This is a combined reading from Leviticus 25:1-26:2, and Leviticus 26:3-27:34, which finishes Leviticus.
Here is the summary:
(Ch.25)
The sabbath year, and the year of jubilee.
Redemption rights of properties.
The fellow country men who becomes desolate is to be treated as a hired servant, not a slave.
Redemption of fellow country men that become hired servants.
(Ch.26)
Yahweh promises blessings when the people walk in obedience.
-
Yahweh gives warning about the idolatry and the consequences of what will happen.
(Ch.27)
The various amount in making a vow/dedicating a person to Yahweh of different ages.
Laws on dedicating animals to Yahweh.
Laws on dedicating one's house to Yahweh.
Laws on dedicating one's field to Yahweh.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
The two readings seem to contrast God's grace (Ch. 25-26.5) and truth (Ch. 26.5-27).
As easy and nice grace is, we sometimes desperately need the cold water of truth in our complacent lives, demonstrated firsthand in this blog.
Making excuses/trusting God... (it's a tough line) for the last several months of complacency:
i suppose it's easy to say "i needed to have fought" in keeping the law/vow/posting on time, but that would have only contributed to my pride, which is also dangerous...
because i already have gone this route, i would rather experience the "error" of relying on God's grace/trusting God about these postings...
because by any means, it's not that i don't feel at all that i haven't been engaging in battles for these last several months; in fact, exactly the opposite, in that it was a lot more like going through the beat downs from the bcp dept that night every single day; suffice it to say it has not been fun; i can only bank on Romans 8:28 for these tough times, i.e. living by the faith granted to me by God... go figure...
--
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
speak...
-
This reading is from Leviticus 21:1-24:23.
Here is the summary:
(Ch.21)
Various regulations for the priests:
Defilement because of a dead family member, or marriages between family members.
Not to participate with harlotry.
No one with a defect is to approach to make an offering.
(Ch.22)
More for the priests:
Rules for eating of the holy gifts.
If a priest becomes unclean, he must wait until sun sets to eat of the holy gifts.
Family members of priests who are able to eat of the holy gifts.
(Ch.23)
The holy convocations:
The sabbath.
The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
The First Fruits.
The Harvest - Pentecost.
The Trumpets.
The Day of Atonement.
The Feast of Tabernacles (Booths).
(Ch.24)
The oil and the bread for the tabernacle.
A son of an Israelite woman with an Egyptian father is killed with stones because he curses Yahweh.
Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
The regulations for the priests start from Chapter 21 to 25, but it is interrupted by an incident of a son of an Israelite woman, who curses Yahweh.
This is precisely the same passage from which the (in)famous quote of "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" originates.
I remember hearing this phrase years ago in Japan when the only religion I knew was Buddhism. At the time it sounded relatively fair and just, although the prospect of losing my own eye or tooth felt a little too severe.
Years later, I read the commentary of Christ regarding this passage in Matthew 5:38, where he teaches to turn the other cheeck and leave the justice to God.
At the head knowledge level, what Christ said sounds really good and true.
However, when it comes time to live out what Christ taught, it becomes unfair and unjust, as we would like to carry out the process of justice.
The difference between knowing what Christ taught as opposed to believing what he taught comes down to doing things our way which is always easy, or living in the way of Christ which is not always easy.
--
This reading is from Leviticus 21:1-24:23.
Here is the summary:
(Ch.21)
Various regulations for the priests:
Defilement because of a dead family member, or marriages between family members.
Not to participate with harlotry.
No one with a defect is to approach to make an offering.
(Ch.22)
More for the priests:
Rules for eating of the holy gifts.
If a priest becomes unclean, he must wait until sun sets to eat of the holy gifts.
Family members of priests who are able to eat of the holy gifts.
(Ch.23)
The holy convocations:
The sabbath.
The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
The First Fruits.
The Harvest - Pentecost.
The Trumpets.
The Day of Atonement.
The Feast of Tabernacles (Booths).
(Ch.24)
The oil and the bread for the tabernacle.
A son of an Israelite woman with an Egyptian father is killed with stones because he curses Yahweh.
Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
The regulations for the priests start from Chapter 21 to 25, but it is interrupted by an incident of a son of an Israelite woman, who curses Yahweh.
This is precisely the same passage from which the (in)famous quote of "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" originates.
I remember hearing this phrase years ago in Japan when the only religion I knew was Buddhism. At the time it sounded relatively fair and just, although the prospect of losing my own eye or tooth felt a little too severe.
Years later, I read the commentary of Christ regarding this passage in Matthew 5:38, where he teaches to turn the other cheeck and leave the justice to God.
At the head knowledge level, what Christ said sounds really good and true.
However, when it comes time to live out what Christ taught, it becomes unfair and unjust, as we would like to carry out the process of justice.
The difference between knowing what Christ taught as opposed to believing what he taught comes down to doing things our way which is always easy, or living in the way of Christ which is not always easy.
--
Monday, August 31, 2009
after the death.../ holy ones...
-
This is another combined reading, from Leviticus 16:1-18:30, and Leviticus 19:1-20:27.
The summary:
(Ch.16)
Yahweh gives instructions for Aaron on approaching the mercy seat on the day of atonement.
(Ch.17)
Sacrifices may not be done other than at the tabernacle.
The blood from animals may not be eaten.
Animals torn by beasts may not be eaten.
(Ch.18)
Laws on immoral relations.
-
(Ch.19)
Living a life that is holy because Yahweh is holy.
Many details of holy living.
(Ch.20)
Sacrificing children is forbidden.
Immoral relations forbidden.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
There's a sundry of topics in this reading, but the unifying idea is probably centered around Chapter 19, which is all about living a holy life;
however, even in Chapter 19, there is a sundry of topics in living a holy life;
but as it is mentioned by Christ, all the details are simplified by loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves.
Although we don't read the words "love" in these passages, it would be time worthwhile spent if we were to read these passages with it in our minds.
--
This is another combined reading, from Leviticus 16:1-18:30, and Leviticus 19:1-20:27.
The summary:
(Ch.16)
Yahweh gives instructions for Aaron on approaching the mercy seat on the day of atonement.
(Ch.17)
Sacrifices may not be done other than at the tabernacle.
The blood from animals may not be eaten.
Animals torn by beasts may not be eaten.
(Ch.18)
Laws on immoral relations.
-
(Ch.19)
Living a life that is holy because Yahweh is holy.
Many details of holy living.
(Ch.20)
Sacrificing children is forbidden.
Immoral relations forbidden.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
There's a sundry of topics in this reading, but the unifying idea is probably centered around Chapter 19, which is all about living a holy life;
however, even in Chapter 19, there is a sundry of topics in living a holy life;
but as it is mentioned by Christ, all the details are simplified by loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves.
Although we don't read the words "love" in these passages, it would be time worthwhile spent if we were to read these passages with it in our minds.
--
Monday, August 24, 2009
(when) she conceives.../ one being diseased...
-
This reading is a combined reading of Leviticus 12:1-13:59 and Leviticus 14:1-15:33.
The summary:
(Ch.12)
Laws of cleanness after childbirth.
(Ch.13)
Various types of examinations for detecting leprosy.
The law regarding leprosy on articles of clothing.
-
(Ch.14)
The law regarding the cleansing of the leper, which involves the guilt offering as a wave offering, grain offering, sin offering, then the burnt offering.
Cleansing a leprous house.
(Ch.15)
The law regarding a man that has a discharge, and the process of his cleansing with a sin offering and a burnt offering.
The law regarding semen from a man.
The law regarding menstrual period, and the process of her cleansing with a sin offering and a burnt offering.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
The various clean & unclean laws starts at Chapter 11 in the previous reading and ends at Chapter 15 in this reading.
Of all the clean/unclean laws, leprosy gets two full chapters, and not only are they whole chapters, they are above average in length (13 has 59 verses, 14 has 57).
So why so much space usage on leprosy? Here are some thoughts:
C.Missler points out one of the main themes of the Bible is redemption, in particular from the results of sin.
Leprosy is said to be a picture of sin: It corrupts the affected with numbness and insensitivity of pain, it is contagious in a very bad way, etc.
