Day Eight - The Levitical Priests
Leviticus 1:1 to Leviticus 14:32
Our initial reading in the the Book of Leviticus is a very informative if not engaging set of instructions that were given to Israelites as they are camped around Mount Sinai. They are given the clear message that God is sacred and if they are to remain within the presence of God's holiness there are very specific standards that must be maintained. The enforcers of these standards turn out to be the priests who are engaged in very specific roles as verifiers, monitors and offerers of sacrifices. I was exhausted by the reading and the descriptions of what these priests were directed to do and perform on behalf of individuals and the community.
Much of the material is curiously foreign to us, and yet it is good to be reminded of it as it is a part of the background against which we view the ministry and teachings of Jesus. It also raises the question of how it is we try to stay ritually pure in our own lives, in our churches, and in our worship. Is it necessary and pleasing to God, or merely to ourselves?
I appreciated your blog today as it helped me have a clearer picture of the reading and understanding of all the instructions, i.e., God's sacredness and maintaining standards to be in the presence of God's holiness. Also, I have read your last statement and question several times and will think deeply on your question and what it is I do to stay ritually pure and whom it is pleasing to. Great question to think on and act on.
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