Numbers Eight

What does it say?

Aaron mounted the seven lamps, on the lampstand, made according to the pattern that the Lord showed to Moses. The Levites were cleansed with purifying water, their whole bodies shaved, their clothes washed, there sins were atoned with the blood of a bull as a sin offering and a second bull as a burnt offering; finally, they stood before Aaron and his sons, as a wave offering to the Lord. The Lord took the sons of Levi in place of the first born if the sons of Israel and gave them to Aaron and his sons, to preform the service of the sons of Israel at the tent of meeting and make atonement for them. The Levites went in to perform their service in the tent of meeting before Aaron and his sons; just as the Lord commanded Moses. Levites aged twenty-five and upward were to do the work in the tent of meeting but had to retire at the age of fifty. 

What does it mean?

The mystery of the seven lamps and lampstands, was reveled to John in a vision, on the Lord’s day (Sunday), while he was in-prisoned on the Island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony about Jesus. The lamps and lampstands represent seven angels and seven churches of the Lord. (Rev. 1:20) Those who serve the Lord must be cleansed of the filth of this world and their sins atoned for before they are fit for service in the true tabernacle. Service in this world is limited, because of age and death. For the believer in Jesus Christ, we are made clean by the righteous blood of Jesus Christ through faith and are his position. We are to present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God in Jesus Christ. (Rom 12:1)

What Shall I do?

I have been made clean through faith in Jesus Christ, therefore, fit for service in his churches. I shall present my body as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, (Rom 12:2) through faith in Jesus Christ. I shall not be conformed to this world, but I shall be transformed by the renewing of my mind in the word of God.

Numbers Seven

What does it say?

The sons of Israel gave to the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, the sons of Levi, carts and oxen for their work but not the sons of Kohath because they were to carry the holy things on their shoulders. The leaders of the tribes of Israel made their offering on the day of dedication of the altar. Each of the twelve leaders of the tribes of Israel gave the same offering: “One silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; one bull, one ram, one male lamb one year old, for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs one year old.” Each gave their offering on a different day, over the course of twelve days. Moses went into the tent of meeting and heard the voice speak to him from above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim.  

What does it mean?

The Levites had been divided into four family groups. The sons of Aaron were priest to the Lord. The sons of Kohath, the sons of Gershon, and the sons of Merari were the Lord’s servants. The Lord had setup a tribe to be supported by the twelve tribes of Israel. The Lord took the sons of Levi as his servants in place of the first born sons in Israel. The sons of Israel were twelve in all but the sons of Joseph were counted as two tribes, the sons Ephraim and Manasseh. Therefore, twelve leaders brought, twelve sets of gifts, on twelve days of dedication. This was a demonstration of unity. The Lord was pleased, therefore, the voice of the Lord spoke to Moses from above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim. The Hebrew word “Qol...voice; sound; noise...appears about 506 times in the Bible and in all periods. (Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary) It is this “Qol” who became flesh, in the person of Jesus Christ and dwelt among men. (Jn 1:14)

What shall I do?

I have heard of a song called the twelve days of Christmas. This text brings greater meaning to that song. For twelve days, the sons of Israel brought twelve sets of gifts in the dedication of the altar. The “Qol” that spoke to Moses above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim, became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ and was publicly displayed as a mercy seat, in his blood through faith. (cf. Rom. 3:25) The voice of God became flesh and dwelt as a man, among men, to die for men, that we may be reconciled to God our creator. I shall have repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ. I shall tell the world about Jesus Christ and the gift of God given to all who will receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Numbers Six

The LORD bless you, and keep you;

The LORD make His face shine on you,

And be gracious to you;

The LORD lift up His countenance on you,

And give you peace.’ (Num 6:24-26)

The Lord’s command is that Aaron and his sons bless every Israelite, not just those who have made a dedication to the Lord. The Lord Jesus Christ said to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who mistreat us. (Lk 6:27-28) 

A blessing is the opposite of a curse. A blessing is saying that I want good for you and a curse is saying I want bad for you. The first stanza of this blessing says, “The LORD bless you, and keep you.” To keep means to hold on to, watch over, and preserve. When giving a blessing to someone, it is saying, I hope for your well being. The Lord is good, therefore, saying that you want the Lord to keep someone, means that you want the Lord to be favorable to that person. Jesus has told us to hope for the good of our enemies, not just our friends. 

“The LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you.” This is saying, I hope that the Lord will show favor to you. It is easy to say to a friend. I hope that the Lord is favorable to you but to say it to someone who curses you takes true love. 

“The LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.” The word countenance used in this stanza means face. To have the Lord’s face lifted up on you to give you peace. The Hebrew word Shalom is most often translated into English “Peace.” It is peace in every way and in all of life. Peace with God and with those whom we come into contact with in our lives. Jesus has told us to hope for the peace of those who curse us.

The Lord commanded that Aaron and his sons, say this blessing to the sons of Israel. However, there has been a shift with the new covenant. The apostle Peter wrote to non-Jewish persons who believed in the Lord, telling them that they are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s possession. (1 Pe :9) Therefore, it is for every believer in Jesus Christ to invoke this blessing of the Lord to our brethren, our neighbors and our enemies. 

Numbers Five

What does it say?

The Lord commanded the sons of Israel, through Moses, to send the persons with leprosy, a discharge and everyone who is unclean from touching a dead body out of the camp. All sin is against the Lord, therefore, if a man sins against one of his brethren, he is to confess it, pay restitution for his wrong, add one-fifth to it, but if there is no relative to receive it, it goes to the priest, just like the holy gifts. If a man becomes jealous and suspects his wife of adultery, he is to take to the priest a grain offering on her behalf. The priest puts dust from the floor of the tabernacle into an earthen jar, stands before the accused woman who is holding the grain offering, asks her if she has slept with another man, if she lies, she brings a curse upon herself. The priest then writes these words on a scroll, washes water over the scroll into the jar, takes the grain offering from her hands, waves it before the Lord, offers it up in smoke on the altar and the woman drinks the water. 

What does it mean?

The Lord had previously given commands concerning leprosy, bodily discharges and uncleanness from a dead body; now was the time to institute the Lord’s command. There are two things going on: First, holiness, the Lord is holy, therefore, his people shall be holy. Second, the people are living in close quarters, therefore, it is to protect from disease spreading throughout the camp. The remainder of this chapter seems to be about a woman caught in adultery, but it is really about suppressing the unfounded jealousy of her husband. A wife was under the authority of her husband. Prior to this, a jealous husband might have beat or put his wife to death, but not in the kingdom of God. In the kingdom of God, the Lord is judge, especially when there is no proof of wrong doing. Accusations and  fictitious jealousy is not justification for a husband’s anger. The Lord is truth. The Lord knows all things. Therefore, the matter is put into the hands of the Lord and not the hands of jealousy. We are to trust the Lord’s judgment. All sin is against the Lord and the Lord makes righteous judgments.

