February 29, 2024
February 29, 2024
Read Leviticus 16, Psalm 60, Galatians 3
Have you ever heard of or used the term “scapegoat?” Today, a scapegoat is a person who is blamed for wrong doings, mistakes, or faults of others. Usually done in a quick manner. Maybe you were somebody else’s scapegoat or maybe you were the one blaming the other person. I’m sure this gets done quite often in a workplace, a school, and most of all between siblings. The term comes from Leviticus 16 from a practice that was done on the Day of Atonement. One time a year Aaron or the high priest would enter the Most Holy place and offer two sacrifices of a goat. “He is to take two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering” v. 5. After using a bull to sacrifice for his own sin the Lord describes these most curious instructions for Aaron to follow. “Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 8 He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat.a 9 Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the LORD and sacrifice it for a sin offering. 10 But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement by sending it into the desert as a scapegoat” vv. 7-10. Aaron or the high priest would lay hands on the “scapegoat” and send it away to run into the wilderness which would represent the sins of the people being carried away and removed from their camp. What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.
Leave a Comment » | 
Uncategorized | Tagged: Aaron, atonement, Bible, Bible Reading Plan, day-of-atonement, Goat, Jesus, Leviticus, Priest, Scapegoat, Sin | 
Permalink
Posted by John Weldon
February 28, 2024
February 28, 2024
Read Leviticus 15, Psalm 59, Galatians 2
Technology is great, except for when it’s not. We live in a world that boasts about being connected more than ever before. We can communicate with someone halfway around the world in a matter of seconds. One of the side effects of online communications is that too much of it and not enough personal contact will create certain behaviors and build character traits in us that might not be all that good. One of these side effects is a lack of desire for personal confrontation. It is east to hide behind a screen and argue a point but if we are void any relationship it usually ends bad.
In Galatians 2 Paul talks about his personal testimony of coming to Christ with the church in Galatia but then he discusses a confrontation that he had with Peter about his behavior. “When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong” v. 11. He goes on to explain that Peter was being hypocritical with his beliefs and his actions depending on who he was around. “Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray” vv. 12-13. It had gotten to the point where even Barnabas had been misled by Peter’s actions.
Some people are more outgoing than others, but I don’t know anyone who likes confrontation. Paul knew what he had to do to set things right. Think about a time when someone came to you and properly tried to correct you. Maybe it was your beliefs or maybe it was your behavior. We might not like the time of correction, but we all needed it. I thank God for the people in my life who have taken me out to lunch or pulled me aside to have a conversation with me. Another question we could ask is, “Are we approachable or a teachable person?” Do we put off an air of arrogance or come across so confident that we are beyond a teachable person.
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.
Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: Bible, Bible Reading Plan, Conflicy, Galatians 2, I opposed him to his face, Paul, PEter | Permalink
Posted by John Weldon
February 27, 2024
February 27, 2024
Read Leviticus 14, Psalm 58, Galatians 1
Many people decry the idea of Hell. They ask, “Why would an all-loving God send someone to Hell?” This is a wrong-headed question to ask. God doesn’t send anyone to Hell. We are already headed there, but when we hear that Jesus stepped in and paid the penalty for our sins on the cross, we have the opportunity to accept His grace gift and pardon from Hell. The reality of Hell is a just reality. Of all the evil done in the world, would we not expect God to punish those who do evil? God is indeed a just God, who enacts his judgment on everyone justly. May I take this sober moment to remind you that we are all sinners and have broken God’s law. Let this be a humble reminder that we all need a Savior.
Psalm 58 is a cry for justice from King David. He specifically aims his cry against the rulers or leaders in Israel. “Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge uprightly among men?” v. 1. David says that this is not a new thing, the wicked have been wicked for their entire life. “Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward and speak lies” v. 3. David uses a couple of illustrations like a snake that is full of venom and that won’t heed the snake charmer. He wishes that they would vanish like water that flows away. The last lines of the Psalm end in an uplifting hope that David has in his God. “The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked. 11 Then men will say, ‘Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth’” vv. 10-11.
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.
Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: Bible, Bible Reading Plan, Christianity, David, Hell, Jesus, Justice and Judgment, Psalm 58 | Permalink
Posted by John Weldon
February 26, 2024
February 26, 2024
Read Leviticus 13, Psalm 57, Hebrews 13
Warning: You better not ready Leviticus 13 after you just ate! Skin rashes, sores with white hairs, and raw flesh with swelling are just some of the things you will read about in that important chapter. One of the takeaways from this chapter is that God had a plan to control and treat infectious diseases. The Israelites were to quarantine for a period of time and then have a “checkup” with the priest before they were declared clean again. You might be wondering why did God tell them to see a priest and not a doctor? “When anyone has an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to the priest” v. 6. At this time in history there were no doctors like we have today. Most of the educated people were the priests and their general knowledge was good for examining the needs of the people.
