MONDAY November 26, 2018
Sacrifices of Consecration
The Levites took down the ark of the LORD and the chest that was with it, in which were the articles of gold, and put them on the large stone. Then the men of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices the same day to the LORD. So when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.
I Samuel 6:15-16
The men of Beth Shemesh received the Ark of God and offered burnt offerings to the Lord––sacrifices of consecration. I am sure the Philistines were relieved to be rid of the Ark because of all the plagues they had suffered. When the five lords of the Philistines observed the Ark was well received, they returned back to Ekron––one of the five cities of Philistines.
The Book of Leviticus explains the different types of burnt offerings the priests offered to the Lord in the tabernacle. Leviticus is known as the book of holiness because the word, “holy,” is used more in the Book of Leviticus than in any other book of the Bible. In Leviticus 20:7-8, God’s people were told:
“‘Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God. And you shall keep My statutes, and perform them: I am the LORD who sanctifies you.’”
God’s people were to be set apart. They were given detailed instructions on how the various sacrifices should be performed. Understand that in the Old Testament, the only way to approach a holy God and receive forgiveness of sin was through sacrifices. The people of Beth Shemesh completed sacrifices that symbolized consecration to the Lord.
In the New Testament, sacrifices are no longer made. Jesus Christ became a living sacrifice for us. We are able to approach a holy God only because of Him.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
~Romans 12:1~
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