Saturday, July 22, 2017

Day 8

Day 8: Leviticus 16-17

From the beginning, God had desired a personal relationship with Israel, and he had made gracious covenants with Abraham and Moses in order to allow this to happen. In the wake of the Ten Commandments, though, a problem soon became evident. How could a sinful people dwell with a holy God? Even as Moses was receiving the law of the Lord from God himself, the people were turning their jewelry into a golden calf to worship!

In order to maintain both his own holiness and the relationship with his people, God established the system of laws, priests, and sacrifices that are found throughout the book of Leviticus. To us today, these might seem hopelessly outdated at best and legalistic or criminal at worst. But to the people of Israel, this was a manual of regulations enabling a holy King to set up his throne amongst a sinful people. It gave parameters and guidelines for how to practically live a life that was set apart for God, as he had called them to be. In a way, it enabled them to do what otherwise would have been impossible: dwell as a holy people with a holy God.

The priests, in particular Aaron (Moses’ brother) and his sons, were charged with the sacred duty of mediating between the people and God. Everything from their garments to their sacrifices was explicitly outlined so that they could serve God well. A few chapters before today’s readings, two of Aaron’s sons had tried to make sacrifices and enter the presence of God in their own way, contrary to the commands of God, and they were immediately killed (Exodus 10:1-3). The presence of God Almighty was not to be taken lightly or presumed upon in any way, by anyone.

The Day of Atonement, described in great detail in Leviticus 16, specified the correct way to enter the presence of God in the sacred place within the tabernacle known as the Most Holy Place, or the Holy of Holies. This inner room was to be entered only once a year, following to the letter the guidelines laid out here. The high priest (and only the high priest) could enter only after purifying himself and making sacrifices for his own sins. He then offered the sacrifice of a goat on behalf of the sins of the people, and released another symbolic goat into the wilderness to carry the sins far away from the people. He then had to purify himself again before rejoining the people. Chapter 17 goes on to explain why blood was so important: “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life” (v. 11).

If these ordinances and prescriptions seem overwhelming, consider the role of Christ. He was both perfect sacrifice and perfect priest. He did not enter the presence of God “by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12). Consider how great the sacrifice of Jesus if by one act he replaced an entire system of priests and laws. And consider, too, how in both instances, the desire of God was to -- amazingly -- dwell with his people by any means necessary.

Questions for reflection and discussion: How are the detailed specifics of these chapters in Leviticus an act of mercy? What makes the Day of Atonement different from any other day? Why is it so significant in the lives of the people of Israel? How does Jesus exemplify both perfect priest and perfect sacrifice?

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