In Leviticus 13 we find God giving a series of laws regarding a leper. Actually what’s called a “leper” in this section is different than what we mean today when we refer to the disease (Hansen’s). There are likely multiple skin conditions that are in view here, but the end result of them is all the same. There is a deep imperfection that is more than a short temporary blemish. That this section is also dealing with something other than leperosy is also shown in this chapter as it deals really in two parts: 1-44 identifies a blemish in people. (45-46 deals with what a leper then must do). And 47-59 on when an article or clothing has a blemish on it (likely mold in this case).

13:2 When a man has on the skin of his body a swelling or a scab or a bright spot, and it becomes an infection of leprosy on the skin of his body then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons the priests. When a symptom of being unclean arose, it was the priest who ultimately had to make the tough call. Essentially they were saying to the person, “you can be a part of the community,” or “you can’t” Note the slight relation to Jesus saying to Peter: I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” – Matthew 16:19. God is not afraid to delegate responsibility to trustworthy people.

13:3 The priest shall look at the mark on the skin of the body, and if the hair in the infection has turned white and the infection appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is an infection of leprosy; when the priest has looked at him, he shall pronounce him unclean. If it is something internal, that’s the serious and distinguishing issue. As noted in previous’ posts, “unclean” does not necessarily mean “sinful” but rather that the affected thing/person was lacking in wholeness. Something was off from how it should be. To be clean is to be whole.

13:4 But if the bright spot is white on the skin of his body, and it does not appear to be deeper than the skin, and the hair on it has not turned white then the priest shall isolate him who has the infection for 7 days. No chances were to be taken; no benefit of the doubt given. Worship of God was crucial and most important.

13:8 … if the scab has spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is leprosy. Uncleanness pollutes and is contagious.

13:37 If in his sight the scale has remained, however, and black hair has grown in it, the scale has healed, he is clean, the priest shall pronounce him clean. When what should be growing, is growing, it’s a good sign. Notice how the fruit of the Spirit should be growing and bearing fruit in our lives as well, it’s a good sign.

13:45-46 As for the leper who has the infection, his clothes shall be torn and the hair of his head shall be uncovered, and he shall cover his mustache and cry, “unclean, unclean!” He shall remain unclean all the days during which he has the infection; he is unclean. He shall live alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp. This gives the course of action the leper must take. The above are all signs of mourning, as they should be for the afflicted person had to live outside the camp which mean to be cut off from the people and from the worship of his/her God. Isolation was not as coveted as it is for us today. For interaction was necessary in all parts of life. Wenhem refers to it as “a living death.” But he also notes:

Individual discomfort was not allowed to jeopardize the spiritual welfare of the nation, for God’s abiding presence with His people depended on uncleanness being excluded from their midst (cf. Isaiah 6:3-5)

13:47 When a garment has a mark of leprosy in it… wholeness/cleanness extends to garments as well as people.

Decay or corruption (in and of the environment) is incompatible with the holiness of the LORD and must be removed. – Ross.

13:49 if the mark is greenish or reddish… probably referring to mold or mildew.

13:55 After the article with the mark has been washed, the priest shall again look, and if the mark has not changed its appearance, even thought the mark has not spread, it is unclean; - In this case, it was the continued presence of the mark which made it unclean, not just if it spread.

13:56 … he shall tear it out of the garment or out of the leather… It could just be torn out to see if that worked. The seriousness of the blemish would be demonstrated if it reappeared.

Although today we no longer live in a camp, nor force people to live outside a camp, not exclude people from worship based on skin defects or blemishes, mold, etc, this section has powerful reminders to us about the seriousness of unclean pollution in our lives.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US:

• God desires for us to be whole, and so do we. Hence the beauty of Christ’s work on the cross. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Revelation 21:1-4
• We must deal with “fleshly” blemishes in our lives. Seeking to align with the Spirit, and not with the flesh, we have to examine  ourselves for what may seem to be a passing blemish may be a symptom of a deeper fleshly infection. We must deal with it quickly, lest it spread. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. – James 1:22-25
• God never leaves us in discouragement, but does bring encouragement. Although Lev 13 appears to leave lepers in a hopeless situation, Lev 14 will bring hope to their situation. God doesn’t leave us hopeless. This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:10-11

This first appears to be an odd section of Scripture. Why would there be a section on bearing children and making women unclean? However, we must not associate sin with uncleanness. Constable notes there is a distinction between moral transgressions and ritual uncleanness. Just because a woman was ritually unclean, does not mean she had sinned.

