52 Weeks in the Word - Week 6

Week 5 has come to an end, and we are almost finished with the book of Leviticus.  I am pleasantly surprised with the amount of dialog we've had over this week's reading.  Thank you all for the wonderful questions and input!

We understand reading the parts where it seems like it keeps repeating the same thing over and over again can be a bit challenging.  Remember, when something is repeated in the Bible, there's probably a good reason.  

This week some of you have shared some interesting information to help us better understand what life was like during this time for the Children of Israel.  Someone asked why was Aaron picked to be the priest instead of Moses, when clearly Aaron had just allowed them to worship the golden calf.  We had great comments on this as well, sharing a variety of reasons.  Check out last week's blog post comments to learn more.

Here are just a few of the ways people mentioned seeing Christ or the Gospel from this week's reading:  

• Leviticus 6:13 - the Fire of the Holy Ghost should burn in our lives and never go out.
• Also in relation to the fire, the fire was never suppose to stop burning.  Same with our worship.  Worship will never cease in Heaven.

A brief recap of Week 5's discussions:

• Dipping the finger in the blood and putting on the right ear  - meaning they should hear differently, being set apart from everyone else.  They should attentively listen to God's commandments.
• Putting the blood on the right thumb - they should work differently; execution of God's will
• Putting the blood on the right big toe - they should walk differently; priest's walk in holiness.
• The phrase, "unclean until evening" basically was a Jewish tradition, which their new day began at evening. So, they were unclean until the new day.  We also discussed going through and having to bathe and wash your clothes at that time would have been a lot of work.  It would have been a big deal.
• God gave them these rules and commands because He loved them.  Many are wise on how to protect themselves and others .  Other rules God was warning them to not end up like other people groups who had done those evil acts.

We have enjoyed digging deeper with you all this week.  Keep the comments coming!

Looking ahead to Week 6:

The reading for Week 6 includes: Leviticus 25-27; Numbers 1-14.

We will finish the last chapters of Leviticus and begin reading in Numbers.

Did you know, the Hebrew word for Numbers means "in the wilderness"?  Interesting since that is where we find ourselves in our reading in the book of Numbers.  In English, the title "Numbers" translates to a term that is reflective of the census of the tribes of Israel at the beginning of the book.  

Numbers isn't just a mere travel diary of Moses leading them from Mount Sinai to the border of the promised land.  It gives details and documents when God's people were faithful to the covenant, their travels and lives went well... they were blessed.  Their disobedience was met with defeat, delay, and death in the wilderness.  This book teaches following generations that covenant conformity brings blessing but rejection brings tragedy and sorrow.  

Also, this week's reading includes a likely familiar reading, Numbers 6:24 - 26:

        The Lord bless you and keep you;

        the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

        the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

What was the purpose of Israel's blessing?  Check out verse 27 once you get there.

We hope you all are enjoying your time in the Word each week with the Lord.  May He be made known you each of you more abundantly each week, and may you boldly walk with Him throughout this year.

Blessings!