Tuesday, May 28: Leviticus 4– Sin is a big deal to God…

What do you do about sin?  You offer a sin offering!

"Say to the Israelites: 'When anyone sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD's commands-- "'If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, … (2-3).

 "'If the whole Israelite community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD's commands, even though the community is unaware of the matter, they are guilty (13).

"'When a leader sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the commands of the LORD his God, he is guilty (22).

"'If a member of the community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD's commands, he is guilty (27).

God takes Moses through each possible scenario of sin, priest, community, leader, people… here is what you do in the case of unintentional sin.

The first thing I noticed was that this was unintentional sin… ‘ooops I didn’t realize this was sin’ sin. God provides a sacrifice to get you out from under the weight of that sin. 

But I wondered what about intentional sin? ‘I don’t care.  I am going to break the law’ kind of sin?  This is not addressed and I am left merely to wonder.

Sin is clearly a BIG deal to God. It is not some ‘no worries, everybody does it’ behavior. Sin is an affront to God!

The second piece I noticed is that, despite being unintentional, the people are guilty! And when the priest sins he brings guilt on all the people… Yikes!!!

Again sin is a BIG deal to God. Sin is an affront to God.

My thoughts flipped from them to me. I am so thankful Jesus took care of all sin for the woman or man who believes… the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).  And when we confess our sin God purifies us from ALL unrighteousness (1John 1:9). Jesus is the answer for all sin, intentional and unintentional! What an incredible gift.

God, even as my heart bursts in praise, it multitasks and examines and confesses my own sin…

Praise and thanks to You who forgives my sin thanks to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

And confession of sin, my sin which caused me to be lost, condemned and out of fellowship with You. Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned…

Bless and thank You, Jesus, that Your blood covers my sin. Thank You, Father, for sending Jesus and bless You, Holy Spirit, for applying Jesus’ blood to my sin stained life. Amen.