water, do not just rely on caffeinated drinks. If possible, take short naps, frequent breaks, and energizing walks. 

For a safe harvest, Illinois Extension recommends also performing routine maintenance, checking for electrical hazards, testing and repairing vehicle lights and signs, watching for overhead electrical hazards, and managing stress.

When the season gets busy, routine housekeeping is typically the first to fall off the to-do list. Test that all machinery lights work and if any reflectors or slow-moving vehicle signs need to be replaced. Also, take time to clean equipment.

“Layers of dirt or dust can obscure the driver’s view especially at sunrise and sunset, so take time to clean all cab windows,” says Rudolphi.

Combine fires are one of the most common and expensive types of fire incidents in production agriculture. They can also cause substantial setbacks during harvest.

Prevent debris fires by frequently blowing off debris with a portable leaf blower or air compressor, and inspect the engine compartment where chaff may have accumulated around bearings, belts and other moving parts. Check fuel or hydraulic system lines before harvest and replace any leaking, cracked, or worn-looking lines.

When in the field, keep an eye out for power lines, which are a threat to tall or extended farm equipment. Be aware of overhead power lines and plan a safe route. Survey the environment before beginning work, taking note of power lines and their location before moving any equipment or extending augers.

“Always work with a spotter when operating large machinery near power lines,” Rudolphi says. “Never attempt to move a power line out of the way or raise it for clearance.”

https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/prevent-accidents-focusing-safety-during-busy-harvest-season

A few quick horror stories. In the fall of 1964, my grandfather was picking corn with a mounted picker on a Farmall M tractor. When cornstalks jammed under one of the split brakes, a fire broke out. Grandpa suffered a severe burn on his right leg and was hospitalized for at least a month. The father of one of my friends had to quit farming when he lost parts of both hands while clearing stalks from a corn picker without disengaging the power take-off. Another local farmer and his son were rushing to finish work on a Friday night so they could watch their high school football team play. The two men were electrocuted and died when the portable grain elevator they were pushing accidentally came into contact with a high-tension wire in the middle of the farm yard.

Harvest seasons can be dangerous wherever you are in the world. But you can reduce the danger if you will follow God’s commands and take a complete break on the Sabbath. Remember that if you are killed or disabled in an accident, the work will still be there and somebody will take care of it. And there’s another thing: trust the Lord of the harvest to guide you so that you and everyone working with you remain healthy and safe and that you bring in a bountiful harvest.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help all who read these words to recognize their need for Sabbath rest and take it, trusting You to care for their harvest. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.