What does it mean?

John 7:24 (NASB)

“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

When there is an outward sickness: leprosy, a bodily discharge or a dead body, I can see these things and make a judgement. I also know when I have done wrong, therefore, I shall confess it and make restitution to my neighbor whom I wronged. But sometimes, there appears to be a wrong when there is not. The wrong could be cooked up in the mind. When Jesus made the aforementioned statement about judging, he was accused by the pharisees of breaking the law of God, working on the Sabbath, when he was actually keeping the commandment to love his neighbor. They were judging according to appearance and not according to righteousness. It is impossible to make a righteous judgment when angry or jealous. The pharisees were jealous of the attention that Jesus was getting. Therefore, I shall make no judgment when angry or jealous. 

Numbers Four

What does it say?

The Lord commanded that Moses take a census of the sons of Kohath, from among the sons of Levi, who are between thirty and fifty years of age, for service in the tabernacle. Aaron and his sons were to take down the vail and cover the holy things, so they could be carried by the sons of Kohath and not be touched by them. Eleazar the son of Aaron was responsible for the tabernacle and all the articles within it. The sons of Kohath were to do the work assigned to them by Aaron and his sons, but they were not to see the holy objects, less they die. The Lord commanded a census of the sons of Gershon, from among the sons of Levi, between thirty and fifty years of age, to carry the tent of meeting under the direction of Ithamar, the son of Aaron. The sons of Merari, from among the sons of Levi, were to carry the boards of the tabernacle, all the pillars and frame work, under the direction of Ithamar, the son of Aaron. The sons of Kohath numbered, two thousand, seven hundred and fifty. The sons of Gershon numbered, two thousand, six hundred and thirty. The sons of Merari numbered, three thousand and two hundred. The total number of Levites for service, numbered, eight thousand, five hundred and eighty. 

What does it mean?

No one is to take leadership or service upon himself. It is the Lord who assigns leaders and servants. Out of the sons of Israel, the Lord took the sons of Levi as his servants in the tabernacle. Out of the sons of Levi, Aaron and his sons were taken as priests to the Lord.Only Aaron and his sons could see and touch the holy objects. The sons of Kohath carried them, once covered, but could not see or touch the holy objects that they carried. The sons of Gershon carried the tent and the sons of Merari carried the frame. The sons of Kohath, Gershon and Merari worked under the direction of Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron. All authority comes from the Lord and no one is to overstep the assignment that the Lord gives them.

What shall I do?

I am a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ and I am a bedside nurse in intensive care. All followers of Jesus Christ are called to go into all the world and preach the gospel. (Mk 16:15) Therefore, I should not think of myself as a nurse, but a servant of the Lord, called by the Lord to care for the sick and preach the gospel. The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: “Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.” I was called while a Critical Care Registered Nurse, therefore, I shall remain such, from a Christian worldview, preaching the gospel. I have been called to preach the kingdom of God to the sick and those who love them. I shall be dedicated to the Lord’s calling.

Numbers Three

What does it say?

The record of the sons of Aaron during his lifetime are given. The Lord commanded Moses to give the Levites to Aaron and his sons for service, but no other son of Israel may come near. The Lord took into service the Levites as substitutes for all the first born in Israel, because he struck down the first born in Egypt but spared the sons Israel. The Lord commanded Moses to number the sons of Levi by their families; every male from a month old and upward. The Gershonites numbered seventy five hundred and they were responsible for the outward parts of the tabernacle. The Kohathites numbered eighty six hundred and they were responsible for the ark and all the inside articles used in worship of the Lord. The Mahlites and Mushites numbered sixty two hundred and they were responsible for the frame of the tabernacle and the pillars. All the sons of Levi from one month old and upward numbered twenty two thousand. The first born of the sons of Israel numbered twenty two thousand, two hundred and seventy three. The Lord took the Levites as substitutes for the first born in Israel, but the sons of Israel had to pay a ransom of five shekels apiece, to Aaron and his sons, for the two hundred and seventy three, that exceeded the sons of Levi. 

What does it mean?

The Lord God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; he keeps lovingkindness for thousands, he forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. (Ex. 34:6-7) The Lord demonstrated this in Israel, when he spared the first born sons of Israel. However, the first born sons of Israel did not deserve to live anymore than the first born sons of the Egyptians. Because the Lord spared them, they are indebted to the Lord. However, the Lord was willing to take a substitute, to demonstrate his righteousness.

What shall I do?

I owed a debt that I could not pay. Jesus paid my debt, on the cross, in his life’s blood. Therefore, I am not my own, my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. I was bought with a price. (1 Cor. 6:19-20) I shall, therefore, serve the Lord and observe all that he commands.

Numbers Two

The sons of Israel were to camp in groups of three tribes, according to their father’s households, on a designated side of the tent of meeting, with one tribe leading the camp. On the east side was the camp of Judah: the tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. On the south side was the camp of Rueben: the tribes of Rueben, Simeon, and Gad. On the west side was the camp of Ephraim: the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin. On the north side was the camp of Dan: the tribes of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali. When they set out, the camp of Judah goes first, followed by the camp of Rueben, followed by the Levites with the tent of meeting, followed by the camp of Ephraim, and in the rear, the camp of Dan.

The tent of meeting with the Levites attending to it was always at the center of camp life. When they moved, the tent of meeting and the Levites were at the center, protected from frontal attacks and rear attacks. The army of the sons of Israel were six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty able men over the age of twenty. Their job was to protect the tent of meeting, which contained the Arc of the Covenant, with the testimony. The covenant that the Lord made with the sons of Israel was to be considered valuable to the sons of Israel. They were to protect the covenant, like a treasure. 

In two parables, Jesus related the kingdom of heaven to that of a treasure, that a man sells all that he has to possess. (Mt. 13:44-46) The sons of Israel were to defend this covenant, written on two stone tablets by the hand of the Lord from all attackers. The new covenant is not in a box, written on stone tablets. The new covenant is at the center of our being, written on the heart. We are to share the new covenant in Christ Jesus with all the nations. Yes, the new covenant is to be protected from perversions, but not held on so tightly that it is not shared. Remember, they can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. (Mt. 10:28)

Numbers One

On the first of the second month, in the second year after leaving Egypt, the Lord commanded Moses to count the sons of Israel, every male twenty years old and up, and the Lord designated a leader for each tribe to help Moses. Moses with the leaders of each tribe registered the men, twenty years old and up, by the ancestry in their families, by their fathers’ household who are able to go to war. The tribe of Reuben numbered forty-six thousand. The tribe of Simeon numbered fifty-nine thousand and three hundred. The tribe of Gad numbered forty-five thousand, six hundred and fifty. The tribe of Judah numbered seventy-four thousand and six hundred. The tribe of Issachar numbered fifty-four thousand and four hundred. The tribe of Zebulun numbered fifty-seven thousand and four hundred. The tribe of Ephraim numbered forty thousand and five hundred. The tribe of Manasseh numbered thirty-two thousand and two hundred. The tribe of Benjamin numbered thirty-five thousand and four hundred. The tribe of Dan numbered sixty-seven thousand and seven hundred. The tribe of Asher numbered forty-one thousand and five hundred. The tribe of Naphtali numbered fifty-three thousand and four hundred. Moses and Aaron, with twelve men, the leaders of Israel numbered the sons of Israel who were twenty years old and up, who were able to go to war, six-hundred and three thousand, five-hundred and fifty. The Levites, however, were not counted because they were not to go to war but to keep charge of the tabernacle and the sons of Israel did as the Lord commanded. 

