Bible Reading Reflection from Leviticus 17-27

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (PG), a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟙𝟟:𝟝

"The reason is so that the sons of Israel may bring their sacrifices which they were sacrificing in the open field, that they may bring them in to the LORD, at the doorway of the tent of meeting to the priest, and sacrifice them as sacrifices of peace offerings to the LORD."

A proper sacrifice, a legitimate sacrifice, a sacrifice that will please God; a sacrifice that will not be rejected; a sacrifice that will not bring wrath and judgment upon those who sacrifice is done through the priest and by bringing to the temple (they were still in the wilderness, so, in a tent).

No man (past, present, future) should think he can come before God without the priest. No man should think he can meet God anywhere but, in the temple, (the house of God).

Jesus has become our priest, and our body has become the dwelling place of God. So, now we can pray to God anywhere anytime without needing to go even to the church.

But the negative implication still applies. He who thinks he can please God on his own shall be cut off. He needs a mediator, either the Levitical priests or the Heavenly Priest.

Another elucidation is, worship is both private and public. People these days have made worship private and not public anymore.

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟙𝟠: 𝟛

"You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes."

It's a call to be different. But many want to live just like the world.

I've seen professing boys and girls staying together before marriage, that's fornication; yet their consciences are seared, excusing themselves in saying "everyone's doing only"

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟙𝟡:𝟚

"Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.’"

Our motivation to live a life of holiness is God. If we love God, if we want to dwell in His place, if we are His people, we must be holy indeed!

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟚𝟘:𝟚𝟛

"Moreover, you shall not follow the customs of the nation which I will drive out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I have abhorred them."

Some cultures are better than others' cultures.

What may be good, perfect, and legal in some cultures may be evil and sinful in the sight of God.

Activities mentioned in this chapter weren't uncommon, even from the dawn of humankind [apparently]. But the people of God were and still are instructed to live differently.

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟚𝟙:𝟙𝟟

"Speak to Aaron, saying, ‘No man of your offspring throughout their generations who has a defect shall approach to offer the food of his God.’"

While some people get disqualified, others are unqualified.

God deserves the best, the most competent, the most perfect things.

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟚𝟚:𝟛𝟚-𝟛𝟛

"You shall not profane My holy name, but I will be sanctified among the sons of Israel; I am the LORD who sanctifies you, who brought you out from the land of Egypt, to be your God; I am the LORD."

We are not our own; we don't do what we please. We don't live for ourselves; we live for God. Or we can quit calling ourselves believers and perish!

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟚𝟛:𝟚𝟚

''When you reap the harvest of your land, moreover, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field nor gather the gleaning of your harvest; you are to leave them for the needy and the alien. I am the LORD your God."

The Lord wants to demonstrate His grace, mercy, kindness, and providence to the poor and needy through those who have much!

Something to think through again and again, both for self and to teach others!

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟚𝟜:𝟙𝟡-𝟚𝟘

"If a man injures his neighbor, just as he has done, so it shall be done to him: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; just as he has injured a man, so it shall be inflicted on him."

This is how true justice looks like. In fact, nobody wants true justice. Nobody can stand true justice. We all want mercy. We love to go in the street and protest "we want justice" when we are the victims, but when we are the perpetrators, we want mercy crying, "This is not fair."

Only God gives true justice for the "tiny" sins of Adam and Eve. They were spared because God decided to kill His Son, which Adam and Eve couldn't endure [even their own sins], the infinite wrath of God.

Both the Gospel and the Law actually point us to be merciful, and to leave vengeance upon God, who alone knows to give true justice!

#Mercy, Justice, Vengeance#

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟚𝟝:𝟚𝟛

"The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me."

And in the New Testament, God says we are not our own, we are bought, not even with precious gold but by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. We belong fully to Him and Him alone.

Yet, how we want to live an independent life! Even the “Lord's Prayer” teaches us to be dependent on him daily, “give us our daily bread.”

With this perspective, we will not fear nor worry about tomorrow or today. We will not be attached to the things of this world. We will not be jealous nor covet the things of others! On the contrary, we shall be productive knowing we are just stewards; we can't afford to waste, it's not ours!

Indeed, everything, life itself, belongs to God. Even the sinner's soul belongs to God and will be kept in hell. Nothing is independent of God!

