Lev 22:32 | KingComments | STEP | Here are some unnatural things that might be given a place in the service of God, but for which there are warnings. For the first seven days, nothing should happen to a newborn animal. Only from the eighth day on can it serve as an offering. This is reminiscent of the newborn boy who is circumcised on the eighth day ( ). Circumcision presents the judgment and cleanses. Animals are of course not circumcised, but the picture is the same. The first seven days they are, as it were, under the stain of ancient creation. The eighth day always speaks of a new beginning. Every unnatural element in the offering is forbidden ( ; cf. ). God acknowledges natural relationships. The Lord Jesus also acknowledges them, as He does during His life on earth ( ). The sacrifice of thanksgiving must be eaten on the same day it is killed. What is consecrated to the LORD is also spiritual food for the offeror. If we worship God for His Son, it is, though not the goal, strengthening for the inner man. You can’t gain that reinforcement by thinking back a while later of what you brought then. Dedication to God is a matter that must be fresh every time. We can’t bring Him old stuff, things that we gave to Him in the past. God gives His commandments to a people who have been redeemed by Him out of Egypt for the purpose that He will be their God. The Lord Jesus redeemed us to make us His own people, a people who are dedicated to Him and who acknowledge Him in all things in gratitude.

‏ Leviticus 22:32

No Unnatural Things

Here are some unnatural things that might be given a place in the service of God, but for which there are warnings.

For the first seven days, nothing should happen to a newborn animal. Only from the eighth day on can it serve as an offering. This is reminiscent of the newborn boy who is circumcised on the eighth day (Lev 12:2-3). Circumcision presents the judgment and cleanses. Animals are of course not circumcised, but the picture is the same. The first seven days they are, as it were, under the stain of ancient creation. The eighth day always speaks of a new beginning.

Every unnatural element in the offering is forbidden (Lev 22:28; cf. Exo 23:19b). God acknowledges natural relationships. The Lord Jesus also acknowledges them, as He does during His life on earth (Jn 19:27).

The sacrifice of thanksgiving must be eaten on the same day it is killed. What is consecrated to the LORD is also spiritual food for the offeror. If we worship God for His Son, it is, though not the goal, strengthening for the inner man. You can’t gain that reinforcement by thinking back a while later of what you brought then. Dedication to God is a matter that must be fresh every time. We can’t bring Him old stuff, things that we gave to Him in the past.

God gives His commandments to a people who have been redeemed by Him out of Egypt for the purpose that He will be their God. The Lord Jesus redeemed us to make us His own people, a people who are dedicated to Him and who acknowledge Him in all things in gratitude.