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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Leviticus 12:2-3
A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for 7 days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period. On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised.
Can I encourage you to read verses 1 - 8 (the whole chapter)?
I have chosen to include this passage because it highlights again a ‘Ring of Truth’ found throughout the whole Bible. Jesus said, “I have not come to abolish them (the Law and the Prophets) but to fulfil them” (Matthew 5:17). This is proved emphatically here.
“On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise Him, He was named Jesus, the Name the angel had given Him before He had been conceived. When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. (As it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord’), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: ‘ a pair of doves or two young pigeons’” (Luke 2:21-24).
In Leviticus we read, “If she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering” (Leviticus 12:8). From the record in Luke, we infer that Joseph and Mary were poor, since they did not bring a lamb. They may have been poor but that did not exempt them from doing what was required.
Those of us who are not rich need to remember this: Christianity is not just for the rich, it is for all. Indeed, Paul challenges us to think and consider. Not many of the rich and famous become Christians, rather those who are poor in spirit and this world’s goods recognise their humble position and the ultimate grace of God (see 1 Corinthians 1:26-29).
We also need to remember, however, that poverty is no excuse for ignoring the principles of God and the Kingdom of God. We are not exempt from the tithe, love gift, the call to show hospitality and love to others - especially the poor, widows and orphans, and to bless others by sharing the Gospel of Good News to all those around us.
God allows for our economic state; He doesn’t excuse it. More than that, tens of thousands have found that once they accept Christ and follow Him in humble obedience - the Lord blesses them financially as well.
Yes, Jesus kept the law and so did His earthly parents. It’s a constant challenge to us too. We need to remember that whilst we are not under the Law and thus condemned by it, and we should not strive to live up to it in our own strength, we must, nevertheless, live constantly in obedience to the Holy Spirit, who will lead us into all truth, as we daily study His Word - the Bible.
We read the ‘Logos’ - the written Word and hear the ‘Rhema’ - the Living Word. They go together. We should ask God everyday for a ‘Rhema’ from His ‘Logos’. That is how we can have a life of excitement and vitality.
Lastly, I wonder if Joseph and Mary had to offer doves or pigeons not only because they were poor but also because Jesus was the very Lamb of God who would sacrifice Himself? What do you think?
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