Leviticus 27: The sole title in the CEB version is dedications. The notes actually say that this chapter “looks like an appendix containing rules and instructions about payments” (p. 198 OT).
8/17 Reading (Leviticus 25-26; Acts 10)
Leviticus 25: Chapter is about the sabbatical year (every 7th year) and Jubilee year (every 50th year) and the rules associated with each one. The sabbath year is a special year of rest for the land. In the Jubilee year, people must return to their original homes, slaves must be freed, land must be restored to their original owners, and farmland must not be planted or harvested. What’s interesting here is that God specifically outlines how people must help the poorer people of society. They are supposed to help them so they can survive. AND, the people are not allowed to cheat the poor or charge interest. God specifically tells them they have to be treated as well as they would treat an immigrant or a foreign guest. As I’ve said many times already, I wonder if our elected leaders are aware of this passage?
8/16 Reading (Leviticus 22-24; Acts 9)
I have to be honest here, I’m relying heavily on the notes and section headings for the rest of Leviticus, primarily from the CEB version. I just keep struggling with Leviticus and I think the problem is the feeling that I need to write a lot. After talking with my father about all of this I realized that I can’t let myself get frustrated about this. If I don’t write much, so be it. That’s how I felt on that particular day or during those readings.
8/15 Reading (Leviticus 19-21; Acts 8)
NOTE: I had a lot to say on these readings. Just an FYI.
Leviticus 19: This chapter focuses on laws that all people are to follow. There are many of them and I kinda want to list some of them. It seems like most rules are followed with the statement “I am the Lord your God” or some variation. I’ll come back to my thoughts in a minute:
8/14 Reading (Leviticus 16-18; Acts 7)
I have to admit, reading Leviticus is really tough. Just so many rules. Now I see why so many people have chuckled when I mentioned that I am currently reading Leviticus. I recognize the importance of the chapter, but wow!
Leviticus 16: The chapter is about the day of Atonement. Aaron was charged with doing a lot. He had to offer and slaughter a bull as a “sin offering for himself, and shall make atonement for himself and his house” (Lev. 16.11). He had to slaughter a goat as a sin offering for the people. This allowed him to make atonement for the sanctuary and the full tabernacle because of the uncleanliness of the people as well as their sins. We learn that this is supposed to happen every year forever:
8/12 Reading (Leviticus 13-15; Psalms 19-21)
NOTE: I still struggle with the psalms. I’m really having a hard time reading these. First, I’ve always had trouble reading poetry and these are written in that format. Second, I need some help reading these. I’m not sure if I’m overthinking this or what, but these are really challenging to me.
Leviticus 13: A full chapter on how to treat people who may or may not have leprosy. No wonder why people were so fearful of people with leprosy. Based of the notes what was referred to as leprosy is not the same as modern day leprosy. I do wonder if this type of affliction was common during this time frame?
Continue reading “8/12 Reading (Leviticus 13-15; Psalms 19-21)”
8/11 Reading (Leviticus 10-12; Acts 6)
Leviticus 10: As I read this chapter I can’t help but think about the time in Exodus where God mentions that he’s not quick to anger. Within the first two verses, Aaron’s sons, the two who were consecrated, were killed by God. Here’s what happened: “Now Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, each took his censer, put fire in it, and laid incense on it; and they offered unholy fire before the Lord, such as he had not commanded them. ² And fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord” (Lev 10.1-2). This may make people mad, but that’s not an example of someone who isn’t quick to anger.
8/10 Reading (Leviticus 7-9; Acts 5)
Leviticus 7: The first part of this chapter outlines the ritual for the guilt offering from chapter 5 in Leviticus. The text actually says “the guilt offering is like the sin offering, there is the same ritual for them” (Lev. 7.7). That makes life easy for the priests. Next we get the ritual for the well-being offering from chapter 3. As with the other rituals, the text is very detailed on what an individual is supposed to do in this situation.
8/9 Reading (Leviticus 4-6; Acts 4)
I read a really interesting article in the Washington Post today titled Seriously, ‘Game of Thrones’ made me a better Bible reader. I encourage people to read it. I’ve already mentioned numerous times over this past month how I wonder if people realize just how much sex and violence is in the Bible. The author said this:
8/8 Reading (Leviticus 1-3; Acts 3)
NOTE: Typically I put an introduction to a book in a separate post. Not doing that for Leviticus. I didn’t really have much to say about the introduction.
Introduction to Leviticus: Nothing really to address here. The main thing I remember ever hearing about Leviticus is how tedious and dry it can be. Clearly the person who wrote this introduction had a similar thought: