Category: Leviticus

Who Do You Follow? (Leviticus 18-20)

Friday, August 26

I-Am-The-Lord-700

Today’s reading (and perhaps all of Leviticus) are well summed up by the first 5 verses of Chapter 18.  “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Speak to the Israelites and say to them, “I am the Lord your God.  You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you.  Do not follow their practices.  You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees.  I am the Lord your God.  Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them.  I am the Lord.”

Did you notice that in these 5 verses one phrase is repeated three times.  In fact, it will be repeated about 22 times in Chapters 18 and 19, and will be scattered throughout the rest of Leviticus.  “I am the Lord – your God.”  Did God really think the Israelites needed that many reminders about who is God?

Might it be that we today need just as many reminders?  Do I get caught up following the practices of others, rather than the laws of God?  Too often do I merely go along with what my neighbors, classmates, co-workers, countrymen, social media friends around me are doing, rather than being careful to follow the Lord’s commands?  Do I question the Lord’s laws, choices and actions?  Do I think I have a better way?  Do I forget that it is the Lord who is God?  How would you fill in the blank:  “You must not do as they do in ________.  Do not follow their practices.  You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees.”  God warned the Israelites that they must not do what they did in Egypt (where they had come from) and they must not do what they do in Canaan (where they were going).  Rather, they were to be a separate, called-out people devoted to him.  Where and when do you need to be extra cautious and aware of the influences around you that are pulling you in directions away from God’s leading?

The lists of laws with “I am the Lord your God” interspersed regularly reminded me of a parent answering a child’s questions about why they need to follow their parent’s rules.  “Because I said so, and I am your parent.”  So true, so true.  God doesn’t even wait for his children to start asking the questions.  Right along with the rules comes the explanation, over and over again.  We would be wise to remember – “He is the Lord our God.”   And he knows best.

Who Will You Follow Today?  What will it look like?
Marcia Railton

Gross – and Great – in 3 Chapters (Leviticus 15-17)

Thursday, August 25
shedding of blood
When my kids go off to school, I have a home daycare and preschoolers invade the house.  Recently I was babysitting four preschoolers – three of whom were potty-training at the same time.  So, I do have some experience with bodily discharges (the topic of Chapter 15).   I found myself saying all sorts of things I never imagined I would need to say about not touching this or that or sitting here or there.  It was for very good reason that we removed the bathroom rug for several months.   And, there was no limit to the amount of times I made them wash their cute little hands – hands which didn’t even look dirty to them.  As naïve children, my preschoolers failed to see the dangers of unclean habits and the reasons and ways for cleaning themselves.   The Israelites had similar issues.  And, might we, too – at least when it comes to spiritual cleanliness?

Perhaps it is said best in Leviticus 15:31: “You must keep the Israelites separate from things that make them unclean, so they will not die in their uncleanness for defiling my dwelling place, which is among them.”  Our God is STILL a holy, CLEAN God who dwells among us and requires us to be clean to come into His presence.  Strive for purity (In your thoughts, words, attitudes, motives and actions).  When you “mess yourself” – realize the danger and harm of your sin.  Instead of making excuses – take the needed steps for cleansing.  Jesus Christ offers the best spiritual sanitizer possible.

Chapter 16 gives detailed directions for the yearly Day of Atonement – when “atonement (reconciliation) is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites.” (16:34).  This will be the sacred time when the High Priest enters the Most Holy Place, and in addition to sin offerings and burnt offerings (which were also done regularly throughout the year) – a scapegoat will be released into the desert.  Wikipedia defines scapegoating as, “the practice of singling out any party for unmerited negative treatment or blame”.  Sure sounds just like what would be awaiting the Son of God so many years later.

In Chapter 17 – where the eating of blood is forbidden – we see yet another foreshadowing of Jesus’ purpose (atonement) and means to the end (death).  Verse 11 says, “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the alter; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”

We are dirty, sinful people – just as God’s people have been all through history.  Realize the danger of your unclean habits (sins).  Be sanitized.  Thank God He has made a way for us to be purified and reconciled to Him.   Thank you, Jesus, for being the scapegoat and the perfect sacrifice so we can come before The Almighty!

Marcia Railton

More Hats for the Priests (Leviticus 12-14)

Wednesday, August 24

Not Another One!

 

Great job hanging in there – after today we are more than half way done with Leviticus.  It hasn’t been too painful, has it?

Leviticus 12 is a short chapter dealing with purification after childbirth.  I wonder if this was a step towards creating “maternity leave” for mothers who had just given birth.

