How Do You Handle Differences?

DAILY we interact with a variety of personalities.  This often brings us joy and new perspectives. At times, it also gives rise to differences, some of which are serious while others are just minor scrapes in our day-to-day life. Whatever their nature, how we deal with our differences impacts on us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. 

Doing what is within our power to resolve differences agreeably will contribute to our enjoying a healthier life and more peaceful relationships with others. An  ancient proverb says:  "A calm heart is the life of the fleshly organism." -Proverbs 14:30. 

In stark contrast stands the truism: "As a city broken through, without a wall, is the man that has no restraint on his spirit." (Proverbs 25:28)  Who of us would want to make ourselves vulnerable to the invasion of wrong thoughts that can cause us to act in improper ways-ways that can bring harm to others and  to us?  Uncontrolled, angry responses can do just that.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus recommended that we examine our attitude, which may influence how we handled any differences we may have with others.  (Matthew 7:3-5) Rather than our being critical of others, we should think about how we can cultivate and maintain friendships with those of adverse views and backgrounds. 

Next time: Our Attitude

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000

Bountiful Blessings From Jehovah Await Us

At the inauguration of the temple in Jerusalem, in the seventh month of the year 1026 B.C.E., King Solomon offered "a grand sacrifice before Jehovah," consisting of "the burnt sacrifice and the grain offering and the fat pieces of the communion sacrifices."  In addition to what was offered in the grain offerings, a total of 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep were sacrificed on that occasion. -1 Kings 8:62-65. 

Can you imagine the expense and the amount of work involved in such a massive ceremony?  Yet, the blessings that Israel received obviously far outweighed the cost.  At the end of the festivities, Solomon  "sent the people away; and they began to bless the king and go to their homes, rejoicing and feeling merry of heart over all the goodness that Jehovah had performed for David his servant and for Israel his people." (1 Kings 8:66) Truly, as Solomon put it, "the blessing of Jehovah-that is what makes rich, and he adds no pain with it." -Proverbs 10:22.

We are living when the "shadow of the good things to come" has been replaced by "the very substance of the things." (Hebrews 10:1) Jesus Christ, in the role of the great anti-typical High Priest, has already entered into heaven itself and presented the value of his own blood to make atonement for all those exercising faith in his sacrifice.  (Hebrews 9:10, 11, 24-26) On the basis of that great sacrifice and by wholeheartedly offering to God our sacrifices of praise that are clean and undefiled, we too can go forward "rejoicing and feeling merry of heart, looking ahead to bountiful blessings from Jehovah. -Malachi 3:10.

Next time: How Do You Handle Differences? 

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000

Rejoice in Fellowship With God and Men

Finally, Paul calls attention to our relationship with fellow Christians as we worship God.  "Let us consider one another to incite  to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near."  (Hebrews 10:24, 25) The expressions "to incite to love and fine works,"  the gathering of ourselves together," and "encouraging one another" all remind us of what the communion offering in Israel did for God's people. 

The term  "communion offering" is sometimes translated "peace offerings."  The Hebrew word for "peace" here is in the plural, perhaps signifying that participation  in such sacrifices results in peace with God and peace with fellow worshipers. Regarding the communion sacrifice, one scholar observes:  "This was, indeed, a season of happy fellowship withe Covenant God, in which He condescended to become Israel's Guest at the sacrificial meal, even as He was always their Host."  This reminds us of Jesus' promise:  "Where there are two or three gathered in my name, there I am in their midst." (Matthew 18:20)   Every time we attend  a Christian meeting, we benefit from the upbuilding association, the encouraging instruction, and from the thought that our Lord Jesus Christ  is present with us.  That makes a Christian meeting a truly joyous and faith-strengthening occasion. 

