Sin offering

Yesterday, I took a look at the "sin offering" in Leviticus 4.  The one detail glaringly clear, in my mind at least, was that before the writer tells about the types of sins in chapter 5, one reads, who is allowed forgiveness by the offerings of a blood sacrifice.  The natural question would be, "you mean forgiveness is not allowed for all?"  The answer is "all are without excuse" (Rom. 1.20) and if one fits a category given in chapter 4, then, by grace, of course one may obtain forgiveness of sins.
Remember, it is God Who chooses those He bestows grace and forgiveness. (Mal 1.3, Rom 9.13, Eph. 2.8, 9).

Categories of those without excuse:

1. (4.2) "a soul"

•  basically, anyone. But remember who this chapter is written to.  "Chosen people, Israel."  Should that make a difference with this first category?  You decide.

      2. (4.13) "whole congregation"

•  all the assembly the author would be addressing is held to the  same law - even if the sin is    "through ignorance."  Again, we are all "without excuse."

      3. (4.22) "a ruler"

•  no one, regardless of social or political status, is exempt.  "All have sinned and come short..." (Rom 3.23)

      4. (4.27) "common people"

• even those who are not privileged to the teaching of the law.  This one gives me trouble except to comprehend the doctrine of election.  God, who is holy and answers only to that holiness and to no created being, directs His salvation, through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom and when HE chooses.  
• Election is one of those doctrines I rest in but must at times "put in the mystery bag." (I Tim 3.9, Col 1.27, Eph 6.19...)

The conclusion of "to whom" the sin offering is granted would be the words of an old preacher;

"The mystery is not that He chose some but that He chose any!"

                                "I'm glad I'm one of them!" 

Today, I have had a difficult time settling down from this weeks activity.  I asked the Lord to help me center on Him and meditate upon His Word.  Instead of moving on the the next offering given in the Levitical law, He gave me this;

A recap of what has been studied so far and Holy Spirit spoken thoughts to go with recent study;

• the burnt offering - this is the offering one should willingly give to be "flayed to pieces."

1.       My Best would be extra time that should be given to Him

• the meat/meal offering - this was to have no leaven, that is, I'm to add nothing to what He has given.

 2.     Must Bend to His will in every detail

• the peace offering - all fat and organs to do with the blood (kidney and liver) were to be burned, this was a specific directive.

3.     Must Bow to anything the unction of the Holy Ghost says to put away, i.e. all
        excesses  (fat is an  excess) He puts His hand to.

Much of this may seem repetitive to the reader, but the writer of this blog cannot get away from the "inexhaustibleness" of the riches of His Word.