Today’s Chapters: Leviticus 1-5
Pete’s Thoughts:
Leviticus 1
This chapter covers burnt offerings. Look again at the price that must be paid for sin. Hebrews tells us that there is no remission of sin without the shedding of blood. God required an animal without blemish. He didn’t want the people to give Him their weak and wounded creatures. He wanted their best. They needed to realize that their sin was a big deal and the sacrifice required was just as great.
Leviticus 2
Read through this passage again. Notice the emphasis put on the leaven and the salt. Now compare what this chapter says to I Corinthians 5:6-8 and Matthew 5:13. Yeast is a great ingredient in bread, it makes it rise and adds flavor, in the Bible, however, it is often an illustration of sin. Consider what it does – even when you add just a small amount to a large lump of dough, it spreads through out every bit of the dough and impacts it. It creates gas that causes the dough to change shape and grow. It takes over, it controls. Now contrast this with salt. Salt is a preservative, keeping out decay and bacteria. Salt also enhances flavor and is a very important compound for sustaining life. In ancient times, salt was so precious that it was used as part of the salary for a roman soldier (that’s were we get the phrase, “He’s not worth his salt”). It was also see as something pure. When we offer ourselves to God, have we removed all the leaven? Are we salty enough?
Leviticus 3
This is the chapter that Samuel was referring to when he tells Saul, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.” (I Samuel 15:22).
Leviticus 4
Look at the detail and significance placed upon the sin offering. Each step has it’s order and process.
Leviticus 5
God made sure to allow various type of animals to be brought to sacrifice. He did not want anyone hindered from offering because they could not afford a bull or a ram. Each was to give according to their measure. If you could afford a bull, they you were to bring a bull but if not, you could bring a lamb, and if you could not afford a lamb you could bring two turtledoves and if you could not afford those, you could bring 1/10 of an ephah of fine flour (about half a gallon). Every was able to come to God, none were too poor.