In the communion sacrifice, all the fat-around the intestines, the kidneys, the appendage upon the liver, and the loins, as well as the fatty tail of the sheep-was offered to Jehovah by being burned, made to smoke on the altar.  (Leviticus 3:3-16)   The fat was considered  the richest and best part of an animal. Offering it on the altar symbolized giving the best to Jehovah. What makes Christian  meetings particularly joyous is that we not only  receive instruction but also offer praise to Jehovah.  This we do by participating -with out humble but best effort-in singing heartily, listening attentively, and commenting when possible.  "Praise Jah, you people!" exclaimed the psalmist.  "Sing to Jehovah a new song, his praise in the congregation of loyal ones." -Psalm 149:1. 

Next time: Bountiful Blessings From Jehovah Await Us

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000

Offer Sacrifices of Praise Wholeheartedly

In writing to the Hebrews, Paul next calls attention to a vital aspect of true worship:  "Let us hold fast the public declaration of our hope without wavering, for he is faithful that promised." (Hebrews 10:23)  The expression "public declaration"literally means "confession," and Paul also speaks of "a  sacrifice of praise." (Hebrews 13:15)   This reminds us of the type of sacrifice that men like Abel, Noah, and Abraham offered.

When an Israelite offered a burnt sacrifice, it was done "of his own free will before Jehovah." (Leviticus 1:3) By such a sacrifice, he voluntarily made a public declaration, or acknowledgment, of Jehovah's bountiful blessings and loving-kindness toward his people. Recall that a distinctive feature of the burnt sacrifice was that the entire offering  was consumed on the altar-a fitting symbol of total devotion and dedication. Correspondingly, we demonstrate our faith in the ransom sacrifice and our gratitude for that provision when we willingly and wholeheartedly offer our  "sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of the lips," to Jehovah.

While Christians do not offer literal sacrifices-animal or vegetable-they do have the responsibility to bear witness to the Kingdom good news and to make disciples of Jesus Christ.  (Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20)  Do you take advantage of opportunities to share in public  by declaring the good news of God's Kingdom so that  many more people can come to know the wonderful things God has in store for obedient mankind? Do you willingly spend your time and energy in teaching interested ones and helping them to become disciples of Jesus Christ?  Our zealous participants in the ministry, like the restful odor of a burnt offering is well-pleasing to God.  -1 Corinthians 15:58. 

Next time: Rejoice in Fellowship With God and Men

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000

Offer Sacrifices Clean and Undefiled

First, Paul urges Christians:  "Let us approach with true hearts in the full assurance of faith, having had our hearts sprinkled from a wicked conscience and our bodies  bathed with clean water."  (Hebrews 10:22) The language employed here unmistakably reflects what was done in a typical sacrifice under the Law.  This is fitting because for a sacrifice  to be acceptable, it had to be offered with the right motive and be of something clean and undefiled. The sacrificial animal was from the herd or flock, that is to say of the clean animals, and was "sound," without defect. If the sacrifice was from the fowls, it had to be from the turtledoves or young pigeons. If those conditions were met, "it  [was to] be graciously accepted for him to make atonement for him." (Leviticus 1:2-4, 10, 14; 22:19-25) The grain offering contained no leaves,m which is a symbol of corruption; neither would it contain honey, likely meaning the syrup of fruit, which has a tendency to cause fermentation. When their sacrifices-animal , or grain-were offered on the altar, salt, a preservative, was added. -Leviticus 2:11-13.

What of the person making the offering? The Law stated that anyone coming before Jehovah had to be clean and undefiled. Someone who had become defiled for an y reason first had to offer a sin or guild offering to restore his clean standing before Jehovah so that his burnt offering or communion sacrifice could be acceptable to Him.  (Leviticus 5:1-6m 15, 17)  Do we, therefore,  appreciate the importance of always maintaining a clean standing before Jehovah?  IF we want our worship  to be acceptable to God, we must be swift about correcting any infractions of God's Laws. We should be quick to avail ourselves of the God-given means for help-"the older men of the congregation" and the "propitiatory sacrifice for our sins," Jesus Christ. -James 5:14; 1 John 2:1, 2. 