Putting the above two ideas together...
If the theme of the entire Bible is redemption from sin, then it would seem natural for Yahweh to want to spend more time in the details of how a person is redeemed from this thing called leprosy (if the theme of the Bible is something completely different, then what I just said is completely meaningless :P ).
The picture of Christ in the two chapters is that he is the living water that cleanses those that are affected by sin (not exactly profound, but definitely worth meditating upon in the light of these particular passages).
--
This reading is a combined reading of Leviticus 12:1-13:59 and Leviticus 14:1-15:33.
The summary:
(Ch.12)
Laws of cleanness after childbirth.
(Ch.13)
Various types of examinations for detecting leprosy.
The law regarding leprosy on articles of clothing.
-
(Ch.14)
The law regarding the cleansing of the leper, which involves the guilt offering as a wave offering, grain offering, sin offering, then the burnt offering.
Cleansing a leprous house.
(Ch.15)
The law regarding a man that has a discharge, and the process of his cleansing with a sin offering and a burnt offering.
The law regarding semen from a man.
The law regarding menstrual period, and the process of her cleansing with a sin offering and a burnt offering.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
The various clean & unclean laws starts at Chapter 11 in the previous reading and ends at Chapter 15 in this reading.
Of all the clean/unclean laws, leprosy gets two full chapters, and not only are they whole chapters, they are above average in length (13 has 59 verses, 14 has 57).
So why so much space usage on leprosy? Here are some thoughts:
C.Missler points out one of the main themes of the Bible is redemption, in particular from the results of sin.
Leprosy is said to be a picture of sin: It corrupts the affected with numbness and insensitivity of pain, it is contagious in a very bad way, etc.
Putting the above two ideas together...
If the theme of the entire Bible is redemption from sin, then it would seem natural for Yahweh to want to spend more time in the details of how a person is redeemed from this thing called leprosy (if the theme of the Bible is something completely different, then what I just said is completely meaningless :P ).
The picture of Christ in the two chapters is that he is the living water that cleanses those that are affected by sin (not exactly profound, but definitely worth meditating upon in the light of these particular passages).
--
Friday, August 21, 2009
eighth (day)...
-
this reading is from Leviticus 9:1-11:47.
the summary:
(Ch.9)
On the 8th day, Aaron and his sons are told by Moses to offer a sin offering and a burnt offering.
The sons of Israel are told to bring the sin offering, the burnt offering, the peace offering, and the grain offering.
Aaron and his sons offer the sin offering and then the burnt offering for themselves.
Aaron and his sons offer the sin offering, the burnt offering, the grain offering, and the peace offering.
Aaron blesses the people after they are done.
Moses and Aaron go into the tabernacle of congregation, when they come out, the glory of Yahweh appears to the people.
Fire comes down and consumes the burnt offering and the portions of fat.
The people shout and fall on their faces.
(Ch.10)
Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, bring their own fire before Yahweh, and they're struck dead by a fire from Yahweh.
Aaron and sons Eleazar and Ithamar are bound to stay and not mourn, otherwise the whole congregation is in danger.
Yahweh warns Aaron, and especially to tell his son not drink on the job.
Moses continues telling Aaron and the remaining sons about the offerings (the grain offering, the wave offering).
Aaron's sons, Eleazar and Ithamar mess up on the goat for the sin offering; Moses is not happy.
Aaron advocates for the sons that the act of eating was foregone because of the tragedy; Moses is appeased.
(Ch.11)
Clean and unclean animals, fish, birds, and insects are mentioned.
Yahweh commands the people, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Recently, I've been thinking a lot about the passage in chapter 10, where Aaron is commanded not to mourn for the death of his sons.
As I am not a parent, nor have I ever mourned for the loss of a child, I imagine that was a very very sad thing for Aaron.
With that said, I have been going through some very mildly sad times in the last couple of days, and at those times, this passage, along with the other passages that require us to rejoice has been on my mind, which has not been at all enjoyable nor fun.
I believe we as believers are called to serve and love God even when the thing that is the most precious in our sight is taken away. I wonder if Aaron had tears in his eyes while continuing on with his duties as he was commanded by Yahweh to not be sad.
