The Passover Numbers 9

 

Numbers 9  - The Passover

 

Israel was to observe the Passover while they were in the wilderness. It was an annual reminder that God had redeemed Israel from bondage and that they belonged to Him.  A year later when they went to observe it, there were certain men who were defiled by a dead body so that they could not keep the Passover.  They came and reported it to Moses and Aaron and asked what they should do. Moses appealed to God. The child of God waits on the Lord for his orders. Each problem in life is an opportunity to learn how to wait on God and discover His will.

Those who were unable to keep the Passover at the appointed time were to have a delayed Passover and celebrate it a month later.

The children of Israel had a cloud covering, which was the Shekinah glory. This was one of the many things that made them different. They were the only people who ever had the presence of God with them.

Today Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church and is the One to lead us. After the Israelites journey was over, and they were settled in the land, Solomon erected a temple to replace the mobile tabernacle. God hallowed the temple with His presence.  Later in their history when Israel turned from God, the Shekinah glory left the temple. When Jesus comes again, there will be “the sign of the Son of man in heaven” Christ will return to earth in all His glory. We are given the inward presence of God, the Holy Spirit indwelling us. The Spirit of God is in the believer today.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible. Nelsons Quick Reference Commentary.

 

The Light of the Lampstand Numbers 8

Numbers 8 – The light of the Lampstand

 

This beautiful lampstand was one of the articles of furniture in the tabernacle.  It was made of beaten gold, the work of an artisan who shaped it into the form of branches of almonds with a great almond blossom at the top of each branch to hold the lamps.  The lamps on top revealed the beauty of the lampstand.  The lighted lamps represent the Holy Spirit who reveals the beauty of Christ.  Everything must be done in the light of the presence of Christ.

The Levites had to come to the laver for cleansing, God Himself will keep His servants cleansed.  If God is going to use us, He will need to cleanse us.

First, they must be sprinkled with the water of purifying.  This was done at the laver.  Secondly, they were to Shave all their flesh.  Thirdly, they were to wash their clothes to make themselves clean.  Fourthly, they were to offer a sin offering and a burnt offering.

The important thing for the child of God today is not how we walk, but where we walk.  “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son cleans us from all sin.” 1John 1:7

If we are to serve God, we must confess our sins. The Word of God can dig down into our life and find wrong there that we didn’t know were wrong. We have certain habits that we need to get rid of because they are hurting our testimony for the Lord. The sin offering speaks of what He has done for us. All this cleansing, all of this that is done, is done in the light of the person and work of Christ.  He did all of this for us.  He did it in order that we might serve Him. The Lord Jesus Christ paid a price and redeemed us back to God by His own blood.  Now the Father has given us as a gift back to the Lord.  We belong to Him. We serve Him because we love Him.  We are in a new relationship to Him.  We are part of Him.  What a thrill it is to know it is not a matter of following little rules and regulations.  Instead, it is a matter of wanting to please Him.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

 

Gifts of The Princes Numbers 7

 

Numbers 7 – Gifts of the Princes

 

God knew all the men and God took note of the gifts that he brought. The Spirit of God recorded very carefully and in detail what each one brought. Our Lord said, “But when you do alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand does.” Matt. 6:3. Many people had better not let the right hand know what the left hand is doing, because both hands are doing so little for the Lord.  They should be ashamed of their hands, both right and left.  Little as it is, the Lord records what we do for Him.

When Jesus watched a widow put in two little coppers. He saw that she gave all that she had, and to Jesus hers was the largest gift of all.  It is recorded in heaven.  Jesus knows exactly what we give to Him, and He knows how much we keep for our self. He takes note of all the gifts. Everything we have ever done for Him is recorded, and we will be rewarded for that.

Each of those twelve leaders were precious to God, and even though their gifts were identical, God accepted them individually.  The gifts were practical and were used for the service of the temple. When we supply ministry tools for God’s servants, we also bring gifts to the Lord.

Although there are some burdens others can help us bear, “each one shall bear his own burden.”  Galatians 6:1-5

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible. Nelsons Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

The Vow of the Nazarite Numbers 6

 

Numbers 6 – The Vow of the Nazarite

The vow of the Nazarite was a voluntary vow.  Any man or woman of Israel who wanted to become a Nazarite could do so.  He could take the vow for a certain period or for a lifetime.  If any of His people wanted a closer walk with Jesus this is what they could do. First, he was not to drink wine or strong drink. The Nazarite was to find his joy in the Lord. Second, when a person took the vow, he was not to shave his head. He must be willing to bear shame for Christ.  His long hair would indicate that he was willing to share that position with Christ.  Third, he was not to touch a dead body. Death is the seal of a sin-cursed earth.  It is the judgment which God pronounced.  It was because of sin that death came into the world.  In order to deal with death, sin must be dealt with, because the wage of sin is death.  The Nazarite was to be separate from the world. The Lord was to be first in his life.

