Daily Readings in the Bible Deuteronomy 20-22
The Lord included punishments for those who broke His laws. The Old Testament Law provided three types of punishment: the death penalty for serious public sins against life, religion and the family; ‘cutting-off’ for grave private sins; and restoration for property offenses. Stoning seems to be the most common form of the death penalty in […]
Daily Readings in the Bible Deuteronomy 14-16
A Hebrew man could sell himself as a slave to pay any debt (Ex. 21:1-6; Lev. 25:39-45; Deut. 15:12-18). This type of voluntary slavery shouldn’t be confused with forced slavery, or the slavery of the Antebellum period. Moses said that such slaves were to be released after six years of service. In order for the […]
Daily Readings in the Bible Deuteronomy 11-13
The Lord had given specific instructions concerning Israel’s worship. For instance, the Tabernacle was the ordained place of worship (Deut. 12:5;18). Upon entering the Promised Land, Israel wasn’t to forsake God’s instructions and adopt the Canaanite’s way of worship. Therefore, the Lord told them to tear down the Canaanite’s altars, pillars, and idols (Deut. 12:3). […]
Daily Readings in the Bible Numbers 35-36
The Levites weren’t allowed to own any land in Canaan, because the Lord was their portion (Deut. 10:9). For this reason Israel was to designate specific cities for the Levites to live in (Num. 35:1-5). Those six cities were assigned to be “cities of refuge.” If an Israelite or stranger unintentionally killed a person, then […]
Daily Readings in the Bible Numbers 18-20
Numbers chapter 20 is a sobering chapter. It includes the death of Miriam and Aaron, and the failure of Moses. Rest is a significant theme in the Old Testament. The Lord rested after His creative activity (Gen. 2:2). The Sabbath was to be a day of rest (Ex. 31:15). The Promised Land was to have […]
Daily Readings in the Bible Leviticus 24-25
Leviticus chapter 23 focused on the seasonal festivities of the Israelites. Chapter 24 is a reminder of the daily requirements. The children of Israel were to regularly provide olive oil for the Golden Lampstand in the Holy Place. For the twelve loaves of bread set on the table in the Holy Place, the people were […]
The Plague, the Priest, and the Prescription
When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh a rising, a scab, or bright spot, and it be in the skin of his flesh like the plague of leprosy; then he shall be brought unto Aaron the priest, or unto one of his sons the priests (Leviticus 13:2). The book of Leviticus […]
Daily Readings in the Bible Leviticus 19-21
Holiness isn’t limited to our relationship with God. Holiness includes our relationship with others. Believing that holiness is only about loving God, and not about loving our neighbors is faulty thinking. Too little is said about God’s people loving each other. Often the love of God gets all of the attention and little emphasis is […]
Daily Readings in the Bible Leviticus 16-18
I witnessed to a man several years ago, and after several meetings he said, “I’d like to come to church, but there’s just so much talk about blood.” My attempts to explain Scripture’s emphasis on blood seemed to fall on deaf ears. Leviticus 17:11 says, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: […]
Daily Readings in the Bible Leviticus 5-7
The first seven chapters of Leviticus outline the five major offerings required under the Law. The five offerings can be divided into two main types: Sweet Savor offerings and Non-Sweet Savor offerings. The Sweet Savor offerings were voluntary, and the Non-Sweet Savor offerings were mandatory. Sweet Savor Offerings The Burnt Offering (Lev. 1;6:8-13). This was […]