“These are the regulations for a man with a discharge, for anyone made unclean by an emission of semen, for a woman in her monthly period, for a man or a woman with a discharge, and for a man who has sexual relations with a woman who is ceremonially unclean.” -Leviticus 15:32-33 These are odd words to end a chapter. Why does the law of Moses speak so explicitly regarding sexuality? Because he cares about sexuality. If the Bible had... Read more

The Lord said to Moses, “These are the regulations for any diseased person at the time of their ceremonial cleansing, when they are brought to the priest: The priest is to go outside the camp and examine them.” -Leviticus 14:1-3 Why have a priest examine a diseased person? Shouldn’t the law have called for a doctor? One interesting observation in Leviticus 14 is the connection between our physical health and our spiritual health. One often influences the other. Some accounts... Read more

“These are the regulations concerning defiling molds in woolen or linen clothing, woven or knitted material, or any leather article, for pronouncing them clean or unclean.” -Leviticus 13:59 Mold. Skin disease. Not much inspiring here. Or is there? While Leviticus 13 appears mundane, a close look reveals something profound–God cares about every detail of our lives. We may not apply the skin infection rules of Leviticus to our modern times, but we can observe God’s concern for our health, our... Read more

“‘These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl. 8 But if she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’” Leviticus 12:7-8 Children matter to God. In fact, God considered the birth of new children so important that he... Read more

“You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between living creatures that may be eaten and those that may not be eaten.” -Leviticus 11:47 Food matters to God. In fact, he spends all of Leviticus 11 explaining which food were okay and not okay for his people. We don’t understand all of the reasons for his choices, but he clearly cared about what his people ate. He still does. In the New Testament, God speaks about gluttony (overeating) the... Read more

Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. 2 So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke of when he said:“‘Among those who approach me I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people I... Read more

“Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people.” -Leviticus 9:23 People who spend time in God’s presence are those who serve as a blessing to others. When you look at Facebook or talk to people in your community, much of the talk centers on the negative–the rain, who made you mad, how you didn’t get enough sleep or don’t have enough money. But occasionally we run into people who seem... Read more

“And Aaron and his sons did all the things that the Lord commanded by Moses.” -Leviticus 8:36 Aaron and his sons were chosen by God to serve as priests. But there was a human element involved as well. They had to “complete the training.” “Complete the training” was what Yoda criticized Luke for not doing in The Empire Strikes Back. Luke knew something bad was going down with his friends and decided to take on Darth Vader while only half-prepared.... Read more

“This is the law of the burnt offering, of the grain offering, of the sin offering, of the guilt offering, of the ordination offering, and of the peace offering,  which the Lord commanded Moses on Mount Sinai, on the day that he commanded the people of Israel to bring their offerings to the Lord, in the wilderness of Sinai.” -Leviticus 7:37-38 Giving is not optional for those who follow God; it is essential. Leviticus 7 is a clear example of... Read more