SOAP 02/28/2015; Leviticus 16:17

Today's reading: Leviticus 16

S) " ¹⁷ When he goes in to make atonement in the holy place, no one shall be in the tent of meeting until he comes out, that he may make atonement for himself and for his household and for all the assembly of Israel."

Leviticus 16:17 (NASB)

O) Aaron's first two sons had recently died, for trying to enter the holy of holies while they were still guilty of sin (i.e., no atonement had been made for them. In this chapter, Moses received detailed instructions, which he passed on to the Levites, for the atonement (which included ministering in the holy of holies). In the above verse, they are told that their atonement must begin with one, and then expand to cover many. This is a shadow of the macro-plan of salvation. God's plan for redemption began with one (Jesus Christ), then His household (the Israelites), then all who would assemble with Him (the Gentiles)..

A) By and large, the "hierarchy of needs" is completely unbiblical. Throughout the Bible, people have given despite their poverty, served despite their needs, etc. But, there is one area where it can sort of make sense: the micro-plan of salvation. That is, I cannot effectively lead someone to the salvation of Christ, if I do not know Him. So, as much as the above verse is a shadow of God's bigger picture, it's also a sort of template for my own ministry scale. I must ensure that my relationship with God is right, then my family's, then any others. My life does not need to be perfect. I am in need of my Savior every single day. But, because I need Him, I know where to find Him, so I know where to lead others to Him.

P) Father, Your goodness is beyond me. You are holy in Your grace. however I can be used to glorify You, and to share Your goodness, compassion, and lovingkindness, I gladly participate in the ministry of the gospel. Keep me humble, though, Lord. Never let me be mistaken into thinking that I am a necessary vessel, as if I am a vital vassal. Help me to keep my priorities straight. Help me to remember that anyone who follows me, will only find You, if I am following You as well. Be the center of it all, Lord. Be glorified in my life. Let it start with me, extend to my family, and expand to my community. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/27/2015; Leviticus 13:2

Today's reading: Leviticus 13

S) " ² “When a man has on the skin of his body a swelling or a scab or a bright spot, and it becomes an infection of leprosy on the skin of his body, then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons the priests."

Leviticus 13:2 (NASB)

O) The first thing to note, is that the Hebrew words for "leprosy" is not the same definition that we have today, known as "Hansen's Disease." This is an important distinction, because what we know as modern leprosy is a bacterial disease, curable through various medications. Biblically, however, leprosy was always associated with ceremonial uncleanness. In the commentary of Matthew Henry, he said, "That it was rather an uncleanness than a disease; or, at least, so the law considered it, and therefore employed not the physicians but the priests about it. Christ is said to cleanse lepers, not to cure them." And this is a profound concept. The Law concerning leprosy is one of the largest specific ordinances in Leviticus, and that can be directly tied to the concept that this was not a biological disease, so much as it was a pronouncement of guilt from God Himself (as the Old Testament examples were; see Miriam, Gehazi, and king Uzziah). As such, it would have been very important for a priest to separate and distinguish between another skin disease and actual leprosy.

A) Leprosy is a picture of the hopelessness of man. It was an outward expression of guilt, difficult to hide, and impossible to cure. The guilt of many sins are not so obvious. I don't know why God does not still inflict Old Testament leprosy ("tzaraath" in Hebrew), but the Holy Spirit convicts me just as surely when I sin. I thank God that my every failure does not produce an external marking, and I thank God that He is still faithful to cleanse me by the redemptive work of Christ Jesus. I am sure that my sins can still carry consequences - even obvious, embarrassing, even mortifying consequences. If I suffer those types of results, I can only decide to be humbled by them that I might be disciplined, rather than being humiliated by them, leading only to punishment. Jesus did not at once cure me of my sin, He cleanses me of my sins repeatedly.

P) Father, thank you for cleansing me, washing me clean by the blood of Jesus' sacrifice. I am so grateful that I do not have to suffer physical or spiritual tzaraath. I am not hopelessly exiled from Your presence because of my uncleanness. In Your infinite love and grace and mercy, You cleansed me and brought me back into relationship with You, into Your presence. Thank You, Lord. Let Your will be done. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/26/2015; Leviticus 12:8

Today's reading: Leviticus 12

S) "⁸ But if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, the one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she will be clean."

Leviticus 12:8 (NASB)

O) There is an important distinction to be made in this chapter. In verse 6, mothers were commanded to bring a turtledove or young pigeon for a sin offering. This is not because the act of childbirth is an act of sin. People are inherently sinful - that is, we inherited sin. Sin is within us, because we are the offspring of the fallen man and woman, Adam and Eve. When we read the initial curse and consequences of sin, we see that painful childbirth was because of the first act of sin (see Genesis 3:16). So, the command to offer a sacrifice for sin after birthing a child, was not because the woman had sinned during her labor. The command was because the childbirth was a present reminder of the behavioral sin of Eve, and the inherited, inherent sin of the mother.
On another note, the chapter also instructs that there should be a lamb offered for a burnt offering, but this verse also shows another way if the mother is poor. This seems to be the primary verse that suggests the lyric from the Christmas carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and it suggests that Joseph and Mary might not have been able to afford a lamb. We don't exactly know, but it's plausible and interesting to consider.

