anitasanecdotes

In Leviticus 10 two of Aaron’s sons offer unholy fire to the Lord. They do not follow the procedures set down by God. God sends a fire and consumes them. Moses warns Aaron’s other sons not to spend time mourning their brothers because they have been anointed by the Lord. Instead he gives them the instructions on how to make holy offerings to the Lord and how to treat the offerings after they have been burned.

In Leviticus 11 God gives instructions about which animals the people are allowed to eat. He makes the distinction between clean and unclean animals. Of land animals, they are those with divided hoofs, cleft feet and which chew their cud. If an animal doesn’t do even one of these things it is considered unclean. Fish with fins and scales are clean. Birds that do not eat flesh are clean. Insects that jump are clean. Anything else is unclean and not only should the people not eat them, but they should not touch them either. If an unclean thing touches clothing, wood, vessels, etc., it becomes unclean and if it cannot be cleaned it must be destroyed or is unusable.

The people are to remain holy because the Lord is holy

Leviticus 12 refers to childbirth and the feminine cycle, which makes a woman unclean. After a prescribed period of time after the child is born or the bleeding stops (the time of purification), the woman must offer a sin offering in order to be made clean.

Psalm 22 is quoted by Jesus on the cross (the first line) and contains a description similar to Christ’s experience on the cross. It is a psalm of lament complaining that God has forgotten the writer. It remembers those times when God blessed him, but now he is experiencing great tribulation.

He exhorts those who believe to praise God and repeats his praise recounting God’s greatness and deliverance of His people.

When we experience despair either as a result of our sin or as the result of others sin against us or difficult situations in life, we often feel that we are alone. We may even believe that God has left us to fend for ourselves. We must remember that even though the pain may be great, our God is greater. He is faithful and will see us through. As we read of time and time again when God delivered his people we can remember that God will deliver us also.

In Leviticus 8, Moses ordains Aaron and his sons. In Leviticus 9, Aaron makes the first offerings to God for atonement, well-being and thanksgiving. Aaron’s sacrifices are on behalf of the people of Israel. Moses and Aaron come out of the tent of meeting; they bless the people and the glory of the Lord appears to the people. Fire comes out of the glory and consumes the burnt offering and the fat on the altar (sacrifice of well-being). The people shouted and fell on their faces, a position of worship. Acts 7 continues the trial of Stephen. He tells, what for us, is now a very familiar recounting of the life of Abraham, Joseph and Moses. He adds Joshua, David and Solomon to the list. He tells about how the people did not accept any of these people of faith and did not believe what God was doing through them. He concludes that they are doing the same thing with Jesus. At this the council rushes at Stephen and drag him out to stone him led by a young man named Saul. As he is being stoned, Stephen asks God to forgive the people. And he dies. In our Old Testament lesson we read about the people making atonement for the sins they had committed at the base of Mount Sinai. In our New Testament lesson the religious leaders do not realize/acknowledge their sin and continue to sin. Stephen acts as a priest in a way as he pleads for their forgiveness even in the midst of their sin, following the example of Christ. God provides a way of forgiveness through Jesus Christ. He sends the Holy Spirit to us to help us realize/acknowledge our sin so that we might receive the forgiveness he offers. Sometimes we respond in worship, sometimes we respond in rebellion, but God is always there forgiving.

Leviticus 6 deals with intentional sin, particularly sins involving taking from a neighbor. God speaks about realizing one’s guilt. At the point that we acknowledge that we are guilty of doing something wrong we must act. In our justice system we can continue to plead our innocence even if we know that we are guilty. In God’s law our realization of guilt ends the deception and payment is to be made.

When the people realize their guilt they are to pay it back plus 20%. Then they make a guilt offering of a ram. The priest makes atonement on their behalf and they will be forgiven.

The fire on the altar is never to be put out. That way, offerings may be made at any time. God’s forgiveness is available at all times. In the morning the priest makes the offering of well-being.

