Leviticus

[WIP]

On January 1, I decided to start reading the Bible again from Genesis 1. I am now up to Leviticus 17. As I have been reading Leviticus and all the laws regarding what is clean and unclean and the requirements for atonement I am getting a new picture of what it means.

In the past, I typically came away with thoughts about how demanding and over-bearing God can be. How the Israelites couldn't possibly have had much time for anything except burning sacrifices, cleansing themselves, and so on. I didn't fault God for it as I believe God is the potter and we are merely the clay that can be shaped in whatever way He so chooses. His ways are not our ways.

But now as I read through Leviticus I'm getting a different picture of how totally and completely holy and perfect He is. What I'm hearing in my mind is how far short we truly are and how all of those laws were necessary just for the people of Israel to even come remotely close to being acceptable to God.

This is beginning to reinforce even more the wonderful, awesome, and glorious sacrifice that came through God's son, the Christ, Jesus who paid it all on our behalf. What a wonderful gift of pure love!!!

Thank you, Jesus!

 

[ReginaForbes]

Your post reminds me of Psalm 119...
Psalm 119: 97-105
97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

 

[petester]

Amen Thank you Jesus

 

[Knotical]

Which is probably why the Israelites fell away so many times, as I am sure they figured it would be easier to serve a fake god than the real one. However, though God did institute quite a few rules, He also built in many ways of redemption.

 

[stovebolts]

WIP
I hope you'll not rush Leviticus or Numbers and you can gain somewhat of a working knowledge of the sacrificial system and how it would have played out in the life of both the priests and the Israelites. Hopefully you've already made the connection that Moses was a Levite as was his brother Aaron and only those in the line of Aaron could serve in the Tabernacle. Pull this forward and the Son's of Korah make more sense and you'll have a greater appreciation for John the Baptist.

It's one thing to read all 613 laws, but if you had to live by them, you would learn very quickly that in order to keep one law, you would break another law. Thus, you'll get another view of the sacrificial system. Not that it was bad to break the law because to live the law you had to discern the law. This is why David could eat what was reserved for the priest. And just in case you felt like it was a sin, not a problem, your heart was right and it could be atoned for.

When you get to chapter 23, ask yourself why the command about a farmers field is being brought up again.. and ask yourself why it comes up in chapter 23... it just seems so out of place
I hope you'll be able to "see" it!

Enjoy your study! When you get to Ruth and she brings two bulls and wine and wheat, you'll see just how big of a celebration it was!

 

[WIP]

Thanks for the insight. I will.