Leviticus Chapter 21
The line of the priests came from the family of Aaron from the tribe of Levi. God instructed this line of men to keep themselves separated and consecrated to Him. He made it clear that He did not want the priests to be near a dead body as death was the direct result of sin. The priests did not officiate over the processing of a dead body for a funeral except in the case of their own immediate family. Holiness is associated with life – the life that God gives, but death is associated with sin – it is literally the result of sin or the curse of sin. We know that in the New Covenant Jesus said that He came to give life, and that sin and death hold no power over Jesus.
Let's Reflect
1. There were more strict laws and regulations that the priests were to adhere to more so than regular men because they were to be the representative of the Holy God. What does verse 6 say about the purpose of the priest?
2. The priest did not need to remain single, but God did put stipulations on what type of woman he should marry. What type of woman was this?
3. Not only was the wife of the priest to be of high standard but so must his daughter be of high standard. For a daughter to be found in this particular sin, it meant that she was behaving as pagan religions would and she was betraying God. This betrayal of God required the death penalty. It does not say so here but I imagine that she was first stoned to death and then it says that she would be burned. What sin was punishable by death for the daughter of a priest?
4. One thing that God makes clear in this passage that has been construed by religion over the centuries is found in verse 15. Who is it that sanctifies a priest?
5. God’s standard was and is high. Every animal that was brought to the tabernacle for sacrifice was to be without blemish. The same was true for a priest. The priest could not enter the Holy of Holies if he had a blemish or defect. A priest represented the Holiness of God, but the blemish or a defect was another representation of the curse of sin. Yet we see the great mercy of God in verse 22 for the priest. What did God in His mercy allow the priest with a blemish or defect to do?
Devotionals
