SOAP 02/15/2014 Leviticus 25:23

Today's reading: Leviticus 25, Psalm 25, 26; Acts 22

S) "²³ The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me."

Leviticus 25:23 (NASB)

O) It's noteworthy that, later in this chapter, God does allow for the permanent sale of a house, under certain circumstances. When I read this particular verse, though, I was struck by God's sovereignty and our futility. I mean, God already told His people that the Promised Land was being given to them as a possession, but here they are warned to be careful of a prideful, greedy attitude. He reminds them that they are completely dependent on His provision. It's also interesting that, even this early, God tells His people that their place on earth is circumstantial, and that they basically belong to God and their place is with Him, wherever that could happen to be.

A) This has plenty of echoed applications throughout the New Testament. In many of the epistles, we are reminded that we do not belong to this world. We are admonished in various NT books to be careful that we do not love the world, long for things of the world, look like the world, etc. It was particularly poignant in that first century church, since there was no nation of Israel at the time. There was no Hebrew nation. Most importantly, there was no Christian nation. That brings us to the bigger issue: America.
So often, we in the church think a dual-folly. We think of Christianity as native (and possibly exclusive) to America. And we also think of America as a Christian nation. The first is obviously flawed, in that Christ was born in the Middle East and America is not mentioned at all in the Bible. The second thought is equally maligned, though, and I think it's just as misguiding. While America was built on many Christian principles, we can't forget that most morality is based on God-given conscience. So, of course a new nation that is set out on things like justice, equality, and freedom, would have a lot in common with Christian principles. However, there were plenty of problems with the early settlers all being labeled Christian. For one thing, there were plenty of common practices that are decidedly against what the Bible teaches (like slavery, devaluation of women, and greed), but also, there is a distinct absence of the name of Christ from any official documents. They all use a purposely vague "God" in their writings. I'm not trying to sound unpatriotic. I love my country and the freedoms I'm given here. But, this verse reminds us that America doesn't really belong to us. It, along with the entire planet (including North Korea!) belong to Him. And, most importantly, we belong to The LORD, through Christ.

P) Father, in humility, let me remember that everything I have belongs to You, not me. I can't let myself get caught up in the desires that motivate the rest of the world. New cars, buying a home, having a career; these are all things that are temporary and, ultimately, meaningless. Let my desires be for You first, above all else. If You choose to bless me in other ways, Lord, I will be grateful. If not, then I will be grateful to know You. Let me focus more on my relationship with You, and less on anything else. When I think of my country, let me be thankful that I live with such incredible freedoms, but do not let my heart begin to boast about this land being mine, somehow, just because I'm a Christian and I live here. Let me celebrate those freedoms, especially as they pertain to my faith and obedience to You, and let my heart go no further than that thankfulness. By no means, God, let me think I am entitled to anything, but instead, only be thankful for Your grace. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/14/2014 Leviticus 23:32

Today's reading: Leviticus 23, 24, Psalm 24; Acts 21

S) "³² It is to be a sabbath of complete rest to you, and you shall humble your souls; on the ninth of the month at evening, from evening until evening you shall keep your sabbath."

Leviticus 23:32 (NASB)

O) I was reading this today, initially in ESV, and I was a little taken aback by this verse. Instead of "humble your souls," the ESV translates to, "afflict yourselves." That seemed to be a fairly unique command. I didn't do any deep research, but I certainly don't recall anything like this. Paying attention to context, God does not intend this "affliction" to be a burden, but quite the opposite. This is meant to force this people to slow their lives and rest.

A) Choosing to humble myself has certainly felt like an affliction at times. Before really choosing God's ways for my life, I was frighteningly prideful. To be clear, this was an arrogant pride, an angry declaration of self-defined elitism. It was also exhausting. It takes effort to uphold delusion, I guess. Equally draining, is the ceaseless comparative evaluations. I was constantly on edge, trying to stack myself up to others, physically, intellectually, comedically, etc. This verse reveals that, while choosing to humble myself might feel painful, it's actually a key to resting.

P) Father, I never want to be in that terrible place if pride again. When pride creeps in, reveal the sin of my heart to me, God. Let the Holy Spirit bring me back down, even if it feels like an affliction. Before it ever gets to that place, I want to humble my soul, and choose to restrict my mind, my heart, from chasing prideful heights. When I'm feeling exhausted, show me where I need to afflict myself with humility. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/13/2014 Leviticus 20:10

Today's reading: Leviticus 20, 21, 22; Acts 20

S) "¹⁰ ‘If there is a man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, one who commits adultery with his friend’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death."

