WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.030 --> 00:00:02.970 Malcom: welcome to immerse: the daily bible reading experience. 00:00:03.083 --> 00:00:04.383 day 100 and 22 00:00:05.035 --> 00:00:06.925 Immersed in Leviticus. 00:00:09.385 --> 00:00:14.935 In the book of Exodus, the Israelites traveled from Egypt to Mount Sinai where 00:00:14.935 --> 00:00:17.125 the Tabernacle was created and set up. 00:00:17.905 --> 00:00:22.645 The book of Leviticus continues the story as it records the instructions God 00:00:22.645 --> 00:00:26.995 gives to Moses on Mount Sinai before the people continue their journey to Canaan. 00:00:27.865 --> 00:00:31.735 Many of these instructions may seem strange because the ancient 00:00:31.735 --> 00:00:34.735 cultures to which they belong are so different from our own. 00:00:35.545 --> 00:00:38.665 We must be careful to read these instructions to Israel in 00:00:38.665 --> 00:00:42.565 the context of their own time, not as written directly to us. 00:00:43.315 --> 00:00:47.905 Within the context of Israel's covenant, these laws provided cleansing and 00:00:47.905 --> 00:00:52.165 restoration for the people, allowing them to remain in a close relationship 00:00:52.170 --> 00:00:55.705 with God in order to fulfill their calling as a light to the world. 00:00:56.395 --> 00:01:00.025 The instructions are based on careful distinctions between what 00:01:00.030 --> 00:01:05.995 is clean and unclean and between what is common and holy unclean 00:01:05.995 --> 00:01:07.955 here does not mean dirty or bad. 00:01:08.770 --> 00:01:12.730 But rather that something has been compromised or tainted in some way. 00:01:13.270 --> 00:01:16.930 As long as something remains clean, it may be set apart for a special 00:01:16.930 --> 00:01:19.150 purpose and thus become holy. 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:23.530 The Israelites are to observe these distinctions, to demonstrate how they 00:01:23.530 --> 00:01:27.670 have been set apart for a special purpose by God to live out the life he 00:01:27.670 --> 00:01:30.380 intends, as an example to all nations. 00:01:31.870 --> 00:01:36.610 The laws collected here distinguish God's people from the surrounding cultures 00:01:36.850 --> 00:01:41.500 and move the story forward closer to God's ultimate vision for humanity. 00:01:42.400 --> 00:01:45.730 Leviticus presents four major groups of instructions. 00:01:46.120 --> 00:01:49.870 The first gives direction for the various types of offerings that 00:01:49.870 --> 00:01:53.830 will be used to cleanse people and objects that have become unclean 00:01:54.190 --> 00:01:58.360 and to set apart common people and common objects to make them holy. 00:01:59.305 --> 00:02:02.725 The second section of the book explains what can cause a person or 00:02:02.725 --> 00:02:05.785 thing to lose its state of cleanness. 00:02:06.505 --> 00:02:11.215 These laws express a specific concern for an unclean person to be restored to 00:02:11.215 --> 00:02:14.095 physical integrity and then to community. 00:02:14.455 --> 00:02:19.795 In its third section of laws, Leviticus describes how the Israelites are to 00:02:19.795 --> 00:02:24.325 pursue holiness in their everyday lives and in their worship of God. 00:02:25.030 --> 00:02:29.320 The various regulations pertaining to holiness, including issues related 00:02:29.320 --> 00:02:34.270 to blood celebrating festivals, and even the holy bread in the tabernacle, 00:02:34.480 --> 00:02:38.950 all represent how God has designated the people of Israel to be holy 00:02:39.250 --> 00:02:41.380 set apart for a special purpose. 00:02:42.370 --> 00:02:46.540 Central to this section on holiness is a collection of ethical commands. 00:02:46.900 --> 00:02:51.100 These commands embody the essence of why the Israelites have been set apart. 00:02:51.490 --> 00:02:54.880 To demonstrate the just and compassionate character of God. 00:02:55.660 --> 00:02:59.200 This collection includes commands on showing generosity to the poor, 00:02:59.650 --> 00:03:04.390 treating the elderly, and handicapped with dignity, paying fair wages, and on 00:03:04.390 --> 00:03:09.970 time, freeing people from exploitation, caring for foreigners, and so forth. 00:03:10.400 --> 00:03:14.080 These practices would identify the covenant community as 00:03:14.080 --> 00:03:16.030 God's new model for humanity. 