Day 66 & 67 - Leviticus 15-18 and Psalm 66 & 67

 Julie

The readings for yesterday did not elicit much more than I was I have been saying for the last few days. Today we moved into a new set of rules regarding the drinking of the blood of animals and those of sexual immorality. I cannot say much stood out from this that wasn't already understood or expected. One thing, however, did catch my eye and I don't really remember reading this before, but in Leviticus 17 when he is talking about killing an animal and that it needs to be brought to the Tabernacle and not whored out to the Goat Demon, I realized where the likeness comes from for the pagan depictions that are out there in the world. I had never noticed the specificity before, so apparently they really did dress up that way during that time.

Psalm 66 & 67 go well together as they are both songs of thankfulness to God and praising him for his good and mercy and all that he provides. I feel like it's possible that the song "Shout to Lord" might have stemmed from one, if not both of, these Psalms.

Michelle

So 15 talks of cleansing from discharges, 16 about the Day of Atonement which is to atone for the priest and the communities sins.  17 is about the people being forbidden from eating blood which seems weird to me. Why are we eating blood.  18 is about unlawful sexual relations which appears to be mostly about dishonoring your family by having relations with family members and how that is forbidden and that they will be cut off from the people.  

I am not familiar with the song you are referring to. I’ll have to look it up.  The psalm seem to be again singing gods praises and speaks of all the things that he’s done for them.  The psalm 67 seems more of a prayer.   

Day 65 - Leviticus 13-14 & Psalm 65

 Julie

I feel like I am being a bit repetitive right now, but I am not really sure what to say about some of what is being discussed. Today's reading talks about leprosy and what is considered clean and unclean, as well as the ways in which sacrifice is necessary to return to the community. I am sure that there must be some significance to this, but I am not seeing it quite yet.

Psalm 65 appears to be a prayer of thanks for all that God provides, including salvation.

Michelle

Agreed. I am unsure the significance. It seems medically related but then it talks about regulations for defiling molds and I’m unsure the purpose of this passage. It then goes on the explain the cleansing which seems to be separate from the atonement and requires more sacrifices. There is a lot of sacrificing going on so these people better be good or they will be broke as they have to give up all their good animals for these things.

The psalm seems to be singing Gods praises pointing out all the wonderful things provided. 

Day 64 - Leviticus 11-12 & Psalm 64

 Julie

Today we learn what is considered clean and unclean. They make sure in the explanation to point out that unclean does not mean evil, but that you don't meet the requirement for certain things. I am curious about that fact that some of the animals that are considered unclean are some of the ones that we consume today. Did this change after some time to allow for that?

Psalm 64 is a continuation of what we have been seeing. A request for got to protect from wrongdoers and thanking him for taking care of them.

Michelle

This was an interesting passage. I had to look up some of these animals we eat to see if they relate. And apparently we shouldn’t be eating pig but we do. So yes I wonder if it changes at some point later in the Bible or if it got lost as to following the rules as generations went on. It’s interesting though that in general this is still basically what is eaten. 

I also found chapter 12 interesting as it discusses being unclean after childbirth. I mean I know it’s gross and all but why does it make a woman unclean when she menstruates or has babies?  What’s also interesting is the timeframe required before being purified and how it reminds me of how they did things in medieval times and thereafter. In some of the historical things I’ve read women would basically go into isolation for a few months surrounding birth and would have to be purified by the church before allowed interaction with others. This reminds me of that and I am glad we don’t do that now. But is this also related to timeframes in which we baptize or the timeframe we take maternity leave?  It all seems to stem from this Bible passage when you think about it. 3 months maternity leave is standard practice these days. I am curious why we need to make atonement for child birth though. 

I feel bad saying this but the psalms are starting to bore me. I feel like they are repeating the same thing over and over. And sometimes I don’t understand what they are saying. But this one seems to be saying the same as the last few we’ve read. 

Day 63 - Leviticus 10 & Psalm 63

 Julie

If I understood today's reading correctly, Aaron's sons made an unauthorized offering to the Lord and they were killed for it. There is also indication a Aaron tried to make and offering to the Lord that was rejected. I don't particularly understand the significance in all of this.

Psalm 63 is showing faith and trust in God and his works.

 

Michelle

This passage was confusing to me as well.  I actually didn't understand any of it except they did something they weren't supposed to and God took them out as he said he would.  The devotional in my bible shed some light on it as it speaks of obedience to God's commands and that even though there are/were good intentions, they don't always align with what is asked or commanded.  We don't always see the reasons for God's requirements, we are just asked to follow them.  The closer we come to God, the more we must honor his holiness by obeying his commands.  It goes on to say your actions reflect your heart toward God.  The practice of obedience will align your heart with God's own desire.  

