The pigeon is a well-known bird, and perhaps our little readers have often watched them as they gently and quietly picked up the grain thrown down to them; so we will not take the time to speak of their interesting habits.
Perhaps you would like to know why this bird is so frequently mentioned in the Bible. It was, along with the turtle dove which is of the pigeon tribe, often used by the poor in various sacrifices. Pigeons are very common in Palestine, and if any persons were too poor to buy a pair for an offering, the young could easily be caught in the rocks. Thus God graciously ordered it that the poorest could obtain what they needed.
In connection with the trespass offering; if a person was too poor to bring a lamb, he was permitted to bring two turtle doves or two young pigeons.
Now here we may learn a very important lesson: we as sinners, in order to approach God, must bring a suitable sacrifice, and that Sacrifice is Christ who has offered Himself on the cross.
Surely none can say they are too poor for this Sacrifice! It was the poor, the Lord said, who had the gospel preached unto them (Matt. 11:55The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. (Matthew 11:5)). So that all are without excuse now who have not salvation.
Have you, dear reader, put your trust in Christ and His work on the cross? Do you have peace with God? You may have it.
ML 08/11/1946