“Unclean” doesn’t mean “sinful”, but “impure.” – Constable.

12:2 When a woman gives birth and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean for 7 days, as in the days of her menstruation she shall be unclean. It wasn’t the act of birth, but the blood associated with it that made the woman unclean.

12:3 On the 8th day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. This was the sign of the covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17). Other nations also had circumcision, but they appear to have used it as a rite of passage at the time of adolescence.

12:8 But if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take 2 turtle doves or 2 young pigeons… This was what Mary offered in Luke 2:24. A hint at the economic status of Mary and Joseph.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US: 

• Pollution doesn’t just come from our environment, but it also can come from within. Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.) He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” – Mark 7:14-23

In Leviticus 10:10 God told Aaron that part of his job was to distinguish between the clean and unclean to teach people how to do so. In Chapter 11 we see the unfolding of this as what follows through chapter 15 are rules on distinguishing between the clean and unclean in different areas of Israelite life. These chapters, although done away with in practice due to Christ’s work on the cross, still have much to say to us today in how we think about life with and for God. Today we can often lose sight of the fact that the God we serve is holy and perfect, and our identity is intertwined with His character. The laws of Leviticus, especially on the unclean and clean, kept people from forgetting about the holiness, wholeness, and perfection of their God.

Chapter 11 deals with what types of animals were considered clean and unclean to Israel.

11:1 The LORD again spoke to Moses and to Aaron… We find God is now going to tell Moses how to carry out the command He gave him in 10:10.

11:4 Nevertheless you are not to eat of these, among those which chew the cud, or among those which divide the hoof; the camel, for those it chews cut, it does not divide the hoof, it is unclean to you. One could not be partially clean or “clean enough.” It was either clean or unclean. No grey area. God also said, “it is unclean to you.” These are not rules for everyone in the world, but to the nation of Israel. God’s people were to identify themselves with Him in how they lived.

11:8 You shall not eat of their flesh nor touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you.There is no ambiguity with God when it comes to clean or unclean. He makes it clear.

11:24 By these, moreover, you will be made unclean: whoever touches their carcasses becomes unclean until eventing, and whoever picks up any of their carcasses shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening. The period of uncleanness here in chapter 11 is very short, it is always only until evening and only deals with dead animals. Notice even removing a dead animal transferred its uncleanness. Death was a consequence of sin in Genesis 2:17.

11:29 Now these are to you the unclean among the swarming things which swarm on the earth… What follows is God giving directives on “swarming” creatures, insects, etc. This category can get into houses and onto household items so God gives directives in these verses how to deal with that issue.

11:36 Nevertheless a spring or a cistern collecting water shall be clean, though the one who touches their carcass hall be unclean. It was have been difficult of a dead animal fell in a water source, for the people relied on it greatly in the ancient near east. Therefore, the cistern is still considered clean. Perhaps this is God showing great mercy to His people, or simply the fact that natural water gives life and overpowers death, after all fish die in the sea all the time, and it would have been difficult to put entire seas in the unclean category.

11:44 For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. This sums up what clean and unclean is all about. God’s people are to be consecrated, set apart for him. Whole, complete, clean.

Also notice that throughout this chapter the order of the animals are laid out the same way as the order of the animals given in creation in Genesis.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US:

• We ought to be strive to live lives holy and set apart for God. And do no be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2
• We should be careful and distinguish between the “clean” and “unclean.” Although we no longer have to worry about distinguishing between animals, there are still items that are unclean to us and which we should have no part of. For example, pornography, lying, slandering, etc. are areas that we could consider in our lives “unclean”.  Again uncleanness is contagious and it pollutes. Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Corinthians 5:7-8

Yesterday we focused on the first 3 verses. This is literally Aaron’s best and worst day of his life. He just saw God’s glory, and He also just saw his two oldest sons die. And now Moses is going to give Aaron a couple commands in handling the situation.

10:6-7 Then Moses said to Aaron and to his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Do not uncover your heads nor tear your clothes, so that you will not die and that He will not become wrathful against all the congregation. but your kinsmen, who whole house of Israel, shall bewail the burning which the LORD has brought about. You shall not even go out from the doorway of the tent of meeting, or you will die; for the LORD’s anointing oil is upon you.” So they did according to the word of Moses. Neither Aaron nor his sons were allowed to take the bodies out, mourn them, or even go to the funeral. They could not leave the tent of meeting. For they were now holy and consecrated to God. Therefore they had to align themselves with God’s viewpoint. At times that what following God means for us, especially those who are called to be spiritual leaders, that when its even when its hard and emotions are high, that we must align ourselves with God. And see things/lead from His perspective. The calling is great, and therefore so is the responsibility.

