For a full description of the (Y3) reading plan, see the “About” page.
- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Lev. 22-23
Three times God said of the priests in chapter 22, “I am the LORD who sets them apart.” (Lev. 22:9b, 16b, 32b). Other translations are, “sanctifies them” and, “makes them holy”. We are like those priests. God sets us apart, making us holy as He is holy. In other words, He makes us like Him. How ironic that the first lie of the Devil, the one where he told Eve she would be like God, did the exact opposite. It was that sin that brought out the unholiness in all of us. This emphasizes the truth that only God can make us holy. There is no action we or anyone else can take that can make us like God. Quite the opposite, actually. Any effort on our part to do so lends the same result as the action Eve took. Our efforts only separate us from God.
We also see this truth in God’s instructions regarding the Day of Atonement. God commanded self-denial on this day, saying, “I will destroy among his people anyone who does any work on this same day.” (Lev. 23:30). Practicing self-denial means setting aside our own desires. I think a big part of that is acknowledging that we cannot do what only God can do. So, to enter into God’s salvation we must set aside our own efforts and accept God’s work on our behalf. As Jesus put it, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matt. 16:24).
Lev. 24
This story of the man who blasphemed God’s name includes a lot of details. I fail to see how any of these details are relevant. One thing I do see the relevance in, however, is the people’s immediate response to this man’s actions. “They put him in custody until the LORD’s decision could be made clear to them.” (Lev. 2412). Now that’s something I wish I did a whole lot more of. To seek God’s decision before reacting out of my own self-perceived wisdom or desire.