Day 044- The Bible Recap

I recently read a synopsis of Leviticus that I wanted to share because I think it will help us as we read through more laws... 

"The dual emphasis on the holiness of God and the sinfulness of mankind is the driving force behind the book of Leviticus. God desires to dwell with His people, but their impurity would be judgement in the presence of a Holy God. The prescribed sacrifices act as a temporary atonement; the rituals symbolically cleanse the people from their impurity, thus maintaining the holiness of God in providing a way for His people to dwell alongside His pure presence." The Bible Handbook 

Chapters 1-16 focus on ritual regulations and chapters 17-27 focus on ethical commands.

While we might see the terms clean and unclean as meaning healthy or unhealthy, they do not refer to hygiene. Instead, they speak of types of actions that a person may or may not engage in, or places they may or may not go.

I also read in my study Bible that it's important to realize that "the ritually clean person is not necessarily more righteous than the one who is ritually unclean, (comparing to today's times) just as a person who is registered to vote is not necessarily more righteous than a person who is not."

Burnt offerings were the most costly because none of the remains (except for the skin...which the priest kept) could be used for other purposes. An everything else was completely burnt up. 1:9

A portion of the grain offering involved a memorial, and invitation to the Lord to remember them. 2:2 They were given for worship and thanksgiving.

Even if they sinned unintentionally there still must be atonement (a covering up) for that sin. 4:2

Throughout these chapters "without blemish" and "firstfruits" were mentioned several times. They were to always give God their best and even that didn't compare to His holiness but it represented sacrifice on their part.

~Ann Mays