Archives for January 2024

Easter, Holy week and Passover: How to Put Christ First

Filed Under: Christian living // January 30, 2024

This post is all about Easter and how you can put Christ first this season.

Easter has become a bit controversial these last few years with many people saying that Christians appropriated a pagan holiday. Because of this, many Christians heave decided to celebrate Passover or Holy week instead of Easter to keep God at the center.

Here is how you can honor God this Easter Season.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

The truth about Easter

Easter is the one day a year that most of the secular world is apt to hear the gospel. A day of eating delicious food and getting chocolate wasted is the same day that people are itching to hear the good news of the gospel. And yet, Christians seem to be up in arms about what they are to do with Easter. Should we celebrate Easter if it has pagan roots? Should we celebrate Passover instead, since that is what Jesus did? And what is Holy week? Should we be celebrating something new each day?

There are so many options when it comes to this single day out of the year. But how do we as Christians keep our eyes focused on Jesus through this time?

Easter and its counterparts: what are they?

Easter has pagan roots

A common argument against Christians not celebrating Easter is that it has pagan roots. But does it?

A few years ago, there was a meme circulating that linked Easter with the ancient god Ishtar. There was also a like between Easter and the Germanic goddess of spring, Eastre. If that is true, should Christians celebrate Easter?

The main evidence given for Easter being linked to these gods is from an English monk, Venerable Bede, who lived centuries after these gods and festivals were celebrated. There is more abundant evidence that the days of the week and month are named after pagan deities. So, should Christians also stop using the calendar?

Let’s say for the sake of argument, that Easter is rooted in a pagan holiday. Does that prevent Christians from celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Or can the God who moves mountains and resurrects Christ from the dead, also use days that were once misappropriated by pagans and transform them for His own glory?

Celebrate Easter with Eggs hunt and Chocolate bunnies

One of the biggest objections to Christians celebrating Easter is the symbols associated with it. Because bunnies reproduce rapidly, they were associated with fertility and sex. Eggs were also a sign of fertility. Thus, it is argued that if Christians celebrate Easter with these traditions and symbols, we are partaking in pagan rituals.

Easter egg hunt — Not all Easter traditions are inherently bad. God can be kept first and traditions still enjoyed.

However, it is not wrong to understand that fertility plays a key role in life and keeping the population going. There is nothing wrong in knowing that sex and reproduction are gifts from God when enjoyed in His framework and context. The problem with the pagans (and what some Christians fall prey to as well) was in worshiping the created things rather that the Creator (Romans 1:25). If Christ is kept center of the Easter season, then it is possible for our children to enjoy the harmless tradition of an Easter Egg Hunt.

These resurrection eggs on Amazon are perfect for keeping Christ at the center of Easter!

Passover is what Jesus celebrated.

Passover is the Jewish religious tradition that Jesus partook in with His disciples the night he was betrayed. In one sense, Christians do celebrate Passover every time they partake in communion because they remember Christ’s body broken and blood poured out for them.

The reason mainstream Christianity does not celebrate Passover today is because it is a Jewish religious tradition. Yes, the Jews in the Old Testament were commanded to remember Passover, but nowhere in the New Testament is the command given. Thus, Passover, much like the Sabbath, was given under the law and fulfilled by Christ’s death and resurrection.

This book would be perfect for teaching your young kids (and yourself) about the Jewish Passover.

Even if Christians celebrate Passover today, many do not celebrate the Biblical Passover. This includes traditional Seder (Bible readings) and meal, while remembering the Jewish escape from slavery in Egypt. The focus of Jewish Passover is God’s deliverance to the Jews when He parted the Red sea, not on the resurrection of Christ. Traditional Passover celebration misses out on the hope we have because of the cross.

Holy week Follows the week of Christ and the Cross

Holy week, traditionally celebrated by Catholics, is the final week of lent, leading up to Easter. This is a time to observe and remember the “Passion of Christ” or His final week in Jerusalem leading up to His Death and resurrection. Although it is called Holy week, there are really only four days of importance.

These 4 days of Holy week can help to keep Christ at the center of Easter.

Holy week begins one week before Easter on Palm Sunday. This is in remembrance of the day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and the jews laid out palm branches to welcome Him.

Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus’ last Supper with His disciples and the commandment to love one another. There is a tradition of foot-washing on this day because Jesus washed His disciples’ feet.

