The Sin of Omission
“If anyone sins because they do not speak up when they hear a public charge to testify regarding something they have seen or learned about, they will be held responsible."
Leviticus 5:1
Our verse today covers the sin of omission where the witness of sin keeps quiet about it when called on to testify. We can see an example of this in the story of Achan in Joshua 7. He took some of the plunder that God had forbidden anyone to take and he and his family kept quiet about it hoping God wouldn’t notice. God exposed Achan’s sin to Joshua and had Achan and his entire family stoned to death as a result.
This is the letter of the law. On one hand, we like laws, they provide order and allow us to have justice and we can segregate and separate from the lawbreakers. On the other hand, we don’t like the law because we find that we ourselves are lawbreakers too. We didn’t even mean to…
I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death.
Romans 7:10-11
Praise the Lord for we are saved! There is no condemnation for those in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:1) We can now approach the Law from a place of gratitude and security rather than fear. The price for your biggest sin yet to come has already been paid and you have been elected in spite of the sum of all your sins. Now we get to testify to the world of his great mercy, instead of being guilty of omitting truth.
Jonathan Duncan
Returning to God’s Word
Our God, full of grace and mercy, understands that His people sometimes slip into sinful behavior and attitudes out of ignorance. When we realize this has occurred, God calls us to confess and repent. He also expects us to do whatever we can to return to the center of His will, especially as revealed to us through divine scripture.
We see a remarkable example of this from the life of Judah’s King Josiah. Somehow, over the centuries following their conquest of the promised land, the Jews forgot the covenant God made with them during the time of Moses. Even the words of that divine covenant – as recorded in the holy scriptures – were lost and forgotten by God’s chosen people! As a result, they wandered far from God’s will and absorbed many evil practices from the pagan culture around them. Although they were far from God’s will they didn’t know it. However, in 2 Kings 22:8, the Jewish high priest made a startling discovery one day and sent a message to King Josiah to inform him that the book (scroll) of the covenant God once gave to Moses had been found somewhere in the temple of the LORD. It seems the book had been forgotten and ignored, just sitting in some dusty place for generations. It may have been forgotten by man, but it was not forgotten by God. His covenant – with both blessings for the Jews if they obeyed and curses if they disobeyed – was still in effect just as in the time of Moses.
When King Josiah read the Book of the Covenant, divine words not heard before, his heart was grieved over Israel’s sins. He tore his royal robes as a sign of repentance and as the representative of the Jewish people, his sign of repentance extended to the whole nation. But Josiah did not stop there for he realized how far the Jews had drifted from God’s will. Josiah next called all the leaders and the people to assemble before the temple of the LORD and hear God’s words for themselves. As they stood together before the LORD they renewed their commitment to the Book of the Covenant. This was an act of national repentance and turning from pagan culture back to God. In the months that followed, Josiah made good on that commitment by cleansing every pagan religious symbol and practice he could from the land.
This example of repentance by an entire nation should challenge us too. As today’s people of God, we should examine ourselves to see if there’s any way that we’ve drifted from the center of God’s will. Are there secular values and practices we’ve absorbed from our modern, pagan culture? What should we do if we find values or lifestyle choices that contradict God’s Word? Let’s pray we will follow Josiah’s example and seek to truly repent and reform our lives, our community, and our nation. It was the right thing for them and it’s the right thing for us to do. May you always lean into Jesus, the living word of God, so your walk be pleasing in God’s sight.
Dave Korinek
The Weight of Leadership
In Leviticus 4, there is one set of instructions for “the anointed priest,” another set of instructions for a “leader,” and yet another for “the common people.” With each step “downward” in influence, the value of the prescribed sacrifice goes down. Is this because leaders are more valuable to God? Is it true that a priest is worth a bull, but a common person is only worth a goat? No! These differences in sacrifices don’t correlate to the differences in the value of the person, but to the differences in the influence that the person has over God’s people. In fact, I would suggest that the reason that leaders are held to higher standards is actually that the people who are led are so valuable to God. Let me see if I can explain.
Let’s start with Luke 12:48, which says, "Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more." The idea here is that those who have been given more resources, gifts, talents, or opportunities are expected to use them wisely and for the greater good. This applies not only to material wealth but also to positions of leadership and influence.
Leaders have been entrusted with much, especially in the way of influence, and therefore much is expected of them. They have a responsibility to use their power and influence for the benefit of those they lead, to make decisions that reflect Jesus’ way and heart, setting an example of integrity and accountability.
