![Read The Bible Through, Feb 16]()
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Leviticus 19, 20
Our culture, for all of its faults, is blessed to have a history of Judeo-Christian values. There are common sense parameters we live by because of this rich heritage. They just seem “normal.”
However, when we look at the Jew as they were starting out as a nation, such a heritage was not there. They had no Bible, no Jesus, nor any understanding of God’s plan and purpose. To keep them on track, God had to be very strict. Just as stern punishment might be required to keep a small child out of the street, these people needed harshness in order to follow God’s requirements for life.
He sternly warned them about opening themselves up to demonic forces. At that time, they couldn’t understand about demons, so He didn’t talk about them. However, He warned against any of the practices of witchcraft, sorcery, idolatry, or mediums. Those were practices which would allow the devil to trample freely through their lives. If they would follow His admonitions, they would stay safe even if they didn’t understand all that they were doing. (more…)
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Leviticus 17, 18
The life is in the blood. That’s the concept to which we are introduced in chapter 17. I don’t think anyone ever reaches the full understanding of just how significant this is. I say that because we can approach an understanding, but then we sense that there is more to it.
Our entire covenant with Jesus rests on the life that was in His blood. That life was pure, sinless, and Holy – coming from the Holy Spirit of God. His blood was pure because He was truly God’s Son.
That pure, Holy blood was poured out at the cross for us. The perfect Lamb.
When the laws were written, the people had no understanding about what would eventually come. They were just taking whatever God said at face value. Many times, they may have wondered why this or that was so necessary.
When you think about it, we get more enlightenment from these laws than these early recipients. We get to see them through the prism of our new covenant. (more…)
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
We finally come to catch up day! Hopefully, this will bring us up to speed.
Up to Leviticus 16
When we walk into Leviticus cold, it can be very confusing. All the offerings, with such specificity. What’s up?
However, when we look at it through the eyes of the New Testament, things become somewhat clearer. Hebrews says that the Law has the “shadow of the good things to come, and not the image.” These sacrifices were to lead the people to an understanding of the True Sacrifice, which would someday come. If all of this tutelage had not gone before, God’s people would never “get” the sacrifice of Jesus as God’s perfect Lamb.
There are detailed instructions for each offering and sacrifice, but certain requirements are constant. If it’s an animal sacrifice, it is to be perfect. No spot or blemish. It is to be the first born or the finest. All of this points to the perfect Lamb of God, which is to come.
If the offering is grain, there is to be no leaven. In other words, pure, pure, pure! The sacrifices to God were to be the finest, purest, and best. Like Jesus! (more…)
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Well, in the words of Ricky Ricardo, “I have some ‘splainin to do.” Sorry for being absent during the last few days.
I did let you know that my precious mother-in-law spent a week in the hospital with pneumonia and then passed away. (She was a true saint and really ready to be with Jesus at 94). The day after the funeral, I came down with what the doctors called “the crud.” (Not the flu, just the crud). Please forgive the delay.
But I’m back and I’ll try to make a hurried catch up on comments.
Exodus 25-31 and 36-40
Sometimes when reading the Old Testament, the details seem laborious. We may think that all the intricate design and specificity is unnecessary.
Well, when we begin to dig beneath the surface, we realize that the detail only makes it more powerful. God was the author of the Bible, as He breathed His words through men. And only God could have orchestrated such poignant symbolism to give us the pictures of the truths He wanted to show us.
When reading about the details of the temple and all of its implements, we could spend days discovering the truths He was showing us. I want to show one big one.
If we look at the tabernacle, we can see ourselves. (more…)
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Exodus 23-28
We are still reading about the laws which were given to the people through Moses. Chapter 23 starts out with laws I call “attitudes of justice.”
The Hebrews are not supposed to make false reports against each other, or take bribes, or oppress strangers. Neither are they to be partial to someone just because they are poor.
All of these laws are familiar to us today, as we attempt to be honorable people.
In 23:14, we are introduced to three feasts which are to be instituted. We will hear about these several times in the Old Testament. I think of them as a way of introducing the Jews to the experiences Jesus , the Savior, would lead us into.
The first feast is the Passover, preceded by the Feast Of Unleavened Bread. This feast represents the born again experience, when we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. He is the Passover Lamb sent by God for the final sacrifice. When they observe Passover, they are pointing to that fact.
The second feast is the Feast Of Pentecost. (They have other names for it: Feast of Harvest or Feast of First fruits). In the Christian life, this represents the Day of Pentecost, when Jesus waved the First Fruits before the Father.
These first fruits were the new believers who had received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts. The Holy Spirit entered the hearts of the people and they became empowered to be the witnesses of Jesus to the world. By the way, this happened on the Jewish Day of Pentecost.
The third feast is The Feast Of Ingathering (or the Feast of Booths, or Feast of Tabernacles). This feast represents the believer’s walk closely with the Lord – worshiping, praising, and living for Jesus in the new covenant.
The Lord then reminds the people that He will send an angel before them and they must obey this angel. He will lead them to the new land, the promised land.
Imagine yourself being a part of this group. Every day must have been full of surprises, as they were introduced to God’s concepts. He was obviously full of great power, but sometimes he must have seemed very strict. He had to be strict. He was leading these people into a new life – a life filled with tremendous blessing, but also tremendous responsibility.
Tomorrow there will be more on the pattern of the tabernacle. Lots of symbolism there also.
Matthew 21: 1-22
Wasn’t Jesus bold? When you think about the fact that so many Pharisees and Sadducees were following Him and harassing Him, His boldness was amazing. he never flinched; He just grew bolder.
As Jesus was to enter Jerusalem, He sent for what He needed – a donkey and a colt, so that He might ride on them.
Later as we read in the Old Testament, we will see how the Ark of the Covenant would be carried amidst praise. During that time in history, the Ark represented the glory of God. As He made His entrance into Jerusalem in this way, Jesus was showing the people that He was the glory of God. He was being praised and honored by those who cried out Hosanna.
He then proceeds to drive the money changers from the temple. They were defiling the temple by using every opportunity to make a profit. Their hearts weren’t toward the purpose of the sacrifices; they just wanted the money for the doves.
Verse 15 is interesting. When the chief priests saw what “wonderful things” He had done, and the children who were praising Him, they “became indignant.” Can you say, “jealous?”
I am skipping the Fig Tree episode here, because I like the Mark account so much.
Abundant Blessings.
Suellen Estes
Leviticus 19, 20