Good Friday is the day when Jesus’ crucifixion is observed. This Holy Friday is a sober remembrance that it is our sin that nailed Jesus to the cross.

Holy Saturday remembers that Jesus spent 3 days in the grave. There is traditionally a nighttime vigil or church service for this day.

Just as with Jewish Passover, Holy week is deeply rooted in tradition, and is nowhere commanded in the canonical Bible to observe.

Keeping Christ first: What should Christians celebrate?

A better approach to the Easter season is to realize that holidays are what you make of them. Easter is now (and as far back as the second or third century), celebrated as the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians can use this day to remember the sacrifice of our savior, joyfully pointing others to the gospel, or we can point fingers at those who celebrate differently than we do, causing more divisions among brothers and sisters and pushing the secular world further away from Christ.

Religious festivals do not save

Paul writes in Colossians 2:16-17 “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” Now, of course Paul was talking about the Jewish religious festivals. But the same concept still applies today.

Here, Paul is saying that the religious festivals the Jews observed could not make them righteous. Just as offering sacrifices day after day could not make them right before God. They needed a Savior. The festivals were just a shadow of the hope that was to be found in Jesus. It is only in Jesus that we find life and peace with God. It is only through Jesus that we are made right with God. We cannot be made righteous by celebrating festivals or holidays. Just as we cannot be made more righteous by avoiding them.

Christ-centered Easter — The true meaning of Easter comes from what Jesus did on the cross for us.

Religious festivals are personal choices

Romans 14:5-6 says that “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord… and gives thanks to God.”

The question is not whether celebrating Easter is right for all Christians. Because there is no command in the Bible to celebrate it or abstain from it, no one can make that decision. Rather, the question is: is celebrating Easter (or a Christian Passover, or the Holy week) right for you. Whatever you decide, you should be fully convinced in your own mind that you are using that day for the glory of God.

Making your decision about Easter

It can be hard to know what to do about Easter. In reality, Easter may or may not have had a pagan connection in the past. But does that really matter? When you think of Easter, is the first thing you (and the secular world) think about ancient pagan rituals, or is it Christ’s resurrection?

Traditional Jewish Passover may not be the same as a Christian Passover, but celebrating one or the other may give you beautiful history and insight into the God we serve, strengthening your faith.

Holy week is a traditionally Catholic observance, but incorporating the Holy days into your traditions before Easter may help you and your family experience Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection in a new way, coming to a deeper understanding of the sacrifice He made for you.

No matter how you choose to celebrate Easter, make sure that your motives are to bring God glory. As Paul writes, “whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Try not to cause others to stumble. You don’t know where others are spiritually, so be mindful of what you say or post on social media.

The power of Easter

Easter of itself, has no power. The day itself does not change people’s hearts and how they choose to express their adoration to God. Christians who celebrate Easter are not willfully partaking in pagan rituals. Christians who don’t celebrate Easter are not deliberately undermining the gospel. Each person is choosing to honor Christ as Lord and Savior in the best way they know how.

The power of Easter is knowing that Jesus was delivered over to death for your sins and raised to life for your justification (Romans 4:25).

The resurrection is central to the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we say we are Christians (followers of Christ) then we are agreeing with the Bible that Jesus died and was raised to life on the third day. His death was a sacrifice for our sins, fulfilling the Old Testament law and prophesies, and giving us everlasting life through him.

Resurrection sunday — Do you truly believe in the death and resurrection of Christ? Are you thankful for His sacrifice?

This Easter Season

Instead of arguing about the origins of Easter, let’s celebrate the risen king this Easter. Let us Christians rise up and preach the gospel by our actions more than our words. Be a people who declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9).

Whatever you choose to celebrate, enjoy the peace with God through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice (Romans 5:1).

What are you celebrating this Easter?

This post was all about the Easter season and how Christians can celebrate in a way that puts God first.

The exciting truth about the limits of sacrifices

Filed Under: Bible Study, Leviticus // January 23, 2024

This Bible study on Leviticus 4-7 is all about the limits of sacrifices in the Old Testament, and why that is exciting for us Christians!

Get access to the complete Leviticus Bible study and free guide Here!

The first three sacrifices that God gave instructions for the Israelites to make were completely voluntary. They would come from the heart with a desire to know God more. But God is a holy God, and He required that the Israelites make two sacrificial offerings. Through these five offerings, it is clear that there are limits of sacrifices. We need a savior.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

Read all about the limits of sacrifices, before reflecting on it below.

