Livin' Leviticus

 Wow, thank you so much for all of your kind words and support!   This has been such a journey, painful..yes....but the depth of faith I am reaching wouldn't be possible without it.


Numbers has become such an amazing chapter this week....but before I reveal that, I really need to get my thoughts cleared from Leviticus.


"Leviticus" was actually the translated from the Latin, Liber Leviticus.   But while searching for the meaning of Leviticus (pertaining to the Levites), I found that the Hebrew word wayyiqra' (and He called) was the term the Jews used mostly for the book.   He called...not He dominated...not He smothered everything joyful out of life with so many rules....He called.   Amazingly, He is still calling today, we just have to answer!


Leviticus is a guide book to holy living.   Holiness is mentioned more in this book than any other book of the Bible.   These guidelines and rules, whether for offering sacrifices, clean living, or keeping themselves set apart from the pagan nations that they would encounter,  were given to set them apart as a holy nation, following a holy God.   Just quickly, before this post becomes a book itself, the need for a perfect blemish free sacrifice for atonement mirrors the perfect sacrifice of Jesus....how amazing that these guidelines from the very beginning were set in place for our full and complete redemption!  I am so thankful for that covering!  


The tale of two hearts in Chapter 26 really struck home for me:


The obedient were rewarded with bountiful harvests, peace in the land, favor and fruitfulness, God would keep his covenant and put His dwelling place among them:  I will walk among you and be your God and you will be my people.  Who wouldn't want that?!?  


The disobedient were punished with sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever..You will plant your seed in vain, I will set my face against you, you will be defeated by your enemies...


And still if you won't listen, I will break your stubborn pride....


This keeps going on until enough was enough, if you remain hostile towards me, I will be hostile towards you.  You will be punished, I will cut you down, turn your cities into ruin and you will waste away in the land of your enemies (hello, Babylon?!?).


And then...my favorite part...BUT...if they confess their sins, humble their hearts and pay for their sins, I will remember my covenant.  I will not reject them so much as to destroy them completely, breaking my covenant with them.  I am the Lord their God, for their sake I will remember.


I am so thankful for a God who, although I mess up and harden my heart, remembers...forgives..loves me enough to not give up on me!!!!!