00:03:16.735 --> 00:03:20.755 They are meant to overcome the exhibitions of pride and selfishness 00:03:20.755 --> 00:03:23.005 that so often mark human rebellion. 00:03:24.055 --> 00:03:29.665 The fourth and final section of Leviticus explores a process known as redemption, 00:03:29.875 --> 00:03:35.485 which means buying back redemption addresses the critical issue of recovering 00:03:35.485 --> 00:03:37.615 something that has lost its holy status. 00:03:38.335 --> 00:03:43.825 If something that was supposed to be set apart has been treated as common, can 00:03:43.825 --> 00:03:45.955 it be reclaimed for its special purpose? 00:03:46.600 --> 00:03:48.040 The answer is yes. 00:03:48.610 --> 00:03:52.720 Ancestral land, for example, can be reclaimed during a special time of 00:03:52.720 --> 00:03:54.730 freedom called the Year of Jubilee. 00:03:55.330 --> 00:03:58.870 A possession given to God in a vow may be repurchased. 00:03:59.590 --> 00:04:02.800 Israelites who were sold into slavery can obtain their 00:04:02.800 --> 00:04:05.410 release at the end of the book. 00:04:05.830 --> 00:04:09.250 An important question is raised with regard to the issue of redemption. 00:04:10.150 --> 00:04:15.340 If the Israelites forfeit their role as a holy people through disobedience and 00:04:15.340 --> 00:04:21.280 are exiled from the land of promise, can they ever be brought back again? 00:04:21.285 --> 00:04:23.770 We find that restoration is possible. 00:04:24.460 --> 00:04:29.290 God declares that Israel can and will be brought back from punishment and exile. 00:04:29.860 --> 00:04:33.580 This final section of Leviticus assures the nation that God would 00:04:33.580 --> 00:04:35.680 never forget his covenant with them. 00:04:36.460 --> 00:04:41.110 Repeatedly in Leviticus, God tells his people, you must be holy 00:04:41.110 --> 00:04:44.110 because I the Lord your God am holy. 00:04:44.980 --> 00:04:49.990 Just as God is set apart, high above anything in creation, he calls his 00:04:49.990 --> 00:04:52.270 people to be set apart in this world. 00:04:52.930 --> 00:04:57.280 He chooses to accomplish his purposes for the world through his people, and if 00:04:57.280 --> 00:05:00.640 necessary, God himself will redeem his. 00:05:00.650 --> 00:05:02.660 People so they can complete their work. 00:05:07.850 --> 00:05:09.470 The Book of Leviticus, 00:05:11.930 --> 00:05:15.890 the Lord called to Moses from the tabernacle and said to him, 00:05:16.610 --> 00:05:19.430 give the following instructions to the people of Israel. 00:05:20.330 --> 00:05:23.570 When you present an animal as an offering to the Lord, you may 00:05:23.570 --> 00:05:26.810 take it from your herd of cattle or your flock of sheep and goats. 00:05:27.595 --> 00:05:30.685 If the animal you present as a burnt offering is from the herd, 00:05:30.955 --> 00:05:33.145 you must be a male with no defects. 00:05:33.835 --> 00:05:37.615 Bring it to the entrance of the tabernacle so you may be accepted by the Lord. 00:05:38.365 --> 00:05:43.645 Lay your hand on the animal's head and the Lord will accept its death in your place 00:05:43.765 --> 00:05:46.525 to purify you, making you right with him. 00:05:47.590 --> 00:05:51.820 Then slaughter the young bull in the Lord's presence and Aaron's sons. 00:05:51.880 --> 00:05:55.960 The priests will present the animal's blood by splattering it against all 00:05:55.960 --> 00:06:00.790 sides of the altar that stands at the entrance to the tabernacle, then skin 00:06:00.790 --> 00:06:02.800 the animal and cut it into pieces. 00:06:03.610 --> 00:06:06.850 The sons of Aaron, the priest, will build a wood fire on the altar. 00:06:07.450 --> 00:06:11.410 They will arrange the pieces of the offering, including the head and fat 00:06:11.680 --> 00:06:13.570 on the wood burning on the altar. 00:06:14.395 --> 00:06:18.355 But the internal organs and the legs must first be washed with water. 00:06:18.985 --> 00:06:21.655 Then the priest will burn the entire sacrifice on the 00:06:21.655 --> 00:06:23.305 altar as a burnt offering. 00:06:24.085 --> 00:06:27.775 It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the Lord. 00:06:29.575 --> 00:06:33.235 If the animal you present as a burnt offering is from the flock, it may 00:06:33.235 --> 00:06:37.675 be either a sheep or a goat, but it must be a male with no defects. 