 The psalm talks of praising God and saying he will continue praising him and will remember all that he's done for him and that his enemies will be taken down but that he will continue to rejoice in God. 

Day 62 - Leviticus 8-9 & Psalm 62

 Julie

Today's reading was Moses anointing the new priests and the first service in the tabernacle. I was surprised to find out that Chapter 9 was the first service since the entire chapter was just sacrifices. Does that mean that the early services were just that or is it possible that this is how it started and they become more about talking about God from here? Will be interested to see where this goes, because that was a little strange to me. 

Psalm 62 could be one that we pray now as it's a song of confidence in God as the people are being oppressed by those that govern them. I feel like we are experiencing this right now and it might just be a personal opinion, but I do feel like some of our liberties are slowly being taken away and people are not noticing.

 

Michelle

If I am understanding correctly, everything previous was just instruction.  I thought it was them doing the things as well, but after going back it just seems like a lot of instruction and it was just in preparation for the start of the gathering.  I am also interested to see where this goes.  As it doesn't speak of them doing anything other than sacrificing on behalf of the people.  

I had a hard time reading this psalm for some reason. I have had to read it 3 times now and am still lost.  What most stood out is that God is his rock and his salvation.   A reminder I think that we need to keep our focus on God at all times.

Day 61 - Leviticus 6:8 - 7 & Psalm 61

 Julie

If I am being honest, this part of Leviticus is a little hard to read. While I know it's not repeating itself (although it sounds that way), it is hard to keep up with all of the different sacrifices and how they work. Maybe there is not a need to understand them in detail?? Not sure though if there is something to glean from these specific chapters.

Psalm 61 is asking for God's protection. I feel like this could be something useful to pray regularly just asking for God to hear us and to protect us. 

 

Michelle

It is hard to read.  And I have no idea how they remembered what they were supposed to do for each one as there is alot going on and there are small differences for each.  I wonder if this is why they still take offering at church and that it seems different than tithing.  Are we offering to atone for our sins with money as that is what most people now have in place of these things?  I can see the symbolism behind it after reading this.  But why is tithing different than the offering?  I always thought it was the same but read something recently that had me questioning it.  

The psalm seemed to have 2 parts.  One that he is praising God and asking to take refuge in his wings.  The other is that he is asking for the King's days to be increased and that God watches over him.  I find it interesting as this king appeared to have been his enemy pursuing and persecuting him all this time but now he is asking God to bless the king.  Something to think about as I remember mom saying to bless your enemies, not in those words exactly but that is the basis I think.  This is hard to do I think for most people.  We would rather they suffer as we suffer and I admit I have felt this way before so this is a good reminder that we should bless everyone whether we like what they are doing or not.

 

Day 60 - Leviticus 5:14 - 6:7 & Psalm 60

 Julie

I hope it's not just me, but even these have been a bit difficult to read and understand. While it sounds like it's repetitive it turns out it's not. For instance, in today's reading it is still talking about unintended sin, but ones that are worse than the ones from yesterday's reading and they require a higher price. We are beginning to learn about how to treat our neighbors as well and being told how to make reparations for any wrong that we might cause them.

Psalm 60 is a lament for the community and is suggested that it is an instruction to them for how to pray for help with their enemies. Again, that seems to be a common theme right now.

 

Michelle

It is not just you.  I found that the previous passage I was just skimming thru the details of the offering as it seemed the same as all the others.  This one was a much shorter passage describing what needed to be sacrificed before the Lord.  I do find the Guilt offering an interesting thing.  Often times we feel guilt for things we are not doing that we should be doing.  I do anyway.  There are times that I beat myself up for it and then someone tells me it's ok don't be so hard on yourself.  And while there are times I shouldn't, the times I am certain I should have handled something differently, is where I feel the most guilt.  Or if my actions or words have hurt someone.  While there are a large amount of very sensitive people in the world today, I have learned that there are times when I need to be more mindful of my bluntness and honesty.  The 10 commandments don't necessarily include this guilt thing, but I can also see how it would relate.  The second part of today's passage is about being neighborly and how we should treat others and that we should not be deceitful.  There has been a lot of deceiving in the beginning of the bible up to now so I can see why this is an important one to remember.   

 I have to be honest.  Some of these psalms don't make sense until the end when they are praising God and asking for help.  I hate that I have no real context of what is happening to them.  But what I got from this is that he turns to God yet again, first questioning and then praising and asking for help.