This is probably one of the toughest trials we would encounter as believers in being faced with holding on to one's faith, to believe, and to trust the sovereign God, as Romans 8:28 claims to say.
The picture of Christ in this passage is Christ taking on the sin, and becoming the sacrifice and an example of the result of sin in being struck dead by Yahweh's judgment, while the Father dutifully continues his work with sadness in his heart.
--
this reading is from Leviticus 9:1-11:47.
the summary:
(Ch.9)
On the 8th day, Aaron and his sons are told by Moses to offer a sin offering and a burnt offering.
The sons of Israel are told to bring the sin offering, the burnt offering, the peace offering, and the grain offering.
Aaron and his sons offer the sin offering and then the burnt offering for themselves.
Aaron and his sons offer the sin offering, the burnt offering, the grain offering, and the peace offering.
Aaron blesses the people after they are done.
Moses and Aaron go into the tabernacle of congregation, when they come out, the glory of Yahweh appears to the people.
Fire comes down and consumes the burnt offering and the portions of fat.
The people shout and fall on their faces.
(Ch.10)
Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, bring their own fire before Yahweh, and they're struck dead by a fire from Yahweh.
Aaron and sons Eleazar and Ithamar are bound to stay and not mourn, otherwise the whole congregation is in danger.
Yahweh warns Aaron, and especially to tell his son not drink on the job.
Moses continues telling Aaron and the remaining sons about the offerings (the grain offering, the wave offering).
Aaron's sons, Eleazar and Ithamar mess up on the goat for the sin offering; Moses is not happy.
Aaron advocates for the sons that the act of eating was foregone because of the tragedy; Moses is appeased.
(Ch.11)
Clean and unclean animals, fish, birds, and insects are mentioned.
Yahweh commands the people, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Recently, I've been thinking a lot about the passage in chapter 10, where Aaron is commanded not to mourn for the death of his sons.
As I am not a parent, nor have I ever mourned for the loss of a child, I imagine that was a very very sad thing for Aaron.
With that said, I have been going through some very mildly sad times in the last couple of days, and at those times, this passage, along with the other passages that require us to rejoice has been on my mind, which has not been at all enjoyable nor fun.
I believe we as believers are called to serve and love God even when the thing that is the most precious in our sight is taken away. I wonder if Aaron had tears in his eyes while continuing on with his duties as he was commanded by Yahweh to not be sad.
This is probably one of the toughest trials we would encounter as believers in being faced with holding on to one's faith, to believe, and to trust the sovereign God, as Romans 8:28 claims to say.
The picture of Christ in this passage is Christ taking on the sin, and becoming the sacrifice and an example of the result of sin in being struck dead by Yahweh's judgment, while the Father dutifully continues his work with sadness in his heart.
--
Monday, August 17, 2009
command...
-
this reading covers Leviticus 6:1-8:36.
the summary:
(Ch.6)
The details of the sins for the guilt/tresspass offering.
More details of the burnt offering.
More details of the grain offering, and the grain offering for a priest.
More details of the sin offering.
(Ch.7)
More details of the guilt/tresspass offering; treatment of fat is detailed.
More details of the peace offering.
Eating the fat and blood offered to Yahweh is forbidden.
The portions of meat from the peace offering belong to the priests.
The end of the offering sections.
(Ch.8)
Moses presents Aaron and the priests in front of the congregation.
Moses puts the coat, the ephod, the breastplate, the miter, and the gold plate on Aaron.
Moses anoints the tabernacle and Aaron with the anointing oil.
Moses kills the bull and offers some of its parts as a sin offering.
Moses kills one of the rams and offers it as a burnt offering.
Moses kills the other ram and offers it as a ram of ordination.
Moses sprinkles the garments of Aaron and his sons, making them holy.
Moses instructs Aaron and his sons to eat their portions from the offerings, and stay at the tabernacle for 7 days.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Chapters 6 and 7 review the sacrifices/offerings discussed in the previous reading.
As mentioned previously, the sin offering is always the first thing offered, then usually the burnt offering which is pleasing to Yahweh, then the grain offering is discussed.