We see a few more job descriptions added for our busy priests in Leviticus 13 & 14.  First, the priest adds the hats of dermatologist and health inspector.  Anyone with a skin irregularity (swelling, rash, spot, sore, raw flesh, boil, burn, itch) was required to be inspected by the priest.  At first it seemed odd that the only ailments listed were skin related.  However, with the absence of internal medicine (no heart surgeons in the ancient days), I suppose that makes a lot of sense.  And, as webMD says, “Your skin can be a window to your underlying health.”  Since they didn’t have google to consult, what a relief that the priest could answer any question about that irritating itch or red rash you or your family member or neighbor developed.  If it was found to be an infectious disease (or needed time to tell), the patient was sent to live in isolation – for the sake of the health of the whole community.  As I was typing this  . . . my husband actually asked me about a small bump on his finger.  So, straight to the good book I went.  I don’t think he will have to live in isolation just yet . . . but we will keep an eye on it for sure!

The priest also acted as clothing and housing inspector.  He would examine mildew and test it to determine if it could be washed away or if it was more of a destructive mildew.  If it was a destructive mildew growing on a piece of clothing or leather or walls of a home – the item would be destroyed.

Some thoughts to ponder for today . . .
Is there a connection between physical health and spiritual health?
Do you find it easier to discuss your physical health or your spiritual health?  Where do you feel more fit right now?  What needs some adjustments?
What roles/hats do we expect a pastor to perform/wear for us today?

 
Back with more Leviticus tomorrow,
Marcia Railton

Do what the Lord requires! (Leviticus 8-11)

Tuesday, August 23

Nadab_w_Abihu_C-230
We begin our day’s reading with 2 chapters which provide a detailed depiction of the ordination ceremony for Aaron and his sons.  They were chosen by God to act as the priests for the people.  It was a huge honor and responsibility.  Their ordination and the start of their ministry was an 8 day affair with Moses giving directions from God, and Aaron and his sons carefully following each of the instructions.

In 8:35 Moses tells Aaron and sons, “You must stay at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting day and night for seven days and do what the Lord requires, so you will not die”  (perhaps a bit of foreshadowing there?).   And in 9:6, “Then Moses said, ‘This is what the Lord has commanded you to do, so that the glory of the Lord may appear to you.”  Both of these verses give different reasons for obeying God’s instructions – so you will not die, and so God’s glory may appear to you.

In Chapter 10 two of Aaron’s sons, the newly appointed priests (Nadab and Abihu) receive the penalty of death by fire from the Lord for offering,  “unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command.” (10:1)   Perhaps their pride had already led them astray (“Hey, look at us, God made us priests, we are HOT stuff”).  Perhaps they were mixing clean and unclean,  holy and common (trying to call holy something that wasn’t).  Or perhaps they just thought they had a better way of doing things . . . but . . . they didn’t.  God is God and we are not.  And perhaps it was this very idea that God was teaching his children when Aaron and remaining sons were told to not mourn but to carry on with their priestly duties while the rest of Israel did the mourning.

I know it all seems harsh to us, but it also reminds me of a teacher at the start of a new school year.  The teacher sets the rules (and knows why they are good rules, even when the students sometimes don’t).  The wise teacher will enforce the rules with the set consequences early on in the school year.  If the students see the teacher means business, order and learning are much more likely to occur throughout the rest of the year.  God had given the rules and set the consequences and clearly stated the reasons to obey.  Nadab and Abihu were either intentionally pushing the limits (deliberate sin), or blisslessly ignorant (unintentional sin), or just thought they had a better way.  Whatever the case, they (and the Israelites) saw that God means business.

Following the death, the Lord speaks to Aaron and says, “You MUST distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean, and you MUST teach the Israelites all the decrees the Lord has given them.” (10:10).  Thankfully, our merciful God does not always strike with fire . . . but we know he is right when he does, he can, he has and he most definitely will again.

 
What has God been commanding you to do lately?  How are you doing in following his directions?  What reasons do you have for obeying God?   Any excuses for disobeying – or doing it your own way?   Are you perhaps missing out on seeing his glory because you are not being fully obedient? Any unholy things in your life that you are keeping around when they ought to be tossed?   Are there any areas of your life where you have tried to tell God you have a “better way”?   Any danger areas that need to be resolved – NOW?

– Marcia Railton

 

UNintentional Sin – is STILL Sin (Leviticus 5-7)

Monday, August 22

High_Priest_Offering_Sacrifice_of_a_Goat
One of the first phrases that caught my attention today was “ceremonially unclean”.  God gave the Israelites examples of what would be ceremonially unclean (in this case touching dead unclean animals or human uncleanness – from Leviticus 5:2-3).  These rules obviously weren’t given to spoil all their fun, but to help keep them safe and healthy.   Today we are well aware of some of the various illnesses that go ‘hand and hand’ with touching dead animals and not washing properly.  His rules are for our benefit.

