VOWS
Sunday August 7, 2022.
Lev 27
Lev 27:2
Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If anyone makes a special vow to dedicate a person to the Lord by giving the equivalent value: a vow was not required by law but was freely promised to the Lord. It allowed the individual to demonstrate to God his gratitude, or if he had a sense of calling to give to the Lord. God told Moses the price and conditions for dedicating a person to the Lord. A vow, though not required, once made had to be fulfilled.
Application: in the New Covenant, we can present our bodies a living sacrifice to demonstrate our gratitude to God Ro 12:1. Paul made a vow to cut his hair Ac 18:18 which was under the Old Covenant transition period. The Gentiles were not under this obligation Ac 21: 24,25. Jesus taught not to make any vows, but to let your yes be yes and your no be no Mt 5:36,37.
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Lev 26
CHOOSE WHOM YOU WILL SERVE
Saturday August 6, 2022.
Lev 26:8
Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you: God plainly told the Israelites that if they obey him, He will bless them in all ways. They will be feared by their enemies, for five Israelites will be able to defend a hundred foes and ten Israelites will put to chase ten thousand combatants. However, if the rebel against God and disobey His commandments, they will experience famine, disease Lev 26:16 and will be fearful slaves to their enemies Lev 26:36.
Application: we are enemies of God until we place our faith in Christ. As a Child of God, we have all the promises of God—He’ll never forsake us Heb 13:5, He’ll never stop loving us Ro 8:38,39, He’ll give us worth Jn 1:12 and a purpose to live Eph 2:10 and above all this eternal life Jn 3:16.
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Lev 25
THE JUBILEE
Friday August 5, 2022.
Lev 25:10
Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan: every fifty years the Jubilee would restore possessions to the original owners. If one purchased a piece of land, it would be returned in the Year of Jubilee. God explained when buying land, the Israelites were actually buying the number of years of crops, rather than the land and the price should be according to the number of years remaining before the next Jubilee Lev 25:15,16. The land couldn’t be sold permanently as it belonged to the Lord Lev 25:23.
Application: the Year of Jubilee was a wonderful time of redemption, a picture of Jesus, who has redeemed His elect. We were dead in sins unable to deliver ourselves but Jesus became our Kinsman Redeemer and gave us back our freedom Eph 2:1-5.
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Lev 24
RESPECTING GOD
Thursday August 4, 2022.
Lev 24:16
Anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord is to be put to death. The entire assembly must stone them. Whether foreigner or native-born, when they blaspheme the Name they are to be put to death: God wanted His people to respect His holiness, thus blaspheming His name required the entire assembly to stone the blasphemer. God is reminding Moses and the people of certain rules that will continue to honor God and therefore must be obeyed completely.
Application: we need to honor God as a holy God and respect His laws and worship Him in Spirit and truth Jn 4:24.
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Lev 23
THE FESTIVALS
Wednesday August 3, 2022.
Lev 23:2
“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies: God gave Israel seven feasts in which were hidden the future history of the nation. The Passover Lev 23:5 predicted that Jesus would set the people free through His slain blood Jn 1:29. The Unleavened Bread Lev 23:6 pictured the purity of Jesus, the spotless Passover Lamb 1 Co 5:7. The Firstfruits Lev 23:10 portrayed Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and ultimately ours 1 Co 15:20. The fourth feast was the Festival of Weeks or Pentecost Lev 23:16 which symbolized the coming of the Holy Spirit and the fullness of the body of believers—the Church Ac 2:41. The Festival of Trumpets Lev 23:24 described the Rapture of the Church 1 Th 4:16. The Day of Atonement Lev 23:28 pictured the sins of Israel forgiven when they will realize that Jesus is the true Messiah Zech 12:10. This will all culminate with the Festival of Tabernacles Lev 23:34 which depicted the time when Jesus will return to rule in the Millennium kingdom Rev 20:4.
Application: we are very close to the fulfillment of the Festival of Trumpets. If you miss the Rapture, all hope of salvation will be lost as God will impose judicial hardening on those who refused to believe in His Son 2 Th 2:11,12.
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Lev 22
REVERING GOD
Tuesday August 2, 2022.
Lev 22:31
Keep my commands and follow them. I am the Lord: God gave Moses more commands regarding offerings which could not be presented or eaten if one was unclean. This was treating God with contempt and because He is holy, the priest would be killed Lev 22:9. Sacrifices with defects were not acceptable to the Lord.
Application: fortunately, we are not under the Old Covenant and its worship rules. However, God is still holy and demands that we live a holy life also 1 Pe 1:16.
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Lev 21
PRIESTHOOD
Monday August 1, 2022.