Leviticus 4 – 7

Unintentional sins require reconciliation

When anyone sins unintentionally. This was not a matter of “if” you were to sin, but rather “when.” No one is able to keep the laws and commands of God fully. Atonement must be made even when the sin was unintentional. The Hebrew root word for unintentional means to go astray or to wander off. It may not be a deliberate and conscious act of rebellion. However, inadvertently disobeying God still needs atonement because it still separates us from a Holy God. These were not accidental sins committed before they knew the Lord. Rather these were the unintentional sins of a people who had committed themselves to God and to following His commands.

How have your unintentional sins separated you from Christ? Have you been reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)?

Forgiveness and the limits of sacrifices

When describing the sacrifice that each person would make when they sinned unintentionally, God included that “they will be forgiven” (4:20, 4:26, 4:31, 4:35, 5:10, 5:16, 6:7). Over and over, with the sin and guilt offering, God assures His people that when they come to Him with a right heart, they will be forgiven. God does not allow sin to be in His presence because He is holy. But He made a way for all to come to Him and be confident that the relationship could be restored.

Under the Old Covenant, the limits of sacrifices were that they had to be made continuously to approach God. Under the New Covenant, Jesus was the sacrifice that allows us to draw near to God. How do you approach God (Hebrews 4:16)?

Limits of sacrifices for confession

When anyone became aware that they were guilty, they had to stop what they were doing and confess their sin before making a sacrifice. Confession is taking God’s side against ourselves, as we realize that we are in the wrong. All of the evil we have done is judged before the Holy throne of God. We can only be judged against His perfect standards. Once the sin was confessed, a sacrifice still needed to occur. The limits of this sacrifices would depend on how wealthy you were for what animal you could provide. Jesus payed the penalty once for all so that you can feely confess.

Do you need to confess anything to God (1 John 1:8-10)?

Sacrifices in Leviticus — All throughout the Old Testament, we see so many references to the promise of a savior – this is especially true in Leviticus!

Ignorance doesn’t mean harmless: sacrifices have limits

God also commanded the Israelites to make a guilt offering any time they realized that they sinned unintentionally. The guilt offering was very similar to the sin offering, but it was anything done against God’s Holy things, and restitution had to be made. The one who sins is guilty, even if they do not know of the sin. Ignorance, in regards to God’s holy things, does not mean harmless. Knowledge of the word of God is so important. You are still held responsible for breaking God’s law, even if you do not know God’s law. Being zealous for God, when the zeal is not based knowledge, does not allow you to grow in right relationship with Him.

God wants you to know HIM. This requires both knowledge of His character through His word, and personal relationship of God through prayer. Do you KNOW God (Romans 10:1-4)?

Harming another person

God set a high standard for loving your neighbor when He said that anyone who sins by harming their neighbor is being unfaithful to God (6:2). If they deceived their neighbor and gained something from it, they were supposed to make a sacrifice to God. They were to also make restitution and pay back more than they had taken to the person they had wronged. This same concept is reinforced in the New Testament. Jesus commanded that we make the same kind of restitution when we are praying and realize that we have wronged our brother (Matthew 5:23-24). We are to leave our gift at the altar. We are to stop praying and acting as if all is right – and take actionable steps to live the life we were praying to live.

Do you need to be reconciled to someone? Ask God to show you how you can take actionable steps towards loving that person today (James 5:16).

The fire must be kept burning

The burnt offering was to be made on the altar, and an additional regulation is given in chapter 6: the fire must be kept burning. Three times, it is stated that the fire must not go out (6:9, 6:12, 6:13). This fire was started by God (Leviticus 9:24), but it was to be maintained by man. Likewise, the Holy Spirit starts a new work in our lives, but we must tend to it. We bring our broken, sinful nature before the throne. As we spend time with God, reading His word and doing as He says, and He refines us.

Do you tend to the work that God has started in you? Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to refine you (Zechariah 13:9)?

Communion based on reconciliation

When making the peace offering, they were to have bread made without yeast in one hand and bread mead with yeast in the other, and they were to wave both loaves together. This represents God, who is pure and without any evil, and man who, hard as we try, will always have some amount of pride and evil. The two loaves were waved together symbolizing communion and peace between them. Let us be truly thankful that we are able to come near God without the limits of sacrifices. God in his holiness, loves us. Because of His love, we are able to have peace with Him.

