Leviticus 23: In Celebration of God

The Lord said to Moses, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: These are my appointed feasts, the appointed feasts of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies."

Leviticus describes five feasts, all focusing on God. Each was marked by special sacrifices to
God and a sacred assembly in the Tent of Meeting where God has "pitched his tent." Rather than giving gifts to each other, the Israelites rejoiced in fellowship and gave gifts to God.

Nobody worked on Israelite feast days, but their "days off" had a different motive from ours. An Israelite farmer never got a paid holiday. In fact, a holiday could cost him dearly- it might fall on a day perfect for harvesting. But, God took priority over work. The weekly Sabbath day reinforced the same idea. You simply had to stop working to worship.

What may be the most difficult feast to replicate today may be the Year of Jubilee (chapter 25). Every seventh year, people were not to farm at all. Instead, they were to live off whatever the land produced by itself, and they dedicated themselves to God. The feasts and Sabbaths, set aside as special days, were intended to help them to remember and praise the God who had given them so much.

Life Question: So far as scholars know, no Year of Jubilee was ever actually practiced. Some of the feasts were forgotten for long periods of time. But such failure is not surprising. After all, think what we have done to the holy day of Christmas! Agree?

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I'm as guilty as anyone when it comes to diving into the world of December commercialism; however, I've made a concerted effort to make sure my kids stay "grounded" as our family celebrates Jesus' birth. However, this past year, Josh would come home from school each day and tell us another part of the nativity story that he had learned from his teacher that day. Leave it to the five year old to remind me of the "reason for the season".

Leviticus 19: Designed to be Different

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself...Keep all my decrees and all my laws and follow them. I am the Lord.

In comparison with laws from other countries at that time, the Old Testament made a considerable advance. Some of the remarkable features include:

• People were more important than property. For instance, there was never a death penalty for a crime against someones property


• There was no class system. In many ancient countries, a noble was treated far better than a commoner. Not so in Israel: Everybody stood on the same level before the law.


• The punishment fit the crime. No cruel and unusual punishment was allowed.


• Sexual immorality mattered and received stern treatment.


• The poor and weak had protection with specific provisions that protected their rights from the powerful and wealthy. Welfare offered them a way to stay alive, such as the right to "glean the fields."


• Attitudes- as well as actions- were extremely important. Leviticus 19:18 contains the famous law to "love your neighbor as yourself."
  

While it may be difficult to understand the reasons for some of the laws (many may have been designed simply to keep the Israelites "different" from their pagan neighbors), their overall impact is clear. These rules were intended to form a nation of compassionate, consistent, fair-minded people. They insisted that each person act positively and lovingly toward his or her neighbor- and particularly toward those in need. The reason? God lived with them. Since God is both just and merciful, his people must be too.

Life Question: What are some ways in which we can show concern for the poor and defenseless, similar to the gleaning law in Leviticus?

Our church has supported two mission projects: construction of schools for the Dalit children of India and a pipeline water project for a small village located in Mozambique. Education and water are things they I have taken for granted my entire life, and it is truly unfathomable to think that in today's age that there are children who are deprived of these things. I commend the Chapel for their endeavors- they certainly are in the spirit of Leviticus' proclamation in helping the poor and weak.

Leviticus 16: The Scapegoat

When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat. He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites- all their sins- and put them on the goat's head. He shall send the goat away into the desert in the care of a man appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a solitary place; and the man shall release it in the desert.

What an interesting tradition. In the Israelite ritual described here in chapter 16, Aaron symbolically transfers all the people's sins onto a goat and drives it away into the desert- a sort of liberating act that allows for a fresh start. The English word scapegoat (escape goat) was formed to capture the essence of this crucial ceremony. But, today the word's connotation has changed and is applied to anyone who takes the blame for indiscretions of other people.

The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) is the most sacred day of the Jewish year. All adult Jews are expected to fast from sunset until nightfall the next day, to atone for their sins. During the Yom Kippur service, the congregation chants a prayer known as Kol Nidre, which asks God's forgiveness for sin and for any unfulfilled vows made in the Lord's name. Fasting is made genuine by going out to others, especially the poor and the unfortunate, and by concentrating on a change of life for all.

