365 Reflections

The Lord's rebuke of Israel's Priests continues in Malachi 2. Always remember that in both the Old and New Testaments, the leaders of God's people are held to a higher account than the people. Malachi 2:1-3 (ESV) “And now, O priests, this command is for you. 2 If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the LORD of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart. 3 Behold, I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it. The Priests of Israel had dishonored the name by allowing second-rate sacrifices to flood the altar. They had also grown weary of their service in the Lord's house. It was so bad that, in chapter 1, the Lord wished the Temple doors were shut. So now the Lord says their blessings are cursed. Then the picture of dung on their faces sugges...

1 Chronicles 6:1 (ESV)  The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. The Tribe of Levi is central to the genealogical record in 1 Chronicles. This pattern reflects the central location of the tribe in their placement among the other tribes and dispersed around the tabernacle. The priestly tribe of Israel was to have a key function in mediating the presence of God for the people of God. First Chronicles not only outlines the genealogical records but also the roles and responsibilities of the families within the Levite tribe. There are three families in the tribe of Levi as we see from verse 1. Gershon was responsible for the care and furnishing of the tabernacle. They were also the largest family of Levites. The Kohathites were responsible for the services of the tabernacle - sacrifices, and offerings. Aaron's family (the high priests) descended from them. The Merarites were responsible for the structure of the tabernacle. They carried the pillars, bars, bases, and accessories....

If Israel was to be a successful nation, it would be because they had God among them. So far in Exodus we have seen God give the plans for the Tabernacle and the people follow the plans to the letter. In Leviticus we have seen the amazing amount of detail that goes into the Tabernacle and its sacrifices and standards. Now here in Numbers, as the people are counted for battle, God makes clear, the Levites are not to be counted, they have a job to do. Numbers 1:47–50 (ESV) 47 But the Levites were not listed along with them by their ancestral tribe. 48 For the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 49 “Only the tribe of Levi you shall not list, and you shall not take a census of them among the people of Israel. 50 But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it and shall camp around the tabernacle. God is teaching His people th...

Ok. Leviticus 13 is a mind bender. Here's a sample: Leviticus 13:24–28 (ESV) “Or, when the body has a burn on its skin and the raw flesh of the burn becomes a spot, reddish-white or white, 25 the priest shall examine it, and if the hair in the spot has turned white and it appears deeper than the skin, then it is a leprous disease. It has broken out in the burn, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is a case of leprous disease. 26 But if the priest examines it and there is no white hair in the spot and it is no deeper than the skin, but has faded, the priest shall shut him up seven days, 27 and the priest shall examine him the seventh day. If it is spreading in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is a case of leprous disease. 28 But if the spot remains in one place and does not spread in the skin, but has faded, it is a swelling from the burn, and the priest shall pronounce him clean, for it is the scar of the burn. Now, if you don't feel b...

Leviticus 8 is the ordination ceremony for the High Priesthood of Israel. The order is important for us to see how it applies as the Priesthood of believers. First, Aaron and his sons are called before the congregation: Leviticus 8:3 (ESV) And assemble all the congregation at the entrance of the tent of meeting.” Second, they are cleansed from their outer filth Leviticus 8:6 (ESV) And Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. Third, they are clothed in the garments made by the determination of God: Leviticus 8:7 (ESV) And he put the coat on him and tied the sash around his waist and clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him and tied the skillfully woven band of the ephod around him, binding it to him with the band. Fourth, they are anointed : Leviticus 8:12 (ESV) And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him. Fifth, they are atoned for: Leviticus 8:14 (ESV) Then he brought the...

Leviticus 6:9 (ESV) “Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering. The burnt offering shall be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it. Leviticus 6:25 (ESV)  “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the sin offering. In the place where the burnt offering is killed shall the sin offering be killed before the LORD; it is most holy. Leviticus 7:1 (ESV) “This is the law of the guilt offering. It is most holy. Leviticus 7:11 (ESV) “And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings that one may offer to the LORD. Leviticus 7:29 (ESV) “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, Whoever offers the sacrifice of his peace offerings to the LORD shall bring his offering to the LORD from the sacrifice of his peace offerings. Leviticus 7 has to be one of the most challenging portions of Scripture. How do these ancient laws regarding sacrificial procedures apply ...