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟚𝟞:𝟛𝟜

"Then the land will enjoy its sabbaths all the days of the desolation, while you are in your enemies' land; then the land will rest and enjoy its sabbaths."

Sabbath is of God. God rested on the 7th day. Man ought to rest as well. But man is greedy. They want to work and work. They let their employees and animals work and work. They thought if they work and work, they will get more and more. But is it not God who produces anything? At best, man can water the seed; it's God who let the seed sprout and grow.

Even when they get more, they never get satisfied. Millionaire wants to be billionaire. Greed, greed, greed!

In Leviticus 26, God told the Israelites to rest on the 7th day, or else, God will not let their crops grow. God fed them with manna, even without them working for 40 years, not to talk of 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, or 1 year.

Working or not, it's God who sustains life. Working greedily is tantamount to stealing credit from God, in that they trust themselves, and not God.

Sabbath was made for man primarily, and if the Israelites wouldn't be grateful for that, God would remove them and give the Sabbath for the animals and the lands!

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟚𝟟:𝟛𝟚-𝟛𝟛

"For every tenth part of herd or flock, whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the LORD. He is not to be concerned whether it is good or bad, nor shall he exchange it; or if he does exchange it, then both it and its substitute shall become holy. It shall not be redeemed."

Good or bad, it belongs to God. No other intention is acceptable. Just obey.

How often have we heard "that's not what I mean" "that's not my intention" Hmmh!

Obedience is indeed better than all the best intentions of a man carried out in disobedience!

Bible Reading Reflection from Leviticus 11-16

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (PG), a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟙𝟙:𝟜𝟛-𝟜𝟝

"Do not render yourselves detestable through any of the swarming things that swarm; and you shall not make yourselves unclean with them so that you become unclean. For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. And you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm on the earth. For I am the LORD who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy."

They can't afford to make themselves detestable by the food they eat, not because it's detestable to man but to God.

They say dogs are detestable. Well, they aren't gods. So, who cares? 😎 Go eat dogs! [North East Indians] 😂

God set aside for Israelites what food to be eaten and what not to be eaten. Till today God sets aside for Christian what to do and what not to do. We may not know the reason, but it's enough that He sets aside, and we must obey! We are servants to obey orders. Even the Servant Jesus obeyed to the point of death!

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟙𝟚:𝟚

"Speak to the sons of Israel, saying: ‘When a woman gives birth and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean for seven days, as in the days of her menstruation she shall be unclean.’"

Jesus was brought up exactly like this. His earthly parents being still young could not afford to bring animals for the sacrifice so they brought pigeons.

BTW, there is a distinction between a male and a female when it comes to purification. If male child, then 7 days unclean plus 33 days quarantine. If female child, then 14 days unclean plus 66 days quarantine. According to the good design of the all-wise God.

And good luck to all the feminists and egalitarians!

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟙𝟛:𝟜𝟞

"He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp."

Leprosy (a disease) made a person unclean. He must dwell outside the camp. He shall live alone.

The worst thing disease can do to a person is death.

Leprosy is contagious, but it doesn't spread to everyone. Not everyone gets leprosy. But he who gets leprosy is cast out from the camp to dwell alone. Leprosy is that serious. Even if the person would die, they let him die outside the camp.

Now, Sin is contagious and deadly. It spreads to everyone and everyone will die. However, the people of God are cured of sin. Now, why would God allow an unrepentant sinner to dwell in the camp? He shall be cast out into utter darkness where there shall be gnashing of teeth!

Sin is far serious than leprosy. An unrepentant sinner would be treated worse than a leper.

Reading this chapter enriches an understanding of God's desire for holiness!

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟙𝟜:𝟠

"And he who is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes and shave off all his hair and bathe himself in water, and he shall be clean. And after that he may come into the camp, but live outside his tent seven days."

Another chapter on cleansing a leper. I see a lot of similarities between cleansing a leper and cleansing a sinner.

First, let's set it straight. I don't think it's a typology. Nor do I think it to be an allegory, but a suitable analogy.

Leprosy is serious, excommunicable, lonely, dreadful, contagious, and deadly. Cleansing a leper, reconciling him to society, making him acceptable, declaring him clean [again] is a meticulous task requiring a lot of time, evaluation ceremonies, and the priest of God.

