April 4 Readings

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Blended Reading Plan from Back to the Bible

Proverbs 30-31; Hebrews 5


King James Version with Web Encyclopedia links: Leviticus 1; Leviticus 2; Leviticus 3; Hebrews 6

Leviticus is a difficult book to understand. Many of us try to go through the Bible in One Year. We enjoy reading Genesis and Exodus, but by the time, we get to Leviticus, we hit the proverbial "wall" just as the marathoners experience at the 14th mile. Leviticus seems to be a boring book fill of rules and regulation but if we approach the book in a prayerful manner and with useful information that is sprovided here, we will understand the book further. Useful Links for Leviticus
Introduction by David Malik
Ray Stedman on Leviticus
J. Hampton Keathley on the Law, scroll to Leviticus

The main theme of Leviticus is the holiness of God and the holiness expected for God' people. Key verse is Lev 11:45 "I am the LORD who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy." (NIV)

Leviticus 1-7 deals with the Five Main Offerings, their protocols and their purposes.
The Five Offerings

Leviticus 1: The Burnt Offering was usually a bull, ram or male bird(if the poor could not afford the above-mentioned animals, they could offer a dove or a pigeon. God even has compassion for the poor by allowing them to sacrifice what they could afford). The offering must have no defect (This is a type of Christ, Jesus, that Jesus was without sin and is the Lamb of God)and is wholly consumed by fire. The person making this sacrifice had to place his hand on the head of the animal and it would be offered on his behalf to make an atonement for him. This was a voluntary act of worship done as an expression of devoting commitment and surrender to God. Paul was thinking about this in Romans 12:1 " I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, [which is] your spiritual service of worship." Someone once said "The problem with a living sacrifice is that it keeps on crawling away from the altar.

Leviticus 2 is a grain offering, this could be either fine flour, olive oil, incense; or baked bread with salt, and no yeast and honey. The purpose of this offering was a voluntary act of worship, and recognition of God's faithfulness and provisions; devotions to God.

Leviticus 3 is a fellowship offering, this could be any animals without defect from the herd, male of female, a variety of breads can also be offered. The purpose of this offering is a voluntary act of worship, thanksgiving and fellowship. A communal meal may be included.

Today, all purposes of these Five Offerings are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.(John 2:29,36). The term Lamb of God refers to the sacrifices and not to any of
the Five Main Offerings.

Leviticus 1 with Commentaries, verse by verse
Leviticus 2 with Commentaries, verse by verse
Leviticus 3 with Commentaries, verse by verse
Offerings from Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology


Links to Commentaries and other References - Leviticus

Hebrews 6 with Commentaries, verse by verse

Warning against falling away (Hebrews 5.11-6.11; Hebrews 6.4-6; Hebrews 10.26-31)
After discussing spritual milk (elementary teachings) versus solid food (solid doctrine, maturity). The author exhorted the people to go on to maturity. He compare land that produces crops with a land with thorns that produces only thorn. This should remind us of the soils in the parable of the sower (Luke 8) This parable is similar to that given in (John 15.5-6; 2Peter 2.20-22; 1 John 5.16). This is pretty serious stuff.

In verse 13-20
The author assures of that God keeps His promise. He had kept His promise to Abraham, that he would have many descendants and that through him all nations would be blessed. In verse 18 two unchangeable things were mentioned, God's promise which is absolutely trustworthy and God's oath confirming the promise. When Christ died the veil separating the Holy of Holies tore into two, Jesus can enter their on our behalf. God's promise had certainty and confirmed in Jesus Christ, a high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Links to Commentaries and other References - Hebrews

Bible Study Tools
Jesus Saves
How to Become a Christian

This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.