Pitched

I do puzzles on my iPad, it’s less messy and I can easily store the puzzle away.  The part I enjoy most is when I slide the pieces around, looking for just the right fit.  But then—they click into place.  With a little effort, one piece at a time, all the pieces creating a beautiful picture.

This is what I love about the Word of God. God so wonderfully orchestrating the fitting of pieces, “all the pieces creating a beautiful picture.”  Not long ago in my study time I saw the pieces click into place—amazing!  I was looking at Leviticus 9:7, Moses to Aaron “Come to the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and the people” (NIV). Looking at the word “atonement” I went directly to the law (or principle) of first mention. Meaning, I went to the first time that word (doctrine or concept) is mentioned. The first mention often sets the tone for further usage.

Here’s what I found.  Here’s what I love.

Atonement (“kapar” in Hebrew) is used 102x in the OT.  The 1^st time it is used is in Genesis 6—the flood story.  “Wait. What?”  I know, right?  The flood. When God gave Noah the building instructions, He was very specific in the wood and to “pitch” it inside and out (v14).  Pitch is kapar. What beautiful imagery.  To pitch means to cover, to smear, even to caulk, waterproofing, sealing any gaps or seams.  To “pitch” is prevention against water and unwanted pests and erosion from entering or affecting the material.  Pitching changed the nature of the Ark; it was now waterproof inside & out. When God had Noah pitch the Ark, he was protecting and covering the remnant that He was making covenant with.

THAT literally is atonement. In Leviticus it speaks of Aaron the Priest who took a bull (killed it) then took the blood and atoned with it on the altar.  The blood covers.  It appeases. It pacifies the anger of a holy God against sinful man.

JESUS. He came to take care of it all. His blood covers and fills any gaps. His blood fully satisfies God—we are fully reconciled to God. And yes, our nature too is changed.  We are covered and protected in the covenant.  All this making us—fully pitched. Wouldn’t it make a great bumper sticker “Got Pitched.”

One piece at a time, all the pieces creating a beautiful picture.

Pitched.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds” – Hebrews 10:24).

*See: Gen 6:14; Lev 4, 17:11; Ro 3:25; Heb 9:12,22; 1 Jn 2:2, 4:10; Rev 1:5.