In today’s readings, we witness God’s instructions for the Day of Atonement that Israel observed annually. This is one reference of many throughout the Old Testament to this holy day where Israel makes sacrifices to pay for her sins. God explains the Israelites must pay for their sins through blood. He also restricts their sacrifices, so they do not get confused with the false religions that surround them in Leviticus 17:7. The Day of Atonement and other days of sacrifice set up a system by which Israel can make peace with God. The New Testament book of Hebrews points out that these sacrifices would have had to continue for ever if Christ had not come to serve as the ultimate sacrifice. His blood did what the blood of countless animals could not totally and fully redeem His people from their sins.
Today’s B.I.B.L.E. Takeaways:
Blessings from God
God gives Israel a way to become redeemed before Him through the sacrificial system, a system that points us to Christ as the ultimate sacrifice.
Instructions for Us
Leviticus 18 describes a series of relationships that conflict with God’s design for us and our relationships with one another.
Biblical Connections
The Day of Atonement continues to hold significance throughout the Old and New Testaments.
Laborious Understandings
Reading about the sacrifices of animals seems barbaric and uncomfortable for us and the language of Leviticus 18 seems harsh. The difficult reality it brings us closer to is that God cannot abide sin, a reality that this reading addresses head-on.
Enjoyable Passages
None of these passages jump out to me as ones that would be worth putting on a wall.
Topics to Pray About:
Thank God for atoning for our sins.
Confess to God times when you avoid coming to terms with your sinfulness.
Ask God to constantly remind you of your redeemed state in Christ.
Atonement
Leviticus 16-18
In today’s readings, we witness God’s instructions for the Day of Atonement that Israel observed annually. This is one reference of many throughout the Old Testament to this holy day where Israel makes sacrifices to pay for her sins. God explains the Israelites must pay for their sins through blood. He also restricts their sacrifices, so they do not get confused with the false religions that surround them in Leviticus 17:7. The Day of Atonement and other days of sacrifice set up a system by which Israel can make peace with God. The New Testament book of Hebrews points out that these sacrifices would have had to continue for ever if Christ had not come to serve as the ultimate sacrifice. His blood did what the blood of countless animals could not totally and fully redeem His people from their sins.
Today’s B.I.B.L.E. Takeaways:
Blessings from God
God gives Israel a way to become redeemed before Him through the sacrificial system, a system that points us to Christ as the ultimate sacrifice.
Instructions for Us
Leviticus 18 describes a series of relationships that conflict with God’s design for us and our relationships with one another.
Biblical Connections
The Day of Atonement continues to hold significance throughout the Old and New Testaments.
Laborious Understandings
Reading about the sacrifices of animals seems barbaric and uncomfortable for us and the language of Leviticus 18 seems harsh. The difficult reality it brings us closer to is that God cannot abide sin, a reality that this reading addresses head-on.
Enjoyable Passages
None of these passages jump out to me as ones that would be worth putting on a wall.
Topics to Pray About:
In His Service,
J. LeBorious