Leviticus 19 - Day 146 (link to reading plan)
Scripture: Leviticus 19:9-10 Observation: God provides for the poor. Application: In God's provision for the poor, he expects landowners to show compassion by dedicating a portion of their crops for the needy to collect for themselves. Interestingly, the poor are required to "work" if they want to eat. There are no free handouts. Prayer: Lord, thank You for providing for all our needs. Leviticus 18 - Day 145 (link to reading plan)
Scripture: Leviticus 18:24-30 Observation: God instructs Moses to teach His children not to follow the detestable sexual practices of the Egyptians or Canaanites. Application: As a good parent, God prepares His children by giving them clear boundaries of what is and is not acceptable. You would think that people would know better but obviously, the Egyptians and Canaanites didn't. Hence, God is communicating His expectations so the Israelites wouldn't violate His commandments or the trust of their closest relationships. Prayer: Lord, thank You for wanting your best for us. Leviticus 17 - Day 144 (link to reading plan)
Scripture: Leviticus 17: 3-7 Commentary: ...To put it another way, these stringent regulations regarding blood sought to eliminate any superstitious practices with blood from arising in Israel, e.g., the practice of eating or drinking the blood of an offering in order that one might ingest either spiritual powers or divine life. Hartley, J. E. (1992). Leviticus (Vol. 4, p. 278). Dallas: Word, Incorporated. Application: Rabbit's foot, Ti leaves, and Japanese lucky cats are some items used by people for "luck." God's prohibition against eating blood was to eliminate the superstitious practices of their pagan neighbors. As followers of Christ, instead of 'luck,' we just need to be on God's side for His favor to be upon us. Prayer: Lord, You have blessed me more than I deserve. Leviticus 16 - Day 143 (link to reading plan)
Scripture: Leviticus 16: Commentary: The Day of Atonement is the highest day in the Jewish calendar. On this day Jews afflict themselves by abstaining from all earthly pleasures. They deny their bodies as they spur themselves to seek God solemnly for forgiveness of their sins...Next the high priest presented the living goat. He laid both his hands on the goat and confessed over it the sins of the people. Laden with these sins, the goat was sent away into the wilderness by one appointed for this task. That person’s responsibility was to make sure that the goat went away from the camp and did not wander back into it. In later times the goat was cast over a precipice to make sure that it died. This goat died in the wilderness, the haunt of demons and evil spirits. The purpose of this ritual was to remove the sins from the area where the people lived, to return them to their source, and to leave them there in order that they would have no more ill effect within the community. This rite completely broke the power of these sins over the people of God. Hartley, J. E. (1992). Leviticus (Vol. 4, p. 244). Dallas: Word, Incorporated. Application: This is where we got the term "scapegoat", meaning a person who is blamed for the wrongdoing of others. A goat was literally sent away into the wilderness, taking the sins of the people out of the camp. Jesus was our scapegoat, who died for the sins of the world. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the life we have because of your sacrifice. Leviticus 15 - Day 142 (link to reading plan)
Scripture: Leviticus 15:1-18 Commentary: This chapter describes uncleanness that resulted from emissions from the male and female reproductive organs. It distinguishes between chronic and abnormal discharges on the one hand and intermittent, normal discharges on the other. Both kinds, however, caused ritual uncleanness. Here, as throughout these chapters on various kinds of uncleanness, we must keep in mind that uncleanness was not in itself a matter of sin, though it could be associated with sinful acts. This chapter includes forms of uncleanness that arose from perfectly legitimate actions or natural functions. Uncleanness simply prevented a person from participating in worship. Except in cases of serious skin disease (ch. 13) it did not unduly isolate a person from the community, but imposed restrictions on his or her physical contacts. Wright, C. J. H. (1994). Leviticus. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 142). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press. Application: For this particular "uncleanness," the person did not present themselves to the priest but self-monitored their health and abstained from worshipping at the tabernacle. Thank God that we are encouraged to approach Him directly when we are ceremonially unclean, so He can heal us. Prayer: Lord, purify my heart, mind and soul. |
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