The emphasis on freedom from defilement of any kind was, in fact, the key difference between the sacrifices offered to Jehovah and those offered to false gods by the people in the nations around Israel. Commenting on this distinctive feature of the sacrifices in the Mosaic Law, one reference work observes:  "We may note that there is no connection with divination or augury; no religious frenzy, self-mutilations, or sacred  prostitution, sensual and orgiastic fertility rites being utterly forbidden; no human sacrifices; no sacrifices for the dead." All of this draws attention to one fact: Jehovah is holy, and he does not condone or approve of sin or corruption of any kind.  (Habakkuk 1:13)  Worship and sacrifices rendered to him must be clean and undefiled-physically, morally, and spiritually. -Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:14-16.

In view of this, we ought to scrutinize ourselves in all areas of life to be sure that our service to Jehovah is acceptable to him. We should never think that as long as we are having some share in Christian meetings and in the ministry, it does not matter what we do in our private life. We also should not feel that participation in Christian activities somehow excuses us from the need to abide by God's Laws in other areas of our life.  (Romans 2:21, 22) We cannot expect God's blessing and favor if we allow anything unclean or defiled in his eyes to contaminate our thinking or actions.  Bear in mind Paul's words:  "I entreat you by the compassions of God, brothers, to present your bodies a sacrifice living, holy, acceptable to God, a sacred service within your power of reason. And quit being fashioned  after this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, that you may prove  to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:1, 2.

 Next time: Offer Sacrifices of Praise Wholeheartedly 

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000

For Our Instruction and Comofort

Though not required to offer literal sacrifices in the manner stipulated by the Law, we are still very much in need of what the sacrifices did to a degree for the Israelites, namely to have our sins forgiven and to enjoy God's favor.  Since we no longer offer literal sacrifices, how can we receive such benefits?   After pointing out the limitations of the animal sacrifices, Paul declares:  "When [Jesus] comes into the world he says: 'Sacrifice and offering you did not want, but you prepared  a body for me.  You did not approve of whole burnt offerings and sin offering .'  Then I said, 'Look! I am come (in the roll of the book it is written about me)  to do your will, O God.' " -Hebrews 10:5-7. 

Quoting from Psalm 40:6-8, Paul points out that Jesus did not come to perpetuate the "sacrifice and offering,"  the "whole burnt offerings and sin offering," all of which by the time of Paul's writing no longer had God's approval.  Rather, Jesus came with a body prepared by his heavenly Father, one that corresponded in every aspect to the one God prepared when he created Adam.  (Genesis  2:7; Luke 1:35; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45)  As the perfect Son of God, Jesus had the role of the "seed" of the woman, as foretold at Genesis 3:15. He would take steps to 'bruise Satan in the head,' though Jesus himself would  be bruised in the head,' though Jesus himself would be 'bruised in the heel.'  In this way, Jesus became the means provided by Jehovah for mankind's salvation, to which men of faith had been looking since the days of Abel.

Speaking about the special role that Jesus played, Paul says:P  "The one who did not know sin [God] made to be  sin for us, that we might  become righteousness by means of him." (2 Corinthians 5:21) The expression "made to be sin" can also be translated 'made as a sin offering.'  The apostle John says:   "He is a  propitiatory sacrifice for our sins, yet not for ours only but also for the world's."  (1 John 2:2)  Hence, while the Israelites had a temporary means of approach to God by their sacrifices, Christians have  a superior basis for coming to God-the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  (1 John 14:6; 1 Peter 3:18)  If we exercise faith in the ransom sacrifice provided by God and obey Him, we too can have our sins forgiven and enjoy God's favor and blessing.  (1 John 3:17, 18)  Is that not a source of comfort?  How,  though, can we demonstrate that we have faith in the ransom sacrifice?

