Burnt Offerings To The Lord

And when the seventh month had come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem. Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his brethren, arose and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God. Though fear had come upon them because of the people of those countries, they set the altar on its bases; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening burnt offerings. They also kept the Feast of Tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings in the number required by ordinance for each day. Afterwards they offered the regular burnt offering, and those for New Moons and for all the appointed feasts of the Lord that were consecrated, and those of everyone who willingly offered a freewill offering to the Lord. From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, although the foundation of the temple of the Lord had not been laid.

Ezra 3:1-6

Sometimes we get by without instructions. But when it comes to putting together a life that reflects the goodness and wisdom of God, we can’t afford to ignore the directions He’s given to us in the Bible.

The Israelites who had returned to their land after the Babylonian captivity are a good example to us. As they began to reestablish worship in their homeland, they prepared to do so “in accordance with what is written in the Law of Moses.” They built a proper altar, and they celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles as prescribed by God in Leviticus. They did exactly what God’s directions told them to do.

Christ gave His followers some directions too. He told them to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” When we believe in Him, and come to Him, He shows us the way to live. The One who made us knows far better than we do how life is supposed to work.

If we want God to lead us, we must be willing to follow Him.

Our Daily Bread – November 19, 2015