We’ve covered Leviticus 1-16, which focused on how people are to worship at God’s holy sanctuary. Now, as we move into chapters 17-27, the emphasis shifts from worship practices to how God’s people are to live.
The core message is that those who worship a holy God will choose to live holy lives, utilizing the resources God provides to do so.
The first step in living a holy life is recognizing that our lives, including our dietary choices, belong to God. This is why we choose not to consume blood, as it holds a special purpose in God’s plan for humanity.
“If anyone of the house of Israel or of the aliens who reside among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut that person off from the people.
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you for making atonement for your lives on the altar, for, as life, it is the blood that makes atonement.
Therefore I have said to the Israelites, ‘No person among you shall eat blood, nor shall any alien who resides among you eat blood'” (Leviticus 17:10-12).
This passage highlights the connection between life and blood. The “life” here refers to the fundamental desire for existence that animates a person’s physical body.
Blood which is sacrificed serves as the ransom or atonement for the sins of the people, a gracious gift from God to Israel. Instead of requiring their lives as a penalty for their sins, God mercifully allows the Israelites to substitute animals, placing the animals’ blood on the altar.
In this way, the lives of the animals stand in place of the lives of God’s people.
A practical, modern-day application of this truth means allowing God to guide our dietary choices. Beyond a quick prayer of thanks for our food, we can also ask God what He wants us to eat.
We may find this to be a good way of honoring Him with a vital part of our lives.
Separated from the World
John writes, “Do not love the world or the things in the world.
The love of the Father is not in those who love the world, for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:15-16).
God’s command to the Israelites, as they prepared to leave Sinai for the land of Canaan, was clear and similar to the principle of “loving not the world.” They were instructed not to value the ways of either the Egyptians or the Canaanites.
“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: I am the Lord your God.
You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not follow their statutes.
My ordinances you shall observe, and my statutes you shall keep, following them: I am the Lord your God.
You shall keep my statutes and my ordinances; by doing so one shall live: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 18:2-5).
Before his death a couple of years ago, Tim Keller pastored a prominent church in New York City, attended by many financially successful individuals.
While he would never accuse his congregants of the ancient sin of offering their children to an idol, as described in Leviticus 18:21, he observed that they were, in effect, sacrificing their children to their work.
These individuals would leave for work each morning before their children woke up and return home after their children had gone to bed. Consequently, they had lost all meaningful impact on their children’s lives.
In doing so, these men had chosen to imitate the ways of the world rather than embrace the holiness of God.
It’s easy for me to consider examples from New York City, especially since I’ve never been there or experienced the pressures a Wall Street executive might face.
However, I need to ask myself: How am I similar? In what ways have I “loved the world” and failed to separate myself from its impact on my life and the lives of my children?
Reflections
Leviticus might seem as antiquated as our grandfathers’ spats, but in truth, it holds a profound message for us if we ask: “How can I be holy?” That is, how can I be distinct in my obedience to God, rather than assimilating the values and culture of the world around us?
- How can my dietary choices or eating habits reflect my devotion to God?
- How can the care I express to my family be an outward sign of my devotion to God?
These are just a few of the many questions we can pose to ourselves as we study the book of Leviticus.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed Leviticus 17-18 on YouTube today.
Real Voices 