The twelve sons of Israel had become thirteen tribes but the men of only twelve tribes were counted. The tribe of Levi was removed because they were designated for service to the Lord. The sons of Joseph became two tribes, so there were twelve tribes counted, representing the twelve sons of Israel. When one considers that it was only the men who were counted, and of the men, only those twenty years and up who were healthy enough to go to war, one realizes the large number of people that Moses was leading on behalf of the Lord. There were also women, children and elderly that were not numbered and a whole tribe of Levi also. Going by these numbers, there were easily, two million persons. It is no wonder that Jethro (Moses’ father in-law) counseled Moses to appoint leaders to help him judge the people. (cf. Ex. 18:17-24) A feminist minded person might question why only the men were counted? This was an enlistment for an army. An army of men to take the land of Canaan. It also shows us that God created men and women for differing purposes. A man is not better than a woman, but men and women have different purposes. These twelve tribes plus one, represent the twelve apostles plus one, when Matthias replaced Judas who betrayed the Lord. (cf. Acts 1:24-26) However, the leader is not Moses, but Christ Jesus the Lord and we are all brothers. (cf. Mt. 23:8-10) These twelve men were sent to take the world with the gospel.

Mark 8

Jesus had compassion for a hungry crowd of four thousand people; therefore, he satisfactorily feed them, from seven loaves of bread and a few small fish. When Jesus arrived at another village, the Pharisees came out to argue with him, demanding a sign from heaven, so he departed from them. Jesus warned his disciples to beware of the corruption of the Pharisees and Herod. Jesus healed a blind man at Bethsaida and command that he go home and not the village. Jesus questioned the disciples, who the people say that he is and who do they say that he is; the people believed that he is a prophet but Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” Jesus began to tell the disciples about his coming death, burial and resurrection, of which Peter rebuked him, but Jesus told him that he is seeking his own interest and not God’s. Jesus then told the crowd, with the disciples, to deny self and follow him. 

The promise of God is to provide for the needs of those who deny self and follow Jesus. There are many things that people say about Jesus. Some believe that he was a prophet; a newer prophet like John the Baptist or an older prophet like Elijah. People today will except him as a good and charismatic teacher. However, Jesus is better than these. Jesus is a prophet, but unlike any prophet before him. Jesus is a teacher, but unlike any teacher before or since. Jesus is the living God, the creator of the universe and all that it contains in human flesh. Jesus is the wisdom of God embodied in a man. Are we to be ashamed of him and his words? Jesus has promised eternal life to all who deny self and follow him. Being ashamed to tell others that you are a follower of Christ or being ashamed of some of the things that he said is not denying self. Jesus is more than a prophet or teacher, he is Lord of heaven and earth. Jesus began his earthly ministry, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” What is repentance? Is it not the denial of oneself? Repent and follow Jesus Christ because he is Lord and has promised salvation from sin and death.

Mark 7

The Pharisees questioned why Jesus’ disciples do not wash according to tradition and Jesus replied with a reproof spoken through Isiah; they neglect the commandment of God to hold to their traditions. Then Jesus gave an example of how they violate the fifth commandment but hold to a tradition set by man. Jesus declared that nothing outside a man, even if it enters him, can defile him, it is the evil that comes from a man that defiles him.  Jesus explained to his disciples that food cannot defile a person but evil thoughts, words and deeds do defile. Jesus healed a non-Jewish woman’s child, because she did not put herself as deserving of the grace given to the Jews but willing to receive even a scrap. Jesus gave a deaf man with garbled speech, hearing and comprehensible speech; because of this and other miracles like it, the name of Jesus was being exalted amongst the people.

There are three principles that we should take from this text:

First, all commandments are love of God and love of other people. The created environment cannot defile a person. It is the intent of the heart that defiles a person. Sin comes out of a person in the form of evil thoughts, evil words and evil deeds. What do I mean by evil? Thoughts, words and deeds that are not love. 

Second, we should not presume upon the grace of God as though we deserve it. God did not have to save anyone. We are the ones who sinned against his will and commandment. When bad things happen, we should not blame God. Nor should we be angry with him if he does not fix our messes. We should ask if he is willing and trust that he is able. We do not deserve the grace of God. We have all sinned and fall short of his glory. But are being justified, as a gift, by his grace, through the redemption, which is in Christ Jesus. (Rom. 3:23-24) 

Third, when we are telling people about Jesus, if we do not tell them about the kindnesses that he did for people, we are not pointing them to Jesus. Jesus, like the Father, is compassionate and gracious. Jesus’ miracles are signs of who he is, not just because they miracles, they were done with compassion and graciousness. None of the people that Jesus healed deserved his grace but he had compassion for the fallen and suffering. Jesus healed the contrite, but he did not heal the Pharisee, the man with a proud heart.

Mark 6

Jesus was not excepted in his hometown; therefore he could do no work of power their except to heal a few sick people. Jesus sent out the twelve to cast out demons, heal the sick and preach that men should repent; they were to trust that their own needs would be provided through hosts in each town. The people were saying that Jesus was either John the Baptist risen from the dead, or Elijah, or like one of the other old testament prophets. Herodias used Herod’s pride to coerce him to kill John the Baptist because she hated him for preaching that her marriage to Herod was unlawful. When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus all that they did and taught. Jesus took them to a secluded place at which he feed five thousand to their satisfaction from five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus sent his disciples away in a boat and sent the people away, so he could be alone to pray. Sometime between 3-6 a.m., Jesus came walking on water to the disciples who were struggling with the wind and waves; and they were completely astonished. Wherever Jesus went, people brought to him those who were sick. 