If so, why would the reconciliation of a sinner to God's fellowship be taken lightly? In actuality, it takes the death of The Eternal Priest of God, Jesus Christ, our Lord. In ceremonial practice, we are commanded to take water baptism once and communion as often as we can. In piety, we are to confess our sins and take up our cross.

It was real for the leper, why won't it be real for a sinner? What a joy it must be for a leper that was declared cleansed! He would not complain of these requirements because the state of being a leper is worse than the process of becoming cleansed. And I am sure the thought of freedom after the cleansing would fill his soul with delight. He must be very glad before, through, and after the procedure.

Christian living is much more so.

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟙𝟝:𝟛𝟙

"Thus you shall keep the sons of Israel separated from their uncleanness, so that they will not die in their uncleanness by their defiling My tabernacle that is among them."

To me, this is one of the most disgusting chapters in the entire Bible. I don't like to read it, but it's in the Bible. Bible, indeed, has sufficient instructions for everyone to live a holy life before man and God.

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟙𝟞:𝟙-𝟚

"Now the LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they had approached the presence of the LORD and died. The LORD said to Moses: ‘Tell your brother Aaron that he shall not enter at any time into the holy place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, or he will die; for I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat.’"

This account always fascinates me. God has just killed the sons of Aaron. Then Aaron was commanded to not mourn but to keep doing his priestly duties faithfully or else he too shall die.

A tyrant killed people and threatened to kill more. He is obeyed by force, torture, and fear. God is not a tyranny. God is a loving Father. He is a good God. And there's no fear in love. We want to serve God in delight. God wants us to enjoy Him. God even gives us a will, a choice, a free life. Moreover, God is long-suffering, compassionate, and gracious. Yet what He demanded of Aaron was very sobering.

Aaron must be extremely sad about the demise of his two sons (not only one). His reputation among the people was at stake. He wasn't even allowed to mourn. Moreover, God still demanded faithfulness.

God was not afraid to hurt Aaron. God was not afraid if Aaron would threaten to resign. God did not back down.

Indeed, what is of God is greater than anything of us.

Bible Reading Reflection from Leviticus 1-10

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (PG), a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟙:𝟛

"If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. He shall bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before the LORD."

God demands the best and the choicest offering. King David was right to not offer unto God that didn't cost him anything!

I know many people who have the habit of giving their best currency note on Sunday Offering. Whenever they encounter a clean note, they would often say, "Oh! This one is for offering" and they would save it!

Apart from money, I am thinking about other things. Well, going to church should cost me (stretching David's philosophy): maybe an auto fare, my time, my energy to lay chairs, my vulnerabilities to open up, my comfort to get along with others, etc.

Worshipping God must cost us something. The choicest of the herd, the best of livestock given to God.

It costs the life of His most beloved Son for God to accept our worship!

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟚:𝟙𝟛

"You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt."

Salt is that important, nay, necessary! Salt preserves, endures.

Maybe I should start enriching my vocabulary with this word. The covenant of salt!

"Is your relationship with God salted?" Something like that! 😅

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟛:𝟝

"Then Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar on top of the burnt offering, which is on the wood on the fire; it is a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD."

Sacrifices are to please God. It matters what and how offerings are made. God accepted Abel, but rejected Cain.

But what matters more than what one offers, is the theology behind the offering.

Well, I can think of three essential elements to make a right offering:

1. Right Material (goat, sheep, pigeon, etc.)

2. Right Theology behind the offering.

3. Right Attitude. It's thankfulness to God for His grace and mercy. Psalm 50 is rich in the doctrine of offering and sacrifice, BTW!

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟜:𝟚

"Speak to the people of Israel, saying, ‘If anyone sins unintentionally in any of the LORD's commandments about things not to be done, and does any one of them.’"

The Mosaic Law has two categories of sin: Intentional and Unintentional. In New Testament, Jesus talked about Unpardonable Sin and Pardonable Sin. Apostle John talks about Sin that leads to death and sin that doesn't lead to death. Interesting. They are different and similar in many ways.

But one thing is clear. God regards all sin to be serious. We can't afford to be self-righteous. The good news is that God offers forgiveness for all sins to those who would call upon His name!

