Leviticus
chapter 27 introduces the new concept of dedicating a person to the
Lord. Interestingly, it is not until the last chapter of the book
that this is mentioned. Until now we have read only about offerings
of grain and animals to be given and consumed. Only after the feasts
are given, after the commandments, after the sacrifices and Sabbaths
are presented, this personal vow is even mentioned. We read, “If
anyone makes a special vow to dedicate persons to the Lord by giving
equivalent values“.
The text then sets the values of males and females based on their
usefulness in this agricultural society. A young man’s equivalent
value was set higher than a child under 5 years old. This vow was
completely voluntary and was done to express one’s gratitude, or in
some cases a sense of calling. By assigning a monetary value, these
vows could not be made as empty promises, but came with a cost.
Mercifully, even the poor could make this vow of dedication and the
priest would set the equivalent value “according
to what the man making the vow can afford“.
We can give our time and money and even read God’s Word diligently,
but in the end we must decide if we are willing to give ourselves to
God. The decision to accept Jesus as your Savior should not be taken
lightly. Jesus Himself teaches one must “count
the cost”
of becoming His disciple in Luke chapter 14. It is not until we
comprehend the price He paid for our sin that we can embrace Him as
our redeemer and accept the forgiveness and give ourselves completely
to God.
The
rest of the chapter discusses making vows to dedicate animals,
property and land to God. It also discusses the price to buy-back
these things. “If
the owner wishes to redeem the animal, he must add one fifth of its
value“.
Most anything could be vowed to the Lord, except the first-born.
“No
one, however may dedicate the first born of an animal, since it
already belongs to the Lord“.
The concept of giving God the tithe is also presented. “A
tithe of everything from the land… whether grain…or fruit…
belongs to the Lord… every tenth animal that passes under the
shepherd’s rod- will be holy to the Lord“.
This giving of the first fruits is automatic and not based on
ability to pay. It is assumed that everything belongs to God and
this is a way of acknowledging the fact. It also tells us of a
deeper level of giving called a devotion, “but
nothing a man owns and devotes to the Lord- weather man or animal or
family land- may be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most
holy to the Lord“.
This word ‘devoted’ is a Hebrew word meaning irrevocable giving over
of things or persons to the Lord. It could not be brought back; this
was a permanent transfer of ownership. The chapter ends, “These
are the commands the Lord gave Moses on Mount Sinai for the
Israelites“.
I
am struck by how much this chapter reminds me of my salvation
experience. It was not until I read of Christ’s sacrifice, and how
far I was from God’s standard of righteousness, that I was ready to
dedicate my life. It took time for the seed to grow, but God’s Word
is faithful. When I read, “While
we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”
(Romans 5:8), I realized my need for salvation. Although I did not
want to admit it, my life did not belong to me, but “the
ruler of this world“,
Satan (John 14:30). Jesus paid the equivalent value to buy me back.
1 John 4:19 explains, “We
love, because He first loved us“.
Our lives were purchased on the cross of Christ. All that is
required from us is to believe by faith. When we accept Jesus as our
redeemer, our lives are irrevocable given to God. We are devoted to
God through His faithfulness, and Satan cannot take ownership again.
Ephesians 1:13 explains, God sealed the deal with His Holy Spirit.
“Having
also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of
promise“.
Are you certain to whom do you belong?