00:06:38.395 --> 00:06:42.925 Slaughter the animal on the north side of the altar in the Lord's presence, and 00:06:42.925 --> 00:06:46.945 Aaron's sons, the priests will splatter its blood against all sides of the 00:06:46.945 --> 00:06:52.345 altar, then cut the animal in pieces, and the priests will arrange the pieces 00:06:52.350 --> 00:06:57.235 of the offering, including the head and fat on the wood burning on the altar. 00:06:57.985 --> 00:07:02.095 But the internal organs and the legs must first be washed with water. 00:07:02.905 --> 00:07:05.635 Then the priest will burn the entire sacrifice on the 00:07:05.640 --> 00:07:07.315 altar as a burnt offering. 00:07:07.870 --> 00:07:11.320 It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the Lord. 00:07:12.730 --> 00:07:16.330 If you present a bird as a burnt offering to the Lord, choose either 00:07:16.330 --> 00:07:18.280 a turtle, dove, or a young pigeon. 00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:21.880 The priest will take the bird to the altar, ring off its 00:07:21.880 --> 00:07:23.680 head, and burn it on the altar. 00:07:24.220 --> 00:07:27.490 But first he must drain its blood against the side of the altar. 00:07:28.210 --> 00:07:32.170 The priest must also remove the crop and the feathers and throw them in the 00:07:32.170 --> 00:07:34.390 ashes on the east side of the altar. 00:07:35.215 --> 00:07:37.345 Then grasping the bird by its wings. 00:07:37.645 --> 00:07:41.095 The priest will tear the bird open, but without tearing it apart. 00:07:41.785 --> 00:07:45.595 Then he will burn it as a burnt offering on the wood burning on the altar. 00:07:46.375 --> 00:07:50.095 It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the Lord. 00:07:52.105 --> 00:07:55.975 When you present grain as an offering to the Lord, the offering 00:07:55.975 --> 00:07:57.715 must consist of choice flour. 00:07:58.405 --> 00:08:02.095 You are to pour olive oil on it, sprinkle it with frankincense 00:08:02.395 --> 00:08:03.805 and bring it to Aaron's sons. 00:08:03.805 --> 00:08:04.495 The priests. 00:08:05.185 --> 00:08:09.145 The priest will scoop out a handful of the flour moistened with oil, together 00:08:09.145 --> 00:08:13.465 with all the frankincense and burn this representative portion on the altar. 00:08:14.185 --> 00:08:17.365 It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the Lord. 00:08:18.235 --> 00:08:21.325 The rest of the grain offering will then be given to Aaron and his sons. 00:08:21.925 --> 00:08:25.015 This offering will be considered a most holy part of the special 00:08:25.015 --> 00:08:26.635 gifts presented to the Lord. 00:08:28.300 --> 00:08:32.050 If your offering is a grain offering baked in an oven, it must be made of 00:08:32.050 --> 00:08:34.510 choice flour, but without any yeast. 00:08:35.350 --> 00:08:38.890 It may be presented in the form of thin cakes mixed with olive oil 00:08:39.220 --> 00:08:41.110 or wafers spread with olive oil. 00:08:41.680 --> 00:08:44.830 If your grain offering is cooked on a griddle, it must be made of 00:08:44.830 --> 00:08:49.810 choice flour mixed with olive oil, but without any yeast, break it in 00:08:49.810 --> 00:08:52.000 pieces and pour olive oil on it. 00:08:52.570 --> 00:08:53.650 It is a grain offering. 00:08:54.565 --> 00:08:57.865 If your grain offering is prepared in a pan, it must be made of 00:08:57.865 --> 00:08:59.545 choice, flour and olive oil. 00:09:00.625 --> 00:09:04.165 No matter how a grain offering for the Lord has been prepared, bring it to the 00:09:04.165 --> 00:09:06.715 priest who will present it at the altar. 00:09:07.495 --> 00:09:10.405 The priest will take a representative portion of the grain offering 00:09:10.795 --> 00:09:12.175 and burn it on the altar. 00:09:12.955 --> 00:09:16.225 It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the Lord. 00:09:17.095 --> 00:09:19.765 The rest of the grain offering will then be given to Aaron 00:09:19.855 --> 00:09:21.595 and his sons as their food. 00:09:22.465 --> 00:09:25.675 This offering will be considered a most holy part of the special 00:09:25.680 --> 00:09:27.205 gifts presented to the Lord. 00:09:28.735 --> 00:09:33.175 Do not use yeast in preparing any of the grain offerings you present to the Lord 00:09:33.985 --> 00:09:38.995 because no yeast or honey may be burned as a special gift presented to the Lord. 00:09:39.835 --> 00:09:43.645 You may add yeast and honey to an offering of the first crops of your harvest, 00:09:44.245 --> 00:09:48.115 but these must never be offered on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. 