And He Called – A Collection of Discoveries in Leviticus
On June 12, 2020 by Amy BurginReading Time: 3 minutesThe book of Leviticus is named after the Levites, the Israelite priests from the clan of Levi.
I always thought it a boring book of laws, until I learned its Hebrew title, “And He [God] Called.”
I found other treasured discoveries in this book, which are collected here.
Lay Your Hand on the Head of the Sacrifice
Leviticus 1 – 4
Over and over the words stand out, repeated, “lay your hand on the head” of the sacrifice.
Only then does the Lord accept its death in the sinner’s place, to purify and enable him to see God’s face.
The sinner must only trust.
An act of distrust by one (Adam) separated us and an act of trust in One (Jesus Christ) unites us.
Oh, God is so just!
Lay your hand on the head of the sacrifice.
It’s a call to reach out, lean in close, share the sorrow and know the joy.
I have laid my hand on the head of Christ, wept and cried out, “Yes!”
Is Your Name Written?
Leviticus 8 – 10, Hebrews 12:23, 29
Nadab and Abihu offered unauthorized fire, so fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them.
I read it in the morning and, like Aaron, was struck silent. My mind had been fixed on the fact that Judah, Ruben, Simeon, Levi, and all those sinful brothers got their names engraved on the priestly clothes, not because they were perfect, but because God said so.
For days my heart had sung with hope that their story would also be mine but the sudden death of Nadab and Abihu stole the song from my heart. Is my offering authorized? Is my name engraved in a sacred place to which I belong or am I like Nadab and Abihu, destined for death?
All day this troubled me, so when night came I lit the fire of my great grandmother’s oil lamp, opened the Bible again and just pointed to the words in Leviticus 10:3.
Among those who approach me
I will be proved holy
In the sight of all the people
I will be honored.
My mind traveled to Hebrews 12:29, “Our God is a consuming fire.” So I turned there to read the whole chapter and see I don’t have to be terrified like Moses because my Priest Jesus can take the heat.
And the One proved holy circled my mind back to the engraved names of those 12 sinful brothers when he showed me Hebrews 12:23 saying, “Yes, your name is also written, written in heaven by me.”
Nothing Hinges On What You Can Afford
Leviticus 12:8, Luke 2:24
New mothers were called to bring a lamb and a pigeon … unless they were too poor. If they couldn’t afford it, they could just bring two pigeons.
That’s what Mary, new mother to Christ, brought. She brought two pigeons.
It didn’t matter that she couldn’t afford the greater thing. Her son was still the King of kings.
Be Now With God
Leviticus 18:1-5
You mustn’t do like the people in your past, in the slave-land from which you came.
You mustn’t do like the people in your future, in the promised-land to which I’m bringing you.
You must do like me in the now where together we are. This is life.
I AM the Lord your God.
Hyssop Dipped in Blood
Exodus 12, Leviticus 14, Psalm 51, John 19
Hyssop.
Hyssop dipped in blood writing on doors of the living words death must obey, Pass Over.
Hyssop joined with wood, the living and a scarlet ribbon dipped in the blood of the broken – cleansing.
We hope to fly free and cry out with the Psalmist, cleanse me with hyssop and I will be clean, wash me and I will be whiter than snow.
Hyssop lifted to the thirsty lips of Christ. He takes the cup, His spirit given up. It is finished.
Hyssop.
In Need of a God Bigger Than Me
Leviticus 26
I can’t bear the thought of making my own God.
I am in such need of a God bigger than me
To send me seasonal rains so my land will yield its crops and my trees will produce their fruit.
To free me from the tyranny of fear and enable me to walk with my head held high.
Photo by Giammarco Boscaro on Unsplash
It blesses me to hear from you! Please leave a reply here.