In one of my many bible studies I learned that a trench was dug around the tabernacle to collect all the blood. That's not written in the bible, but it would explain how they handled all the blood of all those animals. I believe the bones were carried off to the "dump" literally where all the garbage and human refuse was collected. I could be mistaken about that. Scavengers could dispose of the bones. Who knows? Only God knows the real answer for that. Anyway, these thoughts are interesting.
Bottom line for me is I am so glad we have Jesus - the True High Priest - who sacrificed His blood and we have Him to confess to (not some man in a white collar or a fancy robe) and He hears all our confessions. In fact, He knows our sins will be committed before we do. Who better to confess to? There is no bloodshed, but maybe there are tears shedding while we confess and our hearts are made clean.
No matter how one looks at it the animal sacrifices were to remind us of our sins and to show us what sin looks like...dirty, stinky, an abomination to Him. What amazes me is how He is still willing to take us as stinky and dirty as we are and bring us into the Royal Family clean and renewed. Thank you Jesus.
The chronological bible is a great way to see the timeline of how the OT plays out. I've done the hard copy chronological bible (NIV) and I've done it online through a bible platform. It does give a better understanding of the when and to see how some stories happen at the same time.
Thank you for this writing Dr. T and I pray you are plugging along and God is using you in His perfect timing. Love to you and all your readers.
"One of the things that blew my mind was the massive slaughter of sacrificial animals." Sherri
A Repentant Heart
"You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering.
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God." Psalm 51: 16-17 NLT
Why so many for the slaughter?
All this shed blood is repugnant and offensive and touches your heart in a way that says this is too extreme, it has gone too far, something isn't right, these are innocent animals, and surly "It must have been a mess, a bloody mess." Why should the blameless need to pay with their lives for the sins of the sinful?
"Christ the Innocent, Slaughtered for the sins of the sinful?"
"Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit." 1 Peter 3:18 NLT
Let us pray. . . LORD, we are the guilty, the sinful, us to blame for the slaughter of the Innocent. Our sins caused this bloody tragedy. May our hearts now be broken by what we have done. We ask for Your forgiveness, LORD. You tried to show us through a shocking, bloody mess the consequence of our sins, but none cared because everyone's hearts had grown cold. Forgive us, GOD, for not understanding how offensive our sins are to You. Now, help us live a pleasing life in Your sight, eagerly waiting for Your return and actively doing what's right, praying this day, in JESUS' Mighty Name. Amen.
"And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him." Hebrews 9:27-28 NLT
"Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us." 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 HCSB.
"Over the years, I have tried many times to follow “Bible in a Year” courses. I could never stick to the schedule..."
Same. More than a year ago, I started a "Bible in 2 years" reading plan through YouVersion. That's more my speed. And yet, I've still fallen behind. Fortunately, YouVersion has a "Catch up" feature that makes it easy to sweep my lack of discipline under the rug.
I'd encourage everybody to go with some sort of plan. Having a plan at all helps you with your discipline, as opposed to not having a plan at all and just reading the Bible when you feel like it. Better yet, find a partner and both read the same plan. But whatever you do, choose a plan that works with your life. It's better for you to be in the Word daily, reading just a few verses, than it is for you to have started a "Bible in 1 year" plan, be 6 months behind, and have given up reading at all because you feel guilty. That's not helpful.
And yea, there was a lot of blood and gore associated with the sacrificial system, not just when the temple was consecrated, but thereafter, too. It was a slaughterhouse and a religion all rolled into one. (Reminds me of the old Saturday Night Live joke about "It's a desert topping AND a floor wax.")
And so Jesus's blood replaced all that. It was enough. Once and done forever. What a joy that we have been set free from the Law.
I start every day - before anything else - with a new discovery gifted to me this New Year - The Chronological Order 365 Daily Readings, "The Daily Bible." Such an intriguing & logical way to understand God's Word with 365 Bible Readings - which guarantees me that this is at long last the year I will complete my assignment!
I've had quite a few people recommend the chronological readings. I'm going to keep going - from beginning to end - next time, i'd like to pick that up! is there a bible written like or just a checklist to follow?
"The Daily Bible," is absolutely in traditional biblical format. Starts with Jan.1 (study of Gen. 1:1,2) & day by day through 365 days ends on Dec. 31 (study of Rev. 19:1-5 - Rev. 22:21.) Author F. LaGard Smith penned it more than three decades ago after his beloved earthly father implanted the idea: "Somebody ought to put the Bible in the right order." Smith often wrote from the quiet Cotswold countryside, but also in the U.S. where he spent his life teaching both law and religion at Christian universities.