10:8 The LORD then spoke to Aaron, saying… in the midst of a great sin by his sons, God directly speaks to Aaron. This is the only time in Leviticus where God speaks directly to Aaron. It’s almost a reassurance and comfort to Aaron, as much as it is directive to him. Letting Aaron know that despite the sin of his sons, he will still maintain his place as high priest of Israel.

10:9 Do not drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you will not die… Essentially they are not to drink on the job. But, this seems odd here. Some suggest that perhaps Nadab and Abihu were drunk and that’s why they offered the strange fire. Or it may simply be that as the spiritual leaders of Israel they are to lead rightly especially and how much more so when they are in the house of God.

10:10-11 and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane and between the unclean and the clean, and so as to teach the sons of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them through Moses. Here we see the job description given from God to Aaron. They are the ones to distinguish and to teach people how to distinguish between the holy and the profane, the clean and the unclean. For to worship in the presence of a holy God, they must be clean. (Note then the awesomeness of Christ’s work on the cross as we are now able to worship in the presence of the same God!).

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US:

• We must see things from God’s perspective. Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. – Colossians 3:1-2
• We are to live rightly, seeking to live holy. Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. – Philippians 4:8

This is the third story in a section (Ch.8, 9, & 10 respectively) which contrasts obedience to God and it’s blessings, with disobedience and its consequences, all framed in the story of those who are to be Israel’s spiritual leaders. Whereas we just saw Aaron ordained as high priest, here we find two of his sons disobedient and killed as a result of it. I actually want to spend the time today really keying in on the first 3 verses, because it has a lot to say to us in our lives, and then tomorrow we’ll finish up the rest of the chapter.

10:1 Now Nadab and Abihu the sons of Aaron… – these are the 2 oldest of Aaron’s 4 sons (Ex 6:23).

10:1 …took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. Notice this section begins differently then the previous two. We find the word “took” rather than “commanded.” We see arrogance, rather than obedience. The tone has shifted in the narrative. Something is not right and feels off. These two had been with their father and Moses on Mt. Sinai (Ex 24:1) and they had just been ordained, and they had just seen the glory of the LORD and His fire come down from heaven. They have just been on a spiritual high.

But it says they offered “strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them.” What was the strange fire, we are not told? Why was it strange, we are not told; other than that it was simply something God had not commanded them. Which has to make us stop and think. How is our worship to God? Nadab and Abihu’s sin was worshipping God how they thought He should be worshipped. Or in other words, it was how they wanted to worship Him. But, it wasn’t “a soothing aroma.”.

10:2 And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. The LORD’s fire had just consumed an offering, now it consumes disobedient leaders for their sin. Whereas it the fire was just an act of confirmed acceptance, here it is divine judgment. They are held to a higher standard to live obediently, by the very nature of their calling and office. Therefore, consequences of sin in their lives are dealt with to a greater degree.

10:3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “It is what the LORD spoke, saying, ‘By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, and before all the people I will be honored.’” Those who are “closer to God,” as leaders should pay more attention to honoring His holiness. Also note this statement is reflected in how Moses handles the situation. Aaron is Moses’ older brother (Ex 4:14; 7:17). Therefore, Moses just watched his nephews die, and they had been through some key experiences together. What do you say in that situation? We’d probably start with, freaking out and running to comfort the father. Yet, Moses aligns himself with God. And with a somewhat comforting tone (I’d imagine), firmly states the reason for what just happened. For as we’ll see, for the key leaders (Moses & Aaron) to mourn what God did when others overstepped their boundaries, would be to almost align themselves against God in the eyes of the people. Leaders are to called to align themselves with God’s viewpoint. As Calvin says:

If we reflect how holy a thing God’s worship is, the enormity of the punishment will by no means offend us. – Calvin. (He also goes on to note what it would have said if God allowed His priests to right away transgress – They would neglect the whole Law after a short time.)

