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Leviticus 7:1-8:36<\/strong><\/span> Leviticus chapter 7 verse 27 stands out: \u201cAnyone who eats blood must be cut off from the community.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 This was commanded for 3 reasons \u2013 1.\u00a0 to separate the Israelites from the pagans who drank blood \u2013 the pagans drank blood in the hopes of gaining the attributes of the animals from the blood they drank (speed, strength, etc.).\u00a0 2.\u00a0 the sin of the people was symbolically transferred to the animal before the offering, and the blood represents the life of that animal.\u00a0 3.\u00a0 for sanitary reasons \u2013 blood can carry some nasty diseases.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n I found Leviticus chapter 7 verse 36 to be powerful as we read about a portion of the offerings going to the priests: \u201cThe LORD commanded that the Israelites were to give these portions to the priests as their regular share from the time of the priests\u2019 anointing. This regulation applies throughout the generations to come.\u201d <\/em>I think this is something for us to consider today \u2013 most of us realize that a portion of our tithes and offerings to our churches goes to support our pastors, priests, ministers, clergy.\u00a0 And I believe this is rightly so.\u00a0 These clergy are doing holy work in our churches today.\u00a0 And I know from first hand experience from my past that church ministry work is not easy work.\u00a0 Yes, oftentimes it is joyful work and the most amazing & fulfilling work you can imagine.\u00a0 But, other times it can be really tough work as you can find yourselves on the front lines of spiritual warfare and working with people at very low points in their lives.\u00a0 So \u2013 I guess I say all of this to encourage you to not begrudge your clergy in your church for getting paid for their work.\u00a0 Aaron and his sons were \u201cpaid\u201d here in Leviticus \u2013 and I think it is still proper for clergy to be paid today.\u00a0 (and trust me \u2013 most clergy that I know do not get paid an exorbitant amount by a long shot\u2026 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 \u00a0I guess, while I am on this subject, I am also a bit familiar with the house church model today \u2013 and I do believe there are some leaders in this movement that are probably not getting \u201cpaid\u201d financially.\u00a0 And I think this is great if you can sustain the model.\u00a0 But, personally, I wouldn\u2019t fault house church leaders for receiving compensation either.\u00a0 It is holy work that our clergy do. I think fair compensation for this work is fair.\u00a0 What do you think?<\/span><\/p>\n Today in Leviticus chapter 8 we read about the Ordination of the Priests.\u00a0 Many of you will recall that we read something very similar to this chapter earlier this year in Exodus chapter 29 \u2013 <\/span>click on this link to review Exodus 29<\/span>.\u00a0 In verse 14 today we read: \u201cThen Moses brought in the bull for the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Great commentary about Priesthood in the Old Testament is online at bible.org <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong>\u00a0 Our readings in Leviticus chapter 7 today about blood reminded me of the song \u201cNothing But the Blood of Jesus,\u201d sung here by Phil Wickham:<\/span><\/p>\n
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