February 20, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Leviticus 22 - There should be no defects in the way priests live their lives, serve their food, or in the quality of the animals used for sacrifice.  The priest was to be holy.  He was not to serve any of the holy food with those who were not part of his family.  And he was to be careful that the animals he accepted for sacrifices would be animals without defects.  He served a holy God and only in holiness would his service be pleasing to God. 

Note - it should be very evident by now that God places a high priority on personal holiness in the lives of His children.  As we serve God and seek to do our best we should also concentrate on being our best.  Holy service for God requires holiness in the server.

Leviticus 23 - The Hebrew calendar was organized around a series of sevens.  The seventh day of the week was the Sabbath.  They celebrated seven annual feasts, three of which occurred in the seventh month.  The seventh year was their Sabbatical Year, and after forty-nine years (seven times seven), they celebrated the Year of Jubilee.  The feasts and ceremonies described in this chapter show God's desire that the Jewish people would celebrate their redeemed lives together throughout each year.

Leviticus 24 - The oil and the flour that the Israelites would provide to the priests would allow the lamp to be kept burning in the Tabernacle and assure there would always be bread on the Table of the Showbread.  Even if the Israelite could not go into the Tabernacle he would be glad to know he contributed to the service of honoring the Lord.  The man who was put to death at the end of this chapter was not judged because of his lineage (part Egyptian).  He was judged because of his blasphemy.