10:3 So Aaron, therefore, kept silent. Aaron just was ordained. Just saw the glory of God. Just saw fire consume His offering. And now he just saw his two oldest sons die in disobedience. This is literally the best and worst day of His life, all in the same day.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US: 

• We must not overstep our boundaries. We listen when God tells us to do something, but we refrain from stepping where He has not told us to. It’s not about how we want to worship God. But, about what He finds acceptable and beautiful in His sight. Those who are called to lead people in worship must especially take note of that. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. – 1 John 1:5-6; Therefore, I exhort the elders among you… shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. – 1 Peter 5:1-3

In chapter 8 we read about Moses offering sacrifices for Aaron and his sons in an ordination ceremony. Then they were led to the tent of meeting where they had to stay for 7 days. This picks up on the 8th day. Notice the role of Aaron has changed. In Chapter 8 it was Moses who performed the offerings. Here, Aaron assumes his role as high priest and he will offer sacrifices for himself and on behalf of all the people.

9:2 And he said to Aaron, “Take for yourself a calf, a bull, for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering… Note the first word Aaron is told to sacrifice is a calf, which may call to mind Aaron’s sin in Exodus when he led people to worship a golden calf and they incurred God and Moses’ wrath.

9:3 Then to the sons of Israel you shall speak… It is now Aaron who is to give the directive to the people of Israel.

9:5 So they took what Moses had commanded to the front of the tent of meeting, and the whole congregation came near and stood before the LORD. The congregation is ready, now it is the priests turn to lead them in worship (rather than Moses).

9:6 Moses said, “This is the thing which the LROD has commanded you to do, that the glory of the LORD may appear to you.” This is the ultimate goal of everything said up to this point. That the glory of the LORD would be with them. But for it to happen they must fulfill the command for they cannot have HIs presence without obedience.

9:8. So Aaron came near to the altar and slaughtered the calf of the sin offering which was for himself. Moses had already offered for Aaron before. Now Aaron must offer it for himself. Responsibility matters, both to God and to people.

9:23-24 Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting. When they came out and blessed the people, the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. Then fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces. Moses and Aaron went in together (usually there was where Moses heard from God (Lev 1). Then they come out and bless the people together. There is uniformity and a passing of the torch so to speak in regards to leading the nation in worship. When it says fire came out from before the LORD, there was already fire burning on the altar from the previous sacrifices, but now God brings His divine fire to show that all which has been done is acceptable (a soothing aroma if you will). Everything is well and right. And when the people saw it they shouted and fell on their faces, for there is only one response we can have when we encounter the glory of God.

Notice that in this section Aaron presented every type of offering from Lev 1-7 with the exception of the guilt offering, since the twas for specific sins. Also there is a great variety in the animals he sacrificed.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US: 

• If God is not present, our worship is meaningless. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded. – James 4:8
• Spiritual leaders must lead the way in purifying themselves before they attempt to purify others. Similar to what was stated yesterday, again we see God’s insistence that those who He has called to lead, lead from personal experience. For this reason I left you (Titus) in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach…  see passage for rest of list - Titus 1:5-6 
• When God accepts our worship it’s beautiful. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. – James 4:10

Here we find a story of the ordination of the first priests of Israel. Up to this point we’ve been told how the offerings should be offered, but we have no priests to carry them out. This is the story of how the first priests were ordained. But it’s part of a larger story that’s carried out from chapters 8-10. It’s about how those God has called to be leaders ought to reflect and lead people to God in a holy way. Not to lead from sin or allow themselves to step where God has not told them to go. In other words, spiritual leaders should be so aligned with God, that it permeates their leadership and they lead people rightly.

This is also the story of Aaron. He becomes the centerpiece here. In Exodus we found Aaron leading people to worship a golden calf and offering sacrifices when God hadn’t told them how to do it, or why. They were just doing what they had likely learned in Egypt. Although Aarons high priest garments had been made, he wasn’t noted as being at the dedication of the tent of meeting. This chapter confirms that even though Aaron had led people to sin previously, God’s grace was still gracious towards one who was repentant and even a person who committed a grave sin could be placed in the highest spiritual office.

8:2 Take Aaron and his sons with him… Notice the amount of training Aaron and his sons got. Not much. They went up with Aaron and Moses on Mt. Sinai. But as there were no priests or laws before this, they had no one to imitate. They had to simply be obedience to what God told them to do and how.

8:3 and assemble all the congregation at the doorway of the tent of meeting. This concerned all of Israel. This may refer to the leaders of the individual tribes of Israel as they represented the people.

8:4 So Moses did just as the LORD commanded him. This phrase will occur 16 times in this section (8-10).

8:6 Moses had Aaron and his sons come near and washed them with water. The symbols of cleansing. What takes place on the external is representing the cleansing internally. Also notice Moses is acting as high priest in this section since there has not yet been a high priest anointed.