It is unclear if this is always followed by a grain offering but when a grain offering is made Aaron and his sons make a memorial portion as the offering and are to eat the rest in the form of unleavened cakes in a holy place in the tent of meeting. They may eat it because it is a holy offering. The priests are also allowed to eat a portion of the sin offering in the holy place in the tent of meeting. But if blood has touched anything it must be made clean.

Leviticus 7 speaks about the guilt offering which is also a holy offering. The priests may eat a portion of the offering in the holy place.

It goes on to speak about thanksgiving offerings such as the sacrifice of well-being, votive offerings and freewill offerings. The people may eat of these offerings after they have given the priests their share either on the day of the offering or the next day. It is important that those eating the offerings of thanksgiving have been made clean before eating otherwise they will be cut off from their family.

Acts 6 opens with a dispute between Greek believers and Hebrew believers. It seems that the Hebrew widows are being favored in the daily distribution of food.

The apostles have been called to preach the word of God and do not want to be bogged down by handling these kinds of issues. They select certain men to be responsible for serving the people. The Hebrew word for “waiting on tables” is the word from which we get our word “deacon.” Thus the first deacons are chosen.

One of the men, Stephen, even though he is chosen to be a deacon, is also given the ability to speak about Christ. It is clear to the people that he is empowered by the Spirit. He gets into an argument with some members of a synagogue. He is brought before the council His opponents bring in false witnesses who claim that he is speaking against the temple and the Torah.

Leviticus 4 speaks about times when people sin unintentionally, those who break God’s law without knowing it. Even when the sin occurs without forethought, as you come to be aware of the sin, guilt is incurred. Only a sin offering of blood is acceptable for forgiveness of this sin. Then the sacrifice is burned for atonement and the fat is burned for the sacrifice of well-being.

So often we feel that if we didn’t know we are sinning we are not responsible for the sin. God makes it clear that even then, we have sinned and when we become aware of the sin we need ask for forgiveness.

Leviticus 5 speaks of several sins: not coming forward to testify when a public appeal is made; touching unclean things; and uttering a rash oath for a good or a bad purpose. Again a sin offering must be made.

In our society, often we become invisible when the justice system is looking for a witness, in God’s law this is considered a sin. Also, promising to do something rashly, whether for a good or bad purpose is considered a sin. It is important to make a considered promise.

It also speaks of unintentionally committing a trespass or sin in the holy things of the Lord, which seem to be things regarding worship. Not only should a guilt offering be offered in this case but restitution must be made.

Psalm 20 is a song of blessing before a battle. Of note is verse 7 which states that others take pride in their might, their ability, but we take pride in the Lord.

Psalm 21 appears to be a song of thanks as the result of God’s blessings on the battlefield. The king gives God the glory for the victory and continues to put his trust in Him.

Congratulations…you have finished yet another book of the Bible. Now we begin a difficult book to read. The author of The Year of the Bible recommends that you read Leviticus quickly. It is filled with laws that we, for the most part no longer keep.

Leviticus 1 talks about burnt offerings of cattle, sheep and birds. These are offerings of atonement for sin. The cattle and sheep must be without blemish. As the animal is burned on the altar the smoke creates a pleasing odor to the Lord.

Leviticus 2 speaks about a grain offering. The flour is to be mixed with oil and frankincense for the burning of the offering. Unleaven baked or grilled cakes must also be combined with oil. There must also be salt of the covenant missed with the offering. There should not be any leaven or honey on or in the burnt offerings. The priest is to take a portion of the offering for burning to make a pleasing odor to God and he is allowed to keep the rest.

Leviticus 3 speaks about the offering for a sacrifice of well-being (the Hebrew word “shalom”). The animals used for this sacrifice are without blemish like the offering of atonement. This time though the priest will only burn the fast, kidneys and liver as the sacrifice. The people were not to eat any fat or blood.

As Acts 5 opens the people have been selling their property and giving the proceeds to the community of faith. There is a man Ananias and his wife Sapphire who sell a piece of property. But they keep back a portion of the proceeds for themselves. Peter confronts Ananias knowing by the Holy Spirit that he has lied about giving the apostles all of the proceeds. Peter says that Ananias has not lied to the apostles but to God and Ananias dies on the spot. They bury his body. Later Sapphira comes to Peter and also lies about the offering. She is confronted with the truth and also dies. She is buried beside her husband.