Do you have communion with God based on reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)?

limits of sacrifices examples — Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law!

The limits of sacrifices and how Jesus fulfills the sacrificial system

There were many limits of these sacrifices. But the good news is that these five offerings all point to Jesus. They point to our need for a savior and to the Messiah who fulfilled the Old Covenant. Jesus is our burnt offering, who loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrifice (Ephesians 5:2). He is our grain offering – the first-fruits among those who are reconciles to God (1 Corinthians 15:20). Jesus is our fellowship offering, giving us peace with God (Romans 5:1). He is our sin offering, taking on our sin so that we may be the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus is our guilt offering, being delivered over to death for our sins so that we may be justified through His resurrection (Romans 4:25).

Do you know that Jesus fulfills the Old Testament, and it is only through Jesus that you can have peace with God (John 5:39-40)?

Reflect on the limits of sacrifices

This Bible study was all about the limits of sacrifices. How do those limits affect you today, and why is it important to study the Old Testament?

7 things to do while waiting on God: how to stay faithful in the waiting

Filed Under: Christian living // January 16, 2024

Waiting is painful. Especially when you are waiting on God. You’ve pleaded and pleaded with God to make this thing come to pass day after day, month after month, until you are worn out from calling for help. Your throat is parched and your eyes fail from looking for God (Psalm 69:3). Has He forgotten you, you wonder. Where is God? Does He even care? Why hasn’t He moved yet?

waiting on the Lord — Waiting on God is hard and feels never-ending. Here are 7 things you can do in the waiting.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

You are not alone. All of us, as Christians, have had times of waiting on God. David, in Psalm 77:7-9 writes: “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? His promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Or has He in anger withheld his compassion?”

These are all very fair questions to ask of God. God welcomes your questions as they draw you closer to Him. But what do you do when the waiting is taking longer than you anticipated. How do you react when you are wearing from trying to wait on the Lord? Where do you go, and what do you turn to?

Living in a world that glorifies instant gratification, waiting on God can seem like torture. Here are seven things that you can do while waiting on God to help renew your strength and grow in deeper relationship with Him – all while lessening the pain of waiting.

1. Remember His former faithfulness when you are waiting on God’s timing

Sometimes, when you are stuck in the pains of waiting, you get so caught up in how you are feeling and everything that is going wrong, that you forget what is going right. You forget the goodness of God… At least, I did.

Waiting on God through depression

I remember wanting to take my own life because there was nothing worth living for anymore. God was not near. I could not feel His presence. Yet through it all, I hung onto the promises He had given. That He chose me before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). I remembered His faithfulness. At first, I could only remember small acts of His faithfulness, but the more I reflected and desired to draw near; the more I worked at remembering God’s faithfulness, the more I was able to recall all that He had done in my life. I found that life was not worth giving up on. With God, He who began a good work WAS going to carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6). I just had to remember His faithfulness while waiting on God to heal my broken soul.

Waiting on God scripture — Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past can help make waiting on God easier.

When you are stuck waiting on God to move, remember His deeds. Remember the miracles He has done. Consider all of His works and meditate on His mighty deeds. Remember all of God’s ways are Holy (Psalm 77:11-13). Remind yourself of all the ways you saw God show up for you in the past. Remind yourself of all of the accounts in the Bible where God has proved Himself faithful.

Waiting on God through weeping

Jeremiah, who was known as the weeping prophet because of the difficulties he encountered, writes about the pain and afflictions he saw. But his response to waiting on God to heal the land is one we should all take. He says “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (Lamentations 3:21-26).

Why is it good to wait on the Lord? Because it strengthens your faith, drawing you closer to God in ways that you would not if you did not endure the waiting.

Waiting on God quotes — Waiting on God can draw us closer to Him if we let it.

2. Look forward to God’s promises as you wait on the Lord

Through your waiting and remembering the Lord’s faithfulness, hold on to the promise that the Lord longs to be gracious to you, showing you compassion (Isaiah 30:18).

Waiting can be hard because it feels like God is withholding His promises from you, so chose to focus on the promises he has fulfilled as you look forward to the ones you know he promised He would fulfill.

