The times seem so different now compared to the culture of the Israelites described in Leviticus 25 and 26. I am thankful for living in a modern society with all the amenities that I have grown accustom to but what is the cost to our relationship with God and our relationship with each other? In the agricultural of Leviticus did they feel the business of life I feel today? Can we live in dependance upon God in a truer way?
Archive - September, 2009
God’s faithfulness in Jubilee and hardship: Leviticus 25 and 26
The legacy of glacier melting and Rich Mullins
I’m lying here in bed and I just finished watching a NOVA documentary about glaciers melting. Glaciers are massive and they seem unmovable but when you look at pictures over time you can really see the changes in them. I’m not looking to debate the effect of humans on global climate because I’d much rather talk about legacy. When a glacier melts completely it dies but you are able to see that there was a glacier present. The errosion of the ground and the boulders are sign posts to the glacier. When I die what will my legacy be? Will the lack of my existence be noticable? Continue Reading…
God’s celebration and justice contained in Leviticus 23 and 24
In Leviticus 24 and 25 we get a glimpse of the celebrations and justice that God commands for the Israelites. These celebrations were times of remembrance upon what God has done and is doing for the Israelites. The justice comes in the form of the famous line “An Eye for an Eye and a Tooth for a Tooth”
Transparency in the down times of life.
I’m in a mood right now where I am bitter, angry, and a little depressed about life. I kind of wish for death right now in a non-suicidal way. It would be so much nicer to be in heaven than here on earth. I can’t say where this weariness comes from but all I know it is here right now. I know that God is still in control and that He will meet my needs but right now I am struggling . I feel like I am stuck and in a room with no doors or windows. What am I doing in life? Where am I going? I have absolutely no idea. It is driving me crazy. I would just give up but that is against my nature. What is really weird is that earlier today I was feeling normal and happy. Life will seem normal in the morning but for now I am waiting for a good night sleep so I can forget life.
A holy calling by grace through faith in Christ: Leviticus 21 and 22
In Leviticus 21 and 22 rules and laws are given by God for Aaron and his descendants for all generations. The priests were not allowed to approach a dead person unless it was a relative and the high priest was forbidden to approach a dead body even of his own relatives. The priest’s needed to live above reproach. They needed to follow God’s commands in regard to mourning death. When customs in that time were to shave your head, cut your beard, and cut your body in mourning the priests could not because they were set apart by God as Holy. Continue Reading…
The painful reality of sin and God’s provision: Leviticus 19 and 20
>I think every other time I have read Leviticus it was my version of the blitzkrieg: fast and swift with little accuracy. It’s the kind of thinking that says if I blitz through this ‘boring’ book of the Bible enough I will eventually glean something useful from it. I was really wrong because I have been reading through Leviticus since May 19th and even though it has been a long slow walk through this difficult book full of sacrifices and laws but I am finding great enjoyment and passion because I am seeing a picture of Jesus Christ .
Provision for a fast food sex saturated world: Leviticus 17 and 18
Lord,
Open these eyes to see your glory. I sit in the torrent of life and I feel beaten and bruised by all the concerns of life. Oh how easy it is to get consumed with the swirling waters around me and not focus on you. Open my heart, mind, and soul as I read Leviticus 17 and 18 today Lord. I need your help to heal my heart. I submit to you now and forever, Amen.
Throughout Leviticus I am constantly reminded about how inadequate humanity is inherently. In chapter 17 God commands the people of Israel to stop sacrificing animals to other gods like the people of Egypt. People needed to bring their offering to the tabernacle to sacrifice to God as a peace offering. In chapter 18 God restates some of the 10 commandments in greater detail regarding how people can relate to each other. After reading these two chapters I feel saddened and a little depressed. Continue Reading…
Reflections on wisdom and folly
Tonight I was challenged by Jim Vining to think about Proverbs and the essence of wisdom and folly. When we look at wisdom and folly side-by-side it is easy to see the overwhelming supremacy of wisdom over folly. How often are we faced with that stark contrast in real life? Jim made a point that wisdom is not something that we gain passively but we are invited into a relationship with wisdom. What is the underlying issue with wisdom? I look back on my journey and I see that there is a complexity to wisdom. I entered into a walk with Jesus as my personal savior many years ago and I was foolish and always visiting the door leading to folly. Many years later my relationship with Jesus has grown and developed and I use wisdom more and see things in a clearer manner. What happened over the last 20 years? I think foundation is key. Continue Reading…
Overwhelming iniquity of mankind and a scapegoat: Leviticus 15 and 16
I have found it enjoyable yet difficult to read through Leviticus. I am overwhelmed by the burden the law places upon the Israelites. In Leviticus 15 you find out what circumstances cause a person to be unclean and it seems like everyone is unclean frequently. In chapter 16 verse God tells the people that the law is for their good because they will not defile His tabernacle. I know I struggle accepting rules even when they are for my own good. How did the Israelites react to this command? Continue Reading…
