Week 48, Day 2: Atonement
Today’s Reading: Leviticus 16:1 – 17:16
Some thoughts from the reading..
Once a year the high priest was to go into the holy of holies and make atonement for Israel. Involved in this process is to make atonement for the holy place because of the impurities of Israel (16:16-16). The high priest shall make a sacrifice to atone for himself and his household (16:6, 11) before offering the sin sacrifice on behalf of Israel. After making the sacrifice for himself and for Israel he is to lay hands on the scapegoat (16:10, 21-22). The concept of placing their iniquities on the goat and sending it away is an interesting practice. This process was all to be done in the seventh month, on the tenth day, each year.
Question: Why would the high priest need to offer a separate sacrifice for his own sins before offering a sacrifice for Israel’s sins?
Week 47, Day 4: Not Treated as Holy
Today’s Reading: Leviticus 10:1 – 11:47
Some thoughts from the reading..
Chapter 10 is mainly devoted to events related to the sin of Nadab & Abihu. They offer “strange fire”. This is fire that God had not given them instruction to give. It has been suggested that perhaps this means that they obtained the fire from a different location than where they were supposed to. It is not specified exactly what this phrase means other than they had not been commanded to do so. This keeps with the repeated “theme” of stating things were done just as God had instructed them.
This event is recorded just after Aaron and his sons had been consecrated to be priests. No exact timing is given for how long it was between their consecration and this event but it seems noteworthy to say that they should have known better. They had obviously been instructed on what to do, how to do it and here they are already deviating from God’s commands. We can see from this that God regarded this deviation with contempt. The Lord had told them that He was to be treated as Holy and to be honored before all the people. This action of disobedience was a mark of not treating God as holy and as not honoring Him. Disobedience shows a disrespect for God. We may think it is nothign big to alter things but keep this account in mind. Are we “splitting hairs” as some would accuse today to say that we need to find our guidance for worship and service to God within the scriptures? Or is it a manner of treating God as holy and showing Him honor.
Question: Why were Aaron and his sons not allowed to mourn over the loss of Nadab & Abihu?
Week 47, Day 3: The Priest begin serving
Today’s Reading: Leviticus 8:1 – 9:24
Some thoughts from the reading..
In these chapters we have the beginning of the service of Aaron and his sons as priest in the tabernacle. Moses is instructed to serve in the role of “presiding” over things. There is a process of sacrifices through which Aaron and his sons are consecrated for their service as priests. This is a great moment for Israel. They will now be able to begin offering sacrifices in order to obtain forgiveness of their sins. How important this step was for them. Once again God has provided a way for man to obtain forgiveness and to be able to worship Him.
Question: Why did Aaron and his sons present their offering first (9:7) before presenting the people’s offering (9:15)?
Week 47, Day 2: Null & Void
Today’s Reading: Leviticus 6:1 – 7:38
Some thoughts from the reading..
We have seen already in the instructions given to Moses at Sinai an emphasis placed on the need to do things just as they were instructed. Complete the tabernacle just as instructed. Give heed to the pattern shown to Moses on the mountain. When it comes to the sacrifices we see the same emphasis expressed. Chapter 7 tells us about what portions the priest can eat from the sacrifices. The part of the text that emphasizes the importance of following exactly the instructions is seen in verses 15-18. Here we are told that the one offering the thanksgiving peace offering is permitted to also eat of the sacrifice (as best as I can tell it is speaking of the one offering the sacrifice: “his offering” vs. 15). We are told with this offering that it can be eaten that day only. But if the offering is a freewill or a votive offfering then it can be eaten on the second day also. But if the people eat the offering on the third day then the person offering the sacrifice will not be accepted nor will the sacrifice be to his benefit. He will be guilty of sin, vs. 18. So if someone treated these regulations lightly they could end up causing a detriment to themselves and their sacrifices would be null & void of any value.
Try to go through and outline which sacrifice required what to be done. You have the following types of offerings: guilt, sin, peace, votive, freewill, waive, thanksgiving peace offerings. A concordance would aid you well in such a research effort.
Week 46, Day 4: Just as the Lord had commanded
Today’s Reading: Exodus 40:1-37 through Leviticus 1:17
Some thoughts from the reading..
We are going to be doing things a little differently for the next few days. Since I did not do the post Monday through Wednesday, we are going to double up today, Friday and Monday. So we will be reading two chapters a day. Today’s chapters had some very interesting concepts. I will not comment on all of the points that could be made, feel free though to comment on the other points that could be made. What stands out to me from the text is the way God gave specific instructions for what they were to do in the sacrifices in order for the offering to be a “soothing arome to the Lord”. Why was the entrails and legs before burning them? Why does it matter that the animal is slain on the north side of the altar? Why tear the bird but not sever it? I was filled with a lot of questions and curiosity about the instructions given by God. Why do it this way? Was there something special about these practices? We are not told and it really doesn’t matter if the Israelites understood why they were to do it this way. But in order for the offering to be a soothing aroma before God it needed to be done the way He commanded. I just find this very interesting when considering the attitude that many have today when it comes to worshipping God. They have a very laid back attitude towards God. They almost act like if they met God they would go up and give Him a high five. Do whatever, act however, practice whatever, worship in whatever manner you choose and God will be happy with you. God will not be pleased with such things. Where is there an indication in the scriptures that God is honored and glorified when man elects to do things his own way?
