Journal Through the Bible: Week 20 Wednesday

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Leviticus 25:8-55

Does God make any promises in this passage?

• God said that He would bless the crops in the year prior to a sabbath year so that there would be enough bounty to last until the crops were harvested in the year following a sabbath year.
• God promised that if they would treat each other fairly and observe the Jubilee they would live safely in their land.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• This passage contains the first mention of a kinsman-redeemer, this time for the land.  In 2 Corinthians 4:4 Satan is called the "god of this age" which means he exerts influence over people and their possessions. This can truly be seen when it comes to how the nation of Israel has been treated through the ages! The land needed a kinsman-redeemer and that was Jesus. God never gave up possession of the land but has allowed Satan to "roam to and fro like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour" (paraphrase of 1 Peter 5:8) since the introduction of sin onto the earth. Not only did the death and resurrection of Jesus provide for the redemption of people, but also of the land. This will be proven when the earth itself will be restored (or resurrected). It is now groaning and travailing as one in pain as a laboring woman ready to give birth (paraphrase of Romans 8:22) but will be resurrected into a New Earth totally redeemed by Jesus (see Revelation 21:1). Then the New Jerusalem (Jesus' Capitol in Israel) will come down as a bride adorned (also Revelation chapter 21).
• The Year of Jubilee is a picture of grace received through Jesus. All who believe on Jesus as their redemption will become part of God's people. Then mankind will return to the world that God originally meant for them to inhabit, one free of sin and death. This can happen because all debts will be forgiven. 

Does this passage teach anything about future events?

• God said He owned the land of Israel and so does He own the land that He has promised to share with all His children. This would include the heavenly dwelling and the coming New Earth. 
• The redemption, resurrection, and restoration of all things will result in the eternal reign of Jesus, the son of David, assuming His throne. The "god of this age" will be deposed and Jesus will rule and reign forever. (see above)
• The humanitarian laws concerning masters and employees were based upon loving a neighbor as oneself recognizing that people belong to God. If we work together in eternity on the New Earth it is obvious that there will be no labor disputes due to mistreatment on either side. There is no need to be worried about verses that say there are those who rule and reign in the eternal kingdom since sin will not hinder working relationships.

Does God issue any commands?

• Every 50th year was to be proclaimed as a Year of Jubilee beginning on the Day of Atonement. Every man was to return to his family lands, and servants were to be returned to their family. The land was to be left fallow that year just as it would have been the year before (a sabbath year).
• The people were not to oppress each other in matters of money and servanthood when they knew a Jubilee year was approaching but were to be generous.
• God commanded that the land never be sold. It was His land and He allowed them to live on it with Him.
• God commanded that a rich relative who wished to redeem the land for a poor relative may do so in order to restore the land to the family. (This would particularly be important if there were many years before the next Jubilee year when the land would revert to the previous owner automatically.)
• God commanded that a man selling a house within a walled village could have a full year to redeem it. If he did not, then the new owner would possess it. It would not go back in the time of Jubilee. 
• The exception to the above rule concerning the sale of houses within walled villages was the houses of the Levites. The Levites could redeem their possessions at any time. Everything within the cities designated for the use of the Levites would revert to them at the time of Jubilee. Their fields were NEVER to be sold!
• God commanded that they lend to their fellow-Hebrews without interest. They were to be compassionate to the poor. They also were not to enslave other Hebrews or treat them with cruelty but could hire them as paid servants until the Year of Jubilee when all debts were to be forgiven because they were God's servants and only loaned to each other for temporary service. The laws of release in the time of Jubilee did not extend to foreign slaves. If a Hebrew was sold unto a rich foreigner living within the Hebrew nation the Hebrew man or woman could be redeemed by another family member. The kinsman-redeemer would pay the master a price based upon how many years remained until the time of the Jubilee. If there was no kinsman-redeemer the slave would be released from the foreign master (who was living among the Israelites) at the time of the Jubilee. In other words, foreigners living among the Hebrews were required to follow the laws of the land,which were God's laws.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 20 Tuesday

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Leviticus 24:1-25:7

The people were to be holy, righteous, and set apart. Their hearts were to be ready to worship the God that was leading them to the land He had promised them. In the middle of these instructions for celebrating holy days (now rendered as the word holidays) and the ones for keeping supplies handy for the consumables used in the tabernacle is the story of the man who blasphemed God while fighting with another man. So much for loving the Lord thy God with all they heart, soul, and mind, and thy neighbor as thyself! The man was placed in confinement until the Lord passed sentence upon him.

Does God make any promises in this passage?

• Not explicit, but the implication for the sabbath year of rest on the land is that God would make the harvest prior to the sabbath sufficient to provide food for two years.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• In the worst moments of His life, the time of suffering upon the cross or the agony of spirit in the Garden prior to the event, Jesus never cursed God for what He was going through. He was never guilty of blasphemy against His Father.

Does this passage teach anything about future events?

• It does not teach us anything about what will be in our eternal home but it tells us plenty about what will not be there: death, blasphemy, hatred, strife, injury.
• As caretakers of God's earth, it is possible that the New Earth will observe a sabbath year of rest each seventh year.

Does God issue any commands?

• God reminded the people through Moses that they were to donate olive oil for the continual lighting of the candlestick in the tabernacle.
• God commanded them to resupply the table of shewbread with 12 loaves each week and told them how to line them up in two rows with frankincense.
• God commanded that Shelomith's son, who blasphemed the name of God, be stoned.
• God commanded that a murderer be put to death.
• God commanded that anyone who killed an animal (presumably one owned by another) make restitution by giving a similar beast to the owner.
• God commanded that if someone intentionally caused injury to a neighbor that he be similarly injured.
• God commanded that the laws He gave should be followed by strangers in the land the same as the citizens.
• God commanded them to observe a sabbath year of rest for the land each seventh year where they would neither sow nor reap their fields or prune their vineyards. Even volunteer fruit was not to be harvested.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 20 Monday

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Leviticus chapter 23

God reminded Moses of the days that were set aside for holy feast ceremonies. Several of the days were to be days of rest. All pointed to the Messiah.