Lev 21:6
They must be holy to their God and must not profane the name of their God. Because they present the food offerings to the Lord, the food of their God, they are to be holy: these are the guidelines for the priesthood serving in the Lord’s tabernacle. The priest will have a higher standard to follow because he is presenting food offerings to the Lord. No priest who has a defect can present food offerings because the Lord is holy. The high priest must marry a virgin only Lev 21:13. Priests must not shave their heads or cut the edges of their beards Lev 21:5 and must avoid dead bodies Lev 21:1.
Application: God has made us a royal priesthood 1 Pe 2:9. We are to proclaim the Good News that sins have been forgiven and eternal life is offered to all who believe and trust in Jesus. If we fail to live out our calling, we are working against the kingdom.
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Lev 20
PERVERSION
Sunday July 31, 2022.
Lev 20:2
“Say to the Israelites: ‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing in Israel who sacrifices any of his children to Molek is to be put to death. The members of the community are to stone him: God gave a list of commandments that were extreme perversions. This one involved parents sacrificing their children to Molek, a false Canaanite god. Other laws pertained to mediums and spiritists, adultery and marriage to close family members. Sex with animals and unclean animals were to be avoided.
Application: we are discovering that Hollywood is involved in child sacrificing to the same Canaanite god, Molek. Satan hasn’t changed over centuries and still uses the same old perversions to deceive lost souls.
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Lev 19
OBEYING GOD
Saturday July 30, 2022.
Lev 19:37
Keep all my decrees and all my laws and follow them. I am the Lord: God gave Moses all of the commandments that the people were to follow and the consequences for disobedience. They involved the community’s relationship with each other and each individual relationship with God. He required the people to be holy because God is holy. He desired that they treat each other the way they would want to be treated. He wanted them to avoid mediums and worship to idols.
Application: today, we know what pleases God because we have the Bible and believers have God’s indwelling Spirit to guide their lives. Yet, we allow our flesh to rebel against God and His righteous ways. We have to crucify our flesh and die to ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit to control our actions.
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Lev 18
SEXUAL RELATIONS RULES
Friday July 29, 2022.
Lev 18:22
Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable: God warned the Israelites not to follow the traditions of the Egyptians or the people of the land of Canaan. These people defiled the land because of their detestable practices and this is the reason God is driving them out of the land Lev 18:24. God list included no sexual relations with close family members, homosexual relationships or bestiality.
Application: we are to be the light of the world Mt 5:14 and the salt of the earth Mt 5:13 and therefore it is important for Christians to obey God’s commands to establish His rule over all the earth Gen 1:26.
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Lev 17
ATONING BLOOD
Thursday July 28, 2022.
Lev 17:5
This is so the Israelites will bring to the Lord the sacrifices they are now making in the open fields. They must bring them to the priest, that is, to the Lord, at the entrance to the tent of meeting and sacrifice them as fellowship offerings: the Israelites were short circuiting God’s sacrificial system by offering the animals in the open field rather than bringing them to the priests at the entrance of the tabernacle. The consequence of this was to be cut off from the community. God also warned the people not to eat the blood of an animal, as it must be drained onto the ground, for the blood makes the atonement for one’s life Lev 17:11.
Application: the sacrificial system was preparing for Jesus’ final sacrifice, where His blood would take away the sin of the world Jn 1:29.
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Lev 16
DAY OF ATONEMENT
Wednesday July 27, 2022.
Lev 16:30
Because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins: God chose the Day of Atonement to wipe out the community’s sins for that year. He had an intricate plan for this festival that had to be followed or the high priest would die Lev 16:2. Two goats were chosen, one was the Lord’s which would be sacrificed while the other was the scapegoat that would receive the sins of the people and released in the wilderness.
Application: The scapegoat was a foreshadowing picture of Jesus who would take all of our sins and remove them. The beauty of Jesus’ sacrifice was that it was once for all time, whereas the animal sacrifices had to be repeated daily and yearly and could only cover sin, it could never take away sin Heb 10:1-4.
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Lev 15
MADE CLEAN FROM SIN
Tuesday July 26, 2022.
Lev 15:8
If the man with the discharge spits on anyone who is clean, they must wash their clothes and bathe with water, and they will be unclean till evening: in the old covenant whenever an unclean man had contact with a clean man, he became unclean. However, when Jesus came across unclean people, His touch made them clean and He was not affected by their uncleanness Mk 1:40-42. This demonstrated that Jesus was sinless and that sin could not make Him unclean.
Application: Jesus’ blood purifies us from all sin 1 Jn 1:7. He is the only One that can save mankind from sin and death Ro 6:23.
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Lev 14
DISEASES
Monday July 25, 2022.
Lev 14:2
These are the regulations for any diseased person at the time of their ceremonial cleansing, when they are brought to the priest: God outlined the rules to be followed for the ceremonial cleansing of diseased persons and buildings that had spreading mold within. The priests would examine these persons outside of the camp and if they had been healed two live clean birds along with cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop would be used. One of the birds would be killed and its blood sprinkled seven times over fresh water on the one to be cleansed then the liv bird released into the open field.