Question: Exodus 40 tells us that the cloud and fire rested over the tabernacle after it was completed. Giving Israel a very visual confirmation of God’s presence. How then could Israel not enter into the promise land because of unbelief? What warnings can we gather to apply to our own lives about not understanding or “seeing” that God is with us?
Week 45, Day 5: According to all
Today’s Reading: Exodus 39:1-43
Some thoughts from the reading..
After completing the tent and the garments for the priest, we are told that they had done all the work according to all the Lord had commanded them. This phrase is repeated several times, vrs 21, 26, 29, 31, 32, 42. This chapter ends by saying that Moses then blessed them. If we want to be blessed by the Lord, if we want to receive His favor then it will be by doing what God tells us to. Being faithful means that we do our best to remain true to what God has instructed of us. When the Lord returns may we be found in a similar condition. That we have done what the Lord has told us to do.
Week 45, Day 4: The tabernacle is completed
Today’s Reading: Exodus 38:1-31
Some thoughts from the reading..
I am impressed by how much gold, silver, and bronze was required in order to complete the tabernacle. We are told the amounts of each that were used to complete the construction. What I am going to do is attempt to put these measurements in terms that we can relate to. The shekel is said to be equal to “about a day’s wages” according to my Zondervan Bible dictionary. There is not complete certainty about how much a shekel or a talent would be equal to in our weight system but I will use the estimates given by Zondervan. Given that a talent is equal to 60 lbs and one talent equals 3,000 shekels, here is how the the amounts break down.
The gold used: 29 talents = 1,740 lbs, 730 shekels = 14.6 lbs.
The silver used: 100 talents = 6,000 lbs, 1,775 shekels = 35.5 lbs
The bronze used: 70 talents = 4,200 lbs, 2,400 shekels = 48 lbs
It is impressive to me to think about how much of these metals were used to make the tabernacle. I also am impressed to think about the job the Levites had when it came time to move all of these things. The weight of everything must have been immense. This was no small project that was completed here.
Week 45, Day 3: The work continues
Today’s Reading: Exodus 37:1-29
Some thoughts from the reading..
Sometimes we are not thrilled at reading some OT passages because we get lost in all the details. Leviticus is a good example of passages that people often do not read because they give so much detail. Chapter 37 gives us the record of Bezelel’s work to construct the items for the tent of meeting. I want to ask you why would it be beneficial for such things to be recorded? I want to suggest that we need to remember that some of these details might have been important for the Israelites to have. After the items inside the tent were made and dedicated, who would see them? These items would not be visible to just anyone. And most of the people would never be able to see them. In particular the ark was covered before being transported. It wasn’t like anyone could swing by the Holy of holies to go chek things out. Some of these details might serve as an aid for the everyday Israelite to be able to visualize for themselves the majesty of such items and to picture what they looked like. Mankind did not have easy ways to pass out photos or make convenient visual aids to explain things. Such passages as chapter 37 can help reinforce a persons ability to “see” and understand what they would never be able to be near.
Question: Thinking about things that most Israelites would never see but had to envision, what things do Christians hold to and yet have never seen or touched?
Week 45, Day 2: The tent is started
Today’s Reading: Exodus 36:1-38
Some thoughts from the reading..
Chapter 36 is a pretty simple chapter. The construction of the tent is begun. Most of the work appears to have been done by Bezalel. Notice how many times it says “then he made”. This man was very instrumental in performing the task at hand. But lest we forget, this man’s abilities were given to him by God (31:1-11). He had been given his knowledge and wisdom directly from God.
When we see people today who are talented athletes or artists what do you normally associate with them? Do you think of them as humble individuals who thank God for their talents? I see the gifts and abilities given to Bezalel as an example of how we need to not let our talents go to our head. Whatever abilities or talents that each of us have, they are abilities that God has granted us. We should always be thankful that we are who we are.
Question: What abilities do you have that you should be thankful to God for (sense of humor, people skills, craftmanship, work skills, etc)?
Week 45, Day 1: Provisions for the work
Today’s Reading: Exodus 35:1-35
Some thoughts from the reading..
Chapter 35 records the laying of the foundation for building the tent. Moses speaks to the congregation and tells them that “whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the Lord’s contribution” (vs. 5). The people are to bring forth contributions towards the construction of the tent. After Moses speaks to them they depart and those whose hearts were stirred (vs. 21) began to bring their gifts of gold, silver, bronze, blue, purple, scarlet material and others. As we will see they gave generously. This is one of the times where Israel shines. They show an outpouring of good and dedication to seeing the work get done.
This account makes me think about how Christians are supposed to give. They are to give generously and with cheerfullness. I believe that often Christians loose their sense of generocity and cheerfulness when they loose sight of why we give. Israel gave abundantly when they saw a purpose to their giving. We do not need to ever forget the good that is done when we give to the work of the Lord’s church. Teaching of His word, providing for His people. Much good is done. Let us not forget these things when it comes times for us to give on the first day of the week.