Leviticus 22-23

Leviticus 22:1 (NIV) "The LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons to treat with respect the sacred offerings the Israelites consecrate to me, so they will not profane my holy name. I am the LORD."

Chapter 22 of Leviticus primarily focuses on unacceptable sacrifices, quality of offering to be consecrated to the LORD is of utmost importance. For believers today in thinking about sacrifices to the LORD, animal blood sacrifice is not part of the Christian ritual, neither is human sacrifice - though Paul in his letter to the Romans talks and urges living sacrifices which takes the form of worship, similar to yesterday's Psalm regarding giving thank offerings up to the LORD.

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Over and over again through scripture we see in both the old and new testaments that God desires relationship with his creation, because He is holy God is pleased with righteousness and when our affections and worship are properly aligned toward Him. Covenantal understanding that forgiveness can only be attained with the shedding of blood makes the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross final - which requires our ongoing obedience and daily surrender of our will for God's. God is not pleased with righteous deeds paired with an unrighteous dirty heart, He desires close communion with the men and women who honor God with their lips and hearts, this is truly pleasing worship to the LORD. Proper and acceptable sacrifice involves a purity of heart, we see this demonstrated in the imperfections of King David a man after God's own heart. 

Psalm 51:16-17 (NIV) "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise."

The public declaration of personal repentance after committing adultery and murder demonstrates true worship through contrition of heart and that David understands his orientation to God and what pleases and is most desirable to God. The beautiful thing about David's prayer of repentance to the LORD is in his earnest and humble approach to the holy throne of God through his desire not to be banished or cast from the presence of God - David acknowledges the gravity of his sin against God and that God alone can forgive sin. It pleased God that Jesus was the final blood sacrifice that once and for all covered the sins of mankind, as a response of obedience through active faith (belief) and trust in the great saving grace of God, we must repent of our sins and receive the free gift of forgiveness.

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