Hebrews 13 is the conclusion of the book of Hebrews. Even though we do not know who wrote the book, we do know that the author had some kind of connection with Timothy because he is mentioned at the end. “I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you. 24 Greet all your leaders and all God’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings. 25 Grace be with you all” vv. 23-25. The final remarks are aimed at the church and how they should live out their faith. Verse 2 discusses the important topic of hospitality. The author seems to imply that the angel may “test us” from time to time to see how we treat others. “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it” v. 2.
The author encourages the readers to remain sexually pure, keep the marriage bed sacred, and to not be carried away by strange teachings. Before the author closes the letter out, he circles back once more to Jesus as the High Priest who has paved the way for us all. The comparison of the burned offering being taken outside the city is compared Jesus who was crucified also outside the city of Jerusalem. He adds, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name” v. 15.
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.
Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: Bible, Bible Reading Plan, Doctor, God, Hebrews, Hebrews 13, Jesus, Leviticus, Melchizedek, priests, Skin Rashes, Sores | Permalink
Posted by John Weldon
February 25, 2024
February 25, 2024
Read Leviticus 12, Psalm 56, Hebrews 12
As you read Leviticus 12 it is important to note the difference between being ceremonially unclean and committing a sin. There were three types of laws in the Old Testament. The moral law which instructed Israel and everyone else on how to live their lives. The civic laws of the nation of Israel which were only bound to the Israelites and not to other nations. These laws were meant to represent God’s standard before the other nations as a witness to God. The ceremonial laws were the laws that Israel was to observe when they were to come before the Lord to offer a sacrifice or approach the tabernacle or temple. These laws focused on the person remaining clean before the Lord when they came to offer a sacrifice. If an Israelite were to become unclean by touching a dead body, dead animal, or a bodily discharge it would make that person unclean and they would have to take steps to purify themselves before coming in the presence of the Lord or in their community. It didn’t signify that they committed a sin necessarily. If a person was ceremonially unclean and neglected to properly purify themselves, it could possibly lead to sin and exclusion from the community.
Leviticus 12 describes the process of purification that a woman would have to undergo after childbirth. “Say to the Israelites: ‘A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period.” v. 2.
As New Testament believers we are not bound to the sacrificial system of the Old Testament. Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins was the payment once for all. However, there might be activities that we participate in today that would not be considered sinful, but they might be akin to the unclean attitude we take when coming before the Lord. We might not want to come in to a church or setting where we set aside time to honor God and his holiness and have a disregard for our own personal cleanliness. We might not want to practice a spiritual discipline like reading the Bible or praying while we are working in certain situations as a sign of respect toward God.
What else do you see in these three chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stick out to you?
Add your thoughts below.
Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: Bible, Bible Reading Plan, birth, Ceremonial Unclean, Christian, Giving birth, God, Jesus, Levitcus, Leviticus, Sin, Unclean vs. Sin | Permalink
Posted by John Weldon
February 24, 2024
February 24, 2024
Read Leviticus 11, Psalm 55, Hebrews 11
We all exercise faith every day. Most of the time we don’t even bat an eyelash thinking about the ways that we put our faith into practice. Think about it, when you pick up a prescription from the pharmacy, get in your car and drive 70 mph down the road, or some other mundane tasks that we repeat repeatedly. Think about it, the reason we don’t even give it much thought is because often we repeat these tasks over and over. By faith we expect the medications we get from a pharmacist to be correct and by faith we expect our vehicles to run correctly and that others will abide by safe driving rules.
Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the “Hall of Faith.” It begins with a concise definition of faith. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” v. 1. Next, we learn without faith, “it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” v. 6. Faith is the requirement that God desires from all of us. Then the author highlights the Old Testament people who exercised faith and trusted God. From Abel to Rahab each of these people trusted God in faith and took Him at his word.