Leviticus 20:10 (NASB)

O) This verse brought a few things to mind. In the story from the NT about the adulterous woman who is brought before Jesus (see John 8, for example), the scribes and Pharisees bring only the woman before Jesus to be stoned. Clearly, in the Law, Moses commands that both adulterers are to be stoned. Clearly, the Pharisees were picking and choosing which parts of the Law they wanted to enforce.
Then, I was thinking about this whole passage (Leviticus 20, 10-21) being about all forms of sexual immorality. Most of the consequences are quite severe, punishable by death. This passage is the oft-quoted argument about the Bible (and God) being against homosexuality. The problem I have with that is two-fold. First, it neglects that the NT also has passages about homosexuality. Second, it neglects the inclusion of the verse above, making these Bible-quoters dangerously close to the Pharisees, picking and choosing which parts of the Law they want to enforce.

A) Under no circumstances am I condoning any of the sexual immoralities listed in this passage. But, neither do I want to try and enforce the Law of Moses. Otherwise, when the above verse is coupled with Matthew 5:28, then I should have been stoned the first time I ever looked at pornography. Jesus didn't come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. So, I am still supposed to chase that righteous standard, but I no longer have to be punished for my failures, because Jesus took that punishment and atoned for my sins. That's a bigger discussion, but the main point I can take from the above verse, is to remember that, in God's eyes, all sexual sin is grave and generally deserves death, not just homosexuality.

P) Father, thank You so much for the mercy I have been given through Jesus. Your Holy Spirit has given me freedom and healing from sexual immorality and that grace overwhelms me. Let me see people in mercy and grace through Jesus, just as You see me. Remind me of the forgiveness I have been given. Let that truth lead me, in all my actions, in love. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/12/2014 Leviticus 19:10

Today's reading: Leviticus 18, 19; Psalm 13; Acts 19

S) "10 Nor shall you glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger. I am the Lord your God."

Leviticus 19:10 (NASB)

O) I used to be in a band with two of my brothers. Our practice space was in this network of small studios beneath some bars in Seattle. When we'd go down to play, I'd find loose change in the ground all of the time. Pennies, nickels, and dimes (never quarters, though, because of the pinball machines in the hall by the bathrooms. My brothers would walk right over the fallen coins and I'd stop, bend down and pick them up, and I started asking the phrase, "What're you, rich?" This was a natural extension o having grown up poor. It seemed ludicrous to pass up, what was literally, free money. It didn't matter how small it was, neither did it matter that I myself was not, in fact, poor . Like the needy and the stranger in the verse above, though, I was picking up someone else's scraps, leftovers, discards.

A) A couple days ago, I wrote about the relative nature of the word, poor. For years, I was carrying the habits of a person who was financially destitute. I was spiritually poor, but I had no real understanding of that. In my head, though, this poor mentality affected the way I bought groceries, the way I ate food, the way I picked up change, the way I worried. Interestingly, it never translated to better spending habits (or saving habits, for that matter), but instead it was simply a lingering way that I felt unworthy and inadequate. Years later, after serving God and paying tithes faithfully for several years, I was startled to learn something. According to the US Government, I was considered impoverished. It's funny, because, while I wasn't wealthy or well-off or even "comfortable," we were doing okay. God always provided easily. Yet, I was still struck with this lingering feeling of poverty. That's when I decided on which side of this verse I was going to be. I harvest first-fruits for The LORD, right? Then I am the worker, not the gleaner.

P) Father, thank You for bringing me through poverty. Thank You for teaching me, in grace, how to trust You when things are uncertain, how to be thankful when I have little. I don't want to look at my finances in desperation, though, God. Help me to realize that You provide abundantly and I don't need to worry about getting "every last grape" off the "vine." Let me be satisfied with the work You put before me, trusting in Your provision as Jehovah Jireh. I may not be blessed with as much as some, but neither am I destitute or begging. Let me lift my eyes to remember which part of the vineyard I work. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/11/2014 Leviticus 17:7

Today's reading: Leviticus 15, 16, 17; Acts 18

S) "⁷ They shall no longer sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat demons with which they play the harlot. This shall be a permanent statute to them throughout their generations."