Many people bring their sick family members to be healed. The Sadducees arrest the apostles and put them in prison. That night an angel of the Lord opens the prison doors and tells them to go to the temple. They go to the temple in the morning.

The priests call for the apostles to have them stand trial and learn that the apostles are gone from prison. Someone tells the priests that the apostles are in the temple teaching. The temple police were ordered to bring them before the council. The high priest questions them with the fact that they were told not to speak to the people and yet they are doing it. The apostles say that they must obey God not human authority.

The apostles witness about Jesus. This makes the council angry but a Pharisee, Gamaliel reminds them that others have claimed to be the Messiah and eventually their popularity died down. He says that they should leave the apostles alone since, if their plan is of human origin they will fail and if it from God they council will never be able to win.

The council have the apostles flogged and tell them again not to speak in the name of Jesus. The apostles rejoice that they were worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of Christ. They continue to teach at the temple and at home that Jesus is the Messiah.

Jesus is our sacrifice for atonement, the reason for abundance and our well-being. He is worthy of our praise. We should be honored if we must suffer for his sake, because he suffered for ours.

Exodus 39 marks the finishing of the tabernacle and vestments. Moses blesses the workers for a job well done.

In Exodus 40 Moses sets up the tent of meeting and anoints Aaron and his sons to be priests. The glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle as a cloud. When the cloud is present the Israelites remain in that place. When the cloud is away from the tabernacle, then the people can move to the next stage of their journey. If course, then, the cloud leads them on the journey along with fire at night.

Acts 4 opens with Peter and John continuing to speak in the temple court after healing the lame man. The Sadducees are upset with them because they are preaching about the resurrection of Jesus. The Sadducees follow the Torah (first 5 books of the Old Testament) alone, which does not speak about resurrection so they do not believe in it.  The complaint, though, is not about what Peter and John believe, but rather, about the healing.

Peter and John are taken before the high priestly council, the same people who were responsible for Jesus’ crucifixion. They are asked by whose authority they are healing people. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, speaks boldly. Peter said it was by the name of Jesus and that no one can be saved by any other name. Since the lame man was standing with them the council could not argue.

The council decides to tell Peter and John to stop speaking or teaching in the name of Jesus. They reply that they cannot stop speaking, implying strongly that this is God’s command. The council let them go without punishment because people were praising God for what had happened.

Peter and John told the other apostles what had happened. The apostles prayed that God would give them even more boldness to speak and heal in the name of Jesus. God blessed their prayer and they spoke out boldly. The community of faith continued to grow. They held their property in common. No one was needy among them. The people gave generously.

What a change has occurred in the apostles. The same folk who abandoned Jesus and denied knowing him are now speaking boldly even in the midst of persecution by those in power. And they pray for more courage. Oh, that we would be as bold, instead of being fearful about even the simplest questions about our faith. The Spirit of God is upon us as well. If we trust, He will respond.

As is often the case in the Old Testament accounts of deeds are written in threes. God tells so-and-so how to do something; so-and-so tells the people how God wants this thing done; and the people do the thing in the way so-and-so told them god wanted them to do it.

Thus, in Exodus 37 and 38 we have arrived at the making of the tent of meeting and the items that fill it. At the end of Exodus 38 there is the “annual report” for the project: how much was spent on the making of the items. Also included is an accounting of the income received from the per capita tax on those who were counted in the census: 603,550 men aged 20 and higher. When there are this many people the tax per person is relatively low, a half-shekel, a piece of silver, which is a measure of weight equivalent to a nickel.

Acts 3 opens with Peter and John going to the temple to pray. A lame man, sitting at the entrance of the temple, sees them and asks for alms (a charitable contribution). Peter says that they do not have any money but in the name of Jesus he tells him to stand and walk. Immediately the man stands up and enters the temple with Peter and John. The people recognize the man and wonder what has happened. Peter takes advantage of the situation and tells the people about Jesus.

