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    February 21st Chronological Bible Readings

    Leviticus 14:33-16:34
    ~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
    ~ Listen to today’s Scripture on ESV Online.org ~

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    Today in Leviticus chapter 14 we read about cleansing from skin diseases and treatment of contaminated houses.  I found the treatment of the mildew in the houses quite fascinating – with verse 45 telling us about the ultimatum for a house if the mildew reappears: “It must be torn down, and all its stones, timbers, and plaster must be carried out of town to the place designated as ceremonially unclean.”  This chapter again goes into the clean & the unclean.  If you didn’t get chance to read the bible.org commentary on Clean & Unclean from Leviticus chapters 12 through 15, you may want to take a few minutes to read it at this link.  Also, a sermon from Peninsula Bible Church with some interesting points on Leviticus chapters 13 & 14 titled “Sick Garments and Diseased Houses” is at this link.   Verses 52 & 53 today: “After he has purified the house in this way, he will release the living bird in the open fields outside the town. In this way, the priest will make atonement for the house, and it will be ceremonially clean.”


    Leviticus_bird

    Today in Leviticus chapter 15 we read about bodily discharges…  Anyone want to be the guest blogger on this chapter today?  🙂  I am thinking today is a good day to share with you some of Bible.org’s essays on the topic of sex.  (though sex is only mentioned briefly in this chapter, still seems appropriate)  Check out Bob Deffinbaugh’s “Sex and the Spiritual Christian” at this link. (it’s not based on this chapter but 1 Corinthians 7)   Daniel Wallace with bible.org has comments on Biblical views of sex at this link.  And then Bob Deffinbaugh again at bible.org has commentary on the relationship between spirituality and sexuality at this link.  Finally, a sermon on Leviticus chapter 15 from Peninsula Bible Church is at this link.


    In Leviticus chapter 16 we read about the Day of Atonement.  Ever wonder where the term “scapegoat” came from?  Now you know!  This chapter.  Check out verses 20-23 about the scapegoat – “When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tabernacle, and the altar, he must bring the living goat forward. He is to lay both of his hands on the goat’s head and confess over it all the sins and rebellion of the Israelites. In this way, he will lay the people’s sins on the head of the goat; then he will send it out into the wilderness, led by a man chosen for this task. After the man sets it free in the wilderness, the goat will carry all the people’s sins upon itself into a desolate land.” There was also the other goat which was sacrificed.  I read a commentary that said that both of these 2 goats foreshadowed Jesus’ death – that Jesus was both sacrificed for atonement for our sins and Jesus is our permanent scapegoat.


    scapegoat.jpg

    In verse 34 we read – “This is a permanent law for you, to make atonement for the Israelites once each year.” You’ll notice the “once a year” wording in this verse. Contrast this with Jesus’ “once for all” sacrifice discussed in Hebrews chapter 10 verses 12 – 14 – “But when this priest (Jesus) had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” For further study on Jesus’ “once for all” sacrifice, please read Hebrews chapters 10 and 9. Bible.org’s commentary on Leviticus chapter 16 & “The Day of Atonement” is at this link. 


    Atonement

    Book Recommendation: Below is the cover image of the book Death by Love by Pastor Mark Driscoll. I want to share this book recommendation with you because Death by Love does a great job connecting our readings in Leviticus Chapter 16 to what Jesus accomplished on The Cross. In this Lenten season, or before Good Friday, I encourage you to read a book about Jesus and The Cross. Death by Love is one powerful book on this topic, and it ties in well with our Leviticus readings.


    Worship God:  Today’s readings in Leviticus about the Day of Atonement reminded me of Phil Wickam’s song “True Love:”



    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL7Uo__ss7g

    Have you received True Love in your life? Click here for the Truest Love of all time!


    Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites.” Leviticus 16:34 NIV


    Prayer Point: Pray that you have received atonement for your sins through your saving faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

    Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

    God bless,
    Mike

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    One response to “February 21st Chronological Bible Readings”

    1. Ramona Avatar
      Ramona

      As I read through the 14th chapter of Leviticus several times, two things kept running through my mind. One was a memory of an event in November 2004 when my apartment walls had to be torn down because of “mold.” Yikes that was tough so I know what it is you have to do to get rid of “leprosy,” on the walls. It ain’t easy.
      The second thing that floated through my head was the thought of, “the curse of the law.”
      Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”) (Galatians 3:13 NET.)
      Just reading everything that needed to be done once you were cured of “leprosy” is exhausting. Keeping the Law was a burden because sin is a burden. I am so glad Jesus told us,
      Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30 KJVR)
      While thinking about this I also realized there was a bigger blessing for one of the ten lepers Jesus cleansed, he turned back to worship and give thanks (Luke 17:12-19). Jesus had sent all ten to the Temple to show themselves to the priests and on the way, all ten were cleansed. Once at the Temple they would have had to participate in the expense and time of the ritual cleansing. This would have put their new beginning of living their lives on hold until the entire ceremony was completed provided they had the finances for bringing the offering for the poor.
      The man who came back to worship was told to “go thy way,” where before they all were told to “go show thyself to the priest.”
      And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
      (Luke 17:12-19 KJV)
      An attitude of gratitude does great wonders. All were cleansed but only one was freed.
      Grace and peace,
      Ramona

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