Leviticus 24 – Leviticus 25
With just a few chapters left our reading through the Book of Leviticus will come to a close. Before we venture into another Book of the Bible, lets turn our attention to our friends at TheBibleProject.com and check out their video on Leviticus:L
Blessings,
Pastor Bailey
Our Next Reading: Leviticus 26 – 27
Leviticus 22 – Leviticus 23
I’m not sure if you noticed, or quite understood the instructions being given when a sacrifice made “belongs to the priest.” Many times the instructions for the ritual sacrifices made in the Tabernacle are followed with those very words. Think of it as a form of payment for Aaron and his family, and chapter 22 clarifies who in the family is allowed to eat of these sacrificial gifts. You might think that is odd, but remember they were responsible for the events taking place in and around the Tabernacle, which meant they couldn’t tend to the needs of a flock or field. So, as you made your sacrifice, some of that gift may have been given as a form of payment to the priest.
This of course reminds me of when I interview and then took a Call to a small country church in Edon, Ohio at Saint Peter’s Lutheran. A few members of the Call Committee said not to be surprised if someone gave me a chicken, a pig, or half or a quarter cow as a gift. Seems odd, I know, but it was a country church and I was told those things happened. So, I looked forward to the day that we could have filled the freezer. In the six years I was there, it never happened. I guess Aaron and his family ate better than I did.
Peace,
Pastor Bailey
Our next reading: Leviticus 24-25
Leviticus 19 – Leviticus 21
My initial thought was “didn’t we just read this?” The answer is yes, and no. Turn back with me to chapter 18, and then glance at chapter 20. Nearly the same. The key difference is that chapter 18 spells out the ordinance on how God would want us to live, while chapter 20 spells out the punishment. For most . . . the punishment is . . . death, especially when it comes to inappropriate sexual behavior. Since we read it once, and now nearly read the same thing again, I think we get the point . . . as my mom used to say, “Keep your pickle in your pocket!”
One quick comment on all the other ordnances about our body. No piercing, tattoos, hair cuts, etc.. It’s easy to look around today and see that many choose to express themselves in a variety of ways. Personally, some of it looks like of fun and I’ve thought of a tattoo or piercing my ear, but am too chicken to try it. But here’s the point I think God wants us to remember . . . you were created in God’s image, and you are beautiful just the way God made you! Always remember that!
Peace,
Pastor Bailey
Our next reading: Leviticus 22 – 23
Leviticus 16 – Leviticus 18
As we enter Chapter 16, the celebration for the Day of Atonement is established. Jew’s know it better now as Yon Kippur, and is typically celebrated near the end of September or early October.
The Day of Atonement, as spelled out in Leviticus gives specific instructions to Aaron, on how and when he is to enter the Holy of Holies. We have to remember back to chapter 10 when Nadab and Abihu didn’t follow God’s command and were just going in and out as they pleased, burning the incorrect fire, etc., all of which resulted in their death. In response to that, God speaks to Moses on how and when Aaron is allowed in the inner most portion of the Tabernacle. One day a year. Only after bathing and offering the ritual sacrifice.
These instructions are important for God. These instructions are important for Aaron. These instructions are important for us.
As the Day of Atonement is honored, it is a day when our sins are remembered and set free. Also, take note that the people’s sins are set free in two different ways. One, as the goat as sacrificed on the altar. Two, as a second goat is set free (the scapegoat). Both important in their own way. One, erases the stain of our sin by burning it on the altar. The other, sets us free from the guilt of our sins by setting them free. Both to be celebrated. Both to be honored on the Day of Atonement.
Lastly, Chapter 16 is a pivot point for the Book of Leviticus. From here we go back into the clean/unclean imagery. However, rather than being focused on the relationship between us and God. These next several chapters define our relationships with one another.
Peace,
Pastor Bailey
Next reading: Leviticus 19-21
Leviticus 14 – Leviticus 15
I had to laugh as I read through these chapters, because an image popped into my head. As I sat reading, my mind began painting an interesting picture of what life might have sounded like as Ancient Israel was getting established. Here’s what I mean . . .
Leper’s, once outcast from the community, were required to call out, “Unclean! Unclean!” any time someone approached. What if every instance of uncleanliness that we have been reading about had the same requirement? Can you imagine constantly having to call out “Unclean! Unclean!”?
Ate something you weren’t supposed to . . . “Unclean! Unclean!”
Just had a baby . . . “Unclean! Unclean!”
Found mold in your house . . . “Unclean! Unclean!”
Got a scab . . . “Unclean! Unclean!”
Got a splinter . . . “Unclean! Unclean!”
Stubbed your toe . . . “Unclean! Unclean!”
