These last few weeks of studying Leviticus 12 have been eye opening. One of the great benefits of studying Scripture is the deep, penetrating impact it has on our lives. It's been funny- I'm taking an evangelism class on Wednesdays and reading the LAW almost every other day and my insides are really heavy.
But the change is noticeable- I'm talking to others more on the outside and talking to myself more on the inside.
So this is my final post on Leviticus 12- it will be on to Numbers 12 for my next study and looks to delve into attitude, criticism, and conflict.
But as I close, let me share the sweetest application of Leviticus 12- and that is where it is referenced specifically in the life of Jesus:
Luke 2: 21On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
22When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”b), 24and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
Joseph and Mary faithfully carried out out the requirements of the Leviticus 12 in Luke 2. And any reading of Leviticus gives us a picture of the social status and financial status of the two young God followers- they were of a poor and lowly state.
Leviticus 12 says it very plainly- "If she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring 2 doves- one for the burnt offering and one for the sin offering."
These laws teach us about the Law-giver. And one of these is that He cares about the lowly and He loves the poor. The Law has adequate provision for those who were not able to afford the more costly sacrifices.
AND these are costly sacrifices in Leviticus- the idea is that we should give God the best. In the Israelites worship- the Sacrifices (for example, grain offering) took preparation- it took emotion- it took determination.
And it makes me really question? Do I sacrifice anything of value for God? Is there any real effort or sacrifice? I don't even like giving up sleep.
My world is so removed from the idea of sacrifice- that a lot of this has been shameful.
If it wasn't for Christ....I would be in a world of trouble.
If it wasn't for Christ....I would be in a world of trouble.
I Peter 1:18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
So to finally finish out Leviticus:
- The LAW is good because God is good- the Rules are boundaries of protection.
- I need to be more aware of my daily choices and almost see them as making me ritually clean or unclean.
- I need to praise God for the Sacrifice of the Lamb of God.
NO ONE IS EXCLUDED BECAUSE OF THE CROSS
BUT ALSO- NO ONE IS EXCLUDED FROM THE LAW
The very nature of truth is EXCLUSIVE!
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