Journal Through the Bible: Week 19 Saturday

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Leviticus 21:16-22:33


Does God make any promises?

• God promised to kill the priests that profaned the regulations given for the sacrifices and the use of them in feeding the priests and their families. (The sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, come to mind.)

Are there any references to Jesus?

• Jesus was perfect. He was not handicapped or maimed. Therefore, the male descendants of Aaron had to appear without any obvious physical disfigurements or infirmities in order to picture the Messiah. Even the leprous and infectious men were prohibited from eating the offerings since disease is a result of the sin curse and Jesus was not touched by sin until He took it upon Himself at the cross.
• Since Jesus was a willing sacrifice that was offered and was not an unsuspecting victim of predatory men, nor did He die of an infirmity, He could not be portrayed by the animals that died or were slain by hunters further up the food chain. That is why the priests were forbidden to eat such animals.
• Jesus is the only One that could partake of the cup given Him by His Father for the payment of sins. This was portrayed by the fact that only the priestly family (or those of his household servants) could eat the portion reserved for the priests. There really is exclusivity in God's plan!
• JESUS IS STILL INVITING ALL TO COME AND DINE! 

Are there any references to future events?

• There was nothing profane allowed about God's meals. And He was very specific and exclusive in His instructions about who would eat it. That same specificity and exclusivity will be present in eternity. No unclean person will partake of it! (Jesus told the parable about those who were invited but refused to come.)

Does God issue any commands?

• God commanded that any male descendant of Aaron that was handicapped or disfigured could not serve as a priest although he could eat of the bread and offerings that were given by the people for the priest and his family.
• God commanded the priests to separate themselves from the things the people dedicated to God. (My understanding of this phrase in 22:2 is that just because the people had given something for use in the tabernacle did not mean that it automatically belonged to the priests. There was to be a separation between the things that belonged to the center of worship and things that belonged to its ministers. The priests belonged to God. The things dedicated to God did not necessarily belong to the priests!)
• God did not allow any leprous male descendants of Aaron or any afflicted with oozing discharges on their skin to eat the offerings that were given. 
• The priests that were temporarily unclean (contaminated) through touching an unclean animal or insect could not eat the ceremonially offered food until the time of uncleanness had expired. Then they could dine at the table.
• The priests were forbidden to eat clean animals that had died of unknown causes or had been slain by other beasts.
• No one else was allowed to eat the holy food set apart for the priest and his family. But if they did accidentally they could give an offering similar to what they ate and add 20% to it.
• God repeated the instructions that animals offered for sacrifice could not be blemished or maim.
• God commanded that newborn animals were not to be offered until the eighth day and that the mother and baby animals could not be offered on the same day.