A) There is a beautiful illustration at work, here, of God's justice and mercy together. He required atonement for sin, but it was the - lowest tier, I guess I could say. A turtledove or young pigeon would have been the most inexpensive sacrifice God would allow. He was requiring sacrifice because of His pure holiness, but in His mercy He allowed it to be as easy as possible. This example shows me God's willingness to meet me where I am. Jesus told me to count the cost of discipleship, but it's my cost. What discipleship costs me isn't necessarily the same as it costs someone else. Just as childbirth was a momentous reminder, I need to acknowledge that I am a sinful creature even if I have not committed any sinful behavior, and thank God for His grace and mercy, now fully paid by Jesus Christ.

P) Father, the provision I have in Christ is such a peaceful joy. You require, but You provide. It's such a beautiful grace that I simply don't deserve. Thank You, Father God. Keep me humble, Lord. I want to honor You with the personal sacrifices I make. I know I can't earn Your mercy, but I want bless You because of the mercy I've received. Let Your will be done. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/25/2015; Leviticus 11:46-47

Today's reading: Leviticus 11

S) "⁴⁶ This is the law regarding the animal and the bird, and every living thing that moves in the waters and everything that swarms on the earth, ⁴⁷ to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the edible creature and the creature which is not to be eaten."

Leviticus 11:46-47 (NASB)

O) These verses come at the close of the chapter, which is all about clean and unclean animals for food. Because Jesus declared that food cannot make a person unclean (see Matthew 15:11), the prescripts of this chapter are not particularly important. It is the concept over all of this, that is most important and must be highlighted. God was commanding them in the things they ate, in order to make a distinction - not just in the foods they ate and didn't eat, but in who they were and who they were not. In the preceding verses (44-45), God reminds the people the He is holy, and they should be holy. He tells them to "consecrate" themselves, which means to separate or set aside for special purpose. I chose to highlight the verses above, because of that word: distinction. God wants it to be obvious to everyone around, that His people are His people.

A) While I do not have to concern myself with kosher eating, my life should still be distinctly different than those in the world. There can be a lot of pressure to conform to culture, to fit in with the crowd, to adapt - all in the name of evangelism. But, the very thing that draws people to Christ the most, should be the distinction that Christians have as different. When people tire of what the world has to offer, they should look at us - at me - and see that I have something different. My life should carry a distinction - not by the food I eat, but how I live my life. The peace, compassion, joy, and love that Christ brings me should be evidently distinct to everyone.

P) Father, You are so good to me. You have redeemed my life, which was a complete mess without You. Then You continued to bless me, adding joy and peace and love to my life in measures I could not rightly ask to have. I pray that the impact You have had in my life is evident to anyone who sees me. Let me display Your grace to others, that they would see the peace, compassion, joy, and love that You have put into my life, through the way that I live. Be glorified and praised through the life I live, Lord. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/24/2015; Leviticus 9:1-4

Today's reading: Leviticus 9

S) "¹ Now it came about on the eighth day that Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel; ² and he said to Aaron, 'Take for yourself a calf, a bull, for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both without defect, and offer them before the Lord. ³ Then to the sons of Israel you shall speak, saying, "Take a male goat for a sin offering, and a calf and a lamb, both one year old, without defect, for a burnt offering, ⁴ and an ox and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the Lord, and a grain offering mixed with oil; for today the Lord will appear to you."'"

Leviticus 9:1-4 (NASB)

O) Theories and hypotheticals have finally been replaced by action, as Moses, Aaron, and the priests began to make sacrifices to the LORD. The portion of this passage that really stood out to me, though, was Moses telling Aaron, "for today the LORD will appear to you." This sets a tone, purpose, and expectation. It also makes it clear, that the people needed to prepare to meet the LORD. To encounter Him without proper preparation meant risking their very lives. Their sins required atonement before their encounter with God.

A) Things are quite a bit different, under the New Covenant. I was, however, immediately convicted when I read this passage, though. The Bible is the holy words of God Himself (see 2 Timothy 3:16), and Jesus was the Word made flesh (see John 1:14), and yet I often approach my time in Bible study without a thought toward my own sins. While I strive to live a life of immediate repentance, it is clear to me (after reading the above verses, at least), that I should still be examining my heart before I open God's Word. I should be praying before I read, not just when I'm done. Furthermore, I often go to church without preparing my heart, either. Certainly, there are usually convictions and encouragements that draw me to repentance during the service, but I would do well to pray beforehand. With the ever-present Holy Spirit within me, convictions and repentance are quite different than they were in Moses' time. I should constantly allow the Holy Spirit to convict me, and always be in a position to repent. However, it would do me well to take special note of my heart, and seek out any hidden sins in my life, to address those before I read the Bible or worship God.

