This Is the Old Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. As we read, we’ll gain a broader understanding of the redemptive story of Scripture. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture.
What Is Leviticus? The book of Leviticus picks up where Exodus ends, with Israel at Mount Sinai receiving the law. Recorded by Moses, it presents God’s instructions for holiness, including regulations for worship, laws on ceremonial cleanliness, moral laws, and instructions for holy days.
How Leviticus Fits Into the Story: The book of Leviticus contains instructions for the Israelites on how to worship God and live as His holy people. Studying Leviticus opens up a clearer picture of our holy God and a glimpse at what Jesus Christ’s sacrifice has truly done for us. The sacrificial system was established in order to provide atonement for the sins of Israel, and the writer of Hebrews relied on these images in describing the person and role of Jesus Christ: the sacrifice, the priesthood, and the Day of Atonement (Heb 4:14–10:18).
Reflection Questions:
1. Why does God say He has set the people of Israel apart from the nations?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
CONGRATS!!! Huge accomplishment!
Jenna: I LOVE what you said about how “a holy God can have no part with an unholy people. Who bridges the gap? God. We need Jesus to live the life we couldn’t, bear our punishment and defeat sin once and for all.” I wrote that down in my notes!
I love this study so far! So cool to go through the whole OT and see the redemption plan unfold.
God has deeper aged us from the people around us so that we would be his. I love thinking that I am Gods. That makes me feel special and treasured.
Amen! Love this! Such truth! I wrote something very similar in my reflection!!
1. Why does God want to set Israel people apart from the nations?
God chose to show himself first and foremost to the Israelites. He revealed to this helpless and small in number nation that there is a God in Heaven who would take initiative to come down, to protect, direct and deliver. It is by faith that we too become Abraham’s offsprings (Romans 4:16) and be grafted into the house of Israel. As God’s children, His representatives and ambassadors on earth (and citizens of Heaven), God wants us to represent Him correctly, set apart, holy and like Him, so more people would be directed to Him through our lives.
2. Understanding of the story of redemption: Redemption takes God and our co-operation to commit and intentionally walk with Him, say yes to Him (2-way relationship), that we know whose we are, that we are purchased by His blood not for ourselves, but for the One who paid the price to transfer us from the Kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of Light, by His grace. Praise God.
Praying for you Traci and Tanner, Victoria E.
Today’s reading really stayed with me. I found myself mulling it over in my mind as I went about my morning activities.
The first question was fairly easy — God made a pact with the descendants of Abraham to be set apart in a special way from the rest of humanity. Abraham was devoted to God and really “pressed” in to God during his lifetime. He was an outstanding example of godly living and his descendants were to be set apart as the model for godly living. Others were to look at that model, witness the benefits and seek to become more like the Israelites. It didn’t end up that way, but, that was the original idea God envisioned.
Pondering further my understanding of redemption and today’s reading, it’s clear when you contrast the old way of achieving redemption (strict laws, animal sacrifice) against the new way (Christ’s sacrifice on the cross) God meant for us to have something better. The old way merely “papered over” our sins. The new way takes our sins away permanently. Redemption is ours now — no longer through ceremony and sacrifice, but through faith and belief in Christ, our savior. Better, indeed!
Thanks to the SRT podcast, I’m asking, “Who is God?” During these readings. There is a clear pattern: 1. God initiates and provides FULLY the rescue and redemption of his people. 2. God commands obedience. Notice the order here. No other god or religion works like this. It’s usually the other way around. Grateful for a God who leads with grace and love and rescue. Let our response in gratitude be obedience.
I think I would like to, sometime soon, study Leviticus in more depth. The bases of the laws of many countries including our own are based on the Ten Commandments and some of Leviticus.
Hope all is well with all of you my sisters.
Sisters I hope you don’t mind if I pass along what you have posted to others, especially my sister. At times I find encouragement in your posts and I know others would too.
Be blessed.