Read Leviticus 22 -- 23
In Today's Reading:
What a wealth of spiritual information is found in just two chapters. Every Christian needs to understand the appointed feasts and their fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
Verses for Today:
Speak to Aaron and to his sons . . . that they not profane My Holy Name in those things which they hallow (consecrate) to Me: I am the Lord. . . . Whoever . . . goes near the holy things . . . having his uncleanness on him, that soul shall be cut off from My presence (Leviticus 22:2-3).
Highlights:
Holy things; death penalty for defiled priests who eat holy things; acceptable offerings; Sabbath, Passover feasts and other requirements.
A priest who was defiled could not perform his priestly functions or par take of the priestly food until he was washed, consecrated, and obedient to all of God's Word. The priest who was disqualified would be cut off from the presence of the Lord (punished by death) (Leviticus 22:3-6).
Animals that were offered to God had to be without blemish for they were symbolic of our sinless Savior. To maintain a right relationship with God, we too must recognize that any gift, sacrifice, or service, regardless of how great it may be, is unacceptable if it is given by one who is defiled by living in violation of the Word of God. The Christian must be quick to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). There is no part of the life of a Christian that does not require spiritualy guarding -- what we say, what we do, and where we go. We must recognize that the foundation of all our actions proceeds from our minds. Forasmuch then as Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God (1 Peter 4:1-2).
To arm yourselves with the same mind as Christ means to be determined to have the same willingness to do the will of God that Christ had. We cannot permit our minds to be ruled by our emotions or to be intimidated by the worldly minded. We have wasted enough time in worldliness when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries (1 Peter 4:3).
Christ Revealed:
Leviticus 23 -- in the seven great religious feasts: Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Firstfruits, Feast of Pentecost, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles (Booths) -- all typifying Christ's life and ministry.
Word Studies:
22:14 unwittingly = unintentionally; 22:18 oblation = offering; 22:19 beeves = bullocks; 22:22 broken = disabled; having a wen = a running sore; 22:23 any thing superfluous = deformed; 22:27 dam = mother; 23:2 convocations = sacred assemblies; 23:7 you shall do no servile work = you shall not work at your occupations; 23:32 afflict your souls = humble yourselves.
Prayer Needs:
Government Official: Rep. Jay Inslee (WA) · Pray for your Sunday School teacher · Country: Singapore (4 million) in Southeast Asia · Major languages: Chinese and Malay · Religious freedom · 54% Chinese religions; 17% Muslim; 5% Protestant; 4% Roman Catholic · Prayer Suggestion: Rest in the Lord; wait patiently for Him (Psalms 37:7).
Optional Reading: Mark 12
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:8