The last part of Hebrews 11 shifts from the giants of the faith that everyone recognizes from the pages of the Old Testament to a list of unknown and unrewarded faithful people. “Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37 They were stoned; they were sawn in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and ill-treated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.” vv.35-39. Often when we read the narratives in the Bible we tend to focus on the military victories, the miraculous rescues, and other good things that we want for ourselves. We can easily overlook those who didn’t have the happy ending or those who were killed even for their faith. The author of Hebrews treats them all the same. Win or lose, they all win by exercising the faith in the Lord they had. The author reminds us, “God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” v. 40.
How can you exercise faith today? How can you trust the Lord and know that win or lose He has a plan for you just like He did each of these people in Hebrews 11.
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stick out to you most?
Add your thoughts below.
Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: Bible, Bible Reading Plan, By Faith, Faith, God, Hebrews, Hebrews 11, Jesus | Permalink
Posted by John Weldon
February 23, 2024
February 23, 2024
Read Leviticus 10, Psalm 54, Hebrews 10
What is something that you have done once that you plan to never do again? Ride a rollercoaster, file your own taxes, try brussel sprouts, or take a trip to a city or location. As we have been reading through the chapters in Leviticus and Hebrews it discusses a lot about the sacrificial system in the Old Testament. Over and over, the priests would have to perform the sacrifices before the Lord for the people of Israel. The author of Hebrews makes us glad we are living in the New covenant times and that we have Jesus who made the ultimate sacrifice once for all. “For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshippers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins” vv. 1-2. The author tells us plainly, “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” v. 4. The sacrificial system only temporarily covered the sins of the people.
The last half of Hebrews 10 is instructions for the church to persevere. There are great instructions in these verses that true follower of Jesus cannot ignore. There are three exhortations that all begin with “let us….” First, “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith” v. 22. Our first goal is to work on our walk with the Lord and our goal is to have a close relationship with God. When we do this, it brings about the assurance of faith in us that we can confidently live for the Lord. Second, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” v. 23. We must look ahead in hope that comes from trusting God and his promises. Next, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds” v. 24. Our jobs as brothers and sisters in Christ is to encourage and push other Christians to continue walking with the Lord and it is all about our actions.
The author gives one admonishment to his readers also, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” v. 25. We are not to neglect the church, (not the building), but the people who gather. We are to encourage one another and for good reason, one day Jesus will return.
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.
Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: Bible, Bible Reading Plan, Church, Faith, God, Hebrews 10, Jesus, Leviticus 10, Once for All, Psalm 54, SAcrifice, salvation | Permalink
Posted by John Weldon
February 22, 2024
February 22, 2024
Read Leviticus 9, Psalm 53, Hebrews 9
Have you ever done a “doubletake” before? A doubletake is when you must take a second look at something. Maybe you thought you saw something or someone that you recognized. Maybe it was something unbelievable that you had to take a second look to make sure you weren’t crazy. Doubletake is all about taking a more careful and calculated look at something to see if you can confirm your suspicions. These chapters today remind me in several ways of a double take.
First, Leviticus 9 is a chapter describing when God instructed Moses to present Aaron and the other priests before the Lord and the people. God told them to offer a sacrifice as they began their ministry in the tabernacle as high priest before the Lord. Again, we read about the blood of the bull calf that had to be sprinkled on all four sides of the altar. The process is very similar to how God instructed Moses to ordain Arron and his sons in the previous chapter. At the end of the chapter, we read this majestic scene of God sending down fire and consuming the offering that was made. “Moses and Aaron then went into the Tent of Meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. 24 Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell face down.” vv. 23-24.
As you read Psalm 53 you might be thinking, “This sounds familiar. Haven’t I read this before?” Many will quickly say that Psalm 53 and Psalm 14 are the exact same psalm. For some reason this has caused people to question the Word of God. Keep in mind, that these chapters in Psalms are songs, poems, and writings from people for all types of occasions and purposes. Think about how some songs today are rewritten and sung again by different artists and returned to a different flavor. But if we take a double take at these two psalms you will see that they are not exactly alike after all. Psalm 14 uses the divine name “Yahweh” and Psalm 53 uses the generic name for God “Elohim.” They share the exact same message, and one was apparently rewritten latter to emphasize the Lord in a different way. The later verses vary just slightly as well. The same theme of evildoers that will not prevail and will be brought to justice is present in both psalms.
The author of Hebrews is again comparing Jesus with another part of the Old Testament. In Hebrews 9 the author tells us that Jesus is better than the priest of the Old Testament. The high priest would enter the Most Holy place once a year and offer a sacrifice, but Jesus offered a sacrifice of his own blood. The priest would enter into the most Holy place in the presence of God, but Jesus entered into Heaven, not just a inner room in the Tabernacle. “He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption” v. 12. The blood sprinkled on the altar in the Old Testament was part of the covenant that God made with Israel. This is the way they would atone for sin and keep God’s covenant. The author of Hebrews states, “In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle, and everything used in its ceremonies. 22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” vv. 21-22.
