Satchmo the Israelite

Leviticus 23: 23-25

Incredibly short section. God tells the Israelites that on the first day of the seventh month there is to be a sacred assembly - a day of rest, trumpet blasts will mark the occasion. And since July 1st is my anniversary, it's especially cool.

A fire offering is also to be made.

I love the idea that a day of rest is commemorated with a trumpet blast. Give me a Saturday and some Louis Armstrong on my ipod. The fire offering, I'm not so sure about.

Offerama

Leviticus 23: 15-22

So, seven weeks and one day later (or 50 days for those of you arithemetically challenged) they were to bring a new grain offering. This offering was two loaves made with about four quarts of fine flour- actually baked with yeast. This was to come with seven one-year-old, defect-free, male lambs, one young bull and two rams. Somehow this combination of items would comprise a burnt offering, a grain offering, and a drink offering- not sure what they'd be drinking.

They were then to sacrifice one male goat and two one-year-old lambs as a fellowship, or peace offering. The priest (who is obviously in good shape) will wave the lambs as a wave offering. There is to be a sacred assembly proclaimed on this day- and no work is to be done.

Finally- they are instructed to not reap to the edges of their fields or go back and pick up what they missed- they're supposed to leave that for the alien and the poor. So I'm guessing it was ordinary to see strangers in your field getting food to tide them over. Far from the land of gated communities and welfare reform.

Maybe it's because I'm in the middle of Francis Chan's Crazy Love right now, but I'm really hit by the focus on giving back to God. In the last section I was struck by God getting the best and the first and us getting what was left over. But it seems like even more than that. How much would be left over? After all of these sacrifices, days off from work, and profits squandered to help the poor, what would be left?

Maybe some of the message isn't just give Me the best- but focus on giving to Me- you don't need to keep much for yourself. This life isn't about getting stuff- it's about Me, and focusing on what I've done and will do for you.

That's really hard to make tangible. What does it mean to let go and trust God? Empty my bank account? Sell my car? Open up my guest room to a stranger? Live on the street? Can I have a tv? An ipod? At what point am I being materialistic and selfish and not giving God and others what I could or should?

I can find tons of excuses (some of them valid) to not do specific things. If I sell my car, I can't get to work and then I become one of the poverty stricken in need of help..., etc. But I can't find excuses for the principle- you don't need stuff. Sacrifice and help the poor.

What's harder to determine is how.