I await next Christmas to gift this so friends may experience true Joy & Excitement -
knowing they will finally succeed in their resolution to read the Bible from cover to cover in the New Year.
We just finished a year in the Bible with a group at church on Sunday. There’s nothing like the popcorn that happens as a group. The Bible is a love story with stark contrasts. Good write.
Thank you Dr. Trnpenny for your insight and writing. I so appreciate you❤️ i wish that I could get to your clinic for treatment. I am 89 years old snd have pain and weakness far too often. God bless and keep you. Ruth Campfield from Canfield, Ohio
I was actually trying to reply to the potential patient thinking if it was not more then a couple hours from your office I could figure out a way to help her get there snd back!
You know that concept ...no good deed goes unpunished ....😂🤣
Praise God, it is so very interesting to see our selves in the mistakes Judges and Kings. And our current events, as we follow Esau through Edomites to Herod. And Jacob through Israelites through David/Solomon and to Jesus. All connecting via the Wise Men in Matthew 2.
God Bless All, 2P2H, 🙏Pray, prepare, hope & 🐝 happy
I enjoyed this substack as always and had many of the same reactions to the Bible references you made. It always bothers me though to read that Solomon was the "wisest" man because he fell so hard and betrayed GOD so terribly. How could someone so "wise" be so ignorant about what is most important, obedience to GOD?
Simplicity is my modus operanda. And reading through the Bible each year is a constant delight. The studies in addition to that are forever challenging and strengthening. What would we do if not for God’s personal Guidance and word? Keep going and start it with open prayer to the very One who created Everything.
Thank you Dr. Tenpenny, I thought I was the only one who was shocked by all of the animal sacrifice going on in the OT. I was thinking how it must have made modern horror movies pale in comparison. Funny though, at the same time I felt guilty for placing my modern day judgement on our beloved Holy Bible.
I am currently reading Chronicles so this post is very timely for me. God bless.
In one of my many bible studies I learned that a trench was dug around the tabernacle to collect all the blood. That's not written in the bible, but it would explain how they handled all the blood of all those animals. I believe the bones were carried off to the "dump" literally where all the garbage and human refuse was collected. I could be mistaken about that. Scavengers could dispose of the bones. Who knows? Only God knows the real answer for that. Anyway, these thoughts are interesting.
Bottom line for me is I am so glad we have Jesus - the True High Priest - who sacrificed His blood and we have Him to confess to (not some man in a white collar or a fancy robe) and He hears all our confessions. In fact, He knows our sins will be committed before we do. Who better to confess to? There is no bloodshed, but maybe there are tears shedding while we confess and our hearts are made clean.
No matter how one looks at it the animal sacrifices were to remind us of our sins and to show us what sin looks like...dirty, stinky, an abomination to Him. What amazes me is how He is still willing to take us as stinky and dirty as we are and bring us into the Royal Family clean and renewed. Thank you Jesus.
The chronological bible is a great way to see the timeline of how the OT plays out. I've done the hard copy chronological bible (NIV) and I've done it online through a bible platform. It does give a better understanding of the when and to see how some stories happen at the same time.
Thank you for this writing Dr. T and I pray you are plugging along and God is using you in His perfect timing. Love to you and all your readers.
Thank you, Sherri. GOD bless you!
"One of the things that blew my mind was the massive slaughter of sacrificial animals." Sherri
A Repentant Heart
"You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering.
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God." Psalm 51: 16-17 NLT
Why so many for the slaughter?
All this shed blood is repugnant and offensive and touches your heart in a way that says this is too extreme, it has gone too far, something isn't right, these are innocent animals, and surly "It must have been a mess, a bloody mess." Why should the blameless need to pay with their lives for the sins of the sinful?
"Christ the Innocent, Slaughtered for the sins of the sinful?"
"Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit." 1 Peter 3:18 NLT
Let us pray. . . LORD, we are the guilty, the sinful, us to blame for the slaughter of the Innocent. Our sins caused this bloody tragedy. May our hearts now be broken by what we have done. We ask for Your forgiveness, LORD. You tried to show us through a shocking, bloody mess the consequence of our sins, but none cared because everyone's hearts had grown cold. Forgive us, GOD, for not understanding how offensive our sins are to You. Now, help us live a pleasing life in Your sight, eagerly waiting for Your return and actively doing what's right, praying this day, in JESUS' Mighty Name. Amen.
"And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him." Hebrews 9:27-28 NLT
GRATITUDE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtMqYAgr6Og
"Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us." 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 HCSB.