There is the offer of a closer walk with the Lord today.  It is voluntary.  It is an act of dedication. We come to God with empty hands, offering nothing but ourselves to Him – our devotion, our worship, our love, our service, our time.

If the Nazarite was defiled, he was to bring a sacrifice.  God does not require a vow, but when a vow is made, he expects it to be kept, and it is a serious matter if it is broken.

God will always bless us if we are faithful to Him and to the promise we make to Him.  God the Father is the source of all blessing.  The Lord Jesus is the One who makes His face to shine upon us.  The Holy Spirit lifts His countenance upon us and gives us peace.  This is the only way we can come to God and experience the peace of God.  He is the One who makes these things real to our hearts.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible. Nelsons Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

 

Leprosy Numbers 5

 

Numbers 5 - Leprosy

 They were to put the leper out of the camp.  There was the danger of contamination and transmission of disease.  We read that the camp was not to be defiled because God dwelt in the middle of the camp. Leprosy was a type of sin and sins of the flesh must be dealt with.

There must be a cleansing of our lives.  He does not bless, nor will He walk with us when we are living in conscious sin.  Today a great deal of the problems and difficulties and sickness and heartache is caused by Christian people who will not deal with the sin in their lives. 

Restitution was to be made; Repentance is more than saying “I’m sorry”. It is to make things right by making restitution to the individual who has be wronged. Everyone was responsible to please the Lord and keep from defilement.

You may not think you are important to the spiritual battles going on in today’s world, but you are, and you must keep clean.

The unusual law of drinking bitter water protected the woman as well as sanctified the marriage relationship. Husbands and wives must be faithful to each other. Marriage is an intimate relationship, and even hidden unfaithfulness can create a spirit of jealousy and doubt. If the wife was guilty, the truth would come out; if not, the husband could trust her, and they could live together and have a family.  We have no such laws today, but we have an all-seeing God to whom we will answer one day.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible. Nelsons Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Who Is To Serve Numbers 4

 

Numbers 4 Who is To Serve

 

The service of the years for the Levites were thirty to fifty years. The only ones who ever saw the articles that belonged in the Holy of Holies- the ark and the mercy seat- were Aaron and his sons.  Those articles were carefully covered by Aaron and his sons before the Kohathites came to carry them. They watched to see if the pillar of cloud lifted from off the tabernacle.  If it lifted, it meant they were to go.  If it did not lift, it meant that they were to stay in camp that day.  Moses and Aaron simply had to watch and follow the leading that the Spirit of God gave them. We should be led by the same Spirit of God. On this day of moving, they did not go inside the veil.  The veil was held up by rings and the high priest would let it down, and then drop the veil down over the mercy seat and the ark.  Then they would put the linen cloth around it and its other coverings, and finally they would put around it the outside cover of the tabernacle. When they set up camp, the very first thing that was put down was the ark.  The furniture was put in first. When Israel came into camp, the Kohathites would put down the articles of furniture.  Then Merari would come in with the boards and the bars and put up his part.  Then Gershon would put on the coverings.  Finally, the high priest would remove the veil and hang that.

Every Christian has a gift, and a job God wants us to do.  God is not going to reward you for the amount of work you have done, but for your faithfulness in doing that which He has called you to do. The job the Lord has given you to do is very important to Him.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

 

The Tribe of Levi Numbers 3

 

Numbers 3 The Tribe of Levi

 

The people needed to be certain who they were, and to have the assurance that they were sons of Abraham. A census was taken of the tribe of Levi separately so that they may be assigned to a definite position in the camp.

You and I, in the church as believers, are a priesthood of believers. We have been given to the Lord Jesus Christ.  We have been given as a love gift from the Father to the Son. Have you dedicated what you have to the Lord? Have you turned your spouse and children over to the Lord? It is a wonderful thing to be able to dedicate your own to Him. 

The family of Gershon are told to pitch their tents behind the tabernacle westward.  Their assignment was to take care of the curtains, coverings, and cords of the tabernacle. 

The family of Kohath was to pitch their tents on the south side.  Their assignment was to oversee the articles of furniture of the tabernacle. 

The family of Merari are to pitch their tents northward.  Their assignment was to oversee the boards, bars, pillars, sockets, and vessels of the tabernacle. 

So Moses numbered all the firstborn among the children of Israel and found there were 22,273 males from a month old and upward who were firstborn.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

What Tribe are You? Numbers 2

 

Numbers 2 What Tribe are You?