Application: this ritual in many ways pointed to Jesus’ final sacrifice. Jesus was sacrificed outside of the camp Heb 13:11-13. The bird was from the heavens and so was Jesus Jn 3:13. Jesus came by water and blood 1 Jn 5:6 and His death was associated with those elements Jn 19:34,35. His death was associated with scarlet cloth Mt 27:28; with wood Jn 19:17,18; with hyssop Jn 19:29 and Jesus ascended to heaven just as the live bird was released Ac 1:9.
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Lev 13
DISEASES
Sunday July 24, 2022.
Lev 13:9
When anyone has a defiling skin disease, they must be brought to the priest: the priest’s job was to determine skin diseases and if unclean have the person isolate for seven days. After re-examination if the disease was fading the person was to wash their clothes and cut their hair and then they would be classified as clean. If the disease did not improve they were to further isolate for another seven days and so on. This was God’s way of protecting the community at large from outbreaks of diseases within the community.
Application: today we have made many medical advances, however Big Pharma has focused on the financial gain of their medicines and rather than researching for cures, prefer to keep their customers as clients helping them deal with the symptoms rather than the cure. God will judge all for our actions and although there is much injustice in our world today, the Righteous Judge will give to each what they deserve Ro 2:6.
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Lev 12
CEREMONIAL UNCLEAN
Saturday July 23, 2022.
Lev 12:2
“Say to the Israelites: ‘A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period: the blood from the birth of a baby made the woman ceremonial unclean. During this period she was not allowed to touch anything sacred or go to the sanctuary until the days of her purification were over. After the purification period was over she was to bring a-year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or dove for a sin offering.
Application: we live in the post salvation era and fortunately do not have to follow all the laws for atonement as Jesus was sacrificed once for all of our sins Heb 9:28.
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Lev 11
CLEAN AND UNCLEAN ANIMALS
Friday July 22, 2022.
Lev 11:3
You may eat any animal that has a divided hoof and that chews the cud: God protected His people through dietary laws which would keep them from deadly diseases. Here He gave the people a list of animals that He considered clean to eat and a list of unclean animals that the people had to avoid. God also had rules in what to do if you became unclean and how to become clean again.
Application: today with advancements in technology and science, we understand how diseases form and God also rescinded the law of unclean foods by showing Peter all foods have been made clean Ac 11:9. We are set apart today by believing in Jesus who makes us holy, not what food we abstain from or eat.
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Lev 10
IRREVERENCE TOWARDS GOD
Thursday July 21, 2022.
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Lev 10:2 So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord: Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu did not obey God’s rules for offering fire and God killed them. God reminded Moses that those who approach Him will do so in a holy way or judgment will follow. God will be honored and therefore, He told Aaron that his sons were not to drink wine or other fermented drink while ministering or they would die Lev 10:9. Application: today we have the Bible so we know what God’s will is, yet we willfully disobey certain rules. It is only God’s mercy that He has not judged us as He did Aaron’s sons. The more we reverent the Lord, the more we will honor Him. |
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Lev 9
PRESENCE OF GOD
Wednesday July 20, 2022.
Lev 9:24
Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown: God commanded sacrifices, as His glory would then appear before the people. Moses was obedient and after completing the sacrifices the presence of the LORD sent fire to consume the burnt offering. When the people saw this, they rejoiced and worshipped God.
Application: God gave the Israelites a physical sign of His presence, but today, we have God’s Word and we do not need to have physical appearances to believe. Jesus said to Thomas blessed are those that believe who do not see Jn 20:29.
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Lev 8
ORDINATION OF THE PRIESTHOOD
Tuesday July 19, 2022.
Lev 8:24
Moses also brought Aaron’s sons forward and put some of the blood on the lobes of their right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet. Then he splashed blood against the sides of the altar: Moses placed the sacrificed blood on Aaron’s sons. First, placing the blood on the right ear, then on the right thumb and finally on the right big toe. The right side referred to the favor of God Lk 1:11,13. The symbolism was to demonstrate that as priests they must hear with their ears and obey, they must perform with their hands all the sacred duties and walk in holiness in regards to God’s commands.
Application: in the New Covenant, believers are known as a royal priesthood 1 Pe 2:9. We are compared to living stones which are being used to build a spiritual house. It is our duty to offer ourselves as spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God 1 Pe 2:5; Ro 12:1.
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Lev 7
ABSTAINING FROM BLOOD
Monday July 18, 2022.