Visited the funeral home . . . “Unclean! Unclean!”
On your monthly cycle . . . “Unclean! Unclean!”
Made love . . . “Unclean! Unclean!”
Had an ear infection . . . “Unclean! Unclean!”
Got a cold . . . “Unclean! Unclean!”
Just having a bad day . . . “Unclean! Unclean!”
Talk about a babbling bunch of fools! What an image! Now, please realize, most of these “unclean” moments didn’t require making it public knowledge, but what if it did? We’d all be walking around yelling at one another, “Unclean! Unclean!” I guess when you think of it this way, making a ritual sacrifice isn’t quite so bad!
Peace,
Pastor Bailey
Next reading: Leviticus 16 – 18
Leviticus 11 – Leviticus 13
So much for enjoying lobster, crab, shrimp, bacon, and camel! Guess if we are going to live according to the Levitical Law, we’d have to strike all of those off of our favorite food list. Not that too many of us enjoy camel. Although, the last time I looked at a camel’s toe, I was pretty sure it had two parts. Add to that rock badger and bat, sounds like some pretty good eats to me???
Humor and diet aside, as we turn to these chapters in Leviticus we see that the ordinances of God now have a practical implication for the people. Essentially, God is saying, “If you are going to be my holy/chosen people . . . this is how you should live.” Then, God also recognizes that there will be times when we may find that we are less than holy, or to use better terms “unpure” or “unclean.” According to these chapters in Leviticus, we would become unclean when:
As we read the list of ways to become “unclean”, notice that there isn’t penalty or death. God realizes that things happen. God than establishes a way for the people to restore the holy/clean nature God intended. This is done through the passage of time, bathing, sacrifice, or some combination of all the above. Very rarely did uncleanliness lead to banishment or death. Indeed God is gracious!
Lastly, as a pastor, I can’t help but think of the priest. Aaron and his sons, still newly ordained, now find that they are supposed to be: dietitians, OBGYNs, and dermatologists. I believe, if that were the case for me, I would be looking for a different calling.
Peace,
Pastor Bailey
Leviticus 8 – Leviticus 10
There is joy! There is excitement! There is tragedy!
The day has come when Arron and his sons are ordained, consecrated, and set apart for their ministry to God and the oversight of the Tabernacle. It must have been an exciting day! It must have been a day full of great joy! This was a long awaited moment. With the tabernacle was complete, and with the priests soon to be ordained, there was a sense of stature and permanence for the people of Israel.
The anointing oil is poured! The bull is sacrificed! All is well! Almost! Tragedy soon strikes. Two of Aaron’s sons, (chapter 10) don’t quite follow the rules established by God on how things are supposed to be done in and around the Tabernacle. With that, they are consumed with the fire of the LORD. Wow! Perhaps that was unexpected. Perhaps that was a bit extreme. Perhaps that was a bit unjustified. Well, yes and no.
I will agree there isn’t much of a semblance of grace on this one. There isn’t even a chance for Aaron and his family to mourn as the orders are given, “do not dishevel our hair, and to not tear your vestments . . . you shall not go outside the entrance of the tent of meeting (to the burial site) . . . or you will die” (10:6-7). Again, all sounds a bit harsh. Yet, for us a readers, we’ve just journeyed through page after page with all of God’s how to’s in keeping the Tabernacle. God’s instructions are clear. We are supposed to follow them. At this point, as the priests are set apart, God shows that there are serious implications in not abiding by the Law.
What does that mean for you and me? Thanks be to God, it means that Jesus intercedes on our behalf, and despite our own imperfections, God shows us grace and mercy.
Peace,
Pastor Bailey
Our next reading: Leviticus 11 – 13
Leviticus 5 – Leviticus 7
I don’t know about you, but I was glad to see that the gruesome nature and description of chapters 1 – 4 weren’t repeated in these next several chapters. One thing remain constant, the continued instruction on how the priest should offer various sacrifices for the different offerings. Even for the expert reader, it gets a bit confusing remembering the difference between these five different sacrifice/offering that God is asking the people to make. So here are a few pointers:
The first and most common offering was the Burnt Offering, which was required as a general offering for the atonement of one’s sin and as an expression of devotion to God. The instructions for the Burnt Offering are given in Lev 1:3-17. The offering could be a bull (1:3), sheep or goat (1:10), or dove or pigeon (1:14). The animal was to be burnt whole overnight (6:8-13), though its skin was given to the priest (1:6).