 

The tabernacle was placed in the camp and the children of Israel would camp around it.  They would put up their standards to mark their place in the camp.  On the East side Judah, Issachar ad Zebulun camped together under one standard.  On the South was Reuben, Simeon, and Gad. On the west side was Manasseh, Benjamin, and Ephraim.  The North was Asher, Naphtali, and Dan.  The Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel. 

The children had to know their pedigree to know their place in camp.  They could not go to war unless they were sure of their position.  Our enemies today are the world, the flesh, and the devil.  They will overcome you if you are not sure of your salvation. 

All service in the church is to be directed by the Holy Spirit.  We are told that by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body.  “For as the body is one and has many members, being many, are one body: so also, is Christ.  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond, or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.  For the body is not one member but many.”  I Cor. 12:12-14. So in the body of Christ there are many gifts and each of us is to exercise his/her gift. We need to find our place in camp and do the job that God has called us to do.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

 

 

We are Warriors Numbers 1

 

Numbers 1 -We are Warriors.

 

The book of Numbers emphasizes God’s people as warrior’s, overcoming the enemy and claiming the promised inheritance.  They counted the men, twenty years and older, who were able to go to war.  They did not ask for volunteers.  When we enter the family of God by faith in Jesus Christ, we automatically become one of His soldiers. Every believer is a soldier, either a bad one or a good one. 

The army was organized, each tribe with its leaders and its standard.  There was unity in diversity.  Perhaps the camp of Israel pictures the church.  There are different tribes and standards, with different church leaders. But it is one army, following one Commander and fighting one enemy. “And this is the victory that has overcome the world- our faith.  1 John 5:4

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of the world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”  Ephesians 6:10-12.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

 

Making Promises - Leviticus 27

 

Leviticus 27- Making Promises

 

“Making a singular vow,” means to single out something of value to the individual.  When a person was dedicated by a vow to God, A redemption price could be paid for the person which would relieve him of service. Hannah brought little Samuel to the temple as a thanksgiving offering to God in payment of her vow.  She kept her promise.

Vows of the Israelites were based on the ability to labor.  God provided for the poor so they could participate in voluntary service.  A fair and equitable price was set by the priest according to the man’s ability to pay. Ordinarily in human affairs, a man pays for the service of another.  In the law of the vows this is reversed, and a man pays to serve God.

Remember the sin of Ananias and Sapphira.  They said they were giving to the Lord the entire price of a piece of land, but they didn’t go through with it.  They only gave a portion of it.  They didn’t have to give it all to God. Peter told them that while it was theirs they can do whatever they want with it.  It was a voluntary offering, but then they tried to withhold some of it from God.  They broke their promise.

 God already owns everything we have but if we make a promise, especially under great joy or trial, we need to keep that promise.  If we give our children, grandchildren, possessions in His hands to watch over, then we need to leave them in His hands.

A man could not dedicate a borrowed thing to God. The firstborn of both man and beast were already claimed by the Lord and could not be devoted to the Lord in a vow.  God insisted that His rights be observed. The tithe was the third thing which already belonged to God and could not be pledged in a vow.

 

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Israel's Magna Charta Leviticus 26

 

Leviticus 26 -Israel’s Magna Charta

 

They are to make no idols. They are to keep the Sabbaths, Reverence the Sanctuary.  The character of Jehovah is the basis for obeying these rules. “I am the Lord.”  Their occupancy of the land is based upon the obedience to God’s will to them.  The primary evidence of the blessing of God in response to their obedience is rain. God’s promise to them is the occupation of the land, showers, fruitfulness, and peace.  Victory over their enemy would be part of their blessing. “For the Lord your God, He is the one that fights for you, as He has promised you.”  Josh 23:10. A population explosion would be part of their blessing. The tabernacle in their midst was an evident token of blessing.  This is the great hope of the future which will be fulfilled for the eternal earth. God promises to fellowship with those who obey Him. He wants to have fellowship with us today.  “Being confident of this very thing, that He which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”  Phil. 1:6.

Refusal to hear, to do, despising and abhorring God’s statutes and judgments, breaking God’s covenant would bring judgment upon the people and the land. If they continued in their disobedience, then God would judge them seven times, which indicates a complete and absolute judgment. He will send plagues and wild beast to decimate their population. The enemy will breach their defenses, and the pestilence will strike the people.  Captivity would be the result.

God will not totally destroy them because of His covenant with Abraham and the other patriarchs. He will return them to the land and restore all that He had promised to them.

