Leviticus Chapter 22
God knew that as time went on the adhering to the laws and rules of the tabernacle and the sacrificial system would slip. God made it clear to Moses and the family of Aaron who were the priests that there would be severe punishment for not keeping His commands. God expected them to be careful, to be diligent, and to respect His holy ways above all. There was a responsibility of the sons of Aaron to keep these sacred laws of purity and to pass them on to their sons.
Their first responsibility was to keep themselves pure and to take the necessary steps at different times when they found themselves impure. They were to set themselves apart or consecrate themselves to the pursuit of holiness knowing that the things in the tabernacle were not theirs but belonged to God. Then the priests were responsible to be the boundaries for the people, teaching them how to respectfully enter and treat God’s tabernacle as such – God’s.
Let's Reflect
1. God knew that the priests were mere humans and as such when serving in this elite role as priests they might at various times take in the sacrifices offered to God while hiding the fact that they themselves have an impurity. An example might be that they had contracted a skin rash which might not be visible to the people when covered with priestly robes. That priest might think he is more important than the common people and should just perform his priestly duties. But God considered the priest to be unclean, and he was not to touch the animals or fruit brought to the tabernacle. These things brought to the tabernacle were considered what? See verse 3.
2. God also made it clear that the priests were not to eat of the food of the sacrifices that had been offered when he himself was unclean. What did the priest have to do to become clean? And how long did they have to wait before they could once again eat?
3. According to verse 9 what was God’s punishment for a priest who disobeyed God’s order?
4. No one was to be allowed to eat at the priest’s table except his immediate family. What two exceptions did God spell out for this regulation?
5. If an Israelite somehow accidentally ate food that was meant for the priest and his family only, there was a way that person could be redeemed. What was it?
6. In verses 17-25 God explained what animals were acceptable for a sacrificial offering. They were to be without spot or blemish which represented the curse of sin. In other words, we could say that God wanted them to only give of their best to Him. What do verses 20 and 25 say about those who might try to offer a sacrifice that has a blemish or spot?
7. God also gave specific instructions for how old the animal had to be before it could be offered as a sacrifice. Most Bible scholars believe these verses have to do with the cruel practices of pagan worship. What age did the animal need to be?
8. What is the reason that God instituted these laws? See verses 31-33.
Devotionals