00:09:49.210 --> 00:09:53.980 Season all your grain offerings with salt to remind you of God's eternal covenant. 00:09:54.790 --> 00:09:57.460 Never forget to add salt to your grain offerings. 00:09:58.780 --> 00:10:02.200 If you present a grain offering to the Lord from the first portion of your 00:10:02.200 --> 00:10:06.970 harvest, bring fresh grain that is coarsely ground and roast it on a fire. 00:10:07.780 --> 00:10:11.650 Put olive oil on this grain offering and sprinkle it with frankincense. 00:10:12.490 --> 00:10:15.580 The priest will take a representative portion of the grain moistened 00:10:15.580 --> 00:10:19.930 with oil, together with all the frankincense and burn it as a 00:10:19.930 --> 00:10:22.180 special gift presented to the Lord. 00:10:24.430 --> 00:10:27.910 If you present an animal from the herd as a peace offering to 00:10:27.915 --> 00:10:32.350 the Lord, it may be a male or a female, but it must have no defects. 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:35.920 Lay your hand on the animal's head and slaughter it at the 00:10:35.920 --> 00:10:37.270 entrance of the tabernacle. 00:10:37.870 --> 00:10:41.110 Then Aaron's sons, the priests will splatter its blood 00:10:41.110 --> 00:10:42.670 against all sides of the altar. 00:10:43.570 --> 00:10:47.350 The priest must present part of this peace offering as a special gift to the Lord. 00:10:48.100 --> 00:10:52.180 This includes all the fat around the internal organs, the two kidneys 00:10:52.570 --> 00:10:56.320 and the fat around them, near the loins and the long lobe of the liver. 00:10:57.040 --> 00:11:00.670 These must be removed with the kidneys and Aaron's sons will burn 00:11:00.670 --> 00:11:04.090 them on top of the burnt offering on the wood burning on the altar. 00:11:05.140 --> 00:11:06.280 It is a special gift. 00:11:06.850 --> 00:11:08.530 A pleasing aroma to the Lord. 00:11:09.880 --> 00:11:13.000 If you present an animal from the flock as a peace offering to 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:17.200 the Lord, it may be a male or a female, but it must have no defects. 00:11:18.040 --> 00:11:21.460 If you present a sheep as your offering, bring it to the Lord. 00:11:22.030 --> 00:11:25.720 Lay your hand on its head and slaughter it in front of the tabernacle. 00:11:26.590 --> 00:11:29.380 Aaron's sons will then splatter the sheep's blood against 00:11:29.380 --> 00:11:30.610 all sides of the altar. 00:11:31.450 --> 00:11:34.480 The priest must present the fat of this peace offering as 00:11:34.485 --> 00:11:35.920 a special gift to the Lord. 00:11:36.655 --> 00:11:41.395 This includes the fat of the broad tail cut off near the backbone, all the fat 00:11:41.395 --> 00:11:45.625 around the internal organs, the two kidneys and the fat around them, near 00:11:45.625 --> 00:11:48.145 the loins and the long lobe of the liver. 00:11:49.135 --> 00:11:53.575 These must be removed with the kidneys and the priest will burn them on the altar. 00:11:54.475 --> 00:11:57.475 It is a special gift of food presented to the Lord. 00:11:58.855 --> 00:12:02.035 If you present a goat as your offering, bring it to the Lord. 00:12:02.425 --> 00:12:03.745 Lay your hand on its head. 00:12:04.135 --> 00:12:06.325 And slaughter it in front of the tabernacle. 00:12:07.045 --> 00:12:11.095 Aaron's sons will then splatter the goat's blood against all sides of the altar. 00:12:11.815 --> 00:12:15.505 The priest must present part of this offering as a special gift to the Lord. 00:12:16.225 --> 00:12:20.395 This includes all the fat around the internal organs, the two kidneys, 00:12:20.815 --> 00:12:24.775 and the fat around them, near the loins and the long lobe of the liver. 00:12:25.525 --> 00:12:29.845 These must be removed with the kidneys and the priest will burn them on the altar. 00:12:30.670 --> 00:12:34.420 It is a special gift of food, a pleasing aroma to the Lord. 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:36.910 All the fat belongs to the Lord. 00:12:38.140 --> 00:12:40.990 You must never eat any fat or blood. 00:12:41.650 --> 00:12:45.880 This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation 00:12:45.970 --> 00:12:48.370 to generation, wherever you live. 00:12:50.410 --> 00:12:53.290 This concludes today's reading experience. 00:12:53.410 --> 00:12:54.640 Thank you for joining us.