Ironworks

               Most Christians know that there were several sacrifices in the Old Testament. They also realize that the Old Testament sacrificial system pointed to Christ, and that those sacrifices are not needed today because Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice (Heb. 10:10). This is not the problem we have in our understanding of sacrifices. The problem with the sacrificial system for the New Testament Christian is not that we haven’t heard of it, but that we never had to do it. Therefore, we get confused as to what the purpose of each one was, how it worked, and when a person (under the old covenant) was supposed to offer that sacrifice. Let’s look at the different types of sacrifices to help us better understand the scriptures. The 5 Types of Sacrifices/Offerings           In the first 7 chapters of Leviticus the parameters are given for 5 different types of sacrifices. They are: burnt offerings, grain offerings,...

            We are not surprised that at this time of year many of our number will come down with some sort of seasonal illness. Everything from the common cold, to the flu, and even the corona virus have effected some of us and still will throughout the “cold season”. It is at this time of year that we also may become more vigilant in washing our hands and wiping down surfaces such as door knobs. Why do we do that? We do it because we understand many infectious diseases are transferred through clothing and other inanimate objects.  So what about when Moses writes in Leviticus 13:47-59; and 14:33-35 about clothing and buildings being infected with leprosy? Is is possible for clothing or homes to have leprosy on or in them? It seems that we might be tempted to explain away this as a myth of the ancient world. If we take a closer look, we can understand that there were a variety of diseases in the ancient world covered under the blanket term lep...

       “I am so busy,” I said. I have this habit of letting life push me around with the various things that have to be done. Then I remembered that God has called busy men throughout all of time. I remembered that busyness nor tasks are an excuse to the Lord God.  “Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to the mountain of God, unto Horeb” (Ex. 3:1)      God called Moses, who was busy with the flocks of his father in law. It sure would have been easier to keep his eyes to the ground, keep his eyes on only the sheep and not the burning bush.  He could have said, “No, too busy.” However, he looked and listened and the children of Abraham received a great prophet.  “And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he is keeping the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send a...

  And when he hath made her drink the water, then it shall come to pass, if she be defiled, and have committed a trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her and become bitter, and her body shall swell, and her thigh shall fall away: and the woman shall be a curse among her people.  And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed.  Numbers 5:27-28 A very valuable question was brought to me regarding Numbers 5 this last week. It appears that some individuals have been using Numbers 5 as an apparent license to have abortions. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, what we find here is yet another example of God’s Divine provision that He has made to care for His people.  The situation described starting in Numbers 5:11 is in reference of a husband that suspects his wife of committing adultery but cannot prove it. The Law states there must be proof. “At the mouth o...

Have you ever seen someone give up before they have even tried? I have seen it happen over and over again. There is a temptation to give up when things get really tough. What we say during those times can cause even greater damage to not just the one saying it but those who hear it.  Wicked Witnesses The children of Israel murmured/whispered against Moses often in the period of wilderness wandering. Their lack of trust in the Lord predated even their going out of the land of bondage. They said,  “Is not this the word that we spake unto thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it were better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness (Ex 14:12).  How will we respond when the elders say we have great work to do or when the sermon always involves a call to action? The children of Israel were witnesses of all the signs and wonders that God worked as He liberated them. Even after all that, they still went back ...