On this most important day in the Jewish year, the high priest was to dress down for the occasion. Those of us who are at least a little familiar with the New Testament know “that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God” (Heb 4:14). That […]
You know the phrase “near and dear”? God’s people are dear to Him; He wants us near. But how? Clearly Leviticus 16 is a high-water mark in the Hebrew Scriptures. It describes the only day in the Jewish Year when the high priest could enter God’s sanctuary, the Holy of Holies. It was also the […]
We all need days like this, both for reassessment of the past and realignment for the future. Leviticus 11-15 have been filled with minutiae, details that are sometimes hard to understand and certainly hard to discuss. But chapter 16, describing the Great Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur, the most solemn day in the Jewish […]
This chapter is important because of the danger, says the Lord, that “they defile My tabernacle.” If you’ve made it with me through these difficult chapters in Leviticus, I commend you. Let’s remind ourselves that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in […]
Leprosy, like sin, is tenacious. It will not only inflict individuals; it can get into homes, too. Have you ever had a house inspection? It isn’t just done for new construction; it also occurs when we buy a used residence. The inspector checks for everything from termite damage to roof rot, and from leaky gas […]
Suddenly all these healed lepers! And just when this rabbi from Nazareth claims Messiahship! When we began this study of the subject of leprosy nine lessons ago, I mentioned that some of the verses in Leviticus 13 and 14 would be like time-release capsules. I suggested the application of them wouldn’t take effect until the […]
“Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, Who like me His praise should sing?” (H.F. Lyte) If you thought after the last lesson that a person who had been declared healed of his leprosy was now free to carry on life as usual, you’ve got another thing coming. Not yet! For seven days, the person was back in […]
Like floor plans and elevations, sometimes we need more than one view to get the whole picture. Let’s face it—miracles are hard to draw. For example, how would you illustrate this verse: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I […]
Like Naaman the Syrian, you could be young, rich, powerful—but if a leper, it all meant nothing. When word came to the priest that someone appeared to have been healed of leprosy, “the priest shall go out of the camp, and…examine him” (Lev 14:3). The priest must go to the person; they couldn’t yet come […]