Leviticus 22
-Chapter 22 starts out with some additional sundry laws for
the priests given by the LORD to Moses. God tells Aaron and his sons to be “careful
with the holy gifts of the sons of Israel, which they dedicate to Me (Leviticus
22:2).” They are NOT to profane His Holy Name for He is their LORD who saves
them and sanctifies them (Leviticus 22:2, 3, 8, 9, 16, 31-33). They are warned
not to have any “uncleanness” as they accept gifts and eat of them. Otherwise
they profane the LORD’s altar and bear sin. The stranger (zuwr- alien, foreigner), or sojourner, with the priest was not
allowed to eat of the holy gift. However, slaves and children could. Even a
daughter who was widowed or divorced with no children that had come back to
live with her father could partake. Men who were not priests that ate of the
holy gifts unintentionally could add to their total a fifth of it and return
the favor to the priests (Leviticus 22:14).
-The animals that were accepted for sacrifice were then
covered by the LORD to Moses. Cattle, sheep, and goats that were male, perfect,
and over seven days old could be used for votive (neder- an avowed sacrifice) or any of the free will offerings
presented as a burnt offering. No defects were allowed, which included blindness,
fractures, being maimed, running sores, eczema, scabs, and any testicles
problems (Leviticus 22:17-24). These were practically the same requirements listed
in the previous chapter for the priests themselves (see Leviticus 21:17-21).
The foreshadowing is obvious as it points to the perfect Savior, Jesus Christ,
and His sacrificial atonement with no sin or blemish. No food from a foreigner
was allowed to be accepted for the LORD. It was considered corrupted and
defected (Leviticus 22:25). Finally, some of the eating requirements of the
priests were reiterated with the charge to keep the ways of the LORD.
-*Application* Our Father is Heaven has just and fair requirements
for keeping His people pure and undefiled. Though we have transgressed and fall
short of His glory, He has given us His own “perfect” sacrifice on the cross
through Jesus Christ, His Son (Romans 3:23; 5:1, 8; 6:23, 1 Peter 3:18). Give
praise to God today for all of His perfections generously bestowed upon us, His
forgiven children, gained through our accepting faith in Him.
Verse to Memorize:
Leviticus 22:21
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