Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Theme: “The Blessings of Offerings and Tithing" Text: Nehemiah 10:36-40 (35-39 depending on the version) 36. We resolved to bring to the house of the LORD every year the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all the fruits of all the trees; 37. To bring into the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God, the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, the firstborn of our oxen and our sheep; 38. to bring to the priests, into the chambers of the house of our God, the firstfruits of our dough and our offerings, of the fruits of all trees, of new wine and of oil; and to deliver the tithe of our soil to the Levites who must take it themselves in all the cities situated on the lands which we cultivate. 39. The priest, son of Aaron, will be with the Levites when they raise the tithe; and the Levites shall bring the tithe of the tithe into the house of our God, into the chambers of the storehouse. 40. For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring into these chambers the grain offerings, wine, and oil; there are the utensils of the sanctuary, and stand the priests who do the service, the porters and the singers. So we resolved not to forsake the house of our God. Remember: The beauty of this ceremony comes from the fact that the people were united with one heart in a surge of love and vertical and horizontal communion. It was during a great gathering that these laws and resolutions were passed; from a common agreement. The people promised to respect them in perpetuity. These are difficult commitments that they made but it was necessary to go through it to be reconciled with God because they had tasted deportation and slavery. The occasion was a good one to return to the Lord and give him all that they had most precious. This is how they resolved to make donations and offerings every time and without respite. In verse 33 of this chapter, it is written: "We also imposed upon ourselves ordinances which obliged us to give a third of a shekel in the year for the service of the house of our God". They are obligated to respect the law of the firstfruits consisting in bringing into the house of God every first born man, cattle, harvest. Giving to God became an institution from which one should not turn away because rigor was required in order to impose strict obedience under divine control. And the people gladly gave for the glory of God. Give to God without hesitation. Excellent month of November. Amen Alain Louz.-
댓글