Jesus’ main power was not healing but preaching and teaching about the kingdom of God. Jesus healed the body, that he might reach the soul. The people in his hometown would not except him as a prophet; therefore, they would not listen to his preaching and teaching. As is often the case, people go outside of their local church to listen to the teaching of some celebrity preacher but ignore the teaching of a hometown pastor. When Jesus sent out the twelve he gave them the power to cast out demons and heal the sick, that they might preach the gospel of God (Mk. 1:14) and say, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mk. 1:15-16) 

In the interlude between the sending out the twelve and their return, the fate of John the Baptist was recalled. People where speculating about Jesus and one of the persons whom they were saying that he was, was John the Baptist risen from the dead. Herod focused on that saying because he knew that his beheading  of John was unjust. The disciples reported to Jesus all that they had done and taught. They attempted to go to a secluded place across the sea for respite but the people ran ahead and met them their. Jesus was compassionate because they were like sheep without a shepherd; therefore, he taught them and provided for their physical needs. He told his disciples to feed them but they could not; therefore, he feed the five thousand men who had gathered there with what the disciples had. Jesus created a situation in which he might get respite by sending the disciples away in a boat and sending the crowd away. We must serve God through serving people but we also need rest.

A Weighty Text

Text: Mark 5

Jesus sent out a multitude of unclean spirits from a possessed man who lived in a city on the east shore of the sea of Galilee. The man wanted to go away with Jesus right then and there, but Jesus sent him to be a witness to his people of the great things that Jesus had done and how God had mercy on him. On the other side of the sea of Galilee, a synagogue official asked Jesus to come heal his daughter, Jesus went with him and a crowd followed. A woman who had suffered a hemorrhage for twelve years, reached out and touched the outer garment that Jesus wore and she was healed because of he faith in Jesus. In the mean time, the synagogue official’s child died, but Jesus said that she is asleep and when he commanded that she get up, she immediately got up and began to walk.

While reading this text I felt the wait of it. A non-Jewish man was healed from about two thousand demons (for that was the number of swine); a Jewish synagogue official implored Jesus to come and heal his daughter; a woman considered unclean according to the law touched Jesus and was healed of her blood flow; and Jesus raised a dead girl to walk. I associate with each of these persons in this text. The man possessed by demons, the father worried about his child, the woman and the young girl. For I was dead in my trespasses and sins in which I formally walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience...But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved me, even when I was dead in my transgressions, made me alive with Christ. (Eph. 2:1-5) I was unclean and I reached out and touched his garment. I have not yet ascended to heaven where Christ is seated, but when I came to realize what God had done for me in Christ Jesus, I wanted to be with Jesus, but he sent me to tell my people what great things the Lord has done for me and how he had mercy on me. (Mk. 5:18-19) Like the synagogue official, I am worried about the life of my children but I know that the Lord can save them. 

Mark 4

Jesus spoke to the crowd of people from a boat, launched just off the shore. Jesus told his disciples that they have been given the mystery of the kingdom but those outside get everything in parables, less they return and be forgiven. Jesus explained the parable of the sower of seed and the soils to his disciples but did not explain the meaning to those outside the kingdom. Jesus told his disciples take care, listen and more shall be given you, but for those on the outside, even what they have shall be taken away. Jesus related the kingdom of God to that of a farmer sowing and harvesting his crop. Jesus related the kingdom of God to a very small mustard seed that grows larger than all the other garden plants. Jesus publicly spoke in parables but privately explained the meaning to his disciples. Jesus commanded the wind and sea.

The main point of this chapter is not the parables but who is in the kingdom and who is not. Jesus chose his disciples and they left all to follow him. He explained the kingdom of God to them, but spoke about the kingdom to the crowds in parables without explaining the meaning. The Gospel of Mark was written for believers. Therefore, we are given the meaning of the parables. Put yourself on the shore of that sea and listen to these parables as if you did not already know the meaning. Would you not ask, “Why is this man talking about farming?” 

There are two kingdoms. There is the kingdom of God and the kingdom of man. The citizens of the kingdom of God are called the elect. (Mt. 24:31) There names were written in the Lambs book of life before the foundation of the earth. (Rev. 13:8)

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” ~John 10:27-30

The main point of this chapter is that God gives revelation to the citizens of the kingdom of God but not to the citizens of the kingdom of man. God became flesh in the person of Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, revealed to the disciples. 

Mark 3

The Pharisees angered that Jesus would heal a man, in a synagogue, on the Sabbath, conspired to destroy him. After this, Jesus withdrew to the sea and a boat was prepared for him to allow a bit of separation from the large crowed who gathered because of his healings. Jesus went up on a mountain where he called the twelve to be with him, to preach and cast out demons. The crowds made it difficult for Jesus and the twelve to even eat a meal; therefore, his family believed that he had lost his senses but the scribes were saying that he was possessed by the ruler of demons. However, it was not logical for Satan to cast out Satan; therefore, Jesus said that all sins shall be forgiven men except for blasphemes against the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ declared that whoever does the will of God is his brother and sister and mother.

The Pharisees had no compassion for others but were strict legalist. They wanted the law observed no matter what the outcome meant for individuals. The main point of Jesus’ teaching was love for God and love for neighbor, demonstrated by acts of worship and compassion. Jesus was taught by word and demonstration. The Pharisees hated it; therefore, they sought his destruction. They first sought his destruction through the Herodians who ruled in Galilee. 

Despite Jesus petition for people not to tell who healed them, word spread and people gathered to him. This made it very difficult for him to eat or even have a minute to himself. Therefore, Jesus needed some separation but he needed to teach disciples. Jesus choose twelve men to be with him and teach them. These men would preach and have the authority to heal. They have left with us the new testament, in fact, they left us this gospel account as the first record of their testimony. 

Unbelief takes many forms. Jesus’ family had one form of unbelief and the Scribes and Pharisees had another form. Both groups were blind but blinded for different reasons. Jesus’ family members were worried about his person. They were thinking in earthly terms. They could not see beyond the present. The Scribes and Pharisees were blinded by hatred. The Pharisees sought his destruction and the Scribes said that he was possessed by a demon, when in fact, he was possessed by God. There is a great deal of speculation about the unpardonable sin. When has someone crossed the line of un-forgiveness? Equating the works of God with Satan is true blaspheme.

The church should understand that we are a family. The church has a system of hierarchy. No believer should be called teacher, father or leader. That hierarchy belongs to the Trinity, for we are all brothers and sisters. (cf. Mt. 23:1-12) Our Father is God, our teacher is the Scriptures interpreted by the Holy Spirit, and our leader is the Christ, and we are all brothers and sisters. 

A Change of Mind

Mark 2

Jesus returned to Capernaum where he forgave the sins of a paralyzed man, to the consternation of the scribes; therefore, Jesus healed him, the man picked up the pallet that he had been brought in on and walked out in the sight of everyone. Jesus called Levi who had been near by and he followed him. Jesus ate in Levi’s whom with Levi’s friends but the Pharisees questioned his eating with sinners. Jesus indicated that people fast when they are in great need. People who are use to the old way cannot except the new. The Lord of the Sabbath declared that the Sabbath was made for the good of man. 