8:9. He also placed the turban on his head…. All of Aaron’s garments were to signify the high calling and respect of his office.

8:10 Moses then took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them. They are set apart, holy before God.

8:14 Then he brought the bull of the sin offering…. The priests first had to make atonement for their own sins, before they could bring atonement for the nation.

8:14 and ff. Notice that in being ordained, the priests could also learn from Moses how to carry out the sacrifices and offerings. He was their example.

8:23 Moses slaughtered it and took some of its blood and putt on the lob of Aaron’s right ear, and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. Notice the treatment of blood here is different than we found previously. One interpretation is on the ears to listen to God’s word, on the hand to carry out God’s work and on his feet to walk according to God’s commands.

Active and ongoing sanctification is an essential part of being set apart for ministry; and the first step in sanctification is removing defilement and sin. – Ross.

8:34 The LORD has command you to do as has been done this day, to make atonement on your behalf. The priests had to undergo atonement, in order to lead others there. One cannot lead others into being restored with God, if they haven’t done it themselves.

8:35-36 At the doorway of the tent of meeting, moreover, you shall remain day and night for seven days and keep the charge of the LORD, so that you will not die, for so I have been commanded. Thus Aaron and his sons did all the things which the LORD had commanded through Moses. God through Moses, gives them a command and the specific outcome if they disobeyed. The priests did all just as God commanded.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US: 

• Leaders must lead the way. God’s people should be able to imitate their leaders. Especially in their striving to follow God. Leaders cannot say one thing, but behave different. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you… 2 Thess 3:7
• God cares about the purity and holiness of His leaders. They represent God to the people. To walk in impurity and sin is not only leading people astray, but it’s misrepresenting God. And He cares about His name. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. – 1 Tim 3:2-7
• God’s people should expect their leaders to live with purity and atonement. Of course everyone sins, leaders aren’t perfect, but it does mean that when leaders sin, they take responsibility and seek divine forgiveness, doing what needs to be done to make it right with God. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. – 2 Tim 2:15

In this section we continue looking at the role of the priests in the offerings. In this section it is primarily concerned with what portions of the sacrifice go to whom? Also note that in 7:11-18 We find 3 types of peace offerings that give description has to why people would bring a peace offering:

1. Thanksgiving
2. Votive – (after making a vow)
3. Freewill

7:20 Also the flesh that touches anything unclean shall not be eaten; it shall be burned with fire. As for other flesh, anyone who is clean may eat such flesh. Again we see uncleanness is contagious and should not pollute a sacrifice that is dedicated to a holy God. Anyone could help the worshipper eat it as long as he was clean.

7:21 But the person who eats the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings which belong to the LORD, in his uncleanness, that person shall be cut off from his people. People had to examine themselves or risk being cut off from their people. To a people that didn’t have the ability to just drive elsewhere to get milk or could easily relocate, this essentially means they were cut off from their identity and their way of life.

Grace has privilege and responsibilities. – Wenham

7:25-27 For whoever eats the fat of the animal from which an offering by fire is offered to the LORD, even the person who eats shall be cut off from his people. You are not to eat any blood, either of bird or animal, in any of your dwellings. Any person who eats any blood, even that person shall be cut off from his people. When people usurp for themselves what should go to God, diving punishment follows.

7:30 His own hands are to bring offerings by fire to the LORD. God clearly directs the worshiper to bring his own offering. Responsibility matters to God.

7:33 This is which is consecrated to Aaron and that which is consecrated to his sons from the offerings by fire to the LORD, in that day when he presented them to serve as priests to the LORD. These the LORD had commanded to be given them from the sons of Israel in the day that He anointed them. It is their due forever throughout their generations. - God cares deeply about that which is consecrated to His priests, He leaves no black and white.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US:

• Spiritual leaders must take responsibility for making sure their worship is done in accordance with God’s desires. When God gives the pastor a vision for the church, he must take responsibility for carrying it out. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. – 1 Tim 4:16
• We must take responsibility for our own offerings. When we sin we have to take responsibility for it. In acts of spiritual service we take responsibility (not my wife does… or my parents do….). In our spiritual growth we take responsibility for it (praying, reading the bible, church, etc). Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. – 2 Cor 5:9-11
• We must examine ourselves to make sure we are living aligned with God. So then, you should each examine yourself first, and then eat the bread and drink from the cup. For if you do not recognize the meaning of the Lord’s body when you eat the bread and drink from the cup, you bring judgment on yourself as you eat and drink. That is why many of you are sick and weak, and several have died. If we would examine ourselves first, we would not come under God’s judgment. – 1 Cor 11:28-31.

