Bible Chapter: Leviticus 21 & 22

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    God provided spiritual leaders for the nation.  There are pictures we can see through the priests.  God is holy and He expected those in spiritual leadership to be holy as well.  There are many pictures of God we can see through His qualifications for the priests.  They were examples of godliness.  They were measured by a higher standard.  God is holy and He expects His followers to be holy as well. The priests were to set the pace for living a holy life.
    The sacrifices they offered had to be holy, pure and without defect.  These also help us see God’s holiness.  God has never sinned.  There is nothing second rate about Him.  Through all the details of the Law and through all the teachings of Jesus we see God’s righteousness.  His desire is that His followers will grow in righteousness as well.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    As a pastor, when I read the Old Testament regulations regarding priests, I always look at them in a deeper way.  I think of the expectations put on the priests.  I think of the standards God held them to.  The New Testament also has high expectations for spiritual leaders in the church.  I must live the life God requires.  While it is sometimes thought that God is asking too much, I can see that there are great benefits to life to do things God’s ways.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Even those who are not called to be in spiritual leadership (which is the majority of the people) are better off to follow God’s plan.  They don’t have to follow the plan for spiritual leadership, but to follow God’s plan for living a holy life.  They will never regret it.