Today we have a lot to read. I tried to break up all the days into as close to 85 verses as possible without reading partial chapters, and without reading from more than one book on any day. Because of this, there are a few days like this where we will read a little more. Let’s look at Leviticus 16-19.
Transparency
We read in verse 16:1 that there is to be a high level of respect for the sanctuary. While today our churches are public and open, not everything is available to all people. Those who have the higher responsibility must be privy to the information needed to make decisions. They are to rely on good counsel, and at our church we put many large decisions to a vote by the whole church.
This does not mean the whole church should have open access to all information.
The Scapegoat
Then Moses introduced us to the idea of a scapegoat. I remember growing up, as the youngest in the family, I would often be the scapegoat. In that situation, it meant the one who would take the blame.
So thinking of the scapegoat as the goat they would let free is a different meaning. When we think of the first goat being sacrificed, we see how Jesus, by taking our punishment and being the sacrifice for us, enables us all to be scapegoats.
Foreigners must respect the law
We read we must not mistreat a foreigner, but should require them to keep the same decrees and practices the Lord expects from us. We must hold them to that same standard.
When they break those commandments, they are guilty and deserve the same punishment as us. We should also offer them the same salvation we received.
Popular is not right
Much of chapter 18 deals with sexual immorality. So much of our society has turned a deaf ear to God’s commands on these matters. God does not change. His rules have not either. Just because something is trendy, does not make it right.
When a nation allows sin of this nature to go unchecked, the Bible says the land will spit us out. This means we will lose what God has provided.
From the time sin came into the world, the land has worked against us. We have to labor to derive food from it, and toil to survive.
We only can persist because of God’s grace and mercy toward us. When we are not willing to follow God’s laws, He will withdrawal that protection and we will lose our land.
Even with the recent changes in our administration, our country is still on the brink of this disaster. We can not take our foot off the gas. We must not tolerate sin.
People can throw a fit and cry on camera to gain our sympathy, and we must be careful not to harm the innocent, but we must never back away from seeking righteousness.
We also see that we are not to make offerings to other gods, or any idol. Modern man has made an art of creating new things to worship. Do not let technology, profitability, power, or fame seduce you. These are all just a modern twist on offering sacrifices to foreign gods.
We must be holy, because God is holy.