 

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary. Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

 

 

 

The Sabbatical Year

 

Leviticus 25 The Sabbatical Year

 There is a Sabbath for the land as well as for man.  Th seventh day is for man and the seventh year is for the land. Sabbath means rest, and in its ultimate meaning it refers to the rest of redemption.  It was the breaking of this regulation concerning the sabbatical year that sent Israel into the seventy years of Babylonian captivity.  2 Cor. 36:21. They were to sow their fields and prune their vineyards for six years, and then let it rest the seventh year. The ground in Israel produced enough to supply the needs of the owner, his servants, and the stranger.  Even the cattle could survive and probably grew fat by grazing on the untilled land.  God took care of both man and beast. God is the supplier of all human needs. He is the owner of this earth.

Seven Sabbatical years were numbered, and this made forty-nine years.  The fiftieth year was set aside as the year of jubilee. There were two years of jubilee in every century.  It was the most anticipated and joyful period of the Mosaic economy.  There was a simultaneous blowing of the ram’s horn to usher in the year of jubilee.  In that day people could mortgage their land, but in the year of Jubilee that land would return to the original owner.  If a man had sold himself into slavery when that trumpet sounded he went free.  The shackles were broken. In the year of Jubilee everything went free.  All mortgages were cancelled. When you come to Jesus Christ, the sin question is answered, He paid the penalty.  It is settled and you go free. God promised His blessing upon them.  He promised to bless the land in the sixth year.  They would sow again in the eighth year, and they would eat of the old fruit of the land until the ninth year when it would produce again.  If a man lost his property after Jubilee, there was the possibility he would not be alive to enjoy it the next Jubilee.  If there was a rich relative, he was able to redeem the property if he wished to do so.

God was direct about the care of unfortunate folk.  They were to be helped; they were not to be taken advantage of. You and I have a kinsman-redeemer.  He is rich. And He was willing to become poor so that He might shed His precious blood to redeem us.  He has redeemed not only our persons, but He has also paid the price for the cursed earth.  It too will be redeemed from the curse that is on it now.

 

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary. Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

Leading of the Holy Spirit Leviticus 24

 

Leviticus 24 – Leading of the Holy Spirit

 

Everything we do is to be done in the light and leading of the Holy Spirit.  The people of Israel were to furnish the olive oil for the seven lamps.  This gave each Israelite, as well as the tribe of Levi, an interest in the service of the tabernacle.  The olive oil was to be pure, free from all leaves and impurities.  The oil speaks of the Holy Spirit.   Aaron alone controlled the use and service of the lampstand.  He was to burn incense every morning and every evening. It was to be a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout the generations.  The fine flour was to be furnished by the people. The bread speaks of Christ.  Fine flour means it was of wheat.  The Frankincense was a natural gum to be a gift from the people. It speaks of the wonderful fragrance of humanity.  The bread would stay on the table for a week.  It was to be changed on the Sabbath, and the old bread was to be eaten by Aaron and his sons – and always in the Holy Place.

The boy who did the blaspheming in this story is of a mixed race.  His mother was of the tribe of Dan and his father was an Egyptian. This does not have anything to do with his race.  The mixed-race boy has a problem.  He must decide whether to go the way of the father or the way of the mother.  Leaving Egypt was a hard decision and when the going got rough, they were the first to complain. This boy got into a fight.  He did not have a place in the tribe of Dan but was a hanger-on who had access to the camp of Israel.  He blasphemed the name of God.  He cursed the name of the Lord, the name that was so sacred in Israel that it was not even voiced. God handed down His verdict of guilty, and the penalty was death by stoning.  The death penalty was required for blaspheming God.  The name of our God is sacred and must be protected.  God is righteous in all His dealings.  We too, are guilty before God.  But Christ has borne our sentence of death and carried our sins to the grave.  He rose again so that we too might have eternal life with Him in heaven.

 

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary

 

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Holy Seasons of Tabernacles Leviticus 23 cont.

 

Leviticus 23 cont. Holy Season of Tabernacles

 

This is the third feast in the seventh month.  It followed the great Day of Atonement by only a few days.  This was after the offering for their sins and the harvest and fruit of the land were gathered in, there was observed this very joyful occasion.  They were to live in booths to remind them of their wilderness wanderings. 

This Holy season will be observed during the Millennium: “And it shall come to pass that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts, and to keep the feast of the tabernacles.” Zech. 14:16.

For seven days in the seventh month, they were to rejoice.

True joy only comes when we know we are right with God.