After explaining that Christians have a superior basis for approach to God, the apostle Paul outlines, as we read at Hebrews 10:22-25, three ways in which we can demonstrate  our faith and  appreciation  for God's loving provision. Even though Paul's admonition was directed chiefly to those who have "the way of entry into the holy place"-that is, anointed Christians with a heavenly calling-surely all humanity need to pay attention to Paul's inspired words if they want to benefit from Jehovah's propitiatory sacrifice. -Hebrews 10:19.

Next time: Offer Sacrifices Clean and Undefiled

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000

SACRIFICES OF PRAISE THAT PLEASE JEHOVAH

"SINCE the Law has a shadow of the good things to come, but not the very substance of the things, men can never with the same sacrifices from year to year which they offer continually make those who approach perfect." (Hebrews 10:1) There, in one bold statement, the apostle Paul affirms that all the sacrifices offered under the Mosaic Law were of no permanent value as far as man's salvation is concerned. -Colossians 2:16, 17.

Does this mean that the material in the Pentateuch regarding offerings and sacrifices is of no value to Christian today?  As a matter of fact, over the span of a little more than a year, individuals enrolled in the Theocratic Ministry School in the congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide recently read through the first five books of the Bible.  Some have struggled to read and understand all the details.  Has all their effort been in vain?  That surely cannot be the case, for "all the things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from Scriptures we might have hope."  (Romans 15:4)  The question, then, is, What "instruction" and "comfort" can we glean from that body of information in the Law regarding offerings and sacrifices? 

Next time: For Our Instruction and Comfort

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000

Something Better to Come

The Mosaic Law, with its many sacrifices and offerings, was given to the Israelites to enable them to approach God to gain and retain his favor and blessing until the arrival  of the promised Seed.  The Apostle  Paul, a natural Jew, put it this way:  "The Law has become our tutor leading to Christ, that we  might be declared righteous due to faith."  (Galatians 3:24) Sadly, Israel as a nation did not respond  to that tutelage but abused that privilege. Consequently, their multitude of sacrifices became loathsome to Jehovah, who said:  "I have had enough of whole burnt offerings or rams and the fat of  well-fed animals; and in the blood of young bulls and male lambs and he-goats I have taken no delight." - Isaiah 1:11.

In 70 C.E., the Jewish system of things with its temple and priesthood, came to its end.  After that, sacrifices in the manner stipulated by the Law were no longer possible. Does this mean that the sacrifices, as an integral part of the Law, have lost all meaning for worshipers of God today?  We will examine this in the next article.

Next time: SACRIFICES OF PRAISE THAT PLEASE JEHOVAH

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000

Conclusion of Sacrifices Acceptable to Jehovah

Another voluntary offering was the communion sacrifice, described in Leviticus chapter 3.  The name can also be translated "a sacrifice of peace offerings."  In Hebrew, the word "peace" denotes much more than simply being free from war or disturbance.  "In the Bible, it denotes this, and also the  state or relation of peace with God, prosperity, joy, and happiness," says the book Studies in the Mosaic Institution.  Thus, communion sacrifices were offered, not to secure peace with God, as if to appease him, but to express gratitude for or to celebrate the blessed condition of peace with God enjoyed by those who are approved by him. The priests and the offerer partook of the sacrifice after the blood and fat were offered to Jehovah.  (Leviticus 3:17; 7:16-21;  19:5-8)  In a beautiful and symbolic way, the offerer, the priests, and Jehovah God were sharing in a meal, signifying the peaceful relationship that existed among them.

Sacrifices that were offered to seek forgiveness for sin or to atone for transgressions against the Law included the sin offing and the guilt offering. Although these sacrifices also involved burning  on the altar, they differed from the burnt offering in that the entire animal  was not offered to God, only the fat and certain portions of it. The rest of the animal was disposed of outside the camp or in some cases partaken of by the priests.  This distinction is significant. The burnt offering was presented as a gift to God to allow approach  to him, so it was offered to God exclusively and in total. Interestingly, a burnt offering or a guilt offering, suggesting that to make a sinner's gift acceptable to God, forgiveness of sin was needed. -Leviticus 8:14, 18; 9:2, 3; 16:3, 5. 

