Originally posted: 04/28/2019

Then the Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, ² “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When any man of you brings an offering to the Lord, you shall…’” (1:1-2).

From Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance we learn the  Hebrew meaning of the word translated “brings”: “7126. קָרַב qāraḇ: A verb meaning to come near, to approach. The basic concept is a close, spatial proximity of the subject and the object.”

This was not a call to merely bring along an offering, which was required; but this was His Call to Come Near, to come close! His Call to Come Near conveys His desire to be intimate with His People; it’s almost too much to believe.

It is a solemn call to approach Holy, Majestic, Awesome, Creator of the Universe God. And though He called His people to come near, they could never answer His Call to Come Near in their own strength or by their own means.

Consider His Call to Come Near

• His Call to Come Near was a call extended to individuals.
  • “When any man of you brings an offering to the Lord…” (1:2).

• His Call to Come Near stated the need for atonement.
  • “He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, that it may be accepted for him to make atonement on his behalf,” (1:4).
    

• His Call to Come Near necessitated a mediator.
  • “He shall slay the young bull before the Lord; and Aaron’s sons the priests shall offer up the blood and sprinkle the blood around on the altar that is at the doorway of the tent of meeting,” (1:5).

• His Call to Come Near demanded a male without defect.
  • “…he shall offer it, a male without defect;” (1:3, 10).

• His Call to Come Near required a total burnt offering.
  • “And the priest shall offer up in smoke all of it on the altar for a burnt offering, an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the Lord,” (1:9, also 1:13, 17).

How do we respond to His Call to Come Near?

• Have we personally answered His Call to Come Near by believing in His only begotten Son?
  • “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life,” (John 3:16)
• Have we acknowledged our need for atonement?
  • for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23).
• Have we, by faith, transferred our sins to Him, our only acceptable Mediator?
  • For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, (1 Timothy 2:5).
• Have we placed our faith in His required Sinless Sacrifice?
  • He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, (2 Corinthians 5:21).
• When our faith is tested, are we joyfully answering His Call to Come Near?
  • In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, ⁷ so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; ⁸ and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹ obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls, (1 Peter 1:6-9).

The NIV Study Bible comments on the significance of “shall offer up in smoke all of it,” (1:9,13). “The completeness of its burning also speaks of total dedication on the part of the worshiper.”

Oh that our whole lives would be completely consumed in gratitude for His amazing grace and mercy. Oh that we would wholeheartedly, without reserve, willingly offer ourselves to please Him; that we might live to be a soothing aroma to the Lord, (1:9,13,17).

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship, (Romans 12:1).

Let’s Grow Together!