Author: Brian

Follower of Jesus, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Pastor

Reflections on Leviticus 20-22

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Our passage today continues to give laws, and tells again and again why God is giving these laws.

  • God is holy – This has been a theme throughout the book.  To be holy is to be set apart.  God is set apart from his creation; he is different.  He is full of glory and majesty beyond our comprehension.  God is also set apart from sin; he is morally perfect.  He is absolutely pure, righteous, and good.  Holy, holy, holy – Lord God Almighty!  Take some time to praise your holy God.
  • Be holy – God is holy, and he expects his people to be holy.  We are to be set apart to him and from the wickedness all around us.  God wants us to live for him, shunning all evil.  Is that the way you approach each day?
  • I am the LORD – Note this repetition throughout your reading today.  Why should you obey?  I am the LORD.  Because I brought you out of Egypt.  Because I am God.  Because who I am and what I do gives me total authority over your life.  Are you submitting to God’s total authority over your life?  What would this look like in your everyday life?

Current

On By BrianIn Current Collection

Here are some helpful posts for thinking through President Obama’s recent letter to every public school:

Explainer: Federal Government issues letter on transgender policy to America’s public schools – Joe Carter (ERLC)

President Obama: Accept Transgenderism or Else – Denny Burk

4 Bigger Repercussions of the Bathroom Decree – Trevin Wax

What the Transgender Bathroom Debate Means For You – Russell Moore

We must bear witness to the goodness of what it means to live as creatures, not as self-defining gods and goddesses. – Russell Moore

Sermon Songs: Ephesians 4:13-14

On By BrianIn Ephesians Hymns

MusicNotes

The Christian faith we must all know
Of Jesus we must learn
And in God’s Word we must all grow
The truth to now discern

So know the truth and in it live
Together – all of us
To God our full allegiance give
Become more like Jesus

So know the truth and in it stand
Against the devil’s lies
Deceptions blow across our land
God calls us to be wise

 (To the tune of “O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing”)

Reflections on Leviticus 18-19

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Today’s passage proceeds to give a number of laws:

  • Abominations – Chapter 18 lists a number of laws that transcend the Mosaic Covenant.  These laws are universal laws that the nations in Canaan failed to obey, defiling the land so that it was going to vomit them out (18:24-28).  Actions that these laws prohibit are said to be abominations (18:26-30).  This is serious stuff, and a warning to us as we see some of these sins celebrated in our country (and even in the visible church!) today.
  • Mosaic Law – How are we to relate to the many laws in this passage and throughout the Pentateuch?  We have already noted that these laws are part of the Mosaic Covenant which we are not under as followers of Christ.  However, that doesn’t mean we can’t learn from them.  Sacrificial and priestly laws are fulfilled in Christ and so point us to Christ.  Other laws (like clean/unclean) have been abolished, yet can still teach us important principles (see last week’s reflection).
  • Universal Laws – Though we are not under the Mosaic Covenant, we must recognize that many of the laws stated in the Mosaic Covenant are universal laws that transcend that covenant.  The abominations of chapter 18 are one example (see above).  The 10 Commandments – all restated and reapplied in the New Testament – would be another example.  Context (first example) and the New Testament (second example) help us determine if it is a universal law.

Leviticus 18-22: Holiness

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(18-20) To be holy is to be set apart.  God is holy in that he is set apart from his creation and from all evil.  Like God, Israel was supposed to be holy (19:1-2).  What were they to be set apart from?  Set apart to?  (18:1-4, 20:22-26)

In what ways are we called to be set apart today (I Peter 1:13-16, Romans 12:2)?  Give examples of what that might look like.

To be set apart implies making distinctions between right and wrong, true and false.  In what ways do you see our culture seeking to blur those distinctions?

(18-22) What is the significance of the phrase “I am the Lord (your God)” repeated throughout this passage?  What would it look like to live by this constant refrain?

(18) What clues in this chapter point to these laws being universal laws that transcend the Mosaic Law?

(19-20) How might we determine which laws are Mosaic Law only, and which laws transcend the Mosaic Law as universal laws?

What major themes do we  find in these laws?  How might we apply these themes to our lives today?

(21-22) In what ways were the priests required to be set apart unto the Lord?  Why?  How does that apply for us today?

In what ways does a failure to be holy profane the name of our God (21:6, 22:1, 22:31-33)?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

The Joy of Self-Discipline – Tim Challies

Four Steps to Kill Nagging Sins – Gavin Ortlund (DG)

15 Discernment Diagnostics – Kevin DeYoung

4 Essentials for Finishing Well – Jerry Bridges (Crossway)

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day growing in the truth of God’s Word with your local church!