The sin offering was acceptable only for unintentional sin against the Law, sin committed because of weakness of the flesh.  "In case a soul sins by mistake in any of the things that Jehovah commands should not be done," then the sinner was to offer a sin offering in proportion to his status, or standing in the community.  (Leviticus 4:2, 3, 22, 27. ) On the other hand, unrepentant sinners were cut off; no sacrifices were available for them. -Exodus 21:12-15; Leviticus 17:10;   20:2, 6, 10; Numbers 15:30; Hebrews 2:2.

The meaning and purpose of the guilt offering are made clear in Leviticus chapters  5 and 6. A person may have sinned unintentionally. Still, his transgression may have incurred guilt against the rights of either his fellowmen or Jehovah God, and that wrong had to be satisfied or righted. Several categories of sins are mentioned. Some were private sins.  (5:2-6)  Some were sins against "the holy things of Jehovah" (5:14-16)  and some, though not entirely unwitting, were sins that resulted from wrong desires or fleshly weaknesses. (6:1-3) In addition to confessing such sins, the offender was required to make compensation where due and then to present a guilt offering to Jehovah. -Leviticus 6:4, 7. 

Next time: Something Better to Come

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000

Sacrifices Acceptable to Jehovah

"Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices," says the apostle Paul.  (Hebrews 8:3) Note that Paul divides the offerings made by the high priest of ancient Israel into two categories, namely "gifts" and "sacrifices," or sacrifices for sins." (Hebrews 5:1) People generally give gifts to express affection and appreciation, as well as to cultivate friendship, favor, or acceptance.  (Genesis 32:20; Proverbs 18:16)  Similarly, many of the offerings prescribed by the Law can be viewed as "gifts" to God to seek his acceptance and favor.  Transgressions of the Law required restitution, and to make amends, "sacrifices for sins" were offered. The Pentateuch, especially the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, provides a broad array of material regarding different kinds of sacrifices and offerings. While it can be a real challenge for us to absorb and remember all the details, some key points regarding the various types of sacrifices merit our attention.

We may note that in Leviticus chapters 1 to 7, five principal types of offerings-burnt offering, grain offering, communion sacrifice, sin offering, and guilt offering-are described individually, even though some of them were actually  offered together. We note also that these offerings are described  twice in these chapters, with different objectives; once in Leviticus 6:8 to 7:6, showing the portions that were set aside for the priests and those that were reserved for the one doing the offering.  Then, in Numbers chapters 28 and 29, we find what might be viewed as a detailed timetable, outlining what was to be offered daily, weekly, monthly and at yearly festivals. 

Among the offerings made voluntarily as gifts or an an approach to God to gain his favor were the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and communion offerings.  Some scholars  hold that the Hebrew term for "burnt offering" means "an offering of ascent" or "and ascending offering." That is fitting because in a burnt  offering,the slaughtered animal was burned on the altar and sweet-smelling, or restful, odor ascended heavenward to God.  The distinctive feature of the burnt offering was that after its blood was sprinkled around the altar, the animal was offered in its entirety to God.  The priests made "all of it smoke on the altar as a burnt offering, and offering made by fire of a restful odor to Jehovah." -Leviticus 3:4, 9; Genesis 8:21. 

The grain offering is described in Leviticus chapter 2. It was a voluntary offering consisting of fine flour, usually moistened with oil, with frankincense added.  "The priest must grasp from it his handful of it fine flour and its oil along with  its frankincense; and he must make it smoke as a remembrance of it upon the altar, as an offering made by fire of a restful odor to Jehovah." (Leviticus 2:2) Frankincense was one of the ingredients of the holy incense  burned on the incense altar in the tabernacle and temple.  (Exodus 30:34-36)  King David evidently  had this in mind when he said:  "May my prayer be prepared as incense before you, the raising up of my palms as the evening grain offering." -Psalm 141:2. 

Next time: Conclusion of Sacrifices Acceptable to Jehovah

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000