A man can forgive sins that are committed against him but not the sins committed against another man. However, all sin is against God, therefore, God can forgive all sin. The Scribes being versed in the Scriptures understood this, so when Jesus forgave the sins of this man who had done nothing wrong to Jesus’ they called it blaspheme. The man had not stolen from Jesus, he had not committed adultery with Jesus’ wife and he had not coveted the things that belonged to the man named Jesus. However he had done wrong to others and God. By forgiving the man’s sins, Jesus was forgiving the man on behalf of God and the Scribes understood; therefore, they called it blaspheme. However, Jesus is God in human flesh and proved it by doing a miracle, in their sight, that only God could do. In John 10:38, Jesus said, “Though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” The scribes and the Pharisees did not believe even when they saw this miracle but one whom they considered a sinner. A man in their view who was outside of the kingdom of God did believe. When Jesus said to Levi, “Follow Me!” He got up and followed Jesus. 

Levi’s tax collecting booth was near by, so he saw what happened and he believed in Jesus when the religious people did not. They are the old garments and the old wine skins in the parable who could can not take a new patch or new wine because it would destroy them. Therefore, we should be careful of what we are holding too. Is what we believe true or do we hold to it because it is what we have always done? The scribes and the Pharisees could not except a new covenant because they were comfortable in the old covenant, even though they were not able to live up to its precepts. No man could live up to the demands of the law, except the Son of God. 

Do Likewise

Mark 1

The gospel of Mark begins with a quote from Isaiah about a messenger being sent before the Lord. John, who baptized people with water was that messenger. When Jesus was baptized by John, the Spirit of God descended upon him and God said, “This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Jesus compelled by the Spirit, went from there into the wilderness for forty days, tempted by satan but ministered to by angels. After John’s imprisonment, Jesus began preaching about the kingdom of God and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Jesus called his first disciples who left all to follow him. In Capernaum, on the Sabbath, Jesus taught in the synagogue where he rebuked an unclean spirit and cast it out of a man. Jesus healed the fever of Simon-Peter’s mother in-law and she served him. That evening, Jesus began healing illnesses and casting out demons. In the morning, Jesus went out to pray but when his disciples found him, they departed with him to another city. Jesus did as he had done in Capernaum from city to city in all of Galilee. Jesus healed a leper who despite Jesus’ warning, spread the news of Jesus’ ability to heal.

 John the baptist was not the Christ but was sent to prepare people for the coming of Christ. Like John the baptist, we ought to be preparing the world for Christ’s return. When John was imprisoned, Jesus’ preaching, teaching and healing ministry began. The first to leave all and follow him were Peter, Andrew, James and John. We ought to leave anything that is keeping us from following Jesus. At Jesus’ baptism, was the triune God: Father and Son and Holy Spirit, one God in three persons, all of whom are equally God in essence. Jesus’ wandering in the wilderness was representative of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness of sin for forty years. We should understand that it represents the time between justification and glorification. Throughout Galilee, Jesus preached the kingdom of God in open air, compelled people to repent and believe, taught in their synagogues and had compassion for their afflictions. Following Jesus means doing as our Lord did: preaching, teaching and having compassion. 

All Are Valuable

Text: Leviticus 27

When a man or woman makes a difficult vow, he or she shall be valued at a set rate depending on their age and sex; however, if they are poor, the priest sets their value. Animals that can be presented as an offering were not to be redeemed, but if it is an animal that could not be used as an offering, the priest sets the value. The value of houses consecrated to the Lord are set by the priest. Fields dedicated to the Lord were to be valued proportionate to the seed required to plant the field, multiplied by the number of years until the jubilee. First born animals could not be redeemed because they are the Lords, unless it is an unclean animal which could be redeemed. Everything set apart to the Lord, is holy to the Lord. All the tithe of the land belongs to the Lord. Anything dedicated to the Lord that a man wants to redeem, one-fifth is added to the value, the price for redemption. Thus concluded the Lord’s commandments given to Moses from Mount Sinai.

All human beings have intrinsic value; therefore, if a man makes a vow to the Lord he must pay the price based on the intrinsic value. Men, women, children and the elderly all had different values but it should be noted, all have an intrinsic value. No human being is without value. All animals and property have value but these are valued by man. The priest is the one who set the price for these.

This might be a difficult text to understand in a twenty-first century context. However, what we should take out of this text is that every single human being has intrinsic value. We should also consider other peoples property and positions as valuable to them. All human life, no matter the sex or age is more valuable than an animal or property. However, we must respect what belongs to other people. The apostle Paul wrote,  “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law...Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Rom. 13:8, 10)

Blessing and Cursing

Text: Leviticus 26

The Lord begins a closing discourse that refers to the Ten Commandments and the sanctuary; that if they keep his commandments in the land, he will give them abundant life. But if they do not keep his commandments in the land, the Lord will punish them in the land. The evils that he promised to take away if they observed his commandments, he will increase sevenfold. So, they may turn to him, but if not he will increase these evils sevenfold. If they remain rebellious, then the Lord will destroy their cities and scatter them among the nations. The land will get its rest but they will have it very difficult while in the lands of their enemies. When they come to repentance in the land of their enemies, the Lord will remember his covenant with Jacob and with Isaac and with Abraham and he will remember the land; the Lord will remember the covenant that he made with them when he took their ancestors out of Egypt. This is the word of the Lord to the sons of Israel.

In this chapter there is the promise of blessing if the sons of Israel observe the commandments of the Lord and the promise of cursing if they disobey the commandments of the Lord. This includes moral, civil and ceremonial commandments. For the sons of Israel there were several commandments but only one law. If they observe the Lord’s commandments, the promises to bless them in the land but if they rebel against his rule he promises curses sevenfold. 

Not for Israel only, but for all the nations, there is a promised blessing and cursing. The promise blessing and cursing for the sons of Israel had to do with the land of Canaan. The promise blessing and cursing for all the nations has to do with eternal life in the new heaven and new earth which is yet to come. God is now declaring that all people everywhere should repent, because he has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through Jesus, whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising him from the dead. (Acts 17:30-31) The promise of blessing and cursing that was promised to Israel has to do with observance or rebelling against the commandments that the Lord gave through his servant Moses. The promise of blessing and cursing for all people everywhere has to do with receiving or rejecting the Son of God, who Jesus Christ the Lord. Those who rejected him will go away into eternal punishment, but those who received him will go into eternal life.