P) Father, Your goodness and lovingkindness draw me to repentance every day. Your mercy and grace are overwhelming. But I am not always mindful of these things, Father. I want to be more mindful, more conscious of You throughout my day. I read Your words every day, but I am not often positioning myself well. Help me be more faithful to praying before I read, God. Help me be more faithful before I head to church each week. I want to honor and glorify You in every area of my life, and I want to prepare my heart (as much as I am involved in that), to encounter You in the Word, in worship, and in times of prayer. Open my eyes to see any sins hidden in my life, that I may repent of them and be forgiven and healed. Let Your will be done. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/23/2015; Leviticus 7:24

Today's reading: Leviticus 7

S) "²⁴ Also the fat of an animal which dies and the fat of an animal torn by beasts may be put to any other use, but you must certainly not eat it."

Leviticus 7:24 (NASB)

O) The command against eating fat is repeated here (see Leviticus 3:17), only now Moses and the Israelites have a more complete instruction (if not any additional explanation). But, the people are given an allowance to use the fat for any other purposes (fuel to burn, oil for a squeaky wheel, etc.). By clarifying these two points, God is making it clear that the fat itself is not the issue. The true concern is about the action, and what is represented. If the fat were always holy, He would not allow it to be used in any other way (e.g. see Exodus 30:36-37) . If it was simply the fat of a sacrifice that was the concern, then there would have been no address about the animals torn by beasts. But, tying these concepts together, we see that God wanted fat to be cooked (of a sort) only as sacrifice to Himself, to keep it holy. But, the fat was only holy, if it was part of a sacrifice.

A) God makes it very clear, throughout the Bible, that objects are just objects. It is their use that concerns Him. What I am doing with what He gives me, is a far greater concern than the objects of what He gives me. There is nothing inherently holy about a pillow. But, if I used the same pillow everyday, to kneel down and pray, then that pillow would become very special. It would not be magic, or even anointed by the LORD, but it would be special because my actions would make it special. I cannot allow myself to get tricked into thinking any objects are special in and of themselves. It is only when they are used for great things, that things become great.

P) Father, I am truly blessed. It is not the things You've given me, but the love I have. It is not the needs that are met, but the relationship I have with You, Father God, that shows me I am blessed. Help me keep things straight, Lord. Help me to see objects as tools to serve greater purposes. I will keep my faith in You alone, God. Help me to teach my children the same thing, and lead my family to honor You with how we use the things You've given us. Be glorified. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/22/2015; Leviticus 4:13-14

Today's reading: Leviticus 4

S) "¹³ Now if the whole congregation of Israel commits error and the matter escapes the notice of the assembly, and they commit any of the things which the Lord has commanded not to be done, and they become guilty; ¹⁴ when the sin which they have committed becomes known, then the assembly shall offer a bull of the herd for a sin offering and bring it before the tent of meeting."

Leviticus 4:13-14 (NASB)

O) A great many specific circumstances had to be spelled out for God's people, because they were working from zero laws about how to atone for sins. It seems God was having to give details for virtually every circumstance. What this did, though, was left very little room for debate. God was giving the people as much information as they could handle, addressing every possible scenario to the best of their abilities to understand, so that they would be without excuse. In this instance, God is covering the concept of past sins that have not been addressed. God is essentially telling the people that there is no statute of limitations on their sins. No amount of time will heal the wounds of their sins, and they must still be addressed, atoned, and forgiven.

A) Recently on the radio, I heard someone say that if we try to suppress our emotions about conflicts, and we try to bury a situation when someone sins against us, then we're trying to bury something alive. And, what happens when that person sins against us again, is that the old hurt and pain is resurrected and compounds the wounds of the new sins. No amount of dirt or time will make a sin okay. No amount of pushing something aside or ignoring it will ever resolve transgressions. A couple of years ago, I discovered a debt I owed that was over a decade old. I knew that I never actually paid it, but I was mistakenly given the impression that the debt was absolved. It was not. The twelve years between my offense and the day of my reckoning, did not alter the debt I had in the slightest. I recently finished paying that debt after about two full years. It is a very present reminder that, "out of sight out of mind" does not equal, "resolved." When I discover that I have sinned in an area of my life, regardless of how old the sin is, or how long ago I hurt someone or wronged the LORD, my reaction must be the same as it is when I sin plainly: I must still repent, confess my sin, and ask my Lord for forgiveness (and the person I wronged, if I'm able).

P) Father, You are the keeper of all time. You are fully aware of all things, at all times, and nothing escapes Your notice. Open my eyes, Lord, to know of any sins I previously did not know. Ignorance is no excuse, as there is no excuse for sins. But, I thank You that Your mercy is unfailing, unending, and complete. Please forgive me of the sins I've committed today, and any from my past I was unaware I committed. If I am able, let me make right the wrongs I've created, but thank You for the grace You give, when I cannot. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.