If this is not a sobering yet comforting truth, I don't know what is!

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟝:𝟙𝟙

"But if he cannot afford two turtledoves or two pigeons, then he shall bring as his offering for the sin that he has committed a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering. He shall put no oil on it and shall put no frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering."

The God of the Old Testament is a Gracious God. It's a false dichotomy to say that the Old Testament is Law and the New Testament is Grace. Everyone that is saved is saved by Grace both in the Old Testament and the New Testament, Now, and also in the Age to come.

Noah found Grace in the sight of God, remember?

If they couldn't afford a lamb for a sin offering, God allowed them two pigeons. If they can't afford even those, then a portion of flour.

Abraham tried to bargain with the Angel of the Lord not to destroy Sodom-Gomorrah. God was gracious to accept his bargain, except that there were none righteous. Abraham gave up!

Gracious God is Yahweh!

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟞:𝟝

"Or anything about which he has sworn falsely, he shall restore it in full and shall add a fifth to it, and give it to him to whom it belongs on the day he realizes his guilt."

Not just simply returning, but with a fine/interest of 20%

Zacchaeus’ restitution was 400%

Repentance changes from stealing to giving. Bad deeds to good deeds.

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟟:𝟚𝟘

"But the person who eats of the flesh of the sacrifice of the LORD's peace offerings while an uncleanness is on him, that person shall be cut off from his people."

Should we read this verse before the Lord's Table (Communion)? Should a person avoid Communion if he is convicted of any sin in his life?

Well, this is not about Christian Communion, but the principles are identical!

God is God; He is not a man. We can't treat God like us. I hate people who treated me like them. Years ago, I went to a high school reunion, and they expected (actually mandated) me to behave like them, take a bottle and drink like them. Well, I wasn't like them. They can berate me, undermine me, mock me, or hold me in contempt, I am not going to be like them.

I have another friend in Seminary, a godly man. One of our professors required us to read 7 books in a week and to write a review for each of them. He could have told us in advance. So, most of us decided to not comply and lose our grades. We thought my friend would also join us. He was not like us. He finished his assignments without a word of complaint. And it was stupid of me to consider him that he was just like me. He was not.

The book of Leviticus shows how God is holy. He is different. He is other. He must be treated, worshipped, adored, obeyed differently. So, it is full of regulations.

May we never bring God down to our casual level! He is holy, and demands holiness from every creature!

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟠:𝟞

"And Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water."

Priests are set apart from the congregation. High Priest is set apart even from the Priests.

Man always loves to rebel, to disregard authorities. Man wants to treat everyone as his equal at his best and abuse at other times! But we must be reminded that there's such thing as sacred and others as common. Some [stupid] person will say Monday to Saturday is as sacred as Sunday. If so, no day is sacred. Every day is common. Even a non-Christian psychologist, Jordan Peterson knows that well. If everything is valuable, nothing is valuable. If coal is as valuable as gold, there's no value of gold!

Even among people of God, the LORD demands that some people must be set apart among all!

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟡:𝟞

"And Moses said, "This is the thing that the LORD commanded you to do, that the glory of the LORD may appear to you."

Moses prayed, "Show me Your Glory" and God showed him the back part of God.

Aaron needed to see the glory of God, Moses instructed him carefully. We all need to see the glory of God. Isaiah, a young boy saw the glory of God and his life was never the same anymore.

We see the glory of God in His Son. We see the Son in His words and in the inner testimony of the Spirit. We see the glory of God in the fellowship of the saints.

It's there, we just need to see. Sometimes, we must pray like Moses!

 

𝕃𝔼𝕍𝕀𝕋𝕀ℂ𝕌𝕊 𝟙𝟘:𝟛

"Then Moses said to Aaron, "It is what the LORD spoke, saying, 'By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, And before all the people I will be honored.'" So Aaron, therefore, kept silent."

God cares that people worship Him rightly, with honor and reverence, for He is a holy God. He struck the sons of Aaron dead. Aaron was told to not mourn but to live normal as a high priest.

Later on, God would strike Uzzah dead, David was afraid.

Centuries later, God would strike a couple dead, Ananias and Saphira.

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty🎼