Jubilee

Text: Leviticus 25

The Lord commanded through Moses to give the land a sabbatical every seven years. When seven sabbaticals had been observed a trumpet was to be blown on the day of atonement announcing the year of Jubilee. Every 50th year, all servants are released and all property returns to the owner. Thus, no Israelite or Israelite’s land can be owned by another Israelite. The Lord commanded the Sons of Israel to trust him to provide for their needs during these sabbatical years. They are to understand that the land belongs to the Lord. All property can be bought back based on the time until the Jubilee because at the Jubilee, the property reverts to the owner. However, homes in a walled city could be sold and change ownership, except for the home of a Levite. They were not to charge interest on money lended to their countrymen. If a countryman becomes poor and offers his services to another countryman, he may be considered a servant but not a slave and shall be released in the year of Jubilee; however, they could acquire slaves from the aliens among them but not by force. If a countryman sells himself to one of the aliens among them, he could be redeemed by one of his relatives, with the price set by proximity to the year of Jubilee. 

The Lord is the owner of the land and the sons of Israel were his servants. The sons of Israel were to think of themselves as stewards. They had use of the land but did not own the land. They were taking care of the land and had the benefits that the land brought but the true owner was the Lord; therefore, they had to observe the Lord’s commandments regarding its use. A steward is a care taker. The sons of Israel were to think of themselves as servants of the Lord. Therefore, a servant cannot own another servant, but can and should help out a fellow servant who is in need. 

Like the sons of Israel, all Christians should think of the other is a brother or sister. We all of one Father who is in heaven and one teacher the Holy Spirit and one leader Jesus Christ. (Mt. 23:8-10) Like the sons of Israel, we should not exalt ourselves but should serve our brothers and sisters. (Mt. 23:11-12) We have been set free from slavery to sin in the Lord Jesus Christ already but not yet. (Jn. 8:34-36) The year of Jubilee is coming when we will be set free. (Rom. 7:24-25)

Eternal Covenant

Text: Leviticus 24

Aaron was to keep the lamps on the golden lamp stand outside of the veil of testimony lite with pure olive oil as fuel from evening to morning perpetually. Every sabbath, twelve cakes of bread were to be baked, placed in two rows on the golden table before the Lord and sprinkled with frankincense; an everlasting covenant for the sons of Israel but only the priests could eat them and in a holy place. 

A man whose father was an Egyptian and whose mother was an Israelite of the tribe of Dan got into a fight with one of the sons of Israel; during the fight he blasphemed, so they brought him to Moses. The Lord commanded Moses to take the man outside the camp and stone him to death and warn that anyone who blasphemes the name shall be put to death. Also, whatever a person does to another person should be done to him, whether he is a stranger or a native son.

The lamps burning perpetually and the bread represent the everlasting covenant. The everlasting covenant is spoken of several times in the prophets: Is 55:3; Jer 32:40; Ezek 37:26 and in the New Testament book of Hebrews 13:20. Two of the seven metaphorical “I Am” statements that Jesus made (John 6:35, 8:12) are related to light and bread. Jesus is the everlasting covenant because the remaining five are related to the everlasting covenant (Jn. 10:9; 10:11,;11:25,26; 14:6; 15:5) 

Man is sinful and the Lord is holy; therefore, his name should be revered, yet man blasphemes his name. 

“The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” ~Exodus 34:6-7

Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God and the second is to love neighbor. (Mt. 22:37-40) Jesus taught that all people are our neighbors. (Lk. 10:30-37) 

Throughout Scripture it is attested that the soul who sins shall die, (Ezk. 18:4, Rom. 6:23a) but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 6:23b) 

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. ~2 Corinthians 5:21

Holy Convocations

Text: Leviticus 23

There were several appointed holy convocations: The first is the sabbath of complete rest. The sons of Israel could work for six days but were commanded by the Lord to rest on the seventh day. In addition to the sabbath, there were appointed holy convocations throughout the year beginning with the passover, followed by the feast of unleavened bread for seven days. Next came the first fruits of the harvest. Before the sons of Israel could eat of the harvest the first fruits are presented before the Lord. From that sabbath, they were to count seven complete sabbaths and bring two loaves of bread to the Lord as a wave offering. Both of these are thanksgiving for the Lord’s provision. They were also commanded to not harvest to the edges of their fields but to leave these for the poor. The next holy convocation is the day of atonement on the tenth day of the seventh month. The day on which the priest atones for his sins and the sins of the people at the mercy seat of the Lord. On the fifteenth day of the seventh month they were to live in booths for seven days, presenting an offering on each day. 

The Lord created all things in six days, then he rested on the seventh day. Doing likewise was a constant reminder, which put the sons of Israel in place to give thanksgiving to the Lord. The passover and the feast of unleavened bread was a reminder of how the Lord redeemed the sons of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. The feasts at the beginning and end of the harvest was for thanksgiving. The day of atonement was needed because the Lord is holy and no man is without sin. The feast of booths was to remind the sons of Israel that their fathers lived in booths while the wandered in the wilderness for forty years.

All of these holy convocations were reminders of what the Lord had done for them. He redeemed them from slavery in Egypt, provided for their needs, forgave their sin and brought them into the promised land. As a believer in Jesus Christ, I have much to be thankful. I was given life through my parents. I was justified as a gift, by the grace of God, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. (Rom. 3:24-25) I deserved the eternal death but have been given the free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 6:23) I have not yet come into the promised land but the Lord is providing for my needs while I journey to the Celestial City. 

Holy Gifts

Text: Leviticus 22

The Lord is holy, therefore, he was to be sanctified among the sons of Israel and among the priests of Israel. The Lord said, “You shall not profane my holy name.” If a priest or member of his household was unclean regarding any of the previously mentioned uncleannesses, then he could not eat of the gifts given to the Lord by the Sons of Israel. The gifts given by the sons of Israel were to be without defect or injury. The Lord set apart the sons of Israel from all of the people on the earth. It was the Lord who brought them from the land of Egypt, to be their God. If a priest touched or ate the gifts of the sons of Israel while unclean he profaned the gift. If a son of Israel gave a gift that was not perfect he profaned the name of the Lord. The Lord is holy and perfect, therefore, the gifts given to him should be perfect in reverence for his name and the priest who ate the gifts should not have any uncleannesses. 

The ceremonial laws are given to make us understand that the Lord our God is holy. God gave us the most perfect gift of all, his only begotten Son:

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. ~John 3:16

Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.” (Jn. 6:51) “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (Jn. 6:54) In the new covenant, it is the believer who eats the holy gift and should do so, in reverence to the Lord.

Concerning Priests

Text: Leviticus 21

The office of priest to the Lord was to be held in high regard because he was the one who approached the Lord, offering up in fire the food of the Lord on behalf of the people of God. The priestly line of Aaron had restrictions placed on them that were greater than that of the sons of Israel. They could not touch a dead body unless is was the body of a near relative and they could not take a wife that had been touched by any other man; harlotry, divorced or widowed.

