LEVITICUS 3
Have you ever thought about God as a guy who just wants to hang out with His friends? Perhaps it’s not our usual picture of God. It’s easier to think about Him doing big things, like creating planets or running the universe. But, in Leviticus 3, we get a glimpse of a God who has (among other things) set up a local hangout in the sanctuary.
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"If someone’s offering is a fellowship offering, and he offers an animal from the herd, whether male or female, he is to present before the Lord an animal without defect." (vs 1) The interesting thing in this verse is the word translated fellowship. It comes from a Hebrew word that means "a sign of alliance or friendship." Its root word means "to be in a covenant of peace."
I find that very interesting. What it says to me is that sacrifices and offerings in the sanctuary weren’t just about "atoning for sin." Of course, a very big part of the sanctuary service was given to help the Israelites understand the severity of sin and the reality of God’s forgiveness. But from this chapter, we know that specific sins weren’t the only reason an Israelite took a sacrifice to the sanctuary. Bringing a fellowship offering was for the sake of friendship. God wanted people to know they could bring some meat down to His place and hang out.
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I don’t know about you, but I find that extraordinary. It’s just one more evidence that God not only loves you, but He likes you. He wants to spend time with you, talk to you, find out what’s on your mind.
He always has time to listen. Have you checked in with Him today?