What is the ministry of reconciliation in 2 Corinthians 5:18? Got Questions. https://www.gotquestions.org/ministry-of-reconciliation.html
GOD bless you all!
"Over the years, I have tried many times to follow “Bible in a Year” courses. I could never stick to the schedule..."
Same. More than a year ago, I started a "Bible in 2 years" reading plan through YouVersion. That's more my speed. And yet, I've still fallen behind. Fortunately, YouVersion has a "Catch up" feature that makes it easy to sweep my lack of discipline under the rug.
I'd encourage everybody to go with some sort of plan. Having a plan at all helps you with your discipline, as opposed to not having a plan at all and just reading the Bible when you feel like it. Better yet, find a partner and both read the same plan. But whatever you do, choose a plan that works with your life. It's better for you to be in the Word daily, reading just a few verses, than it is for you to have started a "Bible in 1 year" plan, be 6 months behind, and have given up reading at all because you feel guilty. That's not helpful.
And yea, there was a lot of blood and gore associated with the sacrificial system, not just when the temple was consecrated, but thereafter, too. It was a slaughterhouse and a religion all rolled into one. (Reminds me of the old Saturday Night Live joke about "It's a desert topping AND a floor wax.")
And so Jesus's blood replaced all that. It was enough. Once and done forever. What a joy that we have been set free from the Law.
Praying for you as always.
https://simplechristianity.substack.com
I start every day - before anything else - with a new discovery gifted to me this New Year - The Chronological Order 365 Daily Readings, "The Daily Bible." Such an intriguing & logical way to understand God's Word with 365 Bible Readings - which guarantees me that this is at long last the year I will complete my assignment!
Published by Harvest House.
I've had quite a few people recommend the chronological readings. I'm going to keep going - from beginning to end - next time, i'd like to pick that up! is there a bible written like or just a checklist to follow?
"The Daily Bible," is absolutely in traditional biblical format. Starts with Jan.1 (study of Gen. 1:1,2) & day by day through 365 days ends on Dec. 31 (study of Rev. 19:1-5 - Rev. 22:21.) Author F. LaGard Smith penned it more than three decades ago after his beloved earthly father implanted the idea: "Somebody ought to put the Bible in the right order." Smith often wrote from the quiet Cotswold countryside, but also in the U.S. where he spent his life teaching both law and religion at Christian universities.
I await next Christmas to gift this so friends may experience true Joy & Excitement -
knowing they will finally succeed in their resolution to read the Bible from cover to cover in the New Year.
Such INTERESTING information! The Bible continues to show me new things as the years go by and I reread all the different books in it.
We just finished a year in the Bible with a group at church on Sunday. There’s nothing like the popcorn that happens as a group. The Bible is a love story with stark contrasts. Good write.
Thank you Dr. Trnpenny for your insight and writing. I so appreciate you❤️ i wish that I could get to your clinic for treatment. I am 89 years old snd have pain and weakness far too often. God bless and keep you. Ruth Campfield from Canfield, Ohio
thanks for your comments and support
How far away are you from the Clinic? may I ask.
Do you mean me personally or my office?
Which clinic? the Cleveland Clinic has branches everywhere ...
Sorry Dr. Tenpenny,
I was actually trying to reply to the potential patient thinking if it was not more then a couple hours from your office I could figure out a way to help her get there snd back!
You know that concept ...no good deed goes unpunished ....😂🤣
Praise God, it is so very interesting to see our selves in the mistakes Judges and Kings. And our current events, as we follow Esau through Edomites to Herod. And Jacob through Israelites through David/Solomon and to Jesus. All connecting via the Wise Men in Matthew 2.
God Bless All, 2P2H, 🙏Pray, prepare, hope & 🐝 happy
I enjoyed this substack as always and had many of the same reactions to the Bible references you made. It always bothers me though to read that Solomon was the "wisest" man because he fell so hard and betrayed GOD so terribly. How could someone so "wise" be so ignorant about what is most important, obedience to GOD?
𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 🥰🙏😍 𝐖𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐎𝐃 ✝️🥰
Simplicity is my modus operanda. And reading through the Bible each year is a constant delight. The studies in addition to that are forever challenging and strengthening. What would we do if not for God’s personal Guidance and word? Keep going and start it with open prayer to the very One who created Everything.
Thank you Dr. Tenpenny, I thought I was the only one who was shocked by all of the animal sacrifice going on in the OT. I was thinking how it must have made modern horror movies pale in comparison. Funny though, at the same time I felt guilty for placing my modern day judgement on our beloved Holy Bible.
I am currently reading Chronicles so this post is very timely for me. God bless.