The celebration of the feasts and the observances of the Sabbath and Jubilee years must be performed in the light of the Holy Spirit and in the strength and power of Christ.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

 

The Holy Seasons Leviticus 23

 

Leviticus 23 – The Holy Seasons

 

There are seven feasts excluding the Sabbath day. Now that the Israelites have been delivered from Egypt, they are to set aside one day to worship God.  There is to be an ending from all labor and activity.  The Sabbath Day belongs to the old creation.  We belong to the new creation, but we honor Christ by setting aside the first day of the week.  Our rest comes through redemption. The Sabbath Day was not a feast day but was a set time. Passover was the fourteenth day of the first month.  It is the Lord’s Passover. “This month shall be to you the beginning of the months.” “For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us” I Cor. 5:7. The Passover was brought to its fulfillment the night of the arrest of Jesus Christ after He observed the Passover with His disciples. It was observed one day, and the next day – the first day of the week began the feast of Unleavened Bread. It was eaten for seven days. It speaks of fellowship with Christ. It signifies that the value of the blood continues for the believer after he is saved.  The blood of Jesus keeps us clean. That is the meaning of the feast of Unleavened Bread. The season of First Fruits was done of the first day of the week.  Christ is called the first fruits. The offering of the first fruits indicated there would be a harvest to follow.  Believers are that harvest. The new crop of grain could not be enjoyed until this offering was waved before God.  For the believer, the death and resurrection of Christ brings us into the new relationships and blessings. The Feast of Pentecost always fell on the first day of the week. The day after the seventh Sabbath. This was fifty days after the offering of the wave sheaf of first fruits. It is also called the feast of Weeks.  It indicates the coming of the Holy Spirit to baptize believers into the body of Christ and to begin the calling out of the church. It was fifty days after the resurrection of Christ that the Holy Spirit came. They were to offer a new meal offering. After the resurrection of the Lord, he showed Himself alive for forty days. Believers can draw upon Christ for everything. For Salvation, for help and mercy, for sympathy and comfort. They were to rest on that day and cease from their works. They were to remember the poor and the strangers. The Season of Trumpets were blown seven times to get them on the march. The trumpets relate to the coming judgment. (To be cont.)  “They will hear the voice of the Lord like a trumpet”

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary

Aaron the Priest Leviticus 22

 

Leviticus 22 – Aaron the Priest

 

Aaron was not to bring the things of the tabernacle home with him. He was not to go about his office in a careless and sloppy manner.  God requires that he should be put out of the office if he does that. The priests were to be Holy in their relationships in their homes, in their social contacts, in their business contacts, in anything where they touched the world. They were to be examples to others. The private life of the priest must match his public office and service.  The priest must preserve the sanctity of the tabernacle by excluding the stranger.  Only the sons of God can worship God. Only those who belong to the priest, who were born in his house, can eat of his meat.  The prodigal son or daughter may return home and be welcomed.

 

Ignorance of the law was no excuse.  The man who eats of the holy things unwittingly is guilty and must pay a fine. No offering with a blemish was to be permitted because the offerings pointed to Christ. Natural deformity in an animal as well as bruises, cuts and broken bones were blemishes. The animal was to be rejected. No stranger was to make an offering. The animal was to be at least seven days old.  Seven represents completion.  The offering was to be a freewill offering and must be eaten the same day.   The children of Israel were to be a witness for God. They were called to serve as a nation.  God’s holy name was to be represented in every act of worship.

 

There is liberty for the believer today, but liberty does not grant license.  The holiness and righteousness of God must be zealous in all our worship. The true believer will serve God because he Loves Him.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

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Defilement of Priesthood Leviticus 21

 

Leviticus 21 -Defilement of Priesthood

 

 

Physical contact with the dead brings defilement.  The Priest was permitted to defile himself for close relatives to express his feelings of sympathy and grief as a priest of God. He was not permitted to defile himself for the dead of any others.  He could mourn in his heart but was denied physical contact.

They were not to shave their head to become bald or shave the corner of their beard.  Nor make any cuttings in their flesh. Their mourning was to be like those who were cupbearers to the King.  “The bread of their God.” The priest was not to marry a harlot, a profane woman, or a divorced woman because he is serving God.  The priest is a type of Christ. We need to recognize that in this day there are a great many people who are innocent victims of divorce. 

The wife of a preacher is not an assistant preacher.  She is simply the wife of the preacher.  She must be the kind of person who would be a credit to the office that the preacher occupies. As God’s appointed priest, he is to be separated unto the Lord.  He was to wear a crown on which were inscribed the words “Holiness unto the Lord” as a continual reminder of who he is, whose he is, and whom he serves. Just as no sacrifice was to be offered that had a blemish, by the same token no priest was to serve in the tabernacle if he had a blemish.  Christ is the perfect High Priest.  There is no blemish in Him but rather beauty and glory and excellency.

 

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary

 

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Capital Punishment Leviticus 20

 

Leviticus 20 Capital Punishment

 

The penalty for breaking any of the ten commandments was death.  Punishment of a crime is for the moral good of the people.  Punishment of a crime is a deterrent to crime.  It will cut down the crime rate. The worship of Molech was savage, satanic, cruel, and brutal.  Children were offered as sacrifices to the idol of Molech.  Jesus said; “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.” Matt. 19:14. Stoning to death was the penalty for this crime of “giving his seed to Molech.”  The child brutality today in our land could be curtailed if our judges would punish parents who brutally treat the little ones who can’t protect themselves.  The judge should protect them. For a man to remain silent when a neighbor worshiped Molech by offering his child was to make him a partner in crime.  He was to be cut off from the people, which was equal to the death penalty.

