Tag Archives: Leviticus

 

The following is one of the stories in Ebenezer and Ninety-Eight Friends 

(In case there is a new scripture for the day by the time you read this, the reference is Romans 8:2. )

            I sat on my bed Saturday morning, reading a few verses from Hebrews 9, contrasting the old and new covenants.  I read how Jesus’ blood did away with the need for animal sacrifices.  I said a short prayer, thanking God for His Gift.  I then made my bed and walked down the hall.  Mother’s door was slightly open.  She too was reading her Bible.  I waved and smiled and started to go on, letting her finish her quiet time.

            “Those bloody goats,” I heard her say—to me or whoever would listen. 

            “What!” 

            “This Leviticus is full of blood and goats and more rules than I could ever keep!”

            “You should have been in my room.  I read how Jesus took care of all that”

(Goat picture taken from Tony on MySpace)

(Girls on couch:  The young beautiful and lots of fun one by the way is my great-niece, Katelynn; then me and Mother, Georgia Lou, who taught me much of what I know about the Scripture and how to apply it to my life.)

            Mother and I enjoyed a jovial, short dialog on grace and the law—then began our day.

We know we can’t read just Hebrews.  We need to study Leviticus and all the law.  But why?  Must we raise goats in our back yard?  We could buy them from the local farmer. Then we’d need to take the poor animal to the priest and let him kill it—all this to have our sins forgiven—for a whole year.    

“ It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”  (Hebrews 10:4. 

Paul tells us in Galatians 3:24 (KJV), “the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” 

Unless we look at the law as a pointer to Christ, we will be frustrated.  

Leviticus 17:11 tells us, “…the life of the flesh is in the blood…  It is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” (KJV)

Only blood from a perfect lamb could make us holy. (Hebrews 9:12, KJV) 

When Jesus came as high priest, He came, “once for all” (Hebrews 9:12, KJV).  He gave us a new covenant (v 15).    

The next time you study about those bloody bulls and goats, think immediately of the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.!”  (John 1:29)

This picture is thought to be the empty tomb, taken two years ago when we went to Israel.  Whether it is or not, there was an empty tomb and that’s why we don’t have to slaughter goats anymore. 

 The far right picture is my friend, Shirley’s contribution to my blog.