Leviticus 17:7 (NASB)

O) So, despite all the work being done around camp to honor The LORD, and despite His very clear and present sovereignty, there are still Israelites sacrificing to idols. God simply will not tolerate that sort of adultery toward Him.

A) It's easy to scoff at the Israelites. Their name says it all, in that they will strive with The LORD, but it's easy to forget that "hindsight is 20/20." Essentially, having the Bible written out for us, the very revelation itself, of God, is in hindsight. So, while it may seem so obvious to us now, it wasn't so obvious then. Aside from all of that, here we are in full view of God's ultimate plan, from The Fall right on through The Resurrection, and still there are areas in my life that I am giving away that really belong to God. When I'm worried about something, where does my mind go? Toward God, or toward something or someone else? When I am confused about something, where do I go for answers in my life? Where is my money spent? What are my obsessions? Am I giving to someone else, what really belongs to The LORD? Whether it's my money, attention, time, devotion, strength, intention, adoration, words, or anything else I can give, I must first determine if it belongs first to God. If so, I need to give it without hesitation. If not, I need to prayerfully consider where He wants me to place it.

P) Father, I never want to give away what truly belongs to You. I declare and submit that all I am, all I have to give, is Yours to have. Let me be mindful, and use Your Holy Spirit to convict me, to give to You all that You require and whatever You desire. Let me turn, first to You, and then wherever You direct me after that. It's a big undertaking to be so completely and utterly consumed by a desire toward Your will, but I want to be completely faithful to You, God. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/10/2014 Leviticus 14:30-32

Today's reading: Leviticus 13, 14; Acts 17


S) "³⁰ He shall then offer one of the turtledoves or young pigeons, which are within his means. ³¹ He shall offer what he can afford, the one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering, together with the grain offering. So the priest shall make atonement before the Lord on behalf of the one to be cleansed. ³² This is the law for him in whom there is an infection of leprosy, whose means are limited for his cleansing."

Leviticus 14:30-32 (NASB)

O) Even in The Law, which was incredibly rigid and ultimately proved too burdensome to obey flawlessly, The LORD proves Himself merciful in His justice. He didn't require a certain level of payment without exception, but (in this case, as with some others) He allows some exceptions for how much a person can actually afford. The exact terms of "what he can afford," are not really defined, but I'm sure it was fairly obvious to a priest. Even if it was unknown to man, God certainly knows.

A) I grew up quite poor, so every verse where God shows compassion to the poor reminds me how God has always been for me. I get tempted into thinking I'm poor now, for one reason or another. Ultimately, in the world's economy, I'm one of the richest people on the planet, but that doesn't always make me feel better when my money gets tight. It's a comfort to know that God, who knows how He's blessed me based on my birth alone (being American), just as He had blessed His people based on their birth alone (being Israelites) - God still understands that poverty is relative. He still has compassion for my relatively poor state, just as He did for His people who couldn't afford the regular sacrifice. I'm not as poor as I could be, but God still understands the place from where I'm coming, and He chooses to have compassion for me anyway, and that is a great comfort.

P) Father, I have every faith that You will continue to provide and meet my every need. I continue to place my trust promises like Matthew 6:33, understanding that what I perceive as a need is not always what You call a need. The things which You will give me are good, even if I can't comprehend it, Yet. I trust in Your goodness and Your will, so let them be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/09/2014 Leviticus10:3

Today's reading: Leviticus 10, 11, 12; Acts 16


S) "3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “It is what the Lord spoke, saying,

‘By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy,
And before all the people I will be honored.’”

So Aaron, therefore, kept silent."

Leviticus 10:3 (NASB)

O) Verses like this remind me of the incredible work of grace that the Gospel truly presents. We now have the very Spirit of God, not before us, but within us. And here is a reminder of how powerful and sovereign God is. This a reminder of the reverence we should have for the Holy One.

A) God says, "And before all the people I will be honored." That statement is so final, so definite, so completely non-negotiable. I must honor God. I must respect His holiness. I need to approach Him, in prayer or worship, in complete reverence and respect.

P) Father, I want to be humble before You at all cost. If that means You must humble me, so be it. Help me to humble myself, and learn to revere You as holy and sovereign in this world, in my life. Remind me of the grace that is inherently at work, even in the simple fact that I can approach You at all. Let that knowledge humble me. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.