Three books down, 63 more to go! Consequently, I have been dreading reading some portions of the Bible and one of those books was Leviticus. While I have read Leviticus before, my knowledge consisted of knowing it contained a lot of the Law and frankly reading about a lot of rules does not sound like a lot of fun. Comparatively, it will never be one of my favorite books, my heart has warmed towards it.
It is important to realize that Leviticus was written as part of a blueprint for a nation set apart from the world, a nation belonging to God. For example, one of the most pervasive reminders throughout the text was to obey the Sabbath, a day of rest on the seventh day. It is mentioned 17 times as a command to obey, to use in Festivals or as a way to count the calendar. A question to ask ourselves is are we setting aside our own Sabbath? What does it look like? What should it look like?
“You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the Lord Your God. You shall therefore keep my statutes and rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am Lord.” Leviticus 18:4-5 ESV
Passage:
Leviticus 16-27
Discovered:
- Day of Atonement: day to make atonement for the Holy Place.
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- Removed the sins and uncleanliness from the people of Israel.
- Took place on the 10th day of 7th month
- Aaron put on linen clothes, offered a male bull as a sin offering for himself and other priests.
- Offered 2 male goats as a sin offering for the congregation. Cast lots for which animal was released into the desert (represents freedom from sin) and which was used as a sin offering.
- Any animal killed is to be brought to the tabernacle so the blood could be thrown on the altar and the fat burned on the altar.
- The Israelites were not to live as others lived, but as God commanded, set apart.
- Do not commit incest, no child sacrifice, no sex during menstration, no homosexuality, or sex with animals. These laws set Israel apart from their neighbors.
- They were to obey the commandments in daily life.
- No tattoos or cutting of the body, no cutting of the hair on temples or beard.
- Treat others as yourself. Love your neighbors as yourself.
- Priests are to be unblemished and should marry virgins in order to serve.
- Those who do harm, repay via life for life, eye for eye – just punishment.
- Every 7th year, a Sabbath year, no harvest during the year. Year 6’s harvest will provide.
- Year of Jubilee – On Year 50, no sowing or harvest to be done. Land is returned to the original owners and slaves were returned to their families.
- If the Israelites obey God and his statutes, they will be blessed, but if they do not they will face consequences, handed over to their enemies.
- Vows were to be taken seriously and could be mostly redeemed at a higher value.
- Tithe – 10% was considered the Lord’s and was holy: animals, seed, harvest and fruits
“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:18 ESV
Help me to remember:
Help me to remember that everything you commanded, was an act of separation. Israel was meant to be a holy, favored nation, set apart from those around them. Just as if the Israelites had followed Your ways, they would be blessed; so will I.
Lord, I ask that:
just as honoring the Sabbath, a day of rest focusing on you, was supposed to be a top priority to the Israelites. I need to ensure that I am making time to honor you with my own Sabbath.
Heavenly Father, I am thankful for
I am thankful for time spent with you reading Your Word so that I may better understand Your heart.