However, I do not think that we should focus our attention on the priests. The precepts given for the priests in this chapter are intended to focus our attention on the holiness of the Lord our God. The Lord is holy, therefore, those who approach the Lord must be holy less they profane the Lord’s sanctuary. 

The reason for death is sin. For this reason, touching a dead body defiles the priest to the Lord. Physical deformities are not the fault of the deformed person, however,  they are a result of the curse. People are deformed and all people die because Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Gn. 3:16-19) 

There has been a change of covenant with the advent of Jesus Christ. In Christ we are justified, as a gift, by the grace of God. (Rom. 3:24) We did not make ourselves righteous, it is by grace received through faith that we are saved. (Eph. 7-9) 

In the old covenant there was a hierarchy regarding proximity to the holiness of God. Non-Jewish people were on the outside. The sons of Israel were considered the people of God. The Levites, his elect servants, and the priest, especially the anointed high priest were the closest to the Lord. 

However, compared to the righteous position given to the Christian, the high priest was miles away from the Lord. In the new covenant, there is neither Jew nor non-Jew, there is neither male nor female; all are equal in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:27) No matter who you are or what you have done, at the resurrection, you will be with the Lord God and see his face. (Rev. 22:4) 

Holiness

Text: Leviticus 20

The Idolatry, human sacrifice and immorality of the people who were in the land of Canaan, before the sons of Israel, is repeated in this chapter. However, this time it isn’t, “You shall not,” but “If you do.” 

This chapter serves as a warning for the people chosen by God. The people of God are to be holy, because the Lord is holy. (Lev. 20:24) Death is always the result of sin. The Lord declared a death sentence for those who practiced child sacrifice to some god named Molech, for mediums and spiritus, for adultery, for cursing ( a curse is a death wish) father and mother, incest, and homo-sex. And many others that will result in being cut off from the people of God. If the people do not cut them off, the Lord promises to cut them off. 

I believe that there are four principles that we should take from this chapter:

1. All human life has value because all were created in the image of God.
2. The Lord hates idolatry and the seeking other gods and spirits.
3. The Lord hates all forms of sexual immorality.
4. The people called by the Lord’s name should be holy.

The Christian is not commanded to put to death persons who commit these sins; however, we are to put them out of the congregation if they continue in unrepentant sin. The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “not to associate with any so-called brother who is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one.” (1 Cor. 5:11) He also told them to not judge those outside of the church but should judge those who are inside the church.  The people outside the church will be judged by God but people in the church who are living in this way, are to be put out of the church. (1 Cor. 5:12-13) 

Loving God and Neighbor

Text: Leviticus 19

When asked, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? (Mt. 22:36) Jesus answered with two Scripture quotations: Deuteronomy 6:5, and Leviticus 19:18. Then he summed up by saying, “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Mt. 22:40) During his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus summed up his teaching by saying, “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Mt. 7:12) 

Leviticus 19 begins by saying, you shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am Holy. During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt. 5:48) Much of what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount can be related to what the Lord spoke to Moses in Leviticus 19. This entire chapter is about loving God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might; and loving your neighbor as yourself. 

The apostle Paul wrote, “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” (Rom. 13:8) People who worship Idols do not love the God who created them but love a God of there own fashion. The Lord is God and he brought each and everyone of us into the world through the union of a mother and father; therefore, we should have reverence for them, because doing so, is loving the God who created us. Our parents may of treated some of us wrongly, but we should understand that revering our parents is honoring the God who gave us life.

Some of the precepts in this chapter might seem strange in a twenty first century western context, but when you put them into an ancient Hebrew context, every precept in this text is about loving your creator with all of your heart and with all your soul and with all your might; and loving your neighbor as yourself. It should also be understood that our neighbors are not just those who are like us, but those who we have contact with that differ from us. (Lev. 19:33-34) 

Leviticus 18

The Lord takes sexual immorality very seriously. In fact, he calls any perversion and abomination. It is evident in this text that the Lord wanted it to stop. He commanded, “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.” (Lev. 18:3) Through a series of commands on what the Sons of Israel are not to do, we get a picture of what was going on in Egypt and Canaan. The Lord said, “Because of these abominations the land is defiled. (Lev. 18:27) The Lord warns that anyone who does these abominations shall be cut off from among their people. (Lev. 18:29) All of the commandments in this chapter are bookended with the statement, “I am the Lord your God.” (Lev. 18:4, 30) 

So, what was going on in Egypt and in Canaan? They were having sexual relations with their next of kin, their neighbors wives, men with men and with animals. All of these the Lord calls an abomination. Sex is holy because God created it to multiply his created beings on the earth; (Gn. 1:28, 9:1) therefore, any perversion is called by the Lord an abomination. 

The Lord has not change in aspect to these being an abomination. Therefore, the Christian ethic is sexual purity and sexual purity is not abstinence but a man and woman who are not next of kin joined in holy matrimony. In this particular text of Scripture the Lord did not forbid polygamy; therefore, it was practiced in Israel. However, from the beginning it was not the Lord’s intention for marriage. 

Referring to the creation account, Jesus repeating Genesis 2:24 said, “FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH’?” (Mt. 19:5) Genesis 2:25 adds, “And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.” Jesus said, “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” (Mt. 5:6)

God’s intention for human sexual relationship is one man and one woman who are not next of kin, joined together for life, to raise up children to the Lord our God. Anything else is a perversion from what he intended from the beginning and is, therefore, an abomination. When a man or woman begins to follow Jesus, he or she must repent from any and all sexual perversions. All sin can be forgiven because God is just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Rom. 3:26) However, you must repent (turn from sin) and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Leviticus 17

Making a sacrifice out in the field was a very serious offense. In fact, the person that did so, bloodguiltiness was reckoned to the man. Because he shed blood, he was to be cut off from the people. Life, whether man or beast was to be considered precious. The life of all living beings on the earth is in the blood; therefore, the sons of Israel, or any foreigners who lived with them were not to eat blood. All animals were to be taken to the doorway of the tent of meeting to be slaughtered by a priest; whether the sacrifice was a peace offering, burnt offering, or sin offering.

The sons of Israel were to think of themselves as one people and their king was the Lord. The Lord had designated Aaron and the sons of Aaron as priest to the Lord. The Lord had designated the tent of meeting as the place to make sacrifices. The Lord had commanded that the sons of Israel eat no blood, because the life is in the blood; therefore, it is the blood that makes atonement. The Lord’s portion of any sacrifice was the fat. There are three things to consider:

1. The sons of Israel were to make sacrifices to the Lord only. If they were making sacrifices out in the field, to whom were they sacrificing?
2. The sons of Israel were to think of themselves as one congregation and not individuals doing their own thing.
3. The Lord commanded that all sacrifices be done in this way.

