Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, yor family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
Understanding to grow in
Leviticus gets its name from the tribe of "Levi" who were tasked with caring for the tabernacle and carrying out its work. Moses and his brother Aaron were from this tribe, and so were the priests as they were Aaron's descendents. The book deals mainly with God's instructions for the work of the tabernacle and so follows rightly from Exodus. The detail of the various offerings once again shows how much is needed to deal with sin. Those in these chapters are a voluntary act of devotion to God (eg. 6v12, 16). In coming first they remind us it is hearts of spontaneous love and thankfulness that he delights in over mere adherence to religious regulation. The absence of defects and need of washing highlight the holy perfection of God, the necessity of blood displays that a death is always needed to pay the penalty for sin, and the description of the offerings as "food offerings" that are pleasing to God stresses the wonder that he is prepared to enjoy the equivalent of table fellowship with his people. Note the fellowship offering was laid ontop of the burnt offering. This is the intimacy of relationship that the sacrifice of Christ makes possible - most profoundly pictured at the Last Supper as a foretaste of what he described as a heavenly banquet (Lk 22v15-22). Whenever we sin it is this sacrifice that we look to. And the offerings we voluntarily make to God in thankfulness for his provision are the offerings of our life, money, praise and all else (Rom 12v1-2, Phil 4v18, Heb 13v15). As you read note the purpose of these offerings.
Leviticus 1-3
Leviticus 1-3
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.