Do this! Do that!

I never really liked following rules. I still don’t. Of course a lot of it has to do with my pride but there is something inherently I despise about rules. Like wise, this generation thoroughly hates anything to do with structure. The book of Leviticus is a great book that helps reconcile the purpose and vision for laws.

This book expresses the different laws regarding how Israel was to be before God and how they are to relate with others in the covenant community. This book continues where Exodus left off and it is when the Lord is speaking to Moses. The content has laws that helps the covenant people to become holy before God and to love their neighbors which includes sacrifices, ritual cleanness and social obligations. The book pertains to the Levites as well. The idea of this book is summarized in Leviticus 11:44,45, “Be holy, because I am holy.” From chapters 17-25, there is a Holiness Code. From this stems the need to love others (Leviticus 19:18).
Further, this book teaches what the covenant people are to feel and value in relation to their God and others. It gives guidelines in how to relate with the holy God and with our neighbors. All our affections must arise from the covenant aspect of the relationship. There are certain laws that we must live under because we are all part of God’s covenant. It is not mere religious rites but based on relationship. Leviticus 11-16 deals with issues on cleanness and uncleanness as a way for the covenant believers to follow. It is very detailed because as much as God is set apart, His people must be set apart as well.
Just as much as our hearts have certain laws, even the behaviors and practices are dealt with as well. Leviticus 17-25 contains the Holiness Code where it deals with personal and social holiness in daily life. It concentrates on how one carries oneself and how you are to respond and behave in society. We cannot do whatever we want because we are covenant people. These laws are given so that as covenant people we will know how to be holy before God and toward others. Without God’s instructions, we will do whatever we want, which will help us not be set apart for God’s glory. We need these laws so that as God’s representatives, the Israelites may be set apart which will picture how God is set apart, how God is holy.

Personal Thoughts:

Clearly, there are rules and guidelines in the Bible, in the Christian life. There was a point in my life where I was turned off by these rites and deemed them “unchristian.” Isn’t the Christian life solely about relationship? Why so many do’s and don’ts? I still struggle with this sometimes when I think about the relational “code” that a “Christian” must follow- “treat others as you would want to be treated” or “it’s never anyone else’s fault, first and foremost, I am the problem.”

But, having grown up in the Church and hearing these biblical principles, I realized that I was still only hearing them from a perspective that seeks my own glory. Basically, I was questioning, “How do these rules get me what I want?” However, GOD had provided these rules and guidelines for His Glory, not mine. It was to make me set apart for HIS Glory! The logic is that when God receives Glory, we will be most satisfied for it is what we were truly meant to do.

In light of Leviticus, rules were never the issue, hearts were. The Israelites were SAVED from slavery, a miserable life. They were given a life they never deserved. Of course, it makes sense to now live for the One that had given them this new chance. Yet, just like them, I still struggle in pursuing holiness to be set apart for GOD’s glory. I still live for my own and that is why I don’t like to adhere to biblical principles. What GOD desires of me is simple, “Be holy because I am holy.” And GOD, out of his love, provides rules and guidelines to help me along… I just need to follow where He leads me.

For my own discipline… I am planning to go through each book and trying to see how each book will daily guide me in my relationship with God and others. Probably won’t post daily but whenever I do, I might do this sequence for a while… we’ll see I do really need to develop my left brain!

Exodus

a Latin word derived from the Greek “Exodos” meaning “exit,” or “departure.” Exodus is a part of the Pentateuch.

The key theme of Exodus is liberation. It pictures what God will do for his people physically and spiritually. Initially, the book establishes the growth of the Israelites and their enslavement. Then through Moses, they escape Egypt (Gen 1-12). Here, there are more themes regarding calling and the participation of God’s redemptive history. Furthermore, a covenant is formed between Yahweh and the people as laws are given so that the people of God will live for God (Gen 19-24). From chapters 32-34, Israel is seen continuously complaining to God and engaged in rebellion and idolatry. The book ends where God’s glory fills the tabernacle (Gen 40). It is important to note that the instruction and contruction of the tabernacle is included in the book of Exodus because this book reveals how Israel is to be with Yahweh.
Exodus promotes the covenant relationship that Israel is suppose to have with Yahweh. It defines the values that relationships holds and how Israel was to live out every moment of their lives in light of these values. To this end, Yahweh provides the Ten Commandments (Gen 20) and the Book of the Covenant (Gen 21-23).
There are very specific instructions given for the tabernacle that Israel must follow in light of the relationship with Yahweh (Gen 25-31). Yahweh had saved them from slavery and eventual death, therefore, they no were to no longer live for themselves but for the Savior who saved them. They had certain covenant instructions and practices they were to obey such as how they were to relate with Yahweh, to others in the covenant community and to those outside of the community.

Concluding reflections:

I can easily take the life of Moses and desire to be that “man,” not thinking much about GOD’s redemptive plans. I’m sure GOD is concerned about the mediator He chooses to use but GOD will use anyone to fulfill His plans. And He doesn’t NEED anyone.

So, I can either live life merely hoping that GOD will use me like Moses or I can choose to train and become someone that GOD may use… without any expectations and selfish motives.

In the world, so many seek training so that they may become famous or make lots of money. It’s more rare to see those that desire training to become who GOD wants us to be. Personally, I need to desire more training for everything… the question is, how much do I want it? How uncomfortable am I willing to become for the sake of “becoming….”