Then the sin offering is taken up again, along with the tresspass offering, and then the peace offering.
I'm not quite sure why the sin offering is mentioned the second time, but I have a strong feeling it is designed in such a way that speaks of Christ.
Maybe the next time I go through this passage something will become clearer...
Chapter 8 is when Moses presents Aaron to the congregation as the high priest, and Moses performs the sacrifices and offerings. After this time, Aaron and his sons are to perform the sacrifices and offering.
The picture I see from the above: by replacing Moses with Christ, and the priests being us believers, Christ shows us once and for all the thing that needs to be done, and he calls us to follow suit, in passing his teaching to us and to the next generation.
--
this reading covers Leviticus 6:1-8:36.
the summary:
(Ch.6)
The details of the sins for the guilt/tresspass offering.
More details of the burnt offering.
More details of the grain offering, and the grain offering for a priest.
More details of the sin offering.
(Ch.7)
More details of the guilt/tresspass offering; treatment of fat is detailed.
More details of the peace offering.
Eating the fat and blood offered to Yahweh is forbidden.
The portions of meat from the peace offering belong to the priests.
The end of the offering sections.
(Ch.8)
Moses presents Aaron and the priests in front of the congregation.
Moses puts the coat, the ephod, the breastplate, the miter, and the gold plate on Aaron.
Moses anoints the tabernacle and Aaron with the anointing oil.
Moses kills the bull and offers some of its parts as a sin offering.
Moses kills one of the rams and offers it as a burnt offering.
Moses kills the other ram and offers it as a ram of ordination.
Moses sprinkles the garments of Aaron and his sons, making them holy.
Moses instructs Aaron and his sons to eat their portions from the offerings, and stay at the tabernacle for 7 days.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Chapters 6 and 7 review the sacrifices/offerings discussed in the previous reading.
As mentioned previously, the sin offering is always the first thing offered, then usually the burnt offering which is pleasing to Yahweh, then the grain offering is discussed.
Then the sin offering is taken up again, along with the tresspass offering, and then the peace offering.
I'm not quite sure why the sin offering is mentioned the second time, but I have a strong feeling it is designed in such a way that speaks of Christ.
Maybe the next time I go through this passage something will become clearer...
Chapter 8 is when Moses presents Aaron to the congregation as the high priest, and Moses performs the sacrifices and offerings. After this time, Aaron and his sons are to perform the sacrifices and offering.
The picture I see from the above: by replacing Moses with Christ, and the priests being us believers, Christ shows us once and for all the thing that needs to be done, and he calls us to follow suit, in passing his teaching to us and to the next generation.
--
Saturday, August 8, 2009
and Yahweh called...
-
This reading starts Leviticus, from Leviticus 1:1-5:26.
Here is the quick summary:
(Ch.1)
The burnt offering:
Specifics for offering a bullock.
Specifics for offering a sheep or a goat.
Specifics for offering a turtledove or a (young) pigeon.
(Ch.2)
The grain offering:
It may be baked in an oven, made in a pan, or be fried.
It is not to be offered with leaven or honey.
Salt must accompany the grain offering.
Special instructions for the grain offering of the first fruits.
(Ch.3)
The peace offering:
Specifics for offering a bullock; treatment of fat is detailed.
Specifics for offering a sheep; treatment of fat is detailed.
Specifics for offering a goat; treatment of fat is detailed.
The blood of the animals are not to be eaten.
(Ch.4)
The sin offering:
Specifics for the atonement of the high priest; a bullock is offered.
Specifics for the atonement of the whole congregation; a bullock is offered.
Specifics for the atonement of the leaders; a male goat is offered.
Specifics for the atonement of the common people; a female goat or a female sheep is offered.
(Ch.5)
The details of the sins for the sin offering.
The guilt/tresspass offering.
A ram is required for the offering.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
The 5 main offerings/sacrifices are discussed in this reading.
Discussing things in a slightly out of order fashion...
The last two sacrifices in Chapter 4 and 5 uniquely and distinctly picture Christ as the sin and guilt offering for anyone that puts their trust in his work.
