Dearest e-votees-
Day nine of our cover to cover voyage through the Bible. Leviticus provides many guidelines for living as God's holy people. If you care to follow along you can find links to the assigned Bible passages at:
Peace,
Karl
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Day 9 Readings: Leviticus 14:33-26:26
The texts for today lay out how people are to live in relation to one another and to God: how to tend to sins that arise, how to relate sexually, how to handle servant relationships, how and when to gather for festivals and worship and all other manners of how to live holy (set apart) lives.
For so many years the Israelites had structure and choice imposed upon them while in slavery. God is now trying to help them live as a community without Pharaoh's assistance and oppression.
Some of the requirements may seem strange to us today. Some of the punishments may seem harsh. God has God's ways and God's reasons.
God was trying to protect the people from the sin that surrounded them and might come up from them through clear guidelines with being dispatched (metaphorically or literally) as a common consequence of transgression.
The Archaelogical Study Bible (Zondervan) has a nice commentary on the Day of Atonement. They point out that the two goats, the one that is sacrificed (propitiation of the sins--payment of guilt) and the one that is scapegoated (expiation of the sins--carrying away the guilt), are chosen by lot. But we know that Jesus' lot was to serve both these roles for us and for all who would come. Jesus is the high priest, the sacrificed goat, the scapegoat, the way, the truth and the life. In Jesus we find the holiness that eludes us in our own strivings.
God we thank you that you have set us apart--made us holy. Help us seek to live holy and pleasing lives to you. When we falter help us rest in the sure and certain help that comes from Jesus. Thank you for all Jesus did to make us right with you. Amen.
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