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you? Add your thoughts below.
Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: Aaron, Bible, Bible Reading Plan, Blood, closer look, Doubletake, God, Hebrews, Hebrews 9, Jesus, Leveticus 9, Moses, priests, Psalm 53, SAcrifice | Permalink
Posted by John Weldon
February 21, 2024
February 21, 2024
Read Leviticus 8, Psalm 52, Hebrews 8
Are you squeamish at the sight of blood or are you the type of person that can handle those war movies, medical shows, or other movies that show a lot of blood? Maybe reading this right now puts an uneasy thought in your mind. Reading through the various instructions for offering sacrifices in the book of Leviticus has reminded me that living in ancient Israel would have been a very bloody ordeal. In Leviticus 8 we read, “Moses slaughtered the bull and took some of the blood, and with his finger he put it on all the horns of the altar to purify the altar. He poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar” v. 15. You may wonder, what’s up with all the blood? Why does God demand a sacrifice such as this? When we back up we are reminded of the tenth plague in Exodus, the plague of the first born that would die unless any Israelite or Egypt put the blood of the lamb over the doorpost of their home. If we go back even further to Genesis 9 we read that God demanded an accounting for someone who took the life of another. “And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man. 6 “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.” vv. 5-6. We see already here that the “lifeblood” is used as a system of justice by God.
Fast-forward to the New Testament and of course we god straight to the cross that Jesus shed his blood for us. Jesus blood was shed not just for one person or for one sin, but for the sins of the whole world, once and for all. As you read through the chapters in Leviticus and in Hebrews we are reminded that Jesus is our great high priest and that God brought a new covenant to us through His Son Jesus. “But God found fault with the people and said: ‘The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 9 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them,’” vv. 8-9. The blood may be difficult to think about, but without it we would be without hope and doomed to continue the sacrificial system from the Old Testament.
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, and themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.
Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: Bible, Bible Reading Plan, Blood, God, Hebrews, Jesus, Leviticus, Leviticus 8, SAcrifice | Permalink
Posted by John Weldon
February 19, 2024
February 19, 2024
Read Leviticus 6, Psalm 50, Hebrews 6
What do you remember learning in your elementary school years? Shapes, colors, reading, writing, basic math? Maybe you picked up a trade like sewing, gardening, or cooking. I remember learning the basics of music like rhythm, harmony, and playing the annoying little flute like recorder and hurting everyone’s ears.
There are elementary truths we can learn about any subject; this includes the Word of God. We learn that God is Holy, compassionate, good, merciful, gracious, and forgiving. It’s always good to never lose sight of these elementary teaches from the Bible, but at the same time we do not need to stay with just these basic teachings for other deeper teachings in these areas.
In Psalm 50 God speaks boldly here. He tells Israel that He doesn’t need anything from his creation. “I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, 10 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills” vv. 9-10. Later God rebukes those in Israel who simply recite God’s laws but do not care anything for it. He sees right through their lip service. “What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips? 17 You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you” vv. 16-17. There are people in our world today that try to shame righteous Christians by using God’s own words against them. They make a play on their compassion. It’s a no-win solution. If Christians do something they don’t like they cry, “That’s too much you went too far!” Then When Christians do something for the Lord and they don’t like it they cry just the opposite, “You didn’t do enough, you should have done this too!”
In Hebrews 6 the author challenges us to “leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity” v. 1. He names some things such as repentance, faith in God, baptism, praying for others, and the resurrection and judgment that is to come. Reading that list made me wonder how many people would see those topics as elementary today. We seem to be stuck on the love of God in the culture we live in today. All the surveys tell us that people are more biblically illiterate than ever before. This is why we must stay in God’s Word and have a steady intake of it in our lives. Have you taken a spiritual inventory of your knowledge from the Word of God? No matter what you would place yourself, novice, beginner, intermediate, or advanced, we all have work to do, and we all have room to grow in our knowledge of God’s Word.
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stick out to you?
Add your thoughts below?
Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: Basics of the Faith, Bible, Bible Reading Plan, Christianity, Elementary, Faith, God, Hebrews 6, Jesus, Leviticus, Psalm 50 | Permalink
Posted by John Weldon
DId God Really Say... 