Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
16:21-22 He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a remote place; and the man shall release it in the wilderness.
Many of the rituals happen without the Israelites seeing it. But the goat is a visual demonstration of their sins leaving them.
16:21-22 He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a remote place; and the man shall release it in the wilderness.
Many of the rituals happen without the Israelites seeing it. But the goat is a visual demonstration of their sins leaving them.
17:11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.
17:14 because the life of every creature is its blood. That is why I have said to the Israelites, “You must not eat the blood of any creature, because the life of every creature is its blood; anyone who eats it must be cut off.”
(Constable's Commentary) "Blood is the life-sustaining fluid of the body … life poured out in bloodshed made atonement for sin."
The Jews were prohibited from eating/drinking blood. Interesting that this was the symbol that Jesus used to remind them that in drinking his blood, they have his life (John 6:53).
17:11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.
17:14 because the life of every creature is its blood. That is why I have said to the Israelites, “You must not eat the blood of any creature, because the life of every creature is its blood; anyone who eats it must be cut off.”
(Constable's Commentary) "Blood is the life-sustaining fluid of the body … life poured out in bloodshed made atonement for sin."
The Jews were prohibited from eating/drinking blood. Interesting that this was the symbol that Jesus used to remind them that in drinking his blood, they have his life (John 6:53).
18:3 You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices.
18:24-25 Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled. Even the land was defiled; so I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants.
Seven times it is repeated that the Israelites are not to behave like the nations who inhabited Canaan before them (v. 3 x 2, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30). Christians are called to live differently to those around them.
(Merrill in Constable's Commentary) "Holiness is not some kind of spirituality but uniqueness and separateness as the elect and called of God. But holiness must also find expression in life by adhering to ethical principles – practices that demonstrate godlikeness."
18:3 You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices.
18:24-25 Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled. Even the land was defiled; so I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants.
Seven times it is repeated that the Israelites are not to behave like the nations who inhabited Canaan before them (v. 3 x 2, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30). Christians are called to live differently to those around them.
(Merrill in Constable's Commentary) "Holiness is not some kind of spirituality but uniqueness and separateness as the elect and called of God. But holiness must also find expression in life by adhering to ethical principles – practices that demonstrate godlikeness."
19:5 When you sacrifice a fellowship offering to the LORD, sacrifice it in such a way that it will be accepted on your behalf.
The Israelites couldn't sacrifice anything anywhere – it had be in accordance with God's requirements.
Likewise we can't just make any sacrifice and expect God to be impressed. We can't make a sacrifice and use it to feel good about ourselves or to draw attention to ourselves.
19:5 When you sacrifice a fellowship offering to the LORD, sacrifice it in such a way that it will be accepted on your behalf.
The Israelites couldn't sacrifice anything anywhere – it had be in accordance with God's requirements.
Likewise we can't just make any sacrifice and expect God to be impressed. We can't make a sacrifice and use it to feel good about ourselves or to draw attention to ourselves.
20:8 Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the LORD, who makes you holy.
Numerous time the phrase, 'I am the Lord, who makes you holy' is repeated. Even in the OT the Israelites knew it was the Lord who made them holy and not the sacrifices themselves. The sacrifices expressed their heart's desire to be holy but it was actually God who made them holy.
20:8 Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the LORD, who makes you holy.
Numerous time the phrase, 'I am the Lord, who makes you holy' is repeated. Even in the OT the Israelites knew it was the Lord who made them holy and not the sacrifices themselves. The sacrifices expressed their heart's desire to be holy but it was actually God who made them holy.