I wonder what might be included if God were to give his people an updated 2016 version of his “ceremonially unclean” list.  Would processed foods or refined sugar make the list?   What about pornography and violent video games?  Are there habits and choices you are making that need to be changed because they are harmful and spreading illnesses through your body and brain?  Would other generations before or after ours be shocked at how we are allowing filth and hazardous materials (as dangerous as unclean carcasses) into our homes, mind and bodies?

The other phrase that stood out for me was “unintentional sin.”  I remember Rick McClain speaking at FUEL of the huge danger in “deliberate sin”.  Hebrews 10:26 says, “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, NO sacrifice for sins is left”.   And, yes, this was written WELL after Jesus died for “all” sins!   This deliberate sin sounds like some serious business.  But, what about a “sin” that I don’t deliberately commit – that can’t be so bad, right?  I became a bit more curious about these “unintentional sins”.   Leviticus 5:17 says, “If a person sins and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord’s commands, even though he does not know it, he IS guilty and WILL be held responsible.”   So, it appears both deliberate and unintentional sins are SCARY stuff!   How can I strive to do a better job of avoiding deliberate and unintentional sins?

I am reminded of verses such as “Watch your life and doctrine closely” (I Tim 4:16).   I need to do a better job of studying myself, checking my motives, actions, attitudes, thoughts and speech.   I can search myself for unintentional sins that I didn’t even know were there (perhaps jealousy, selfishness or greed) as well as quickly exposing and dealing with deliberate sins.  Then I can ask for forgiveness (accepting Christ’s perfect sacrifice without defect) and make the needed corrections.  Also, it can be very helpful if I am open to receiving correction and sound advice from wise brothers and sisters in Christ.  In this way, the body of Christ acts as a royal priesthood – urging God’s people to live holy lives.

Be set apart this week!  Keep Reading Leviticus!
–Marcia Railton

 

Leaping into Leviticus (Chapters 1-4)

Sunday, August 21, 2016

leviticus     (page of Leviticus from an early German Bible)

Well, here we are . . . ready to delve into the third of the five books of the Law – Leviticus.
Leviticus is not known for being fun or light reading.  Most of the book is a listing of laws, consequences, sacrifices and priestly roles – and some of it can seem as foreign to us today as a totally new – or ancient – language.  But, don’t give up!  Forge on and let’s see what we can glean from its pages for us today.  In yesterday’s devotional thoughts we mentioned the importance of living holy lives – particularly for the priesthood which represents the Almighty.  In the book of Leviticus Moses instructs the Israelites on what holiness would look like.

As I read the directions for the burnt, grain, fellowship and sin offerings I was reminded of a saying I heard many times from my Grandpa Clair Alcumbrack.  Grandpa was a master craftsman who took great pains to get a job done right and generously gave most pieces away.  When his work was being admired by the lucky recipient Grandpa would jokingly say it was,  “Good enough for who it’s for.”   We always knew it was just his humble way of accepting praise for a job well done.   But it got me to thinking . . . how often do I forget who I am serving and working for – and the quality He desires from me.  Would I ever be able to come anywhere close to saying that my offerings for God were “Good enough for who it’s for”?

Eight times the phrase “Without defect” is used in the first 4 chapters of Leviticus to describe the sacrifices the Israelites were to bring before God.  These animal and grain offerings are no longer required since Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice.  But, can we learn something about what God expects from His children?

Let’s all check the quality of our offerings this week.   Is it obvious – to ourselves, others, and to the Master Craftsman, by the quality of our offerings and sacrifices, that we desire to be His chosen people, a royal priesthood and a holy nation (I Peter 2:9)?  Our Almighty Father deserves the very best we have to give –  offerings “without defect”.  What are we giving Him?   What defects need to be removed from our offering in order for it to be pleasing to Him?  A bad attitude?  A timing issue?  Poor quality control?  A long list of excuses?  How will you work to come closer to giving a sacrifice that is without blemish?

 

— Marcia Railton
( Marcia is the wife of Jason Railton and mom to 3, all of whom were at FUEL.  Marcia is thankful for her Christian parents, Ray & Susan Hall, youth leaders and teachers, Bible College staff and church family who have taught the importance of loving God’s Word.  She enjoys working with Family Bible Church, Basic Youth Group and Family Camp.  Besides long walks on the beach… she enjoys crafting, quilting, camping, and caring for preschoolers in her home.)