So this principle about the weight of leadership, "to whom much is given, much is required," reminds us that leadership is not just about having authority or being in charge; it is about stewardship and service. Leaders must be willing to sacrifice (yes, isn’t that a great word for this) their own interests and desires for the sake of others.
So, what about you? Who do you have influence over? Is it kids, family, friends, employees, or any number of relationships? I still haven’t met someone who doesn’t have any influence, and that is because I believe that everyone can lead in the area of their giftedness. So whether you like it or not, that means that you are a leader. That is a weighty task, but I pray that you will be able to stand up under that weight. The promise is that in the end, those who have been entrusted with much and have fulfilled their responsibilities with integrity and wisdom will be rewarded with more responsibility and influence. I pray that your influence will only grow!
Josh Rose
Discipleship Pastor
Unintentional
David prays in Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me; and lead me in the way everlasting.” David deeply embraces the truth that He is known and loved by God. Who better to search his heart, than the God who knows David better than he knows himself. God, who knitted him in his mother’s womb (v 13); God, who has ordained every day of his life (v 16); and God whose thoughts toward David are precious and more numerous than the grains of sand (v17-18). God can be trusted with David’s heart and we can trust God with ours.
Living in a broken, fallen world can be a challenge; and we are still a work in progress. It is possible in the day to day to sin without intention; yet in Leviticus we see that God still required a sacrifice for unintentional sin. Today, we glory in the truth that Jesus Christ paid for our sins, past, present and future, intentional and unintentional; yet a confession of sin assures us that God is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and purify us from all unrighteousness ( 1 John 1:9). There is no wrath to fear, because Christ took every sin upon Himself when He went to the cross; so we could enjoy a relationship with God. And when we confess, it is because we cherish first and foremost our intimate relationship with God; desiring a pure heart before Him. We do not want any sin; intentional or unintentional to cause us to distance ourselves from His love. Like David, we can confidently pray for God to search us and reveal our sin, because nothing can separate us from His love (Rom 8:38).
Margy Hill
The Life of a Walking Sacrifice
“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
Hebrews 13:15-16 ESV
It was 12 AM, way past my bedtime. I was wide awake and my tummy hurt so bad. Why did it hurt so much? This sucks so much. Mommy probably made some bad Dino Nuggets this time. Suddenly, I felt it. No, no, no, I can’t puke in my bed, I’ll get it all over Joshua (my brother on the bottom bunk). I ran out of my bunk-bed to the toilet, barely making it to the toilet before I relinquished my innards with a mighty hurl. It was the worst feeling I had experienced up until that point in my life. (I was only four, so that wasn’t saying much.)
I heard the heavy thumping of footsteps in the hallways as I hung over the toilet.
“Hey, big guy, you doing okay?” Daddy sleepily whispered to me, wiping the sleep out of his eyes.
I shook my head and groaned, ready to let go another load. Daddy knelt down and placed his warm bulky hand on my back.
“That’s okay buddy, I’m here.”
And there he stayed with me for hours. He brought me ginger ale and Pepto-Bismol to help soothe my ravaged stomach. We didn’t stay in the bathroom all night, thankfully. I couldn’t fall back asleep. After I puked a couple more times and got it all out of my system, we moved out into the living room. My dad, half awake, but still tender, turned on the TV and watched Disney movies with me until the morning light, knowing full well that he had a whole day of work in a few hours to look forward to.
My father is what I like to call a walking sacrifice. We’ve been calling it in our recent sermon series: an “altared” life, or rather as scripture calls it: a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). My father isn’t perfect. His anger issues were difficult growing up with and he never quite knew how to connect with our family emotionally, but he sacrificed, and did so without ceasing. He never neglected to do good or to share with those around him, telling us about the goodness of God in the process. He lives a life that, based on what I’ve seen and according to the author of Hebrews, pleases God.
You don’t have to be a father, nor perfect, to embody the Father’s perfect love. Through Christ, as we read in Hebrews 13, the sacrifices of a grace-changed soul (AKA “Fruit”) become a sweet aroma of praise to our Father in Heaven. Praise almost always looks like a sacrifice in some way. We can’t just float through life expecting God to be pleased with wherever our passions take us. Christ offered himself as the perfect example for us by laying down everything He had and everything He desired in pursuit of His Father’s greater pleasure: to see His people redeemed. By this, we see that our praise is often laying down our desires for something (or someone greater. That praise can look like giving something you have to someone who needs it more. Sometimes, it’s telling someone how God has blessed you this week. Other times, it’s staying up all night with someone you love when they’re sick, just so they know that they’ll be okay.
