Continuing a plan to get through the entire Bible in a year, follow as I journal through the reading. I have chosen a straightforward approach that begins in Genesis and ends in Revelation. This will not be an in-depth study or a comprehensive commentary. There are plenty of sources for such material. This is stage one Bible reading, taking the text at face value and sharing impressions.
Today’s reading comes from the book of Leviticus, chapters 22 and 23, detailing the many feasts Israel held for the Lord. Some impressions from the text:
- The Lord emphasizes cleanliness repeatedly, particularly when it comes to preparing for ministry. Elsewhere in scripture, there are references to preparing yourself for something as basic as prayer. We should not approach God without having cleansed ourselves. In modern terms, this is accomplished by adopting the right attitude for prayer.
- The multitude of feasts and offerings seems overwhelming. It’s difficult to contemplate how the Israelites kept track of it all. To read of the requirements is to imagine a life dominated by compliance, by constant adherence to labyrinthine requirements. And perhaps that was the point. The Israelites were to remain constantly aware of whom they served.
Return soon as we continue our year-long journey through the text of the Bible.
Catch up on the previous entries:
Archived Genesis posts (scroll down in link).
Archived Exodus posts (scroll down in link) .
Laws for sacrificial offerings, and their relevance today. – Leviticus 1-4
Feeling sorry for sin does not absolve you of it. – Leviticus 5-7
God will not be trifled with. – Leviticus 8-10
God’s holy medicine. – Leviticus 11-13
God continues to emphasize cleanliness. – Leviticus 14 and 15
God on sex, incest, and homosexuality. – Leviticus 16-18
God’s laws set Israel apart. – Leviticus 19-21