Does God make any promises in this chapter?

• God promised days of rest if they followed His feasts.
• God promised to cut off anyone who would not afflict himself on the Day of Atonement. (All who will not repent of his sins and trust the atonement that was made by the sacrifice of the Lamb of God will be cut off forever.)

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• The sabbath day of rest pictures Jesus. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  Matt 11:28 (KJV)
• The Passover pictures Jesus. "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29 (KJV)
• The Feast of Unleavened Bread pictures the sinless life of Jesus. "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." 1 Cor 5:7-8 (KJV)
• The Feast of the Firstfruits pictured the resurrection of Jesus. "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." 1 Cor 15:20-23 (KJV)
• The Feast of Pentecost happened 50 days following Jesus' resurrection and 10 days after His ascension was when the Father sent the Holy Spirit to the believers as Jesus said He would. "These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:25-27 (KJV)
• The Feast of Trumpets was a memorial holiday (holy day)  leading to the Day of Atonement. The feast might celebrate the coming of the Messiah when believers are raised from the dead, certainly a trumpet blowing event! Or it might celebrate the coronation of King Jesus when He rules His Kingdom. Trumpets have signified the presence of royalty throughout history. As Supreme Judge, Jesus has been given the authority to judge each person. Specifically, He will be the final authority over who will spend eternity with Him and who will be cast into the Lake of Fire. Jesus will judge on only one condition: whose sins have been atoned for by His shed blood (His elect). "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor 15:51-57 (KJV)  Also "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." Matt 24:30-31 (KJV)
• Jesus is our atonement! "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:1-2 (KJV) Our Day of Atonement was the day of Jesus' crucifixion!
• Jesus took on a "tabernacle" like ours, which means a human body. It is possible that this was the actual time of year that He was born and not in the winter. At the time of harvest, the Feast of Tabernacles followed the Feast of Trumpets (Attention, everyone! Your Messiah is coming!) and the Day of Atonement (Behold, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world!) "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:14 (KJV) 

Does this chapter teach anything about future events?

• The events that the Feast of Trumpets commemorate are still future. Resurrection and judgment are coming! And Jesus will assume the Throne and rule the world!

Does God issue any commands?

• God restated His commands concerning the Sabbath.
• God commanded Passover to be observed the 14th day of the first month.
• God commanded the Feast of Unleavened Bread to begin on the 15th day of the first month and continue for 7 days.
• God commanded that they begin celebrating the Firstfruits when they came into the land.
• God commanded the Feast of Pentecost to be celebrated 50 days after the wave offering was made during the Firstfruits.
• God commanded that they celebrate the Feast of Trumpets on the 1st day of the seventh month in preparation for the Day of Atonement.
• God commanded that they observe the Day of Atonement on the 10th day of the seventh month.
• God commanded that they observe the Feast of Tabernacles on the 15th day of the seventh month. This was to last for 8 days and commemorated their Exodus from Egypt.

TAKE TIME: Reading Assignment for May 20-25, 2013

Introduction: The newborn nation of the Hebrews is still encamped around Mount Sinai and being schooled by God in holiness. It has been a little over a year since they left Egypt and the curricula has been intense! These lessons touched every part of their lives. Some of what we read sounds very harsh, but these lessons were meant to be that way. The main point to the law of holiness is that a person cannot keep it on their own. Each requires a savior. The final exam was graded with either a PASS or FAIL. It still is! (Everyone FAILS! That's why we need to repent and trust Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, as savior in order to receive God's grade of PASS!)

School is almost over! The roster is being compiled! Final exams are on their way in God's school. This week we will even see that God set a few holidays for them on His calendar. We will complete the reading of Leviticus and begin the book of Numbers, which starts with a census.

Reading Assignment:

• Monday - Leviticus chapter 23
• Tuesday - Leviticus 24:1-25:7
• Wednesday - Leviticus 25:8-55
• Thursday - Leviticus chapter 26
• Friday - Leviticus chapter 27
• Saturday - Numbers chapter 1

Memory Verse

The land shall not be sold forever: for the land is mine for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.. Leviticus 25:23


Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - This week take time each day to praise God for being a landowner! Nations are always coming and going, but God says that He owns the land  forever and moves people around in it. That is a very comforting thought when the world is in turmoil. ( He specifically mentions Israel but He owns the whole earth and establishes nations at His will.)
• Confession - We just think we own our land and possessions but really we are only borrowing them from the Lord! Ask God to forgive you of anything you want to selfishly hold back from Him.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for providing for you. If He owns everything then He will distribute it as He sees fit. Does He supply your needs and some of your desires, too? Then thank Him!
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action

God owns everything but He graciously allows us to use His possessions. In fact, it has been that way since creation. Because He is gracious He wants us to be gracious, too. This is a good time to look over the things that you consider "your" possessions and get rid of the excess. Find a homeless shelter, a community service organization, or other place that takes donations and share with them out of your abundance so that they can help others. Or, sell some of your excess at a yard sale, consignment shop, or second chance store to convert some of God's blessings from material goods into cash. The Godly are good at giving!

Sunday Psalm: God Prefers Obedience to Sacrifices

Psalm 40

1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. 4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. 9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest. 10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me. 12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me. 13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me. 14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil. 15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha. 16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. 17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

Psalms 40:1-17 (KJV)

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