<\/p>\n
Leviticus 17:1-19:37<\/strong><\/span> Bob Deffinbaugh at bible.org\u2019s commentary on Leviticus chapter 17, \u201cThe Preciousness of Blood,\u201d is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.\u00a0 \u00a0A quote from Bob from this link \u2013 \u201cThe Israelite of old learned from Leviticus, as nowhere else up to that point in time, the preciousness of blood to God. How much greater value does blood take on for the New Testament saint, whose blessings are all a result of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. As Harrison summarizes the matter, \u201cThe blood is the life of the flesh (Lev. 17:11), and it is through the atoning blood of Christ that the believer receives redemption (I Pet. 1:18-19), forgiveness (Eph. 1:7), justification (Rom. 5:9), spiritual peace (Col. 1:20), and sanctification (Heb. 13:12).\u201d<\/span> Leviticus 18 is primarily a chapter about forbidden sexual practices.\u00a0 However \u2013 before we get to those \u2013 I think verses 1-5 are incredibly powerful as God reminds the Israelites that he is their God \u2013 and that he has set them apart from the pagans surrounding them \u2013 and that his laws must be obeyed by the Israelites \u2013 \u201cThen the LORD said to Moses, \u201cSay this to your people, the Israelites: I, the LORD, am your God. So do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life. You must obey all my regulations and be careful to keep my laws, for I, the LORD, am your God. If you obey my laws and regulations, you will find life through them. I am the LORD.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 As I read this I see the compassionate nature of God throughout history.\u00a0 The laws were so much better than the pagan ways of the nations surrounding Israel.\u00a0 The laws were better.\u00a0 More compassionate than immorality to be sure.\u00a0 Check out again Bob Deffinbaugh on Leviticus chapter 18 verses 1-5 titled \u201cObedience\u2014The Obligation of Being Owned\u201d <\/span>at this link<\/span>.\u00a0 And below is one of my favorite obedience cartoons\u2026 \ud83d\ude42<\/span> For the rest of Leviticus chapter 18 I\u2019m going to punt once again over to Bob Deffinbaugh at bible.org <\/span>at this link<\/span>.\u00a0 \u00a0Here\u2019s a quote from Bob at this link \u2013 \u201cLeviticus 18:6-29 has a very simple structure and message. Its intent is to define the boundaries of godly human sexual relationships. There are three of them, which I call the inner, middle, and outer boundaries of godly sexuality. Verses 6 through 18 define the \u201cinner boundary,\u201d prohibiting sexual relationships with close relatives. Verses 19 and 20 define the \u201cmiddle boundary,\u201d which limits sexual relations within marriage and prohibits them outside marriage. Verses 21 through 23 define the \u201couter boundary\u201d of unnatural sexual relations. Verses 24 through 29 tell us about God\u2019s judgment upon a nation that crosses these boundaries. They clearly tell us that God\u2019s judgment for sexual sin is all nations, not just the covenant nation of Israel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Today in Leviticus chapter 19 we read about holiness!\u00a0 What a tiny but powerful little word \u2013 holy.\u00a0 This chapter is of interest to me in that I continue to struggle with the call to holiness in my life.\u00a0 I understand grace.\u00a0 I get grace.\u00a0 I\u2019m good at receiving grace\u2026\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 But holiness?\u00a0 Well, that\u2019s a bit trickier for me personally.\u00a0 I guess where I am at these days in my walk with the Lord is really trying to balance grace and holiness.\u00a0 I know we are saved through grace, not works \u2013 but, I also believe there is a call to holiness in our lives once we have received that gift of grace.\u00a0 \u00a0You know I love Bob Deffinbaugh\u2019s writings over at bible.org.\u00a0 I think Bob\u2019s writings on <\/span>Leviticus chapter 19 titled \u201cHow to Spell Holy\u201d at this link is up there with some of his best stuff<\/span>.\u00a0 Please check out this link, and make sure you scroll down to read about Bob\u2019s take on \u201cperversions of holiness\u201d \u2013 1. stained glass holiness 2. positional holiness 3. equating holiness with the miraculous 4. isolational holiness 5. holiness by redefinition.\u00a0 Great stuff!<\/span> Worship Video:<\/strong>\u00a0 Today\u2019s readings in Leviticus 18 reminded me of Rebecca St. James\u2019s song \u201cWait for Me:\u201d<\/span>
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n