Lev 7:27
Anyone who eats blood must be cut off from their people: why? God gave us the answer in Lev 17:11,12. The life of a creature was in the blood and its spiritual purpose was to make atonement for sins. A life substituted for a life, a picture of what Jesus would do for humanity. To honor God the Israelites were to obey this command. If anyone disregarded this law, they were to be cut off from their people.
Application: Peter had a vision and was told to eat but refused because the food was unclean. God corrected Peter by telling him that God had made all food clean Ac 10:15,16. Jesus also gave a teaching on unclean food saying it was not the food that made one unclean but the heart Mk 7:19. All foods are clean but we still should avoid eating blood, which in our society ensures that the blood is drained when the animal is killed.
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Lev 6
ETERNAL FIRE
Sunday July 17, 2022.
Lev 6:13
The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out: why would God make this a commandment to be kept continually? First, the fire was originally lit from heaven Lev 9:24. If God began the fire, it would make sense that He would want His people to keep it burning continuously while he received their offerings. It was also a picture of His presence Dt 4:24.
Application: The fire taught the Israelites that forgiveness was always available but also required a substitute to pay the price of judgment. Jesus came to bring fire to the earth also Lk 12:49. Man can avoid the eternal fire of Hell by receiving Jesus’ sacrifice for their sins. He took our judgment so that we could go free and for those who refuse His gift they will experience everlasting fire.
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Lev 5
GUILT OFFERING
Saturday July 16, 2022.
Lev 5:15
“When anyone is unfaithful to the Lord by sinning unintentionally in regard to any of the Lord’s holy things, they are to bring to the Lord as a penalty a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value in silver, according to the sanctuary shekel. It is a guilt offering: for those that sin against the Lord’s holy things, they must bring a ram and pay restitution. The difference between the two types of transgressions was that the sin offering fixed the sinner, whereas the guilt offering fixed the situation caused by the sin. This type was always individual sins.
Application: Worship was a big part of God’s dealings with His people and provided a way back into fellowship when sin was committed. Today, God has provided us with unlimited access into the Holy of Holies and we have no restrictions like the ancient Israelites, so let us get full value of this gift and connect with God on a regular basis.
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Lev 4
SIN OFFERING
Friday July 15, 2022.
Lev 4:21
Then he shall take the bull outside the camp and burn it as he burned the first bull. This is the sin offering for the community: the fourth offering was called the sin offering which was for unintentional sins. This would be for the people who desired to please God but because of human frailty would sin, in contrast to those who wilfully rebelled against God’s laws. When the sinning person discovered his guilt, he then would make a sin offering. A young bull was to be sacrificed for the anointed priest sinning, and the same for the congregation when they sinned. A leader who sinned had to sacrifice a male goat without spot while a community member who sinned had to offer a female goat without defect.
Application: God was preparing mankind for the ultimate sacrifice—Jesus Christ. The blood of these animals could only cover sin but Jesus’ blood took away all sin.
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Lev 3
FELLOWSHIP OFFEERING
Thursday July 14, 2022.
Lev 3:2
You are to lay your hand on the head of your offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall splash the blood against the sides of the altar: the fellowship offering was a picture of the peace that came through Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. The blood was splashed against the sides of the altar so all could see. It is the shed blood of Jesus that brought us salvation.
Application: there is only one way to salvation and only one Saviour—Jesus Christ. His blood is the only blood that could take away the sins of the world Jn 1:29.
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Lev 2
GRAIN OFFERING
Wednesday July 13, 2022.
Lev 2:5
If your grain offering is prepared on a griddle, it is to be made of the finest flour mixed with oil, and without yeast: the grain offering was a picture of man’s service to God. It also provided the priests with food and even the poorest could make this kind of offering. The finest flour portrayed truth 1 Co 5:8, while the oil depicted on the Holy Spirit. We are to worship in Spirit and truth Jn 4:24. Yeast was a symbol of corruption, hypocrisy and proudness and would corrupt the entire mass of dough Gal 5:9.
Application: we are to serve the Lord in truth and sincerity, in the power of the Holy Spirit without hypocrisy or haughtiness.
Lev 1
BURNT OFFERING
Tuesday July 12, 2022.
Lev 1:3
If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, you are to offer a male without defect. You must present it at the entrance to the tent of meeting so that it will be acceptable to the Lord: the Lord gave Moses instructions on how to conduct the offerings. The first offering was called the burnt offering and could be from the herd or the flock. However, if the worshipper was poor, he could offer birds—a dove or young pigeon Lev 1:14. The herd and flock had to be a male without defect.
Application: a burnt offering could be given at any time. It was an acknowledgment of sin and a desire to renew relationship with God. The whole animal was consumed except the hide. Jesus was the fulfillment of the burnt offering. His physical life was consumed and He ascended to God like the aroma from the sacrifice Lev 1:9. His coverings were divided up amongst the soldiers Mt 27:35. He brought a renewed relationship with God.
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