Outside the Camp
Today’s Verse:
Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. ~Hebrews 13:13
The camp in the Old Testament was the sanctuary area where there were altars for burning sacrifices and incense. There was the brazen altar, where blood sacrifices were made. Then, there was the golden altar, where incense was burned in the morning and evening, representing the prayers of God’s people. The bodies of the animals offered as a sin offering had to be taken outside of the camp and burned completely. There is a special meaning for us when we go outside the camp. It speaks to us vividly about our identification with Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.
Let us go forth to Jesus in active separation.
On the Day of Atonement, the sin offering was burned completely outside of the camp. The dead bodies of animals could not remain in the camp. Any contact with something dead defiled a man. There had to be a separation from that which was unclean. As God’s people, we must “come out from among them, and be ye separate.” We are commanded to be separated from sin. We are commanded to be separated from worldliness and fleshly lusts. We are commanded to be separated from teachers of false doctrine. We are commanded to withdraw fellowship, or be separate, from unrepentant, sinning believers. While separation sounds very harsh, God established personal separation for our safety and spiritual well-being.
Let us go forth to Jesus with acceptable sacrifices.
A sacrifice is something that we offer or give up. It, most often, refers to the offering of one life for another. Romans 12:1-2 speaks about the sacrifice of our bodies to God as a living sacrifice. It is the reasonable thing for us to do, considering Jesus gave Himself to save us from our sins. A living sacrifice is God’s perfect will for every Christian so that we might serve Him acceptably. Hebrews 13:15 speaks about the continual sacrifice of praise with our lips. The copious giving of thanks with our lips glorifies and pleases God. Then, there is the sacrifice of good works and special offerings that we participate in. We are commanded to be rich in good works. God is well-pleased with the sacrifices we make when we participate in love offerings and take care of others who are in need of our help.
Let us go forth to Jesus with ardent supplication.
Burning incense is a beautiful picture of the prayers of God’s people being lifted up to Heaven. Paul exhorted that, “first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.” Jesus is the Mediator between God and man. He is our Advocate with the Father. We can safely and successfully approach the throne of grace in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our prayers in Jesus’ name move the hand of God on our behalf. Our greatest ministry that we have is praying for others. We must go away from distractions, from sin, from discouragement, and from things that will pull us away from God. As we move away from unbiblical influences, we move closer to our Lord Jesus. Prayer and supplication are the tools of God’s workmen for building the work of God and lifting up the needs of others.
Going out of the camp is essential as a daily exercise. It might result in persecution and reproach, but it is our duty as God’s people. Let us go forth unto Him without the camp!
Have an obedient God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Mark 1-3
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