It's almost 2 AM. Insomnia plagues me once again, so I've been enjoying spending some quantity time in the Word. I have been negligent in updating my blog with my Bible reading progress, so I thought I'd take some time to do that now, while the house is quiet and my thoughts are fresh. I am behind schedule in my attempt to read through the Bible chronologically in one year. I just finished Leviticus, and I should be finished with Numbers and starting Deuteronomy. There are two reasons for this. First, I haven't been faithful in reading every day. That's a problem! Second, when I do read, I am reading actively. Although I am not attempting a thorough study, I am still implementing numerous Inductive Bible Study Techniques (Asking the 5 Ws & an H questions, marking key words and phrases, making note of indications of time, writing notes in the margin). These things take more time that simply reading, but they also make my time in the Word more meaningful. My motivation for reading through the Bible in a year is not so that I can check it off my list and boast that I’ve done it; rather, I want to grow in God’s Word, know Him better, discover how He wants me to live my life, and adjust my actions and beliefs accordingly. I want His word to take root in my heart and produce fruit. God has been faithful, and I am being strengthened, encouraged, and challenged by what I have read thus far.
I had hoped to document some of the things that I’m learning; more for myself than anyone else. At some point I still hope to type out some insights from Genesis, Job, and Exodus, but for now, I’ll start with Leviticus.
Leviticus is a book that most people dread, and I resisted reading it for a couple of weeks myself. I must say though, I was pleasantly surprised by this experience reading it. At some point, I’d like to study it more thoroughly so that I can understand the significance of the various offerings, commandments, and feasts, but even in my cursory study, several items of significance stood out.
There are several repeated phrases in Leviticus with regard to offerings:
 they are to be “without defect”
“that he may be accepted before the Lord”
“to make atonement on his behalf (for him)”
“an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the LORD”
“they shall be forgiven” & “it will be forgiven”
And this verse carries extreme significance, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.” (Leviticus 17:11) When you read Leviticus in light of Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary, you really can’t miss the significance! As I read, countless verses from the New Testament came to mind.
When the moral laws are given, beginning in chapter 18, another phrase jumps off the page repeatedly: “I am the LORD your God.” This phrase along with “I am the LORD who sanctifies you,” and “I am the LORD who has separated you from the peoples,” is used over 40 times in chapters 18-27! These were just some of the verses that stood out to me,
“You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes. You are to perform my judgments and keep My statutes, to live in accord with them; I am the LORD your God. So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them; I am the LORD.” (18:3-5)
“You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.” (19:2b)
“…you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.” (19:18b)
“You shall observe all My statutes and all My ordinances and do them; I am the LORD.” (19:37)
“You shall consecrate yourselves therefore and be holy, for I am the LORD your God.” (20:7)
“You shall keep my statutes and practice them; I am the LORD who sanctifies you.” (20:8)
“Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.” (20:26)
Again, the New Testament verses that harmonize with these are numerous! And many of the commands are still very applicable to our society today! For example, “Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God. You shall rise up before the grayheaded and honor the aged, and you shall revere your God, I am the LORD.”(19:31-32) Whether we are under the Law or Grace, God is still the LORD our God. We would be wise to remember that!
In Chapter 26, the sweet blessings of obedience are given, my favorite being, “I will make My dwelling among you, and My soul will not reject you. I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.” (26:11-12) Such love, such intimacy! The blessings are then followed by the consequences of disobedience; which, knowing the things that are to come, are to be fulfilled because the people will be disobedient. It grieves my heart as I read them! But, Chapter 26 ends with hope: the results of confession, “If they confess their iniquity…then I will remember My covenant…” (verses 40 & 42), “when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them, nor will I so abhor them as to destroy them, breaking My covenant with them; for I am the LORD their God.” (26:44) He is always faithful, even when they were not, even when we are not. There are still blessings for obedience, and consequences for disobedience. And there is always hope and the promise that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9)
There are a lot of people who disregard the things in the Old Testament as not as significant as the things of the New Testament. After all, we are no longer under the Law, but under Grace, correct? That is correct, but there is so much value to knowing, studying, and understanding, ALL of God’s word. Even the book of Leviticus which is so full of “strange” instructions regarding what is clean and unclean is full of meaning to us today. God has not changed. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His promises are yea, and amen. His word is living and active; always relevant! It has served me well to take some time to meditate on the words of Leviticus and to apply them to my life. And I’ve just barely scratched the surface!
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