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Leviticus 9:1-11:47<\/strong><\/span> Today in Leviticus chapter 9 we read about Aaron & his sons beginning their priestly ministry.\u00a0 I liked verse 24 as a closing verse to this chapter: \u201cFire blazed forth from the LORD\u2019s presence and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When the people saw all this, they shouted with joy and fell face down on the ground.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I think what this verse does for me is to really confirm that all of the Offerings we are reading about in Leviticus were ordained by God at that time and that what we are reading about in Leviticus is truly part of God\u2019s story.\u00a0 Not that I ever doubted this fact \u2013 but, when you read about God consuming the offering in fire in such a dramatic fashion, you realize that God was fully pleased with the priest\u2019s and the people\u2019s obedience.\u00a0 The Offerings are part of God\u2019s story \u2013 and are foreshadowing the final Offering of Jesus on the cross.\u00a0 Do you believe the Offerings are a part of our spiritual history?<\/span><\/p>\n In Leviticus chapter 10 we read about the disobedience of Nadab and Abihu.\u00a0 You\u2019ll recall 2 days ago that we read in Leviticus Chapter 6 verse 13: \u201cRemember, the fire must be kept burning on the altar at all times. It must never go out.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Commentaries state that the fire was never to go out because the fire was started by God.\u00a0 \u00a0Humans were not to bring man-made fire to the altar, or they would die.\u00a0 I realize that this can seem like a very harsh punishment for disobedience. Commentaries suggest that because Nadab and Abihu were in such high spiritual leadership positions, their disobedience carried the risk of leading many people astray.\u00a0 One commentary at this link suggests that Nadab and Abihu may have been intoxicated on wine, based on God\u2019s subsequent instruction for priestly worship in Leviticus 10:9 \u2013 \u201cYou and your descendants must never drink wine or any other alcoholic drink before going into the Tabernacle. If you do, you will die.\u201d<\/em> It may help to remember that we saw disobedience from others earlier in the Bible \u2013 and we\u2019ll see disobedience again later in the Bible \u2013 without the consequence of immediate death.\u00a0 But, in this case, disobedience brought death.\u00a0 Think about the risk of disobedience in our lives today.\u00a0 \u00a0Yeah, sure, maybe we can get away with something dangerous\/disobedient 9 times out of 10 \u2013 but, there is always the risk that perhaps the 10th time could prove lethal.\u00a0 So \u2013 why take the risk of disobedience at all?\u00a0 Is it worth it?\u00a0 Ever?<\/span><\/p>\n Today in Leviticus chapter 11 we read about ceremonially clean and unclean animals for the Israelites.\u00a0 The One Year Bible Companion commentary on this chapter today states that \u201cthere were several reasons for this restricted diet \u2013 1. to ensure the health of the nation.\u00a0 The forbidden foods were usually scavenging animals that fed on dead animals; thus disease could be transmitted through them.\u00a0 2. to visibly distinguish Israel from other nations. The pig, for example, was a common sacrifice of pagan religions. 3. To avoid objectionable associations.\u00a0 The creatures that move about on the ground, for example, were reminiscent of serpents, which often symbolized sin.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Verses 20-22 mention of eating locusts reminded me of John the Baptist: \u201cYou are to consider detestable all swarming insects that walk along the ground. However, there are some exceptions that you may eat. These include insects that jump with their hind legs: locusts of all varieties, crickets, bald locusts, and grasshoppers. All these may be eaten.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Commentary at bible.org on \u201cThe Clean & the Unclean\u201d<\/strong> from Leviticus chapter 11 is <\/span>at this link<\/span>, and from chapter 12 is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.\u00a0 And yes, in theory, this is a grasshopper in the image below.\u00a0 It\u2019s clean! \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/p>\n Today in chapter 11 verse 44 we read: \u201cAfter all, I, the LORD, am your God. You must be holy because I am holy.\u201d<\/em> How does this verse speak to you? Do you think about being holy? Do you want to be holy? Zondervan shares the following commentary on this verse \u2013 \u201cHoliness is the key theme of Leviticus, ringing like a refrain in various forms throughout the book. The word \u201choly\u201d appears more often in Leviticus than in any other book of the Bible. Israel was to be totally consecrated to God. Her holiness was to be expressed in every aspect of her life, to the extent that all of life had a certain ceremonial quality. Because of who God is and what he has done, his people must dedicate themselves fully to him.\u201d Check out Peter quoting from this Leviticus verse in 1 Peter 1 verses 13-16 \u2013 \u201cTherefore, prepare your minds for action; be self controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: \u201cBe holy, because I am holy.\u201d\u201d<\/em> How do these verses speak to you? Do you think about being holy? Do you want to be holy? <\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings reminded me of the Big Daddy Weave song \u201cRedeemed:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
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