The sin offering always comes before any of the other offerings in practice where a sacrifice or an offering is made.
However, the first three offerings are all pleasing to Yahweh; perhaps this is why they are mentioned before the offerings that take priority over them.
Clearly, Christ who is the ultimate fulfillment of these sacrifices is pleasing to Yahweh.
However, if we are able to gather the word pictures of these first three sacrifices, it gives us a clue on how we may also be pleasing to Yahweh.
1. The burnt offering is to be wholly dedicated to Yahweh without anything remaining.
2. The grain offering is to be doused in oil.
3. The peace offering stresses that the fat is to be given to Yahweh.
For those that are not familiar with these word pictures, here is a quick explanation of the above 3:
1. We are to wholly dedicate our lives to God without any reservation.
2. We are to be completely filled with the Holy Spirit, not just a splash.
3. The best parts of what we can give must be given to Yahweh.
Obviously, these are called "sacrifices" since they require a sacrifice on our parts.
Some sacrifices are really easy to make, while other sacrifices require us to deny ourselves.
As we see in other parts of the Scriptures, most of the hard sacrifices deal with our hearts, which is much more difficult because it is very subtle.
So what are we to do? We are to have a complete dependence on God in his wisdom and strength, as opposed to trying "fix" or manipute things on our own (which is difficult, again, because they are "sacrifices").
--
This reading starts Leviticus, from Leviticus 1:1-5:26.
Here is the quick summary:
(Ch.1)
The burnt offering:
Specifics for offering a bullock.
Specifics for offering a sheep or a goat.
Specifics for offering a turtledove or a (young) pigeon.
(Ch.2)
The grain offering:
It may be baked in an oven, made in a pan, or be fried.
It is not to be offered with leaven or honey.
Salt must accompany the grain offering.
Special instructions for the grain offering of the first fruits.
(Ch.3)
The peace offering:
Specifics for offering a bullock; treatment of fat is detailed.
Specifics for offering a sheep; treatment of fat is detailed.
Specifics for offering a goat; treatment of fat is detailed.
The blood of the animals are not to be eaten.
(Ch.4)
The sin offering:
Specifics for the atonement of the high priest; a bullock is offered.
Specifics for the atonement of the whole congregation; a bullock is offered.
Specifics for the atonement of the leaders; a male goat is offered.
Specifics for the atonement of the common people; a female goat or a female sheep is offered.
(Ch.5)
The details of the sins for the sin offering.
The guilt/tresspass offering.
A ram is required for the offering.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
The 5 main offerings/sacrifices are discussed in this reading.
Discussing things in a slightly out of order fashion...
The last two sacrifices in Chapter 4 and 5 uniquely and distinctly picture Christ as the sin and guilt offering for anyone that puts their trust in his work.
The sin offering always comes before any of the other offerings in practice where a sacrifice or an offering is made.
However, the first three offerings are all pleasing to Yahweh; perhaps this is why they are mentioned before the offerings that take priority over them.
Clearly, Christ who is the ultimate fulfillment of these sacrifices is pleasing to Yahweh.
However, if we are able to gather the word pictures of these first three sacrifices, it gives us a clue on how we may also be pleasing to Yahweh.
1. The burnt offering is to be wholly dedicated to Yahweh without anything remaining.
2. The grain offering is to be doused in oil.
3. The peace offering stresses that the fat is to be given to Yahweh.
For those that are not familiar with these word pictures, here is a quick explanation of the above 3:
1. We are to wholly dedicate our lives to God without any reservation.
2. We are to be completely filled with the Holy Spirit, not just a splash.
3. The best parts of what we can give must be given to Yahweh.
Obviously, these are called "sacrifices" since they require a sacrifice on our parts.
Some sacrifices are really easy to make, while other sacrifices require us to deny ourselves.
As we see in other parts of the Scriptures, most of the hard sacrifices deal with our hearts, which is much more difficult because it is very subtle.
So what are we to do? We are to have a complete dependence on God in his wisdom and strength, as opposed to trying "fix" or manipute things on our own (which is difficult, again, because they are "sacrifices").
--
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