Abraham reminded himself of God’s promise

Abraham is one man who had to wait on God’s timing. God had promised Abraham that he would have a son, but as months turned to years of waiting, there was no son. However, instead of turning away from God, Abraham was strengthened in his faith, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised (Romans 4:18-25). Do you believe that God has the power to do what he has promised?

Maybe you do, but you aren’t sure what the promises of God are. God has promises for your future, promises for when you are sad, and promises for strengthening your faith in Him. There are so many promises from God in the scriptures to help you when you are waiting on God.

We may be waiting for God’s promises tomorrow, while remembering His faithfulness yesterday, but what do we do today while we wait?

3. Look to God (and keep doing what He has already called you to do).

When you are waiting, you are anticipating the next step. You are anticipating getting married, welcoming a baby into your home, the start of a new job, the healing of a family member, or being brought out of depression. All of this anticipation can result in analysis paralysis for today.

Waiting on God does not mean passively sitting by, forgetting what He has already entrusted you with, while looking forward to something that may or may not happen.

Waiting requires action

To truly wait on God requires action. Paul reminds us to always give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord, knowing that our service to God is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). There are so many small things that God has called you to everyday (if you aren’t sure what, keep reading to find out!), and being faithful to Him is never in vain.

Ephesians 2:10 states that God prepared good works in advance for us to do. While it would be nice to assume that this work revolves around the thing that we are waiting for, the reality is that we are called to live for today, serving God in each and every moment.

wait on the Lord — How can you stay faithful while waiting on the Lord?

How can you serve God in the waiting? By returning to Him, maintaining love and justice (Hosea 12:6), and keeping your eyes focused on Him. Remember that God is the author and perfector of your faith, and to fix your eyes on Jesus, you need to throw off everything that hinders. Keep your eyes on Jesus so that you do not grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12:1-3).

4. Read the Word when you are waiting on God

It can be difficult to look to God when you don’t know His character, just like it is difficult to look to God and His will for your life when you don’t know His word. And that is why it is so important to read the word of God, especially when you are waiting on Him.

Your waiting may feel like it is taking forever, but everything is but a breath when compared to God and His word. Remember, “the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

David took delight in God’s word while waiting

David, a man after God’s heart, wrote “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope.” (Psalm 130:5). David knew the importance of being in God’s word daily and genuinely took delight in spending time with God. Over and over, David would ask God “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” (Psalm 25:4-5).

Let us be a people like David, who call out to God in the waiting to show us His heart and His ways.

5. Pray during this season of waiting

As you are reading the Word of God, remembering His faithfulness, and looking forward to His promises, don’t forget to pray. Talk to God. Let Him know how the waiting can be agonizing. Be honest with God of your emotions. But be open to hearing from God and what He has to say to you.

Sometimes we can get so caught up in the waiting that we forget to ask God if what we are waiting for is from Him. We can get so caught up in waiting on the THING God has promised, that we forget to draw near to the ONE who was promised.

When you pray, ask God to help you abide in Him in the waiting. Ask God to give you strength to remain in Him so that you can continue to bear fruit for Him (John 15:4).

Remember the words of Jesus that everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened (Matthew 7:8). The best way to seek God is by talking to Him.

You can wait with hope in God, knowing that He will hear you.

As you watch in hope for the Lord, waiting for God your Savior, take peace in the fact that He will hear you (Micah 7:7).

6. Worship while you are waiting on God

What is your response to knowing that God hears you and cares for you? The absolute best thing you can do in the waiting is worship.

Enjoy being in the presence of God. Find new ways to sing of the Lord’s great love forever, making His faithfulness known through all generations (Psalm 89:1).

You can worship anywhere

Paul and Silas are great examples of what it means to worship in the waiting. They were out preaching and doing the work of God when they were suddenly thrown in jail. There, they find themselves waiting on God. What is God’s plan in all of this? What is God’s will in all of this? Instead of passively waiting – and, let’s face it, complaining – they WORSHIPED God!

The purpose of our life as Christ followers is to glorify God and make Him known! In the waiting, you can bring glory to God through your worship.

Praise God for all He has done for you. Thank Him for His faithfulness. Lean into Him and seek Him. Sing the psalms back to God!