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In Leviticus, the Israelites- following the scapegoat ritual and purification of the ark- are now ready for the change to a life of holiness and obedience to God's commands.

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Life Question: What are the difficulties/ challenges in playing the part of a scapegoat?

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One's reputation is undoubtedly at stake. Yet, Christianity gives us such an awesome hero to emulate- in Jesus Christ. Invariably, the day will come where we'll find ourselves at a crossroads- the great escape vs. taking the high road and placing the burdens of someone else on our own shoulders. The key is to simply put your life into God's hands and believe with absolute certainty that good will come. Again, to be able to reflect upon what Christ did for all of us- well, that should make our jobs/ decisions a bit easier when we try to tackle the smaller issues that life throws at us...of course, as a child, I use to ALWAYS play the scapegoat role for both my sisters when something got broken, a quarrel ensued, or chores were left undone...(ha, ha)

Leviticus 11: An Invisible Danger

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For I am the Lord your God; sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming creature that moves on the earth. for I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt, to be your God; you shall be holy, for I am holy.

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No...the invisible danger is not our little buddy from the Geico car insurance commercials. Although, geckos are forbidden foods to the Israelites. (Leviticus 11: 30) Chapters 11-15 describe elaborate precautions- what animals to avoid and how to treat "unclean" skin disease, mildewed clothing or walls and bodily emissions. In terms of dietary laws, some scholars point out that many clean and unclean rules have good health habits behind them, such as the rule against eating pork, which carries many parasites. Others say these dietary laws were meant to keep the Israelites apart from their neighbors. Pigs were prominent in Canaanite worship; therefore, the Israelites were not to eat pigs. A different dietary standard would keep the two groups from mixing socially, for a meal was always part of Middle Eastern hospitality. Still others suggest that the uncleanness rules simply fit into what Israelites intuitively thought proper.

All these explanations have merit, but the underlying basis of clean and unclean was religious...you simply could not worship God in the Tent of Meeting (the Tabernacle) while you were unclean, nor bring anything unclean into the presence of God. His holiness would destroy it- and you (Leviticus 15:31) So Leviticus trains God's people how to live out their day to day activities carefully. In short, God's people had to learn how to "purify themselves" for their God.

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Life Question: How do you prepare yourself on Sundays (i.e.- make yourself "holy") for God?

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Growing up Catholic, the ritual was to always bless yourself with the holy water that was stationed by the entrance doors and then certainly we would always genuflect towards the altar and say a short prayer on the kneelers before we seated ourselves in the pews. Lately, I've found myself getting up a little earlier on Sunday and simply looking over the scriptures that will be discussed that day or even the lyrics of the music that we'll be singing and playing. Even the car ride to church- assuming I don't have my loquacious son in the car (ha, ha) can be a time that I can use as quiet meditation and prayer readying myself for Sunday worship.

Leviticus 10: A Fatal Error

Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fiere in them and addes incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contray to his command. So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.

Chapter 8 of Leviticus tells the story of the first high priest. God had set apart the tribe of Levi to perform religious duties for the entire nation. In this scene, Moses' brother Aaron assumed the new office of high priest. The impressive public ceremony lasted eight days in all and culminated in a dramatic display of God's approval ( 9:24) From then on, the priesthood remained in Aaron's family.

However, chapter 10 relates the tragic episode of the death of Aaron's two sons, Nadab and Abihu and emphasizes the importances of strict adherence to God's laws- specifically the body of laws for the newly inaugurated priests. Offering an illicit incense, the two priest brothers suffered a fiery death in the Lord's presence. Some scholars suggests that the account follows an earlier tradition in chapters 8 and 9 in which only Aaron had received priestly consecration; thus, the sons were performing these ceremonial acts without actually being high priests. The possibility that the two brothers were drunk while entering the Tabernacle has also been proposed based upon the command that the Lord gives to Aaron later in verses 8-11.

