Leviticus 5:1 “If anyone sins because they do not speak up when they hear a public charge to testify regarding something they have seen or learned about….”
The Israelites were in Egypt for hundreds of years, living as slaves, but soaking up Egyptian culture nonetheless. When Moses went up on Mt Sinai for 40 days and nights, the Israelites were afraid he would not return. They pleaded with Aaron to make them a golden calf to go before them (Exodus 32). These were a struggling people, trying to get their feet under them, trying to figure out who they were outside of Egypt.
Leviticus 5:2 “If anyone becomes aware that they are guilty….”
I think that’s what all the rules, all the laws, all the specifications are about in Exodus and Leviticus—giving the Israelites specifics so that they can know better who they are and therefore do better as a people of faith. As Maya Angelou once said, “…when you know better, do better.”
Leviticus 5:17 “If anyone sins and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD’s commands….”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that we are Yours. Help us to know better what it means to be Your beloved so that we can do better in that role. Help us to shine Your light for all to see. Draw us closer. Amen.
Leviticus 5:18 …”In this way the priest will make atonement for them for the wrong they have committed unintentionally, and they will be forgiven.”
Have a blessed day.
The process of atonement…. (devo reflection)
Leviticus 4:2 …’When anyone sins unintentionally…’”
Commentary states “The idea is not so much an accidental sin, but a sin committed by a person who basically loves God” as opposed to flagrant and intentional sinning. Regardless, these chapters show that atonement for sin was a bloody business with utterly no profit, and for the tender-hearted, also a sad one.
Leviticus 4:4 He is to present the bull at the entrance to the tent of meeting before the LORD. He is to lay his hand on its head and slaughter it before the LORD.
Any sacrifice had to be from the first-fruits of the livestock—without blemish. No part of the sacrifice could be used by the one offering it for any other purpose. You couldn’t keep the hide or any of the meat. There was a lot of blood—to cover the sin. And before the process began, you had to lay your hands on the animal’s head to identify with it, to transfer your guilt to the animal taking your place.
Leviticus 4:5 Then the anointed priest shall take some of the bull’s blood and carry it into the tent of meeting.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this understanding of the process of atonement. Thank You for sending Your Son, Yourself, as the ultimate sacrifice, so that we always have a way back to You. Thank You for loving us enough that You willingly paid the price for our sins, so that we could be restored to You. Draw us closer. Amen.
Leviticus 4:11-12 But the hide of the bull and all its flesh…he must take outside the camp to a place ceremonially clean…and burn it in a wood fire on the ash heap.
Have a blessed day.
A fellowship offering…. (devo reflection)
Leviticus 3:1 “If your offering is a fellowship offering….”
Today’s scripture put me in mind of all the ways we can give to God of our time and talents. Money is certainly one way, but there are so many others. I love this idea of friendship, of fellowship, as an offering to God. It puts me in mind of “Buddy Benches” on elementary playgrounds and the idea of befriending others, especially those who are outcast or on the fringes, as an extension of God’s love.
Leviticus 3:3 “From the fellowship offering you are to bring a food offering to the LORD….”
It also puts me in mind of the cooking and baking I do for those who are sick or have had babies. It’s such a small thing to cook a meal, but it can be a tremendous gift for someone who is struggling or exhausted. And I always pray for those who will receive it as I’m putting it together. I think that extension of friendship and fellowship makes God smile.
Leviticus 3:5 …”it is a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the myriad ways we can offer ourselves to You and Your people. Help me to make a habit daily of extending a friendship offering to You, to Your people. Draw me closer. Amen.
Leviticus 3:16 …a pleasing aroma…
Have a blessed day.
God’s immersive, all-encompassing love…. (devo reflection)
Leviticus 2:2 …an aroma pleasing to the LORD.
I am struck this morning by the sensory nature of this experience. I don’t think it is by accident. The rich visual details of the wood, the metal, and the linens in Exodus and the details about the aromas and tastes in Leviticus tell me that God wants our time with Him to be a rich, immersive experience.
Leviticus 2:9 …an aroma pleasing to the LORD.
And for some reason, the level of detail in His instruction now makes me chuckle because I know He’s talking to me and those like me who want to be sure we dot every i and cross every t because we love Him so deeply and we just want to do things right so He understands the level of our feelings.
Leviticus 2:13a Season all your grain offerings with salt….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the nature of Your immersive, all-encompassing love for us. Thank You for Your detailed instructions for those of us who need them and for calling us to Yourself, even though we fall so very short. Thank You for this gift that is a life lived in You. Draw us closer. Amen.
Leviticus 2:13b …add salt to all your offerings.
Have a blessed day.
Overwhelming love…. (devo reflection)
Leviticus 1:2 …”When anyone among you brings an offering to the LORD, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or flock.”
The idea of animal sacrifice is difficult for me. I understand the rationale—if God’s laws were broken, reparation must be made by the one who broke them. I understand that the sinner, the one who broke the law, had to kill the sacrifice. I understand the sacrifice had to be from the first fruits of the sinner’s stock—a choice animal without blemish. All of these things were so that the price for sin cost the sinner something personal.
Leviticus 1:9 …It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.
But I’m just not sure I could do what was to be done. I don’t think my heart could handle taking that innocent life, even the life of an animal, especially if it was because of my own wrongdoings. Then I think of what Jesus did for me. He offered Himself in my place—innocent, blameless, undefiled. He took my punishment so that I could have a restored relationship with God. I am awed and humbled.
Leviticus 1:13 …It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for Your overwhelming love of me. Thank You that You want so much for me to be restored to You that You paid the ultimate price for my sins. I don’t deserve that gift, but You give it freely anyway because of Your deep love. Thank You. Draw me closer. Amen.
Leviticus 1:17 …It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.
Have a blessed day.