Yes. I’m still reading through Leviticus. I really enjoyed today’s passage for several reasons. Chapter 19 starts out listing various laws – it sounds much like the 10 commandments, just more detailed. I found verse nine rather comforting. There is actually a command to the people of God not to be greedy. They are to leave food in their fields and vineyards for the poor. Wow! In our society, most people don’t do things like that – purposefully leave things behind for the poor, but we should, especially those of us who profess to be Christians. This just reinforces part of yesterday’s lesson and reiterates the comment that Sonny made about social welfare. God always intended us to take care of each other as a family. God, help me put others’ needs as a priority in my life.
Throughout this passage, there is a common phrase that I found so liberating. “I am the Lord, who makes them holy.” This occurs repeatedly in chapters 21 and 22, and I am so thankful that it does. God is giving so many laws in this book, that it seems almost impossible for a person to keep them all, especially when we live in a time where lies are common place. However, God shows through this phrase that he does not expect the Israelites to go at it alone. God makes them holy, just as God makes us holy today. It is not by our own efforts that we live a life pleasing to God. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit. And, I don’t think that we are meant to do even that alone. How does God make us holy? How did God make the Israelites holy? One very important way is that we are (and they were) part of a community. This community of believers should help keep me holy. We are responsible to each other and for each other. What an amazing gift for God to give us – a community to help us along the journey of faith. Thank you, God, for my faith family. Help me to show them that I love them and be there when they need me.
There is one more remark I wanted to make about something that really stood out to me. So far, in Leviticus, we have seen a ton of laws, but in chapter 23, the tone changes slightly. We are given a list of festivals. Now, it is still a command (or law) to keep the festivals, but the festivals are to be a time of rejoicing or reflection upon God. Israelites were excused from work to participate in the festivals. I am sure that the main goal was to teach the upcoming generations about the awesome history the Israelites had with Jehovah – the wonderful things he had done, but imagine the family time, the relaxation of being off work, the spiritual renewal of focusing on God rather than everyday activities. This had to be so healthy for the lives of the Israelites. Thank you, God, for rest. Help me put aside time for reflection on your goodness. Help me to make traditions in my family that teach my future children about your greatness.
Blessings,
Dee
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