Lev. 25, 26

God wants the land to be valued and given rest like a person. The sabbath rest is a principle that universally applies to all creation. Work six and rest one.

Rest is a principle that becomes more valuable, the older you get.

“When your giddy up won’t git, and your hopalong won’t hop, lay back on your rester and rest.” -Cowboy proverb.

Lev. 23, 24

The feasts of Israel were not just big religious parties … they were sacred times when the Israelites gathered to remember significant milestones in God they had experienced. It was healthy for them to remember and express their gratitude to God for delivering them from Egypt, leading them through the wilderness, and providing for all their needs.

We are likewise instructed to remember the Lord when we eat. Firstly, we are to be grateful to God. His whole system of providing food for us to eat is ONE BIG MIRACLE. Then, we remember and memorialize the great things He has done … providing salvation and forgiveness through Christ, healing our bodies, providing for our needs, giving direction and meaning to our lives etc.

““This (bread) is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me … This cup (of wine/juice) is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me … For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” [1 Cor. 10:24-26]

Lev. 21, 22

No priest with any outer defect was to come before the Lord to worship. Message: God deserves the best we can offer. Jesus came along and spoke of inner purity … “Blessed are the pure in heart – THEY shall see the Lord.” Which is important? Inner or outward holiness?

The circumcision of the Old Testament was the physical act of cutting away the outward flesh for sanctification. The New Testament focuses upon the circumcision of the heart, an inner work of sanctification. “In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ. [Col. 2:11]

However, the outward should reflect the inner.

Lev. 18-20

Observing the laws of Moses don’t bring salvation (example: men cannot cut their hair or beard), but they provide an excellent moral compass for Christians. Used with practical discretion, they formed the basis of societal conduct standards used in the laws of our country. The closer a nation is to these laws, the more godly and moral will that nation be. The lack of these standards brings moral decay and opens that nation up to devastating internal destruction.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. [Ps. 33:12]

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. [Pr. 14:34]

Lev. 15-17

Our blood is one of the most amazing elements in our body. We see it only when we cut ourselves, but it is always flowing through our veins in perpetual movement like the hands on a clock. Without it, we have no life. Within it are components that carry nutrition and oxygen to our body. It is the primary agent that brings healing and immunity. God’s design is fabulous.

The Law of Moses states that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin. Blood sacrifices brought spiritual cleansing to the souls of the Israelites. Christ’s blood sacrifice brought cleansing to our lives. While we are “in Christ,” we are clean. Apart from Him, we are defiled.

Lev. 12-14

For the Israelites traveling through the wilderness, they relied upon the priesthood to determine their state of health. Priests would examine skin and hair to evaluate their condition. They were given a specified amount of time to allow their body to heal itself, and then be re-evaluated by the priest. Those pronounced clean could return to normality. Those unclean were quarantined. During their separation, the body could either heal itself or become more diseased.

God amazingly designed our bodies with built-in healing capabilities. He gave us water for cleansing. He gave us laws and spiritual leaders to guide us into healthy living. Discounting or avoiding the value of a right relationship with God is not wise.

The fulfillment of all right-standing with God is found in Christ Jesus. “In His Name” we are healed. [John 16:4] “The prayer of faith shall save the sick.” [James 5:15]

Lev. 9-11

Aaron and his sons had just placed the elements of sacrifice upon the altar of burnt offering as he and Moses came out and lifted their hands to bless God’s people. Suddenly, God produced fire that came from His presence that consumed the sacrifice for all to see. Miracle! After they witnessed this, they all shouted and fell upon their faces in worship.

Aaron’s sons, however, tried to duplicate this phenomenon with their own fire. Nadab and Abihu were themselves consumed by God’s fire for trying to fool everyone. Their dead bodies were carried out for all to see. There was no acceptable substitute for authentic fire from God’s presence.

True believers seek the authentic fire from God’s presence. It’s too costly to opt for human gimmicks to seem spiritual.

Lev. 6-8

Devotion to the Lord is a DAILY discipline. The fire of the burnt offering in the Tabernacle was to be kept burning continually. It was the job of the priests to keep it lit.

We are to be continual priests unto the Lord, carefully maintaining a prayer and praise life unto the Lord. The Psalmist said, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” [Ps. 34:1]

Leviticus 1-5

When a flour offering was to be made, it had to be the “finest” flour. They didn’t just sweep up what was laying around on the floor, but they brought out the best. As with every offering, God was particular about what was offered. He set up a level of expectation … that His children would give back to Him their best. He gave us HIS BEST – Christ Jesus.

In listening to different examples of this hymn text, I began weeping when I heard this youth group sing. Young people can learn this principle early, and understand why they give God the best later in life … and be glad they did.

Ex. 39, 40

The anointing oil was applied to the Tabernacle elements of worship to consecrate them to the Lord’s service. It was also applied to the priests themselves, and signifies the presence of God’s Holy Spirit upon them for service. After the anointing and commissioning, the Tabernacle and the priests were ready to begin ministering unto the Lord. God’s Holy presence filled and covered it like a cloud.

We seek God’s anointing as we serve and minister unto the Lord. There is no experience on earth quite like being used by God while anointed by His Holy Spirit.