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Draw Close To God-He Is Considerate Of Our Limitations "i tried really hard, but I never felt that it was enough." So said one woman about her efforts to please God. Does Jehovah God accept the best efforts of His worshippers? Does He take into account their abilities and circumstances? To answer these questions, it is helpful to consider what is said in the Mosaic Law about certain offerings, as found at... Leviticus 5:2-11 Or when a person touches anything unclean, whether the dead body of an unclean wild animal, an unclean domestic animal, or an unclean swarming creature, he is unclean and has become guilty even if he does not realize it. Or in case someone without being aware of it touches human uncleanness—anything unclean that may make him unclean—and he comes to know it, then he becomes guilty. “‘Or if someone rashly swears to do something—whether it is to do good or to do evil, no matter what it may be—and he was unaware of it, but then he realizes that he has sworn rashly, he becomes guilty. “‘If he becomes guilty as respects one of these things, then he must confess in what way he has sinned. He will also bring his guilt offering to Jehovah for the sin that he committed, namely, a female from the flock, either a female lamb or a young female goat, for a sin offering. Then the priest will make atonement for him for his sin. “‘If, though, he cannot afford a sheep, he must bring to Jehovah two turtledoves or two young pigeons as his guilt offering for the sin, one for a sin offering and one for a burnt offering. He is to bring them to the priest, who will present first the one for the sin offering and nip off its head at the front of its neck, without severing it. He will spatter some of the blood of the sin offering on the side of the altar, but the remainder of the blood will be drained out at the base of the altar. It is a sin offering. He will handle the other one as a burnt offering according to the regular procedure; and the priest will make atonement for him for the sin that he has committed, and it will be forgiven him. “‘Now if he cannot afford two turtledoves or two young pigeons, he must bring as his offering for his sin a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering. He should not add oil to it or place frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering. Under the Law, God required various sacrifices, or offerings, to atone for sins. In the cases mentioned in this passage, the individual had sinned unintentionally or thoughtlessly. (verses 2-4) When the matter came to his attention, he was to confess his sin and present a guilt offering - "a female lamb or a female of the goats." (verses 5+6) But, what if he was poor and did not have a lamb or a goat to offer? Did the Law demand that he borrow such an animal, thus falling into debt? Did he have to work until he could afford one, thereby delaying tonement for his sins? Reflecting Jehovah's tender consideration, the Law said: "If, though, he cannot afford enough for a sheep, then he must bring as his quilt offering for the sin that he has committed two turtledoves or two young pigeons to Jehovah." (verse 7) The phrase "if....he cannot afford" my be rendered "if...his hand cannot reach." So, if an Israelite was too poor to afford a sheep, then God was pleased to accept something that was within the offerer's reach - two turtle doves or two pigeons. What if the individual did not have the means even for the two birds? "Then he must bring as his offering for the sin he has committed the tenth of an ephah (eight or nine cups) of fine flour for a sin offering," the Law stated. (verse 11) For the very poor, Jehovah chose to make an exception and allow a sin offering without blood.* In Israel, poverty denied no one the blessing of atonement or the privilege of making peace with God. *The atoning value of a sacrificial animal was in its blood, which God viewed as sacred. (Leviticus 17:11) Does that mean that the flour offerings of the poor were worthless? No, Jehovah surely valued the humble, willing spirit behind such offerings. Furthermore, the sins of the entire nation - including the poor - were covered by the blood of the animals offered to God on the annual Day of Atonement. (Leviticus 16:29+30) What do we learn about Jehovah from the Law regarding guilt offerings? He is a compassionate, understanding God who takes into account the limitations of His worshippers. Psalm 103:14 For he well knows how we are formed, remembering that we are dust. He wants us to draw close to Him and cultivate a good relationship with Him even if we have challenging circumstances, such as advancing age, poor health, family or other obligations. We can find comfort in knowing that Jehovah God is pleased when we do all that is with in our reach. James 4:8 Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you |
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