The second type of offering is the Grain Offering. This offering was given as an expression of devotion to God. It was voluntary and allowed people to acknowledge God’s goodness and providence. The instructions for the grain offerings are given in Leviticus 2. Most often, it was cooked bread—baked (2:4), grilled (2:5), fried (2:7), roasted, or made into cereal (2:14)—though always seasoned (2:13), unsweetened, and unleavened (2:11). Unlike the Burnt Offering, only a portion of the offering was to be burnt (2:9). The remainder went to the priests for their meal (2:10).
The third offering is the Peace Offering, which includes Thanksgiving Offerings (Lev 7:12), Freewill Offerings (7:16), and Wave Offerings (7:30). These offering could be made with a male or female cattle (3:1), sheep (3:7), or a goat (3:12), as long as it was without blemish. Some Thanksgiving Offerings could also include a variety of breads (7:12). The purpose of making a Peace Offering was to celebrate the gathering of two or more parties, and to comment their relationship to God as they enjoy fellowship with one another. The portions unsuitable for eating were given to God (7:19-27). Depending on the type of Peace Offering, the breast may have been given to the High Priest (7:31) and the right thigh may be given to the priest officiating the meal (7:32). The rest of the meal was to be eaten within one day by the families making the offering (7:16). Also, take note, that all leftovers were to be burnt after two days (7:17).
The fourth offering Sin Offering, which was given as a sacrifice for an unintentional sin (4:2-3, 4:20). Other times, these were given or called a guilt offering, to aid in removing the consequences for our lack of perfection (4:13-14, 4:22-23). As an atonement offering, it contained elements of a Burnt Offering (4:25), yet at the same time had elements of a Peace Offering (4:26). Conversely, some of the “sins” for which one needed atonement were not moral sins but rather matters of ritual impurity (5:1-5). For this reason, some may call these “Purification Offerings” instead of a “Sin Offering.” The primary purpose of this offering is not to atone for sins but rather to purify oneself for re-entering the presence of God. The elements of a Purification Offering could be any of the elements of the previous three types offerings, though unlike the Peace Offering, the meal was not to be shared by the one offering the sacrifice.
The fifth and final offering was the Guilt Offering. Unlike the English word “guilt” this does not refer to a matter of one’s conscience but rather to something one owes on account of a “sin.” Other suggestions for the name of this offering are the “Trespass Offering” or the “Reparation Offering.” The purpose of this offering was to make reparations for one’s sin. As such, this offering had a specific monetary value, and one who owed another on account of a debt due to a “sin” could repay it in silver rather than by sacrificing a ram (5:15). In addition, a 20% fee was assessed and given to the priest who mitigated the debt (5:16).
Hopefully this helped you to clarify the differences between one sin and the other. I know it certainly helped me. So many thanks to Jeremiah Garrett and his article on Seedbed.com for all your useful information!
The 5 Offerings in the Old Testament
Now on to see what our next reading has in store, as we read Leviticus 8-10.
Blessed Sunday!
Pastor Bailey
Leviticus 1 – Leviticus 4
As we shift into a new book of the Bible, I did some quick reading on the history of Leviticus. Something I never recognized before . . . Leviticus, just the name itself . . . takes is meaning and roots from the Levites, which comes out of Levi, who was one of the sons of Jacob. If we remember correctly, it was the Levites who were appointed priest over the Tabernacle. So, connecting all the dots, this book is written for the priests, and we see that quite quickly as we dig into the first four chapters.
Other quick observations:
All in all it makes me grateful that Jesus became the living sacrifice and that these duties aren’t part of my own pastoral responsibilities!
More to read as we take a look at Leviticus 5 – 7.
Peace,
Pastor Bailey
Exodus 36 – Exodus 38
Exodus 39 – Exodus 40
Another book complete! Another month, come and gone! Now we are well on our way. Many say it takes 30 days to make something a habit, and since the first of the year, we’ve done just that. Nice work! A little bit of self praise is a good thing, and we might need that as we turn the page into Leviticus.
Before we do that, we realize that Exodus comes to a close with the building of the Tabernacle. Just as described in earlier chapters, the tent covers, lamp stand, curtains, various altars, and all the utensils needed are completed just as God had given direction. Moses even gives it his two thumbs up (39:43) before it was all constructed. Moses even gets that honor, throughout chapter 40 as everything is put in its proper place.
Then, when all is said and done, God descends in a “pillar of cloud”, and begins to dwell within the Holy Space. Oddly enough, as much as Moses has played a key role in building the Tabernacle, once the Cloud descends, Moses cannot enter. It’s implied, but not clearly stated, from this point on, the Tabernacle is reserved for the Priests (Arron and his sons) as God now finds a home with the people of Israel!
Tomorrow . . . new month . . . new book. On to Leviticus chapters 1 – 4.
Peace,
Pastor Bailey
First Lutheran Tiffin Ohio 44883 