Day 9: Leviticus 14:32-Leviticus 26:26 - 90 Day Challenge

Facing Controversy Head-On 

Tackling some of the largest issues Christians are faced with.

Today's reading includes Leviticus 18 and 19, the laws God gave to the Israelites. The topics of incest, homosexuality, tattoos, and various other controversial "can you be a Christian if..." verses are covered. I will be touching on these to the extent that I am comfortable with an interpretation I am completely and totally at peace with. If you have a varying opinion, please leave it in the comments. I am not always right and I am very open-minded. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

With that, let's get to it! 

1. We begin with some conclusions as to how to clean mold and mildew in the home. Like I said yesterday, this is not a law you are obligated and required to follow. Please have a professional remove mold and mildew from your home!
2. In chapter 16, we see the origin of the phrase "Scapegoat." Biblically speaking, a scapegoat is a goat sent into the wilderness, after the priest had symbolically laid the peoples' sins on it. This goat was released instead of sacrificed, hence, scapegoat. 
3. It's now that I would like to touch on chapters 18 and 19, together. Chapter 18:22 says "do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman, that is detestable." Chapter 19:28 says "do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord." Other parts of the chapter list things such as cutting the hair on the sides of the head and beard, wearing clothing made of more than one material (looking at you, poly-blend), having fields with more than one type of crop growing, and mating different animals (say goodbye to golden-doodles and ligers).
1. Here's my deal with that: we either must follow all the rules, or we're not obligated to follow any of them. We cannot pick and choose the verses of the Bible that fit our agendas. 
2. The laws listed were put into place to distinguish the Israelites from the other tribes, whose corruption was detestable to God. And God did not want the Israelites to be confused with other tribes, because they were God's chosen people. 
3. In the New Testament, there is no distinction made between the Israelites and the other tribes. There is no distinction between male and female. And Galatians 3:18 notes that if the "inheritance" (of the Kingdom of God) depends on the law, introduced 430 years ago (at the time it was written), then it does not depend on the promise, which was delivered through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Galatians 3:22 even specifically states "But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe." This, of course, is not difficult to believe, as God's love is absolutely infinite.
4. That's where I'm going to be leaving Chapters 18 and 19. Please let me know if you have differing opinions or interpretations, I'd love to hear them!
4. Back to the same tone as the first part of Leviticus, the chapters continue to go over some rules for priesthood, acceptable and unacceptable sacrifices and Feasts that are to be celebrated.
5. We then read a story about a blaspheming Israelite who is put to death in Chapter 24, and are faced with the "eye for eye" philosophy yet again. I'd like to again point out Matthew 5:39, "But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." 
6. Chapter 25 then describes the "Year of Jubilee," a festival occurring after 50 years, where all debts are forgiven, property is returned, and slaves are freed. 
7. We finished up the reading today with the rewards for obedience (a fruitful harvest, peace in the land, and a strong army) and the punishments for disobedience (terror, plagues, and drought). 

There are people who will not talk about Leviticus, most people certainly don't want to. I don't blame them. It's difficult to interpret and say what's right and what's wrong. People inherently want to stay away from controversy. That is my best interpretation of Leviticus 18 and 19, and I feel at peace with it. We are either obligated to follow all the rules, or we are not obligated to follow any of them. We cannot pick and choose which Scriptures to follow based on what suits our agenda. 

If this is your first time going through the Bible, the references I keep making regarding the New Testament will make sense when we get there if it's not clicking right now, don't worry! 

I'd like to end today with a tone of generosity, which God commanded of the Israelites, that I think we could all use. Leviticus 25:35-37 says "If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you. Do not take interest or any profit from them, but fear your God, so that they may continue to live among you. You must not lend them money at interest or sell them food at a profit."

Basically, don't be a bully. Don't take advantage of people if you are in a position of power. You don't always know peoples' situations, but you always have the choice to help people who need it.

With that, tomorrow's reading will be Leviticus 26:27-Numbers 8:14.

Have a blessed day!

Jill Jafarace

Director of Student Ministry

New Leaf UMC