Friday, April 25, 2008

Brief Notes on Leviticus 14-25

(Originally Written April 25, 2008 in the Journal)

Why do you continue to test me Lord? Why must I go through this daily? Is it not enough to have her be unsure of her commitment to me that you allow her to continue to test the boundaries of marriage time and time again? A man must not divorce his wife. I will obey, but marriage should be joyful, is it not ordained by you? Why do I have to suffer so much? Hear me Lord? Reach out your hand and rescue me! May your will be done and may you keep me in your favor. Protect her tonight from the enemy and cast this doubt out of my heart. May you be praised forever and ever.

Notes on Leviticus

Chapter 14 - Ritual purification of individuals and houses with leprosy

Chapter 15 - Personal uncleanness
A person who is unclean cannot enter the Dwelling of the Lord for if they do they will die.
Who is Azazel?

Chapter 16 - Ritual atonement for Israel's sins

Chapter 17 - No more shall Israel sacrifice to satyrs.
No one can offer sacrifices anywhere but the Dwelling
No one can partake of blood

Chapter 18

Men will find life through keeping the commandments and decrees of the Lord.
There shall be no sex with any relative, blood or by marriage, because that is disgraceful.
You shall not have sex with a man because that is an abomination.
No bestiality. It is abhorrent.
Doing sexually immoral things defiles the land where it happens.

Chapter 19 - Moral decrees
Why are they moral, not legal decrees? Because they defile?

Chapter 20 - Penalties for sin
"Sanctify yourselves, then, and be holy; for I, the Lord, your God, am holy" (Leviticus 20:7, New American Bible).
Sins that demand death demand so because the committers forfeit their lives in the act. Those put to death have no one to blame but themselves.

Chapter 21

Priests must follow special rules because they offer up food for God.

The sons of Aaron who are deformed may not serve as priests, but may partake of the sacred food.

Chapter 22 - Ritual regulations pertaining to sacrifice

Chapter 23 - Holy Days

The Sabbath belongs to the Lord.
Passover/Feast of the unleavened bread
Pentecost
New Year's day
The Day of Atonement
The Feast of Booths

Chapter 24

The laws are for natives and aliens alike.
Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, and a life for a life.

Chapter 25

The Sabbatical Year (7th)
The Year of Jubilee (50th)
The land belongs to the Lord, the Israelites are merely tennants.

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