Hooked on Leviticus....

OK...just finished studying the first 11 chapters of Leviticus! (Seriously..not joking around here!) Have you ever attempted that? Have you even thought about it? You should try it....just read it first and then break it down. It will amaze you! It will cause your love for Jesus to increase! It will light your fire!

I feel pretty comfortable reading through the OT (for the most part). I enjoy the dramatic stories, the incredible journies, the epic battles and the honest record of real people following God one step at a time.

Leviticus is an interesting book! It spans about a month in the life of the new community of Israelites who are at Mt. Sinai getting God's laws for living, rules for worship and a host of other instructions for community life. They are now free men and women whom God has started a journey with. This experience provides some of the greatest stories in the BIble (at least I think so!)

If you get into Leviticus it's about two major things: The way to God and our walk with God! Don't miss these two major ideas (or you'll wander around for days trying to figure it all out.) The first idea is about "sacrifice" and "shedding blood"....the only way to God! (His idea!) Ultimatley, Jesus provided the way by His own blood so that we could be right with God. Seeing Jesus as the "once and for all" sacrifce makes Leviticus an easier read!

The second idea is about "sanctification"! I'd call that a "walk of holiness" made possible by Jesus. He changes us at the core so that we can begin to love righteousness and hate wickedness. Don't get legalistic in the details but enjoy the process of becoming pure! It's a tall order, "Be holy for I am holy!" Thank God for Jesus who is my righteousness...what would I do without Him?

If you take a few days to read through Leviticus read it prayerfully and thoughtfully! Look for Jesus to show up in every offering, in every feast, in every reference of the priesthood and tabernacle and let your love for the Messiah explode! (I'm sure that there will be passages that you find difficult to read, understand or comprehend...that's OK. It happens to me too but don't avoid reading Leviticus because it's hard. Instead, dive in and dig out some revelation that you've never seen before!) once you've read it through once, investigated the book and jotted down a few notes...you'll be hooked!
Shalom 09
Pastor Tad