The soul that turns after familiar spirits, wizards and seek after them, God says “I will even set my face against that soul and will cut him off from among the people. Leviticus 20:6. Satan is a liar and the father of the lie.  God says that He will set His face against the soul that turns to this kind of false worship.  Demon possession is a reality and has existed in all ages.  This is all the work of Satan.  The death penalty was exacted for participating in or practicing these satanic rites of the occult.  A departure from the Word of God and a departure from God always leads into error, and this gives rise to the false cults which we find today.

The people were to be Holy because they belonged to God. To practice these sins and turn from God is spiritual adultery and treason.

The death penalty was inflicted for cursing mother and father.  The Bible also offers grace in this regard. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” John 1:9.

Adultery in every form and shape was punished with death.  This is a rebuke against lax morals today.  These are the sins which cause God to give up a people. Despite the awful immorality of these sins and the severity of the punishment. The Savior stands ready to forgive any who will come to Him. Incest was to be executed publicly.  God demanded cleanliness in every detail of His people’s lives; especially as it had to do with sexual relations. God forbade it between those who were near of kin. God put the Canaanites out of their land because of these awful sins. God is High and Holy, and He demands Holiness.  This is the key to Leviticus.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary

Man's Relationship to God Leviticus 19

 

Leviticus 19 Man’s Relationship to God

 

How wonderful it is that God has given us the Holy Spirit to indwell in us. He commands Holy conduct on the basis that He is Holy. “Whether, therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” I Cor. 10:31. The major difference between the conduct required under the law and under grace is that today the dynamic is supplied to the believer in the person of the Holy Spirit.  We are joined to the Living Christ.  “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.”  Romans 8:3-4

The parent stands in the place of God for the child and that the child learns to obey God by first obeying the parent. 

The Sabbath law was a command given to the children of Israel.

They were not to look on idols and they were not to make idols.  God ridicules the idols because they are nothing and can do nothing.

The peace offering was given voluntarily but the detail had to be followed precisely.  God says, “If you are going to do it voluntarily, then do it right.” Don’t volunteer to do God’s work unless you are going to give it everything you have.

Whatever a farmer did not reap his first time around must be left for the poor.  God’s method of dealing with poverty enabled both rich and poor to acknowledge the good hand of God.  In business God’s man is to demonstrate the holiness of God’s name by honesty. “Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbor” Godless labor is a terrible thing and so is godless capitalism. It is God’s concern for the weak, helpless, and infirm, and it is His rebuke against the hardheartedness of man.

Talebearing is slander. It is best to remain silent if to tell the truth will ruin a neighbor. There is to be no mingling of truth and error.

“Thou shalt not lie carnally with a handmaid.” God is recognizing the sinful situation caused by the hard hearts of men, just as He did in the case of divorce. Matt. 19:8

“Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them.”  The supernatural and satanic character of this practice is recognized in the scriptures and rejected. 

The stranger among them was to be treated kindly and was to be loved. God is the Lord.  That is reason enough to obey His commands.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary, NKJ Bible

 

Immorality Leviticus 18

 

Leviticus 18 Immorality

 

God is now dealing with the moral aspect of the lives of His people. He had to separate His people from the influence of the sinful lives they had lived in Egypt. The children of Israel were caught between a rock and a hard place.  The Egyptians were behind them and the Canaanites were ahead of them, and both were grossly immoral.

God makes the rules.  Breaking the Ten Commandments is wrong because God says it is wrong. He tells us that if we break His commandments, we will pay for it. Someday each of us will stand before Him. He sums up immorality in these forms:  lust, defrauding our brother, lasciviousness, greediness, fornicator, covetousness, idolatry, derailer, drunkard, extortioner, adulterer, incest.  He tells us not to associate with these sins.

God created this universe, and He is the One running it.  He says, “I am your God.” He loves us, and if we are reconciled to God, we will want to please Him.  The child of God can be filled with the Holy Spirit so that he will not commit the sins of the flesh but will produce the fruit of the Spirit. The family on earth is to mirror the family in heaven.  Purity of living was to be the badge of God’s family.