Leviticus 6:8-7:38 will deal with the role of the priests in the offerings we’ve read about up to this point. There will also be an extra offering that is given just for the priests. Whereas Leviticus 1:1-6:7 dealt with the worshipper’s experience of the offerings, in 6:8-7:38 specific instructions are given to the priests as to what they must do including who (God, priests, worshipper) is entitled to eat what part of the offering. The order of the offerings are arranged differently in this section with the frequency of the offering determining where it is laid out. The most frequent offerings are given first to the least frequent.

6:8-9 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Command Aaron and his sons…” Before the phrase was to tell the Israelites something, now it is specifically to the priests.

6:9 … ‘”This is the law for the burnt offering: the burnt offering itself shall remain on the hearth on the altar all night until morning, and the fire that is on the altar is to be kept burning on it.” Three times (6:9, 12, 13)God will state the fire is to be kept burning and should never go out. It is a fire that God Himself starts in Leviticus 9:24. God will also start the fire again at the temple dedication in 2 Chronicles 7:1.

6:10-11 The priest is to put on his linen robe, and he shall put on undergarments next to his flesh; and he shall take up the ashes to which the fire reduces the burnt offering on the altar and place them beside the altar. Then he shall take off his garments and put on other garments, and carry the ashes outside the camp to a clean place.” - Having a lot of burnt offerings on a perpetual fire would have created a ton of ash. Thus, God even gives directives on how to remove the ash properly. Note the holy must be kept holy, therefore a change in clothing is required.

6:16 What is left of it Aaron and his sons are to eat. It shall be eating as unleavened cakes in a holy place; they are to eat it in the court of the tent of meeting.  - The priest are allowed to eat the left overs, but they must be consumed in a holy place.

6:20-23 This is the offering which Aaron and his sons are to present to the LORD on the day when he is anointed; the tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a regular grain offering, half of it in the morning and half of it in the evening. It shall be prepared with oil on a griddle. When it is well stirred, you shall bring it. You shall present the grain offering in baked pieces as a soothing aroma to the LORD. The anointed priest who will be in his place among his sons shall offer it. By a permanent ordinance it shall be entirely offered up in smoke to the LORD. So every grain offering of the priest shall be burned entirely. It shall not be eaten.  - This is the first mention of the priest’s grain offering. It is specific just to priests. Josephus notes that it was a daily offering from the time a priest was anointed. Notice the great care also that must be taken by the priests for it to be a soothing aroma.

Ministers must assure worshipers that God accepts sincere dedication – not only by how they receive the acts of dedication, but also by how they themselves live dedicated lives. – Ross.

Unlike the grain offering of the laity, none of the priestly offering is to be consumed by the priest. God consumes all of it.

6:27 Anyone who touches its flesh will become consecrated; and when any of its blood splashes on a garment, in a holy place you shall wash what was splashed on. Blood in a sacrifice is a holy thing and purifies/makes holy what it touches. There is power in the blood.

6:28 Also the earthenware vessel in which it was boiled shall be broken; and if it was boiled in a bronze vessel, then it shall be scoured and rinsed in water. Again the holy and the common must not be confused.

6:30 But no sin offering of which any of the blood is brought into the tent of meeting to make atonement in the holy place shall be eaten; it shall be burned with fire. This was in relationship to sin by the anointed priest or by the entire people. Those offerings must be completely consumed by God, for there was no spiritually higher power to share the food with.

This section teaches us that God greatly cares how His ministers and spiritual leaders act and lead people in worshipping Him. It is not to be done half-heartedly, but with great attention to detail making sure that they correctly lead people to worship Him how He asks them to.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US: 

• Spiritual Leaders must take great care in leading people in worship. God cares how His people worship Him. In the context of the local church, the leaders are responsible for making sure that gets carried out. I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word… be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. – 2 Tim. 4:1, 5
• Obedience & Details matter. Both were expected by God for the worshipper and the priest each. Anything less was unacceptable to God. In today’s church, those who serve ought to do so with, obedience and attention to details. God is not a God of disorder, but of order. But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner. – 1 Cor. 14:40
• Leaders lead by demonstrating. Faithful adherence by the leaders gives the people a person to watch and imitate. Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me. – 1 Cor 4:16