Regulations
There are regulations in just about every area of our culture. There regulations about the speed of travel, the amount of exhaust a vehicle can emit, the things I can build on my property and many more. Regulations are simply a part of my life. Some regulations seem to get a little too close and personal, but others I do understand because they bring order in our society.
The Lord gave a lot of instructions to Moses regarding all sorts of offerings for different situations. He gave the people instructions on how to prepare the offering. He now gives instructions to the priest regarding the offering regulations. Check this out…
14 “‘These are the regulations for the grain offering: Aaron’s sons are to bring it before the Lord, in front of the altar. 15 The priest is to take a handful of the finest flour and some olive oil, together with all the incense on the grain offering, and burn the memorial portion on the altar as an aroma pleasing to the Lord. 16 Aaron and his sons shall eat the rest of it, but it is to be eaten without yeast in the sanctuary area; they are to eat it in the courtyard of the tent of meeting. 17 It must not be baked with yeast; I have given it as their share of the food offerings presented to me. Like the sin offering and the guilt offering, it is most holy. (Leviticus 6:14-17 NIV)
The Word of God carries many other regulations that are still active in our society today. For example, our civil and criminal law can be traced back to ancient scripture and how they were set up. When the Israelites left Egypt and were traveling to what would become their land, they had to set some new guidelines for themselves. They had operated under the regulations and rules of Egypt. They now were becoming a country of their own and they needed regulations.
I need regulations in my home, in my work and in my relationships. There are certain protocols that should stay in place and keep my behavior inside the boundaries. I think regulations are the step-by-step instructions for living out my faith and following the Lord fully. Some regulations can be self-imposed, while people in authority impose others over me.
There are times when government regulations get over-the-top and too involved in our lives. There are often unintended consequences to too much regulation. The Lord’s regulations on my life are pretty simple and straightforward. I am to love like He loves. I am to live like He lives. I am to follow His plan for my life. I am to trust Him with every detail of my life. I don’t ever want to challenge the Lord’s regulation upon my life.
Pressing On!
Dwayne