In today's section, we read about:
Procedures for burnt, grain, peace, sin and grain offerings
Food - forbidden food and the portion for the priests
The ordination of priests
Deaths of Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu
Rules for purification, cleansing, treatment of skin diseases and mildew on clothing
Some thoughts that struck me today:
God makes these rules to make it possible for people to be put right with him. It is a blessing, yet it probably felt onerous. We often regard God's instructions for life as a burden, when in fact they are for our own good and should be a source of joy.
The sacrifice must be without vault or blemish (Hebrews 9:11-10:18). The grain sacrifices must have salt (Matt 5:13) and no yeast (Matt 16:6).
"Through this process, the priest will purify the [people/leader] from his sin, making him right with the Lord, and he will be forgiven" - Lev 4:20, 26, 30, 35; 5:16, 18, 6:7.
Lev 6:2 is interesting in that the obvious offence is cheating another personl, yet is says clearly "one of you sins against your associate and is unfaithful to the Lord." The main offence is against God and then against the other person, so a guilt offering is required as well as restitution.
Lev 4-6 sets out clearly a hierarchy of responsibility, which needs to be set against the principle of equality in Ex 30:15. We are all redeemed (bought back by God) for the same price. However, we do not all have the same responsibilities, and when we fail, the consequences of our sin are not the same (Lk 12:48).
The office of priesthood is a special calling, a gift from God, but not one to be taken lightly as Nadab and Abihu found out - Lev 10:3 "Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord meant when he said, / ‘I will display my holiness through those who come near me. / I will display my glory before all the people.’” And Aaron was silent."
At first glance, it seems odd that the priests should be doctors. I don't know whether this is a modern, western perception, since witch doctors are regarded most as being spiritual figures in many cultures. The important thing is that there is a way back into community with God and his people, and the procedures reinforce the fact that all the order of society comes from God.
3 comments:
I tried posting a blog the other day only for it to get lost...so lets try again!
First of all I am amazed that I am managing to keep up with the readings and actually getting a lot from it. Miracles really do happen! Thanks Adam and Miriam for inspiring me so much to do it! The challenge for me was when I realised I had no problem with spending 1-2 hours a day reading a novel so why did the thought of spending the same amount of time reading the Bible fill me with such dread. I've decided to give up reading books for the three months (something I found harder than I thought to commit to). It's so easy to judge the Israelites as they are quick to worship idols....yet how easy is it for us to have idols that we put before God. How much more rewarding, life giving and equipping reading God's living word is....rather than the emptiness that escaping into many novels has left me feeling.
I'll try to blog more about my thoughts and things that have struck me in future comments. This is all I have time for now!
And Aaron was silent...those three words just made me cry.
I wonder what the problem with Honey and Yeast is? Why it is not acceptable. Perhaps it could be for symbolic reasons or perhaps it just is!???? (Lev.. 2:11-13)
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