The pagan worship of Molech was closely related with sex.  The image of Molech was heated red-hot, and the bodies of the children were placed in its arms, to burn the sons and daughters in the fire which God did not command, nor did it come to His heart. Jeremiah 7:31. God condemns it! He also condemns men having relations with men and women with women. He calls it unseemly. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.” Romans 1:24-28. “There is no peace, says the Lord, unto the wicked.”  Isaiah 48:22

The land of the Canaanites was eaten up with venereal disease.  Why do you

Suppose God told them not to take even a wedge of Gold or to touch a garment in the city of Jericho? They were guilty of the vilest sins imaginable.  God’s land must be Holy.  God’s goal is that righteousness will cover the earth.

 

Please read the scriptures to get a fuller understanding of God’s Word.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary, NKJ Bible and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary

 

The Value of the Blood Leviticus 17

 

Leviticus 17 The Value of the Blood

 

God is reaching into the personal and private lives of the people.  He puts down regulations by which they were to eat the clean animals. God is demanding that they bring Him to the dinner table by having them slay the animal at the tabernacle. 

Among the heathen the meat was offered to an idol before it was eaten.  God was putting up a roadblock to hinder the Israelites from taking the long road to idolatry, spiritual darkness, and judgment. God is trying to break them from that sordid background in the land of Egypt.

The blood was placed on the altar, and the fat was offered as a sweet savor.  The sacrifice was a peace offering. God did not let them present an animal as an offering and then take it home to eat.

The life is in the blood.  Jesus is saying we are to accept His shed blood for our sins in faith, and then we receive life.  The blood of Christ is the only thing that can wash away sin.  There is nothing offensive about the blood; the offense is in our sin. The sacrifice of blood means one life given for another. We should respect all life and not treat the blood as something common. The blood of Christ, at Calvary is the only acceptable sacrifice for sin in God’s sight.

 

 

 

 

Please read the scriptures to get a fuller understanding of God’s Word.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary, NKJ Bible and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary

 

The Great Day of Atonement Leviticus 16

 

Leviticus 16 – The Great Day of Atonement

 

 

The Day of Atonement pointed to Christ and His redemption as did no other ceremony, sacrifice, or ordinance of the Old Testament.  It reveals Christ, as our Great High Priest, going into the Holy of Holies for us. The instructions for the priest were made after the death of Nadab and Abihu, who intruded into the Holy Place and were killed by the direct judgment of God.  God made it clear that “You can’t at all times come into my place.” For us today, we can come any time and any place and enter the presence of God; that is, provided we come through Christ. The High priest alone performed the ritual. The work of atonement was his. He pictured Christ.  Christ was alone with the sins of the world. Christ was forsaken of both God and man when He was made sin for us. Nevertheless, He and the Father agreed regarding the plan of salvation. The High Priest laid aside his garments of glory and beauty and put on the linen garb as the other priests. Our Lord did not lay aside His deity, but He put aside His glory when He came down to this earth and became a man.

Aaron offered a sin offering for himself and his family and maybe included the whole tribe of Levi. The two goats were one sin offering. One was offered as a sin offering. The other was taken into the wilderness. It was called a Scapegoat. After that Aaron went into the Holy of Holies for the people. The atonement covers the Holy Place because of the contamination of Israel.  Even the brazen altar must have the blood applied because this is where the sins of Israel were confessed and atoned. The laying on of hands on the goat is now identified as the sins of Israel. The live goat disappeared into the wilderness, never to be seen or found again. The one who led the goat into the wilderness was contaminated by contact with the live goat and must wash his clothes and bathe himself.

We were separated from God by sin, but Christ died for us.  He is the One who took away our sins when He entered the Holy Place with His own blood.

 

Please read the scriptures to get a fuller understanding of God’s Word.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary, NKJ Bible and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary

 

 

Running Issues Leviticus 15

 

Leviticus 15 – Running Issues

 

Did you know that we are all preachers?  We are all preaching some message by the life we live.  We are influencing someone.  “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:  These are the things which defiles a man.”  Matt. 15:18-20.  The uncleanness here is in the thought life and the secret sins – secret to man but open before God. In Ezekiel 16:1-13 God makes it very clear to Israel that they had no virtues or attractions but were utterly disgusting to Him. God is concerned with the personal life of His people. He even watches over them while they are asleep!  The man with an unclean issue contaminated the bed upon which he slept, and even his dreams were impure.  God is interested in us when we lie down and when we walk about. God is interested in our conversation.  God is interested in our business and social contacts. We cannot be with people without becoming soiled.  We are constantly soiled.  We all have this sin, these running sores, these hidden sins. That is the reason it is so important for us to stay in the Word of God. “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”  John 15:3. We need to be cleansed of our secret sins.  God is also interested in the procreation of the race, God gave this gift to man for his good and inspiration, and so guards this system carefully.  Man is always in danger of debasing himself in that which was to be one of the noblest experiences.

The grace of our Lord healed the woman with the issue of blood and restored her, and He commended her faith.  Jesus is the fountain for the cleansing of the uncleanness of our hearts. 

Death was the penalty for the failure to obey the commandments regarding running issues.  Hidden sin is not a trivial matter to God.  Neither does He ignore the secret sins of believers. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  If any man defiles the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of Go is holy, which temple ye are.  I Corinthians 3:16-17.

 

Please read the scriptures to get a fuller understanding of God’s Word.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.  Study from J. Vernon McGee and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary

 

 

Ceremonial Cleansing of the Leper Leviticus 14

 

Leviticus 14 – Ceremonial Cleansing of the Leper

 

The ceremonial cleansing alludes to the redemption of the sinner.  The leper would not come among the people, for he was not allowed to.  He was shut out.  Therefore, the priest had to go to him. God goes all the way to the sinner to heal his plague of sin.  God has declared that the heart of man is vile and so it is God who must pronounce a man clean.  He alone can cleanse..”and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth from all sin.” I John 1:7. The cross of Christ had to be down here on earth. He had to come down here to meet us where we are.

There were two live, clean birds used in this sacrifice.  One was killed to represent the death of Christ.  The other was living to represent the resurrection of Christ. They used cedar wood, a symbol of the perfect humanity of Christ.  The wood was incorruptible. The scarlet is the sign of faith in the blood.  Hyssop is a plant that grows upon rocks in damp places.  It represents the faith of the individual.  It is the application of the death of Christ and the blood of Christ to sin in the believer’s life. The earthen vessel is the body which we have.  The emphasis is upon the weakness and infirmity of humanity. Running water speaks of both the Word of God and the Spirit of God.  The live bird was dipped in the blood of the slain bird to identify him with the bird that was slain. Then the live bird was given its freedom, permitting it to fly away.  Christ was delivered for our offenses and raised for our justification to give us freedom to stand steadfast in Christ. The believer is as free as the birds of the heavens and is delivered from religion, rituals, and law. He is subject to Christ’s will and way.  The ceremony has now completed, and the leper has been cleansed and accepted. There is a newness of life. The shaving off all the hair of his body emphasizes the radical change that is taking place in his life.  He must take his place with the other Israelites and present the offerings that every member of the congregation brought before the Lord. Th cleansed leper stands before the door of the tabernacle. The blood upon the tip of his right ear means he can now hear the voice of the Son of God saying, “thy faith has made thee whole.” The blood on the right thumb means that with clean hands he can now serve God. The blood on his right toe means that the cleansed leper can now walk in the way of God.  The oil poured on his head means he is now totally dedicated to God.

There will be a time when God will demolish this earth that is tainted with sin.  He is going to make it clean. There will be a new heaven and a new earth, and they will be free from sin.

 

Leprosy A Picture of Sin Leviticus 13

 

Leviticus 13 - Leprosy

 

Leprosy was a feared disease. God had concern for the leper and made certain he or she was treated with dignity.  God gave the priest all the information needed to detect the disease and make sure it did not spread.  In the Bible, leprosy is a picture of sin.  The disease was not on the surface; like sin, it was deeper than the skin. Leprosy spreads in the system and makes the person unclean, so much that he had to be isolated. Leprosy and running issues of the flesh are accurate symbols of sin in the heart of man.  The diagnosis was not done to prescribe a treatment, it was a religious ritual. Any sin, either small or great, should be brought immediately to our High Priest, who is also the Great Physician.  He has made a thorough inspection of us and has made a diagnosis.  “All have sinned.” Leprosy is a fitting symbol of sin that separates us from God. The Great Physician looks on the human family and pronounces it unclean.  He does this so that we might come to Him for cleansing.  There was no hurry to make a judgement back then and even now “God is slow to anger” in His relationship with us.  God is very patient, and He grants every opportunity to the sinner. God will give the sinner a thousand chances. If that is what it takes. A leper was declared unclean and was shut out.  If it was chronic leprosy he was certain a leper.  There are sinners today that are so hardened that even their best friends can’t convince them of their sins.  These people are slaves to their sins and only the Lord can help them. Sometimes there are church members who are unsaved and don’t believe they are sinners.  The hardened sinner is easier to reach than these unsaved church members. However, it is certain that no sinner is hopeless. Isaiah 1:18 says “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Our old sins were judged on the cross. When sin manifests itself in a believer, God must judge it.  Only that which the Holy Spirit produces in the life of the believer is acceptable to God. Some old sins pop back into a person’s life repeatedly.  It is not our place to judge, but to remind them that they have a Savior and will forgive.  God is willing to heal even the old sins that manifest repeatedly.

 

Please read the scriptures to get a fuller understanding of God’s Word.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.  Study from J. Vernon McGee and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary