Month: February 2020

Leviticus 27:28a “But nothing that a person owns and devotes to the LORD—whether a human being or an animal or family land—may be sold or redeemed….”
As I read today’s scripture, I am reminded of when my boys were babies and we had them baptized. As parents, we used that occasion to dedicate our children to God, pledging to raise them in faith and teach them the ways of our faith, so that as they grew, they would grow in God, in knowledge and love of Him.
Leviticus 27:28b “…everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD.”
We made that commitment as new parents, that we would raise them in our faith. Our youngest is now six weeks from being a teenager. My daily prayer for my children, whom we love so deeply, whom we dedicated to God as babies, is that they will come to know the Lord, love the Lord, trust the Lord on their terms, in their way, not simply because the Hubs and I love and trust Him but because THEY know Him and know that they can trust Him. We want them to grow in their faith, beyond the bounds of our own.
Leviticus 27:33a “No one may pick out the good from the bad or make any substitution….”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the ability to baptize our children and dedicate them to You. Thank You for the awesome privilege of teaching them who You are, teaching them to love and trust You. Be with them as they step out in their own faith in You. Draw us all closer. Amen.
Leviticus 27:33b …If anyone does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute become holy and cannot be redeemed.
Have a blessed day.

Leviticus 26:3-4 “‘If you follow My decrees and are careful to obey My commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit.’”
At first blush, this chapter seems to be saying, “Obey and be blessed by God. Disobey and be cursed by God.” And perhaps that was the way of it as God was reestablishing His sovereignty when He brought the Israelites out of Egypt. But Christians today know that even when walking in His will, life can still be full of hardship—hardship that is not a curse from the hand of God.
Leviticus 26:18-19 “‘If after all this you do not listen to Me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over. I will break down your stubborn pride….’”
Further reading in Leviticus 26 reveals that God is specifically talking to the proud and unrepentant, those who see no problem with acting in a manner contrary to God’s will, those unwilling to see the error of their ways, unwilling to accept loving correction from God. That intentional resistance to His love and correction, I think, is what raises His ire in this chapter.
Leviticus 26:23-24 “‘If in spite of these things you do not accept My correction but continue to be hostile toward Me, I Myself will be hostile toward you….’”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for Your promises. You don’t promise us sunshine and roses always, Lord, but You promise to be with us, no matter the storm. You ask in return that we be humble of heart, open to Your guidance and loving correction. Lead us, Lord. Draw us closer. Amen.
Leviticus 26:45 But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of Egypt….
Have a blessed day

Leviticus 24:1-2 The LORD said to Moses, “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning continually.”
God wants us to shine His light continually. That requires continued vigilance on our parts. There is so much darkness in this world, it’s easy to lose sight of the good, to allow the darkness to dim our light if we aren’t careful. Guard your light so that it doesn’t fade.
Leviticus 24:8 “This bread is to be set out before the LORD regularly, Sabbath after Sabbath, on behalf of the Israelites, as a lasting covenant.”
God also wants continuous fellowship with us. He wants it to be fresh and flavorful. Again, it takes a measure of diligence to keep the relationship vibrant and alive instead of stale. Maybe that means connecting with Him in a new way, showing our love in a different format. Don’t be afraid to shake things up. He wants our best selves, not the stale leftovers.
Leviticus 24:9 “It belongs to Aaron and his sons, who are to eat it in the sanctuary area, because it is the most holy part of their perpetual share of the food offerings presented to the LORD.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for all that I am learning through my reading of Your word and related commentary. Thank You for fellowship with You and for the ability to shine Your light for others. Draw me closer. Amen.
Leviticus 24:23 Then Moses spoke to the Israelites….
Have a blessed day.

Leviticus 23:1-2 The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them….”
This morning I went searching for commentary that might tell me how the Israelites felt upon receiving Leviticus. Were they relieved to know exactly what God expected of them? Did they chafe against the restrictions? What I found was eye opening for me. 
Leviticus 23:9-10 The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them….”
One source described Leviticus as establishing a new normal in that this marks the first time since Eden where God was living WITH man. I had NEVER considered the book in this light before. I truly want to spend some time pondering the potential implications of that revelation. 
Leviticus 23:23-24 The LORD said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites….”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this insight. Thank You that I am excited to ponder the implications of today’s revelation. Thank You that You want, that You have always wanted, a close relationship with Your people. You are holy, Lord, and we are so fallibly human. Thank You for showing us the way back to You, for sending Your Son so that we will always have a path to You. Help me never to take that gift for granted. Draw me closer. Amen.
Leviticus 23:44 So Moses announced to the Israelites the appointed festivals of the LORD.
Have a blessed day.

Leviticus 21:1 The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: ‘A priest must not….’”
I used to do an assignment with my students called “Where are you going? Where have you been?” It was designed to have them look back at their lives thus far and look forward at where they are headed. Leviticus continues to strike me as a similar exercise but with God delineating for the Israelites how they should act differently from the Egyptians (looking back) and from the Canaanites (looking forward). God wanted them to remember that they were a people set apart by Him and for Him.
Leviticus 21:5 “‘Priests must not….’”
And I continue to find myself incredibly grateful for the redemptive work of Christ, who tore the veil separating us from God, because of whom we now have an open invitation to sit at the foot of His thrown. After 21 chapters of rules and regulations, I am even more grateful that just little ole me, with my problems, my shortcomings, my fears, can walk right up to His throne any time. What a gift. Thank You, Jesus.
Leviticus 21:17 “Say to Aaron: ‘For the generations to come none of your descendants who has a defect may come near to offer the food of his God.’”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder of the privilege of my close relationship with You, a relationship available to all who seek You. Help me never to take that relationship for granted. Help me to spend time with You, in You, daily. Draw me closer. Amen.
Leviticus 21:So Moses told this to Aaron and his sons and to all the Israelites.
Have a blessed day.

Leviticus 20:22 Keep all my decrees and laws and follow them, so that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out.
Commentary says, “Sometimes we think what God mostly wants is our obedience….What God really wants is us….” As a parent, this rings true in so many ways. I want what’s best for my children. I want them to behave and to do their best. But it plucks my nerves to see my child going through the motions, doing the bare minimum in the way of obedience. God knows that, sees that, too.
Leviticus 20:23 You must not live according to the customs of the nations I am going to drive out before you. Because they did these things, I abhorred them.
God knows our hearts. He knows when we are just going through the motions. He knows when we are putting on a show for Him. And He understands how much we miss out on when we separate ourselves from Him in that way. He wants all of us because He loves us so deeply.
Leviticus 20:24 …I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from the nations.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for loving us so much that You want our whole hearts and not just our obedience. Help us to give ourselves wholeheartedly to You, to hold nothing back. Draw us closer. Amen.
Leviticus 20:26 You are to be holy to me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.
Have a blessed day.

Leviticus 19:4 “‘Do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourself. I am the LORD your God.’”
Commentary states, “Israel had significant trouble with the worship of idols until the Babylonian captivity (some 800 years from the time of Leviticus).” That fact just blows my mind as they are struggling with this issue even while Moses is receiving the Ten Commandments. Yet God lovingly continues to insist, “I am your God. I love you, and I will continue to remind you who you are and how you should act in Me.”
Leviticus 19:19 “‘Keep my decrees.’”
Lord, Thank You for loving me, for claiming me, for reminding me that as your dearly beloved, there are certain expectations of my behavior. Just like the Israelites, I become muddled and forgetful, falling into behaviors I know are unacceptable. Lovingly remind me of my identity in You.
Leviticus 19:36b …”’I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt.’”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for Your love. Guide me in the ways that I should go. Remind me who I am. Help me to focus on You. Draw me closer. Amen.
Leviticus 19:37 “‘Keep all My decrees and all my laws and follow them. I am the LORD.’”
Have a blessed day.