Leviticus 24:10-23 – That’s Justice

Read Leviticus 24:10-23

Here, the LORD is giving Moses examples of what to do to punish certain sinful behaviors. Was it an honor or a curse that God gave Moses the authority to bring justice to the people? I can certainly see the “fairness” in these laws. I wonder what sort of pushback Moses got. I’m sure people today would revolt.

God felt it necessary to set guidelines and establish criteria for handling circumstances that he knew would come up. The example he gave first was about blasphemy, showing disrespect for God. Of course, that is the most personally hurtful to God, so I can understand why he addresses it first. Were you surprised at the punishment? What if that was a law in effect for us today? There might not be many people still alive! Continue reading “Leviticus 24:10-23 – That’s Justice”

Leviticus 24:1-9 – Pure and Holy Bread

Read Leviticus 24:1-9

The planner/organizer in me couldn’t help but let my mind get stuck a moment on how many hours a pot of olive oil would keep the lamp burning—an hour, ten hours. That would make a difference in how Aaron arranged his life so that the light would never go out.

Aaron had been given great responsibility in the eyes of the LORD. The laws were given to protect and provide for the Israelites, and Aaron played a very big role in making sure the laws were carried out. At least the ones with his name assigned, which as priest he seemed to be God’s “go-to” peacekeeper/director. Continue reading “Leviticus 24:1-9 – Pure and Holy Bread”

Leviticus 23:1-44 – Festivals

Read Leviticus 23:1-44

God likes a party, having an intentional time to remember, surrender, and worship. Now we’re familiar with the holy days on Israel’s religious calendar. Elsewhere in Scripture we learn more about each of these festivals in terms of details not given here.

These feasts are rich in prophetic significance, and the LORD wanted his people to have them. The major theme we see is gratitude for all that God has given and continues to provide. When we celebrate Thanksgiving, our thankful hearts are but a glimmer of the state of mind of these festivals. Today there are no more sacrifices, we just offer ourselves before God. Continue reading “Leviticus 23:1-44 – Festivals”

Leviticus 22:17-33 – Without Defect

Read Leviticus 22:17-33

It’s as if the precepts for sacrificial animals in this passage jump through time and help us appreciate the perfect sacrifice Jesus represents for us. He was certainly without defect because he never sinned.

What does God’s desire for perfection say about the value of the gift, the recipient, or the giver? Certainly, an animal without blemish would be more valuable in a monetary sense, but God (the recipient) looks at the heart of the giver. God doesn’t want our cast offs or leftovers. Such would be insulting, showing an utter disrespect for God. Continue reading “Leviticus 22:17-33 – Without Defect”

Psalm 103 – Praise the Lord!

Read Psalm 103

Praise the Lord! What an uplifting tribute to God’s majesty, provision, and love. If ever you find yourself at a loss of words in prayer, lean into this truth of who God is. When we remember and call out God’s goodness, more and more examples just flood out of us. God loves to hear our praise.

The psalmist cries out, “Let all that I am praise the Lord.” That some sincere devotion. How many of us have ever been that “all-in” for God in our lives? We tell ourselves we have responsibilities, tasks, people counting on us, jobs, only 24 hours in a day. Yes, we have those things. But are they more important than God? Continue reading “Psalm 103 – Praise the Lord!”

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