7. Be silent and let God speak as you wait on Him

Finally, the last thing you can do while waiting on God is to be still. Learn how to listen to God and what He has in store for you. Exodus 14:14 says: The LORD will fight for you, you need only to be still. Here, the Hebrew word for “still” is ḥāraš (חָרַשׁ), which means to hold your peace. Do you have peace in this season of waiting?

It can be so hard to be still before God, experiencing His peace in the midst of waiting. When you find yourself becoming anxious, wondering when God will answer your prayers, remember to stop and consider God’s wonders (Job 37:14). Remembering the greatness of God is a wonderful way to be still before Him, experiencing the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 1:6).

While you are waiting on the lord, being still before Him, think about how you can prepare yourself for when you get out of this season. Do you need to get out of debt, learn a new skill, pour in more to something God has already called you to, or study God’s word more?

In this season, remember to be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for Him (Psalm 37:7)

Waiting on God is not easy, but it is worth it

Waiting on God is hard. It can be gut-wrenching as you watch, day after day, week after week, and month after month pass you by without the answer to prayer you are looking for. In this season, remember you can choose to experience God more fully instead of mearly enduring the delays in your life. Remember that waiting is meant to be filled with peace as you trust in God and His word. Your strength will be renewed as you draw near to God (Isaiah 40:31).

Wait on the Lord quotes — How to wait on God.

When you do these seven things while waiting on God, maybe you’ll notice the feeling of waiting leave, and the feeling of contentedness and peace enter and flow through your life.

Offerings to God – the amazing truth found in Leviticus 1-3

Filed Under: Bible Study, Leviticus // January 9, 2024

This Bible study is all about the offerings to God listed in Leviticus 1-3.

Get access to the complete Leviticus Bible study and free guide Here!

The book of Leviticus starts off by saying “and the Lord called Moses.” This is a continuation of Exodus. In the last chapter of Exodus, we saw that the glory of the Lord completely filled the tabernacle. Here in Leviticus, the Lord called Moses and spoke to him in front of the tabernacle. Now that The Israelites had a designated place to worship – the tabernacle, a meeting house with God – God was able to give them regulations for sacrifices. These offerings to God were a way for the Israelites to draw near to God.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

Read all about offerings to God, before reflecting on it below.

Leviticus 1-3

The Tabernacle – setting up offerings to God

The tabernacle was a place for God to dwell among his people. In John chapter 1, we see the parallel of when Jesus came to earth and dwelt among his people. “The Word {Jesus} became flesh and made His dwelling {Tabernacled} among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14). Here we see a link between God giving the Israelites the temple, and God giving us Jesus. In the tabernacle, the Israelites came to make sacrifices to atone for their sins. In Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice has been paid for our sins.

Just as God made a way for the Israelites to come to Him, He also made a way for us. How do you draw near to God (Hebrews 4:16)?

The cost of burnt offerings to God

The first offering we read about in Leviticus is the burnt offering. These offerings to God were completely voluntary and meant to make a way to show complete devotion to God, as well as to atone for sins. When making a burn offering, the Israelite had to take an animal from their own heard – not a wild one they just caught which meant nothing to them – and bring it to the temple. The offering had to cost them something. The offering that was brought would also be inspected to make sure that it was perfect and without blemish.

Jesus is our perfect lamb without blemish. He paid the ultimate price for our sins so that we might have a relationship with God. Do you know the cost that Jesus paid for you (1 Peter 1:18-20)?

The full weight of sin

The Israelite bringing the offering would then lay his hands on the head of the bull, signifying the transfer of his sins to the animal. The one making the offering would be the one to kill the animal. Then the priest would then sprinkle the blood on the altar, making atonement and covering the sins of the Israelite. The animal was completely consumed by the fire, just as we should be completely consumed by God.

Just as the Israelite would place his full weight on the sacrificial offering, we place the full weight of our sin on Jesus. What does it mean that Jesus bore the weight of your sin (1 Peter 2:24)?

Grain offerings to God

The second offering that God gave instructions for the Israelites to make was the grain offering. This was an offering of fellowship with God, meant to show thanksgiving. The grain could come in many forms, it could be baked or fried, but it must be of the finest flour. Once again, we are reminded to only give our best to God. The grain offering was to be mixed with olive oil, which was a picture of the coming Holy Spirit. However, The grain offering could have no yeast or honey in it. Yeast represented pride because of the way it puffed up the whole dough, and honey was a sweetener that offered no benefit; it was merely attractive.

