February
17
2019

Bible Reading - Week 8

WEEK 8

The operative word for Leviticus is holiness. Leviticus spells out in considerable detail how God’s people are to stand out from their neighbors. Near the end of the week, you will transition into the book of Numbers.

VERSE OF THE WEEK

Leviticus 11:45 For I am the LORD, who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God, so you must be holy because I am holy.

 

DAY 1 Leviticus 11-14

  • As you read, recognize that “clean” and “unclean” do not always mean “moral” and “immoral.” They can simply refer to being permitted or not being permitted to be in public.
  • The reason why some creatures are considered unclean and others are considered clean is unclear. One possibility is because some animals were used in pagan worship.
  • A woman who gives birth is unclean for a time, but not immoral. She needs to recover from the rigors of labor and to bond with her baby. It is believed the increased time for purification when giving birth to a daughter is because the daughter may one day give birth also.
  • Infected people, fabrics, and other objects need to remain isolated to reduce the risk of spreading disease.

 

DAY 2 Leviticus 15-18

  • The Day of Atonement is the high point of tabernacle procedures for the year, the annual day of purification.
  • The ban on eating blood underscores that life is sacred. It also helps to see that blood is special because it provides redemption (Hebrews 9:12, 22).
  • The laws about sexual relations, if followed, will distinguish God’s people from the ungodly (18:3).

 

DAY 3 Leviticus 19-22

  • Look for how many times the Lord specifically calls for his people to be holy. Also, look for how many times he says, “I am the LORD your God.”
  • Chapter 19 says a great deal about how to treat others. Compare verse 18 with Matthew 5:43 and 22:39.

 

DAY 4 Leviticus 23-25

  • Take note of how the Lord gives Israel special days for rest and celebration. Why is rest important? Why are days of celebration important?
  • Take note also of how seriously the Lord takes the sin of blasphemy.
  • Why does the land need to rest every seventh year?
  • How will the people survive if they don’t farm the land in the seventh year?

 

DAY 5 Leviticus 26-27; Numbers 1-2

  • Take enough time reading the blessings for obedience and the punishments for disobedience to really appreciate the gravity of both. Could God make the choice any clearer?
  • In Numbers, pay attention to why the census is to be taken (1:3).

 

DAY 6 Numbers 3-5

  • Try to get a mental image of the responsibilities of the various groups charged with moving the tabernacle.
  • As regards the test for an unfaithful wife, in the days before paternity tests and in the absence of witnesses, the only way to confirm adultery was to request God’s aid.

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