Acceptable Offerings Are Without Blemish

Give Praise to God

Honor God with Your First Fruits

Leviticus 22:17-25 The Message

17-25 God spoke to Moses: “Tell Aaron and his sons and all the People of Israel, Each and every one of you, whether native-born or foreigner, who presents a Whole-Burnt-Offering to God to fulfill a vow or as a Freewill-Offering, must make sure that it is a male without defect from cattle, sheep, or goats for it to be acceptable. Don’t try slipping in some creature that has a defect—it won’t be accepted. Whenever anyone brings an offering from cattle or sheep as a Peace-Offering to God to fulfill a vow or as a Freewill-Offering, it has to be perfect, without defect, to be acceptable. Don’t try giving God an animal that is blind, crippled, mutilated, an animal with running sores, a rash, or mange. Don’t place any of these on the Altar as a gift to God. You may, though, offer an ox or sheep that is deformed or stunted as a Freewill-Offering, but it is not acceptable in fulfilling a vow. Don’t offer to God an animal with bruised, crushed, torn, or cut-off testicles. Don’t do this in your own land but don’t accept them from foreigners and present them as food for your God either. Because of deformities and defects, they will not be acceptable.”

For Reflection

The guidelines Moses gave to the people of God is worth remembering.  Of course, we no longer offer burnt offerings. We submit ourselves to the service of God.  That offering is as essential to our contemporary lives as it was to those in Moses' age. So, it should be given freely with no hidden agenda for reward or even response. The gift of grace should be shared humbly and without reticence.

Pray

Prayers are sacred.  They should be made sincerely without selfish motive. Pray so that you strengthen your relationship with God.  Pray by action as a child of God. 

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