Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Leviticus 19-27
Chapter 19 begins with a restatement of the 10 commandments and many other commands for the good of man's relationships. I found v. 23-25 interesting, referring to not eating the harvest of a tree until the 5th year.
Verse 28 mentions not tatooing ourselves. I looked into this further. One commentary says that this verse and v. 27 (hairstyle) were referring to the Israelites imitating the pagan practices of their neighbors by cutting themselves, tatooing, and arranging their hair in a certain way "as signs of mourning and humiliation to gain favor with their gods."
Our God does not tolerate idolatry, so, of course, this would not be acceptable to Him!
Still wondering about v. 31. Does this mean we should not be hypnotized?
Lev. 20 gives us a specific problem: sacrificing to the god of Molech and then lists many different scenarios of sin and the punishments each party would endure. v. 13 specifically lists a man lying with another man "as one lies with a woman."
Lev. 21 lists rules for the priests, including dealing with touching dead bodies.
Lev. 22 No Levite may approach God in a state of ritual uncleanness or he will be cut off from God's presence.
Then more rules for changing the unclean to clean, along with rules for how and when to give holy offerings of food.
Lev. 23 is a chapter dedicated to the schedule of feasts and their requirements.
1st month 14th day was the Passover, with the next day being the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Seven weeks later they presented a new grain offering.
7th month 1st day was a day of rest and offering of a fire gift.
7th month 10th day was the Day of Atonement, with fasting from 7/9 pm - 7/10 pm.
7th month 15th day began the 7 day Feast of Tabernacles.
Lev. 24 Instructions for keeping the lights buring and for making bread. The stoning of a blasphemer is recorded here as well.
Lev. 25 I found the Jubilee chapter to be very interesting. God not only wanted the people to have a Sabbath, but the land also. Our modern farmers understand that. God protected the people by allowing them to redeem their property during the Jubilee. I think this shows us God's continual care for the poor and uneducated who may be manipulated by fast talkers! He constantly reminded the people not to take advantage of each other. The Jubilee provided a way of redemption.
In Lev. 26 God speaks very directly to what his expectations were of the Israelites and what the consequences would be if they did not obey Him. I will refrain from commenting on world policies I have not studied or actions I have not prayed to understand. God's answer is in v. 40ff.
Chapter 27 was not clear on first reading as to the point of vowing or dedicating a person to the Lord and setting a monetary value. A commentary said it was the practice of giving oneself into temple service, usually when asking God for something specific. "When the request was granted, the person would then fulfill the vow. That such vows could be converted into payments of money served a practical purpose, providing the sanctuary with necessary operating funds." Also, someone could take back the vow by paying the vowed amount + 20% so they could continue in their normal line of work.
Not my best work, I apologize. I read these chapters a few weeks ago and am just now getting them posted.
Hope you are enjoying spring break!
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10:07 AM