Regardless of the actual crime that was committed, God's glory- so often restricted to loving signs of his power and might- is here revealed in a frightening and awesome manner. Additionally, in the face of this tragedy, Aaron remains silent while his cousins are summoned to remove the bodies of his sons outside the camp. Because of the seriousness of the violation, Aaron was prohibiited from mourning over the death of his two sons or participating in their burial rites. This whole episode underscores the importance of observing even the finest detail of ritual and law.

Life Question: Do you find it difficult to find the justice in God's swift and severe Old Testament punishments such as in the story of the death of Aaron's sons? Do stories like this make it even more challenging to profess your faith?

Yes and....yes. I guess in some ways, it's my own sense of selfishness that I simply want all the answers and an absolute comprehension of God's plan. But, I think I've come to realize that my life can be a roadmap for discovering God's plan and will- if I'm willing to work, listen, and obey His Biblical laws. Stories such as this make me simply stand in awe of the power of God- and truly brings me a whole new appreciation to the phrase "the fear of the Lord".

Leviticus 4: Up in Smoke

The Israelite's offerings fell into three broad types. The guilt and sin offerings were usually offered first: they cleansed people from sin. Then came the burnt offerings, in which whole animals were burnt to ashes. Made at least twice a day, these sacrifices expressed complete dedication to God. The final sacrifice was the fellowship offering, essentially a family meal shared in the presence of God. In many ways, the sequence of the offerings- forgiveness of sins, then total dedication, then fellowship- shows that that the Israelite's goal was fellowship with their God.

Just how can killing a goat make things right between God and his People? Is the sacrifice of an animal really enough to "pay for" our mistakes? For us, these sacrifices seem outdated primarily because one great sacrifice- that of God's own Son- outdid them all. The animal sacrifices were not enough, ultimately, to pay for human sin. They prepared the way for a sacrifice that was. Furthermore, we no longer have to pay the cost. Jesus paid it all.

Unlike the first two books of the Old Testament, Leviticus has few personalities and stories. Instead, it gives exhaustive detail on how to live with God. However, it is imperative to understand the wonderful news behind this book: God has entered the life a of small nomadic tribe. The Isrealites could not immediately fit God into their lives. They needed to entirely restructure every aspect of their daily life- food, sex, exonomics, etc... to fit with His.

Life Question: Do you think of God as One who requires sacrifice? How does the picture of God in Leviticus fit with your ideas about God?

Well, obviously animal sacrifices aren't too relevant anymore. But, I do think that God expects us to offer sacrifices in different ways. These Old Testament sacrifices costs the Israelites dearly- right in the pocketbooks. I think it's prudent to examine our lives to see if we truly repent for our transgressions. Repentance can come in the form of doing without (i.e. sacrificing) some little luxury in life- a dinner out, a sporting event, shopping spree, etc... Instead of indulging in these things- knowing that we all live imperfect lives- we can go ahead and make a meaningful sacrifice to honor God...sponsor a child, volunteer/ donate for a noble cause, send an anonymous gift to someone in need...I think these may be the 2007 Leviticus-style sacrifices that we can embrace.

Exodus 36: An Unlikely Sight in the Desert

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"All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded: the tabernacle with its ten and its covering, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases; the ark with curtain that shields it; the table with its poles and all its articles and the bread of the Presence; the lamp stand that is for light with its accessories, lamps and oil for the light; the altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil and the fragrant incense..."

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The last chapters of Exodus provides a wealth of details. In a hostile desert landscape, a tribe of just-liberated slaves built something of exquisite beauty- a portable cathedral, or tabernacle.

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God directed the project personally, specially endowing the crafters with skill and elaborating right down to the color choice of woven yarns, the precise length of curtains and wooden frames, and the design of gold filigree. After their embarrassing display of idol worshipping back in chapter 32, the people of Israel joined together in a flurry of activity, carefully following God's pattern. A ton of gold went into the project, as well as nearly four tons of silver and stockpiles of precious gems and rare woods.

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After describing the tabernacle construction in great detail, the Bible devotes just five verses, the last five in Exodus, to its culmination. On the day the tabernacle was completed, God moved in. His glory filled the new tabernacle. God took up residence with his people. Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. (Exodus 40: 34-35)

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From then on, whenever the Israelites marched or camped, their portable cathedral stayed in the exact center of the camp, with their tents and personal belongings radiating out from the Most Holy Place and the ark of the covenant. The tabernacle gave them a visible reminder of God's central place. As a turning point in history, God made himself available to his people.

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Life Question: The Israelites used God's tabernacle to find God. Where do you go to find God?

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I've never really felt the absolute need to go to a church building in order to find God. That said, I've always used my music to not only pray to God but also to build a relationship with Him. The words to the songs can be ever so powerful if you sing them with conviction and passion. Running is another instance in which I don't necessarily go out to find God, but rather enjoy everything that He has given us. There's nothing better than an early Saturday morning run through the park...it really can be an awesome spiritual experience.

Exodus 32: the Dream Dies

When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned and he threw the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain. And he took the calf they had made and burned it in the fire; then he ground it to powder, scattered it on the water and made the Israelites drink it.

The bright hope of Exodus 20 dies quickly in Exodus 32. For 40 days Moses visits with God on Mount Sinai, receiving the terms of the agreement that will allow an unprecedented closeness between God and human beings. What happens down below, at the foot of the mountain, almost defies belief.

The Israelites- the same people who have seen the ten plagues of Egypt, who have crossed the Red Sea on dry ground, who have drunk water from a rock, who are digesting the miracle of manna in their stomachs at this very moment- these same people feel impatience and rebellion, and apparently forget all about their God. By the time Moses descends from Mount Sinai, the Israelites, God's chosen people, are dancing like pagans around a golden statue.
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Moses is so mad at this sight that he hurls to the ground the commandment tablets of stone signed by God himself; God is so mad that he nearly destroys the whole nation. Yet, one ray of hope shines out of this dark scene. Moses, the stuttering, reluctant leader, seems to grow into his position at last. His eloquent prayers are answered, and God grants the Israelites yet another chance.

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Life Question: Moses, in a moment of utter frustration and disbelief in the Israelite's behavior, lost his temper and hurled the tablets to the ground. When was the last time you lost your "cool"?

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I'm usually most apt to lose my temper at work...with the 900 adolescents that I'm blessed to be with each day. Most of our kids are great, but every so often I'll encounter an incident that tries my patience. I've gotten into the practice of using a "cooling-down" period...that way, I can collect my thoughts, plan out a course of action, and not be tempted to pummel the child with a stone tablet.

Exodus 25: The Ark of the Covenant

Then you shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its width. You shall make two cherubim of gold; you shall make them of hammered work, at the two ends of the mercy seat...You shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark; and in the ark you shall put the covenant that I shall give you.
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Many scholars consider these chapters the most pivotal section of the Old Testament. Called before a trembling and smoking mountain by loud trumpet blasts, the Israelites received something unique in history: a stone document to be deposited in the most valuable piece of furniture in the nation, the ark of the covenant. What made this so valuable was that this very stone tablet was signed by none other than the finger of God himself.

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The entire book of Exodus tells of a time when God made himself perfectly obvious. The plagues on Egypt revealed his mighty power; an enormous miracle at the Red Sea provided sensational deliverance; and a recurring miracle supplied food for the Israelites every morning in the form of manna. And, if questions about God's existence still arose, doubters needed only to look to the ever-present glory cloud and pillar of fire coming from Mount Sinai.

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Life Question: Why do you think God doesn't intervene and show himself to us more?

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Why doesn't God directly feed the hungry, heal all the sick and stop all the wars? Is it not a legitimate question that if God really exists, at the very least why doesn't he make himself more obvious. Well, I'm guessing that a portion of the answer lay in the stories found here in Exodus. Just about every instance of God's faithfulness & physical divine intervention (for the lack of a better word) seemed to summon up human unfaithfulness. The same Israelites who had watched God crush a pharaoh quaked at he first sign of Egyptian chariots. Three days after a miraculous escape across the Red Sea they were grumbling to Moses and God about water.

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And then, a month later when hunger pangs began to gnaw at them, they bitterly complained, "If only we had died by the Lord's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death". God responded with a provision of manna and quail, yet the Israelites were soon seen complaining about something else. Get the picture? Impressive displays of God's power does not guarantee faith.