Thank God for the opportunity of sacrificial praise. Amen.
Jaraed Benjamin Graf
Our Peace
A longing for peace is at the core of the human soul; following closely behind a longing to be loved and seen. Yet peace is often one of the most difficult things to find; especially in our society today. Is it any wonder that God uses the word “peace” over 300 times throughout Scripture? John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Then just two chapters later Jesus says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” God knows our chaos, and sees and understands the deepest longings of our souls.
Three years ago, our lives were turned upside down by an insidious, confusing illness that quickly turned into a worldwide pandemic. While COVID was physically devastating for many, it also left emotional scars that created fear, anxiety, and anything but peace. Research shows that anxiety and depression have increased by 25% worldwide since the onset of COVID, and most therapists report a significant increase in clients seeking therapy for anxiety. This has been true as our own pastoral staff has sought to provide care for people in our congregation as well. Not all people experience anxiety in the same way; the impact and degree of anxiety can vary. A diagnosed anxiety disorder is a serious matter that may need further medical assistance. If this is your situation, please reach out for help.
Some though are dealing with a level of anxiety that while debilitating, with some assistance, could be guided towards a more healthy and hopeful direction. There are many tools to overcome anxiety. As stated earlier, Scripture is full of guidance that can point us towards the peace that Jesus offers. Another tool is called a “Breath Prayer”. When anxiety hits, it is often difficult to reverse its effects, unless you are prepared to do so. A breath prayer consists of around 5-10 words, established and memorized ahead of time, that can calm your spirit, redirect your focus, and serve as a reminder of God’s never ending peace. Some examples are: “Jesus, you are my peace”, “God, you are in complete control”, “Lord, you keep me in perfect peace for your mind is set on me.” (Is. 26:3), or “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” (1 Cor. 14:33). This spiritual practice of a breath prayer can take the fear, doubt, and anxiety that our world throws at us and put it back in its place.
Whether it is the lasting impact of COVID or the real every day chaos that we encounter, anxiety that intends to divert our attention away from Jesus can be overcome. Spend some time today prayerfully considering a breath prayer. What is God bringing to mind that will help you in your time of need? Write it down, tape it to your bathroom mirror and be prepared when anxiety strikes. Jesus, is your peace!
Lynette Fuson
Care & Counseling Director
Church Potluck Offering
I remember church potlucks as a kid; running to be first in line as soon as “Amen” was spoken, skipping over all the veggies and potato salad. It was fun having a host of food choices, especially a bunch of desserts. Later, I had a pastor that didn’t like having potlucks because “there is no luck in Christ” he would say. Instead of potluck, he called the same kind of church fellowship meal a “covered dish,” and the church had lots of those. It is good to gather together in thankfulness with food.
The peace offering described in Leviticus chapters 3 and 7 is the only offering that is given to the Lord with a part of the sacrifice returned to and enjoyed as a community in celebration. Lev 3:1, “If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offers an animal from the herd, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the Lord.” Most translations say “peace” offering as the ESV does, but a few, such as the NIV, translate this as “fellowship” offering because the offering is enjoyed with thanks in fellowship and with thanks for the fellowship of others.
In Acts 2:42-47 it is clear that believers in the early church “broke bread” together regularly, meeting often together in each other’s homes and at church. The peace offering was the only offering explained in Leviticus that was optional. Individuals in God’s family could potentially go their whole lives without bringing a peace offering before the Lord. How about you? How are you celebrating with and for the people God has put around you?
John Riley
Our Promise
The peace offering in Leviticus 3 is not about making peace; rather it is about celebrating peace. This offering is voluntary and given in three specific situations; as a freewill offering, a fulfilled vow offering, or a thanksgiving offering. In all cases, the worshiper is praising God for His absolute goodness.
Perhaps this offering is better understood in Hannah’s story. Hannah desperately wanted a child, but Scripture teaches the Lord had closed her womb: “And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughter, but to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb” (1 Sam 1:6). And if being barren wasn’t difficult enough, her rival Peninnah continued to severely provoke her. Year after year, as the family went up to the house of the Lord, Peninnah provoked Hannah causing her to weep and not eat. She was unable to partake in the peace offering; she could not celebrate in her deep despair. Hannah deeply respected God; knowing to participate in the offering would mean a level of pretense before God that was not authentic.