The lame man was not allowed into the temple, even into the Court of the Gentiles because of his condition. Conditions like these were considered a result of sin. Therefore, when Peter healed him in Jesus name, he took his sins away and made him clean enough to enter the temple. As Peter is sharing with them, he tells them that t is through Jesus that the man was made healthy. He encourages them to believe so that their sins may be wiped out also.

We no longer attribute this kind of physical ailment to sin, but that doesn’t mean that we are not sickened by our sin. We deal with guilt, bitterness, hatred, etc., because we harbor sinful thoughts and behaviors. It is only through Jesus Christ that we can be freed from the bondage to sin. It is only when we are free that we can truly worship God with enthusiasm.

In Exodus 35 and 36, since Moses got angry before he could give the people God’s instructions the first time he came down the mountain, this time he gives them the instructions of the offerings they are to bring to the Lord to build the tent of meeting. Probably because of the mercy God has shown them the people are moved to bring the offerings. Those who have been given the skills work to make everything to God’s specifications.

Every day the people bring more offerings until they have more than enough to complete the tasks. The work on the tent of meeting is being completed.

Psalm 19 speaks of God’s handiwork. God’s very creation speaks of God’s glory. Even without speech or voice it proclaims who God is.

Then the psalm speaks about God’s word as found in the law and teachings: how they are perfect, sure, right, clear, and pure. They are to be desired more than gold. There is great reward in keeping them.

But the writer knows that mistakes can be made so he implores God to keep him pure so that the words of his mouth and even his thoughts and desires will be acceptable to God.

This is an excellent meditation for each of us to remember, as we look not only at God’s creation, but also, as we live out our lives according to his words. May we always be acceptable to our rock and our redeemer.

In Exodus 33 God directs Moses to lead the people to the lad flowing with milk and honey, but God will no longer go among the people as before. He is still angry with the people and stands away from them. When the people stop they set up the tent of meeting far away from the camp. Only Moses and Joshua are allowed to come near the tent of meeting.

Moses pleads on behalf of the people because he has found favor with God. God promises to be with him. Moses asks to see God’s glory. God allows him to see his back because to look at God’s face would mean death.

In Exodus 34 God has Moses cut two more tablets of stone for Him so He can write on them He tells Moses to go up on Mount Sinai with the tablets. The Lord proclaimed His name YHWH and declares Himself to be a God of mercy and grace, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

God reestablishes His covenant with the people. He vows to drive out their enemies before them. They are to tear down their enemies altars and not worship their gods. They are to keep the festival of unleavened bread and remember that God brought them out of Egypt. They are to consecrate their first born to the Lord and keep the Sabbath.

When Moses returns with the new tablets his face is shining and the people are afraid. But Moses tells them to come near and gives them the commandment of the Lord. From that time on Moses wears a veil over his face. He removes it when he goes in to be with the Lord, but puts it on again when he is with the people.

God has decided to show mercy on the people of His own accord. Despite Moses’ many attempts to ask for God’s favor, it is God who does it on His own terms. He emphasizes the importance of worshiping Him alone and of keeping the Sabbath and festivals.

Acts 2 opens on the day of Pentecost, the harvest festival. Suddenly a sound like a wind fills the house where the apostles are. Tongues like fire rest on each of them and they are able to speak in a language they did not know before. Since Pentecost is one of the festival days God established with the people of Israel many Jews from all over the known world gather in Jerusalem. As the apostles go out into the city they are able to communicate with these people. The people know that they are from Galilee and probably have not been taught other languages. They question what is happening.

Peter addresses the crowd and quotes Joel 2 to them. Then he tells them about Jesus and exhorts them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus. Three thousand people are added to the apostles’ fellowship. Their lives change. They live in harmony with one another and share with those who were in need. Everyday more people believe.

Being in God’s presence transforms us. Like Moses, who came into God’s presence, and the apostles and followers into whom God, the Holy Spirit came, we, too, experience a change in the way we live our lives when we acknowledge God’s presence with and in us. Our faces shine with the light of Christ and our priorities change as we see others as God sees them.

