Page 179 - The MacArthur Daily Bible

TN_02_MacArthur_Bible_Feb.qxd 8/8/03 14:38 Page 160

FEBRUARY 17
DAY 16:Why are there so many uncomfortable expressions in the Psalms—for example
in Psalms 23 and 139?

Because the Psalms genuinely reflect real life, we should expect that they will be uncomfort-
able in the same places that life is uncomfortable. According to the best-known Psalm 23, life isn’t
just about green pastures and still waters; it also includes death and enemies. The psalmists were
convinced they knew the only true God.When someone was picking on them or their people,they
would at times cry out for very specific judgment to be applied by God on their enemies.An amaz-
ing fact about the Psalms is their unblushing record of these cries to God that,if we are honest,echo
some of our deepest hidden complaints before God.
In David’s case,the role that he filled as the king and representative of God’s people often blurs
with his individual self-awareness.At times it is difficult to tell whether he is speaking for himself alone
or for the people as a whole. This explains some of the vehemence behind the curse-pronouncing
psalms.They unabashedly invoke God’s righteous wrath and judgment against His enemies.

priest shall make atonement for him concerning
February 17 his sin.
‘If he is not able to bring a lamb, then he
7
shall bring to the LORD, for his trespass which
he has committed, two turtledoves or two
Leviticus 5:1–6:30
young pigeons: one as a sin offering and the
‘If a person sins in hearing the utterance other as a burnt offering. And he shall bring
8
5 of an oath, and is a witness, whether he them to the priest, who shall offer that which
has seen or known of the matter—if he does is for the sin offering first, and wring off its
not tell it, he bears guilt. head from its neck, but shall not divide it com-
2 ‘Or if a person touches any unclean thing, pletely. Then he shall sprinkle some of the
9
whether it is the carcass of an unclean beast, blood of the sin offering on the side of the
or the carcass of unclean livestock, or the car- altar, and the rest of the blood shall be drained
cass of unclean creeping things, and he is out at the base of the altar. It is a sin offering.
unaware of it, he also shall be unclean and 10 And he shall offer the second as a burnt
guilty. Or if he touches human uncleanness— offering according to the prescribed manner.
3
whatever uncleanness with which a man may So the priest shall make atonement on his
be defiled, and he is unaware of it—when he behalf for his sin which he has committed, and
realizes it, then he shall be guilty. it shall be forgiven him.
4 ‘Or if a person swears, speaking thought- 11 ‘But if he is not able to bring two turtle-
lessly with his lips to do evil or to do good, doves or two young pigeons, then he who
whatever it is that a man may pronounce by an sinned shall bring for his offering one-tenth of
oath, and he is unaware of it—when he real- an ephah of fine flour as a sin offering. He
izes it, then he shall be guilty in any of these shall put no oil on it, nor shall he put frankin-
matters. cense on it, for it is a sin offering. Then he
12
5 ‘And it shall be, when he is guilty in any of shall bring it to the priest, and the priest shall
these matters, that he shall confess that he has take his handful of it as a memorial portion,
6
sinned in that thing; and he shall bring his tres- and burn it on the altar according to the offer-
pass offering to the LORD for his sin which he ings made by fire to the LORD. It is a sin offer-
has committed, a female from the flock, a lamb ing. The priest shall make atonement for him,
13
or a kid of the goats as a sin offering. So the for his sin that he has committed in any of
these matters; and it shall be forgiven him. The
rest shall be the priest’s as a grain offering.’ ”
14 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
15 “If a person commits a trespass, and sins
5:5 he shall confess. Confession must accom-
pany the sacrifice as the outward expression unintentionally in regard to the holy things of
of a repentant heart which openly acknowl- the LORD, then he shall bring to the LORD as
edged agreement with God concerning sin. his trespass offering a ram without blemish
Sacrifice minus true faith, repentance, and from the flocks, with your valuation in shekels
obedience was hypocrisy (see Ps. 26:4; Is. 9:17; of silver according to the shekel of the sanctu-
Amos 5:21–26). ary, as a trespass offering. And he shall make
16
restitution for the harm that he has done in
160