“And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish” (I Sam 1:10). Hannah prayed for a son and vowed to give him to the Lord all the days of his life. Eli the priest watched Hannah and mistook her sorrowful spirit for drunkenness, but Hannah assured him she was not a wicked woman, only a woman who had spoken out of an abundance of grief and sorrow…until now.
Eli responds: “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So Hannah went her way and ate, her face was no longer sad (1 Sam 1:17-18). She held onto God’s promise and her faith was certain.
The Lord remembered Hannah and gave her a son whom she named Samuel which means “asked of God.” After Samuel is weaned, Hannah fulfilled her vow with a peace offering; and she took not one but three bulls, one ephah of flour (grain offering) and a skin of wine and her most precious gift; her son Samuel to the LORD in Shiloh (1 Sam 1:24). She powerfully testifies before Eli that the Lord granted her petition. She breaks out in a prayer that would later inspire Mary’s Magnificat, as she sings about the joy of carrying the Promised Savior of the world. Hannah is a woman who trusted in the promises of God.
What we learn from Hannah is that her darkest moments kept her from celebrating what was already hers. However, she took her sorrows to the One who could do something about it and there she found faith for her journey. Hannah’s peace offering was of her free will, a fulfilled vow, and tremendous thanksgiving. God is faithful to keep His promises as we promise to trust His good and perfect plan for our lives; and that is always worth celebrating!
Margy Hill
Order Matters
Middle school gym class. Did anyone else have shivers run down their spine? Those were the days, weren’t they? I can remember the pressure of having to dress out and the stress of making sure I knew the combination of my padlock. I practiced for a few nights before, not wanting to get stuck unable to open my locker to get my gym clothes. Three numbers. In sequence. The order mattered. If you got the right numbers, but in the wrong order, you were going to be locked out, unable to join the rest of your class.
As we’ve been studying the five sacrifices in Leviticus, I’m struck by the fact that they are given in a very specific order. They start with the burnt offering because the burnt offering makes atonement (Lev. 1:4). It’s a way of making payment for sin and purifying the space. The second offering was the grain offering and it was a way of saying back to God, “I trust you with my whole life.” The next sacrifice is the peace offering and in Leviticus 3:5 we read, “Then Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar on top of the burnt offering, which is on the wood on the fire; it is a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.” On top of the burnt offering, that’s key. That means the burnt offering serves as a foundation for the other offerings - including the peace offering.
It’s important to note that the peace offering was not given to make peace with God, it was a way to mark ways that the people had experienced God’s peace. The peace offering was given in thanksgiving and as a way to say “thank you” for the fulfillment of a vow and answered prayer. However, peace was not possible without the burnt offering. Peace was not possible without atonement. The peace offering was not making peace, it was marking peace. The order matters.
As we seek to live as followers of Jesus, I’m reminded that the order matters for us too. We live in the truth that we have peace with God. In Romans 5:1 Paul wrote,
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
We have peace with God. We don’t bring an offering to get peace, we get to live a life in response to the peace that has been purchased for us by the blood of Jesus. He is our burnt offering. That happened first, and now we get to live in response to his grace. The order matters.
In light of the fact that you have peace with God, throughout your day try to notice signs of his peace, wholeness, and well-being. Notice his fingerprints in your life and then pause to offer a sacrifice of praise.
Ryan Paulson
I might delete this…
This week, Leviticus 2 covers God’s instructions for the grain offerings. A few weeks ago, when we were discussing this passage and deciding on who would write what, the point was made that the grain mixture had to be baked like a cake, before it was burnt on the altar. Why go through the hassle of baking the whole thing only to incinerate some of it?
In many ways, the sacrifice includes the time and effort it takes to bake the bread. We can see that God wants our material goods, our “grain“ as well as our work and our time. Put simply, he wants our attention not just our stuff.
Coincidentally, in years past when I felt completely overwhelmed by life, I would sit down and type a big letter to God. I put my confusion and my frustration in black and white and somehow, it flowed into worship and became this sweet joyful prayer. When I finished, I realized that I had something valuable, something private between God and me. So I’d delete the entire thing, knowing that I had communed with God in a special way. It’s now secured in time past, safe from me or anyone else ruining it.
Only now looking back on that, do I realize the significance of what the Lord led me to do. I’m also faced with the chilling thought, how many things did I make “for God” in full view of everyone and just sorta hope God could glean honor from them. What if we did things or made things secretly that only God could enjoy? What if we could engage in artful expression or creative writing, or otherwise do something to bring delight only to our King? What if we carefully and lovingly baked our offerings?
Jonathan Duncan