Exodus 31 opens with God telling Moses who has been gifted to make the tent of meeting and all of the pieces that will go into it. We always need to remember that God has given us gifts to use for His service. Some are out in front and visible; some are behind the scenes, but everyone has a gift. There is no one who is not able to do something for the Lord.

God then reminds Moses that the people are to keep the Sabbath and totally rest on that day. The penalty for not keeping the Sabbath is death.

Moses gets ready to take the stone tablets down the mountain.

Exodus 32 is a “meanwhile, back at the ranch” chapter. You will recall that the people saw Moses go up into a cloud of fire at least a month ago. Now they are getting worried, not so much about him, but about themselves. Despite the fact that God has promised to be with them, they fall back on their old beliefs. They credit Moses for bringing them out of Egypt and he has apparently abandoned them. They forget that it was God who delivered them.

The people convince Aaron to make a golden calf to aid in their worship. They are worshiping “gods” but Aaron hears them saying that they are worshiping “God” and organized a festival day. One has to read the Hebrew to recognize why Aaron misunderstood the people’s intent. Remember the word for God is “elohim”. This is a plural word “im,” is a plural ending. So “elohim” can be translated as both “gods” and “God”. Aaron wasn’t really listening to what they meant by their words.

Now, we might be quick to criticize the people anyway. After all, they had heard God telling them no to make an idol (Ex. 20). But, remember that the people were very distracted and frightened by the God’s presence and had asked Moses to tell them what God said instead of hearing it from God Himself. This is perhaps not a great excuse, but it could explain some of the reason the people changed their allegiance. On the other hand, they did promise to obey all of God’s commandments and have reneged on their part of the covenant.

We often only hear part of what God or others tell us. Plus, our memories seem to be short, especially when things start going wrong or we get anxious. This doesn’t excuse their bad behavior, but we should be able to identify with them.

God sees what is going on at the base of the mountain and gets angry with the people. He tells Moses to get down there at once. God says that his anger is so great that he is going to destroy them and start all over with Moses (we have heard this before, haven’t we). Moses pleads for the people, reminding God of the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses also plays on God’s sense of pride, so to speak, by telling Him that if He destroys the people the Egyptians would defame His character. God changes his mind about completely destroying the people.

Moses goes down the mountain with the tablets God wrote with His own finger, and sees what the people are doing. Now Moses is angry. He burns up the golden calf and makes the people drink the ashes. He yells at Aaron for allowing the people to make him sin. Aaron blames the people for what he did.

Moses gathers the tribe of Levi together, those who are still faithful and has them kill some of those who have sinned. Moses tells the people they have sinned and explains that he will go to God to see about making atonement. God tells Moses to lead the people to the next place and that He will punish the people for their sin. He sends a plague on the people (before He promised to keep them healthy if they obeyed His commands).

We are beginning the book of Acts. Congratulations, you have finished another book. The exact title is The Book of the Acts of the Apostles. It is a sequel to the book of Luke and focus on the beginnings of the church after Jesus resurrection and ascension.

The first chapter brings the reader up to speed in an “in our last episode” way. It speaks of what happened during the forty days between Christ’s resurrection and his ascension.

Jesus appeared to the disciples (“followers”), now called apostles (“sent out ones”) and teaches them about the kingdom of God. He explains that while they have all received John’s baptism with water, soon they will receive a baptism of the Holy Spirit who will give them the power to be Jesus’ witnesses all over the known world. Then Jesus is taken up on a cloud into heaven.

The apostles are just standing there looking into space when two angels come to them. They explain that Jesus will return the same way he left.

The apostles go back to Jerusalem to the upper room to await the coming of the Holy Spirit. While they are waiting they prayerfully replace Judas, who killed himself over his betrayal of Jesus. They choose Matthias who joins the eleven apostles.

So frequently, when things change in our lives, we spend time looking into space, staring at the past as though somehow things will go back to the way they were before. It is important for us to stop staring start preparing for the future, praying all the while for God’s guidance.