God wants a pure offering of thanksgiving, just as He wants us to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice, not conforming to the patterns of this world with pride and outward attractiveness. Do you offer yourself with thanksgiving (Romans 12:1-2)?

Bringing your soul before God

The Hebrew word used in Leviticus 2:1 for “anyone” is נֶפֶשׁ, or nep̄eš (transliteration). This word is used to describe “anyone who breathes, the inner being of man, or soul.” It is no coincidence that the least costly of the voluntary offerings – that which requires only flour and not an animal sacrifice – is the only one which used this word. When someone gives their only meal as a thanksgiving offering to God, they are offering up every part of themselves. It is a true sacrifice, given with pure sincerity, meant to draw nearer to God.

Do you offer all of yourself to God (Galatians 2:20)?

3 offerings to give to God — Leviticus 1-3 is all about the voluntary offerings to God that the Israelites were to give.

Fellowship offerings to God

The third offering is the fellowship offering, which was made to enjoy peace with God. For this offering, the priest would cut out the fat and burn that as a pleasing aroma to God. But the priest and the one making the offering would both eat the muscle of the animal. The fat was considered a delicacy in many of the cultures, so the Israelites were giving the best of the animal to God. While doing this, they were to share in fellowship with God. In the same way, we are to give God our best, doing whatever we do for the glory of God.

While we do not need to offer sacrifices day after day, we are still called to live in peace with God. Do you enjoy peace with God (Romans 5:1)?

Reflect on offerings to God

Each of these three offerings were a pleasing aroma to God. Sins were atoned for, making it possible to draw near to God. Thanksgiving was given to God with purity and sincerity, not with pride or outward attractiveness. Peace and fellowship were enjoyed with God. With all of these sacrifices, the best was given to God.

Do you give your best to God?

31 of the best bible verses for resting in God

Filed Under: Christian living // January 3, 2024

Resting in God is something that we all desire. Here are 31 of the best Bible verses for you to find the rest you long for!

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Resting in God by observing the Sabbath

1. God Rested {Genesis 2:2}

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.”

From creation, we can see the high value that God places on rest. God set an example for us, not because He needed the rest, but because He knew we would need help resting in Him.

2. God gives rest as a sign {Exodus 31:17}

“It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.”

Again, the importance of resting in God is made clear to us. In the same way that God rested after He created the world, we are suppose to rest in God and be refreshed.

3. Rest can require denying yourself {Leviticus 16:30-31}

“Because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins.It is a day of sabbath rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance.”

Rest is not always easy, and sometimes it requires giving up doing things that you want to get done. But rest is meant to draw us closer to God, giving us time to be in His presence.

Resting in God on the Sabbath — Rest in God by taking a Sabbath.

4. Rest is for everyone {Deuteronomy 5:14}

“But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do.”

God desires that everyone should rest in Him. Not just you, but those who provide services for you as well.

5. Rest is important {Leviticus 25:4}

“But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards.”

Resting in God is so important, that God desired great quantities of time for His people to spend with Him. Here, there was supposed to be an entire year where no fields were planted.

Resting in God still requires work

6. Prepare to rest {Exodus 16:23}

“He said to them, “This is what the Lord commanded: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of sabbath rest, a holy sabbath to the Lord. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.’”

In order to rest on the sabbath, the Israelites had to prepare their food ahead of time. They had to consciously decide that they would take the Sabbath, and work to make sure they could.

7. Resting while working {Ruth 2:7}

She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.’ She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.”

Ruth was out gathering grain, but she knew that in order to gather well and not become overwhelmed, rest was needed. You can be a hard worker and still rest.

8. Rest after settling matters {Ruth 3:18}

“Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”

In the same way that Ruth knew when to work and when to rest, Boaz knew that rest would come after settling what needed to be done. There is a time to rest, and there is a tie to work.

9. Jesus offers rest {Mark 6:31}

“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

The disciples were working for God, yet even they needed a break to rest. It is okay to take time with God to prepare and continue working for Him.

10. Too much rest is not of God {Mark 14:41}

“Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.”

Resting in God’s presence

11. God’s presence gives rest {Exodus 33:14}

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

The Israelites had a tabernacle where God dwelled among them, giving the rest. We have a God who tabernacles among us, making it possible fore us to be resting in God all the days of our lives.

rest in God's presence — Do you rest in God’s presence?