They were aloud to kill and eat wild animals that were considered clean animals but were not to eat the blood. If they shot and killed a deer for instance, the blood had to be drained out in the field before the animal was cooked and eaten. If an animal was killed by another animal it could be eaten, but the man had to take a bath and wash his clothes and was considered unclean until evening.

The Christian is not under these ceremonial obligations because we have a new covenant in Christ Jesus our Lord, who is the Son of the God. He has been given all authority in heaven and on earth; therefore, he is our king. During his last supper with his disciples, Matthew 26:26-28 (NASB)

While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

Like the sons of Israel were to come to the doorway of the tent of meeting to make sacrifices. We are not to eat the Lord’s supper alone but together in a congregation. 

Leviticus 16

What does it say?

The Lord commanded Moses: Tell Aaron to not enter the holy place beyond the veil anytime or he will die. However, once a year, on the tenth day of the seventh month, he was to enter. He must wash his body with water and put the priestly garments. He must sacrifice a bull to atone for his sins and those of his household. Then he shall take a fire pan full of coals from the altar before the Lord and two handfuls of incense and put the incense on the fire before the Lord inside the veil. Then he was to sprinkle some of the blood of the bull on the mercy seat, on the east side and in front of the mercy seat seven times. From the congregation he shall take two male goats for a sin offering. He shall present the two goats at the doorway of the tent of meeting and cast lots, one for a sin offering and the other for a scapegoat. The sin offering was to be slaughtered and the blood was to be sprinkled in the same manner as the bull. He was to come back out and put some of the blood of the bull and goat on the horns of the altar. Then, with his finger, sprinkle some of the blood on the altar seven times. Aaron was to lay his hands on the live goat and confess the sins of the sons of Israel on to the head of the goat. The goat was released into the wilderness by a man who stood ready. Aaron and the man who released the scapegoat bathed and changed garments. Aaron offered up in smoke the two rams for burnt offerings and the fat of the sin offerings. The remainder of the two sin offerings was to be burnt with fire outside of the camp. The one who burns them was to wash with water before reentering the camp.

What does it means?

How can a holy God forgive sin and uphold his own righteousness? God told Adam that eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil would result in his death. How can a holy God forgive the sins of men and allow them to live? If God forgives sin he is gracious but would be an unrighteous judge. However, if God punishes man he is a righteous judge but he would not be gracious to sinful man. The apostle Paul gave the answer in Romans 3:21-26. God displayed Christ Jesus publicly, as a mercy seat, in his blood through faith. There are two parts to the atonement of Jesus Christ. First, his sacrificial death and the spilling of his blood for our sins. Second, our repentance and faith. Both of these parts are seen in the type, the goat for the sin offering and the scapegoat on whose head the sins of the people were confessed. The sacrificial death of Jesus Christ and our repentance and faith are the antitype. Paul wrote that God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, so that he may be just and justify the one who has faith in Jesus. 

What shall I do?

I have repented and put my faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of my sins. I shall continue to repent and believe in Jesus Christ.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ~ 1 John 1:9 (NASB)

Therefore, I shall confess all of my sins before God, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and forsake them. 

Leviticus 15

What does it say?

When a person has a bodily discharge he or she was considered unclean and anything that he or she touched was considered unclean. If another persons touches him or her they must wash with water and are themselves unclean until evening. Earthen vessels were smashed but other items that the person with the discharged touched could be washed. Seven days were counted from when the discharge stopped. The person took a bath and washed his or her clothes. Then on the eight day two turtle doves or two pigeons were given to the priest; one for a burnt offering and one for a sin offering. Seminal emissions meant uncleanness until evening for both a man and his wife. When a woman has a menstrual discharge she was unclean for seven days and if a man laid with her during her mensuration he was unclean for seven days. However, if she had a discharge that went beyond seven days, the law for a bodily discharge applies just as if it were a discharge from a break in the skin.

What does it mean?

There are medical reasons to keep from bodily discharges. For this reason, washing after coming into contact with a bodily discharge makes since. However, there is more to the story than the physical health of the individuals. The purpose statement for the law regarding uncleanness from bodily discharges was stated by the Lord.

“Thus you shall keep the sons of Israel separated from their uncleanness, so that they will not die in their uncleanness by their defiling My tabernacle that is among them.” ~ Leviticus 15:31 (NASB)

It was about holiness! The Lord is holy and the tabernacle was to be thought of as the Lord’s tabernacle; therefore, the tabernacle was to be treated with reverence. A person could only come into the tabernacle who was considered clean. We are all sinful people washed clean by the righteous blood of Jesus Christ.

What shall I do?

I shall understand that the Lord our God is holy. Therefore, I shall treat the things of the Lord our God as holy. The word of the Lord is holy because the Lord is holy. The people of the Lord are holy because we are sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (cf. 1 Cor. 9:11) I shall have reverence for the Lord and consider the things of the Lord holy, which includes the people sanctified and justified in his name and by his Spirit. The tabernacle in the desert was a symbol of the true tabernacle of the Lord which is in heaven. 

Matthew 28

What does it say?

An angel rolled back the stone from the tomb and sat on it and the guards shook with fear. However, when the women came, the angel said, “Do not be afraid, Jesus is not here, his is risen.” The angel told the women to tell his disciples that Jesus will meet them in Galilee. The women departed with fear and joy until they met Jesus and he greeted them. They worshiped him and he told them to tell his brethren to meet him in Galilee. Some of the soldiers reported to the chief priests what happened. The chief priest bribed them with a large sum of money to say that his disciples came by night and stole the body. The eleven disciples went to the mountain in Galilee that Jesus designated. They saw him and worshiped him but some were doubtful. Jesus commissioned them to make disciples, baptize and teach the new disciples to observe all that he commanded to the end of the age.

What does it mean?

There are four facts concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ in this text.

1. There was a tomb that contained the dead body of Jesus.
2. The tomb was found empty on the first day of the week.
3. Jesus appeared to his disciples bodily resurrected from the dead and he spoke to them.
4. The disciples believed that Jesus rose from the dead.

These facts are indisputable. No one can deny that the dead body of Jesus was placed in a tomb and no one can deny that the tomb was found empty on the first day of the week. Aside from the testimony of the women, the chief priests paying the soldiers is a testimony to these facts. The eleven disciples spent their entire lives proclaiming that they are witnesses to his resurrection; therefore, he is the Christ the Son of God and there is forgiveness of sins for all who believe in his name. There are four ALLS to the great commission:

1. Jesus has been given ALL authority in heaven and on earth.
2. The church is to make disciples of ALL nations.
3. The church is to teach ALL that Jesus commanded.
4. Jesus promises to be with us ALWAYS.

What shall I do?

I shall believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God because he bodily rose from the dead. I shall learn to observe all that Jesus commanded. I shall make disciples and teach them to observe all that Jesus commanded. I shall do this for as long as I have breath.