12. Resting in God’s house {1 Chronicles 22:6-10}

Then he called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel… Solomon will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side… I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign…He is the one who will build a house for my Name.

Solomon was chosen to build the Lord’s house because he followed God’s decrees. Solomon delighted in God’s word, and because of that, he found rest.

13. Resting in the confidence of God’s presence {1 John 3:19-24}

This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God… And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

We do not have to live in fear, because God gave us His Spirit and He lives in us when we choose Him. Our hearts can rest in God’s presence because He is in us.

14. Content in God’s rest {Proverbs 19:23}

The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Although God never promises that this life will be easy, He does promise rest for our weary souls when we turn to Him.

Resting in the security of God

15. God shields us {Deuteronomy 33:12}

Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.

When you delight in the Lord, you can find rest knowing that He will protect you. Resting in God means knowing that you are secure in Him.

Resting secure in God — You can spend your days resting secure in God!

16. Rest on every side {Joshua 21:44}

The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands.

Resting in God is possible because He gives you rest on every side. There is nowhere that you can go where He is not with you, protecting and sustaining you.

17. Rest without disaster {1 Kings 5:4}

But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster.

When you are secure in the rest that God gives, you can be free from adversary and disaster because you are abiding in Him.

18. God give His people rest {Isaiah 32:18}

My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.

God desires that His people live in peace, in places of undisturbed rest. Although life may have its trials, you can find yourself resting in God despite your circumstances.

19. Resting in God because you are secure {Job 11:18}

You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.

When your hope comes from God, you can find rest in Him, knowing that He is in control of whatever you may be facing.

20. Rejoice because you can rest in God {Acts 2:26}

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure.

Be thankful that you can rest secure because you are resting in God. Rejoice and be glad because of what the Lord has done for you!

Rest secure in God — Rejoice because you are resting secure in God!

21. Resting in God because He is our salvation {Psalm 62:1-8}

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken… Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

No matter the situation that you find yourself in, you can practice resting in God, because you know that He is your salvation.

22. Resting in God who is your shelter {Psalm 91:1-2}

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

You can rest securely in God because you know that He is your shelter. He is your refuge. He is your fortress. You can trust in Him and know that in Him, you are safe.

Resting in God’s provision

23. God provides for you future {Ruth 1:9}

May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud.

You can find rest in God knowing that when you are found in Him, taking delight in His ways, He will give you security, bringing people into your life who can help and support you.

24. Devote to resting in God {1 Chronicles 22:18-19}

“Is not the Lord your God with you? And has he not granted you rest on every side?… Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the Lord God.

God gives rest to His people as they seek Him and devote themselves to them.

25. Rest in God’s deliverance {Nehemiah 9:28}

“But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight. Then you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time.

Rest knowing that God continually delivers you, and live in the truth of God’s word. Don’t follow the example of those who do evil after entering God’s rest, but follow the example of those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Resting in God’s promises

26. Resting in God because He promises rest {1 Kings 8:56}

Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses.

God promises to give His people rest. He is worthy of praise!

27. Resting in the God who defends {Jeremiah 50:34}

Yet their Redeemer is strong; the Lord Almighty is his name. He will vigorously defend their cause so that he may bring rest to their land, but unrest to those who live in Babylon.

God defends His people! You only need to choose to be resting in God, He will take care of the rest.

Resting in the Goodness of God

28. God is good {Psalm 116:7}

Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.

Do you know the goodness of God? His love and compassion and mercy for you? Choose to be resting in God’s goodness today!

Resting in God is a choice

29. Willing to go to God {Isaiah 30:15}

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.

Resting in God is a choice. God grants rest for you on every side, but you have to be willing to go to Him to receive His rest.

30. Your soul is resting in God {Matthew 11:28-30}

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

God promises that if you go to Him, you will find rest for your weary soul. So don’t delay in going to God! Choose to be resting in God today!

ultimate rest in God

31. Enter into God’s rest {Hebrews 4:1-13}

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it…Now we who have believed enter that rest… There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his… Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest.

Perhaps the most powerful of these Bible verses about resting in God is found in Hebrews 4. Again and again, the author stresses the importance of entering into God’s rest.

Resting in God

My friend, do you find yourself resting in God, or are you struggling to come to rest right now? Pray and ask God for the rest that only He can give you. Be comforted by His presence in your life and the promises He has for you.