The Readings in Week Two provide rules for faithful worship
of one Lord, rules for the road and rules for living in faithful community.
Leviticus is named for the descendants of Levi who God set
aside as priests. It focuses on establishing for these ancient people a sense
of sacred space, sacred status, sacred time. It outlines the responsibilities
of both the clergy and the laity in welcoming and honoring God’s presence.
Much of these scriptures establish for our ancient ancestors
in faith a way to distinguish between what is holy and what is unholy, what is
clean and unclean.
Some of these distinctions are spiritual, dealing with
reverence toward God, and some are practical, dealing with health issues that
might effect an entire community.
Again, through every passage these ancient people attempt to
understand and explain their experience of God and God’s relationship with
them.
Here are some things to notice along the way.
1.Many of these scriptures detail sacrifices to be made by
the people for different life circumstances. Leviticus 12:1-8 talks about what
a woman does for purification after childbirth. Joseph and Mary follow the laws
of Leviticus when they present Jesus at the Temple after his birth (Luke 2:22-24.)
2.These laws introduce the concept of scapegoat. Does this
scripture give you a better understanding of how that word is used today?
3. Leviticus establishes the expectation of tithe – that a
tenth of the harvest and a tenth of the herd or flock belong to God.
Bonus: Find the prescription for dealing with mildew.
Rules for the Road
/ Numbers
The march toward the Promised Land continues, with the
presence of God now with the people in the sanctuary of the tabernacle.
The tribes are named and counted and the people depart from
Mt. Sinai, where Moses first received the laws, and they journey to the plains
of Moab.
Here are some things to notice along the way.
1. Anyone who has participated in United Methodist Youth
Fellowship will likely recognize Numbers 6:24-26 as the UMYF benediction.
2. Watch for the repeated theme that those who left Egypt as
adults will not enter the Promised Land (except for two), but their children,
grown to adults, will inherit the land.
Bonus: Where is the first Amen in scripture?
Rules for
Community / Deuteronomy
On the plains of Moab, as they Israelites prepare to enter
the Promised Land, Moses offers three speeches, or sermons. His words recount
for the people where they have been – their origins, what they have been
through – their nomadic journey through the wilderness, and how they are to
live when the settle – their future.
Here are some things to notice along the way.
1. Found in Deuteronomy is the Shema Yisrael that begins “Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our
God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your strength.”
2. Moses is among those who do not get to enter the Promised
Land, this is established in Exodus and fulfilled in Deuteronomy.
3. The Ten Commandments are repeated in Deuteronomy, along
with many other Mosaic Laws contained in the Pentateuch, the first five books
of scripture. Jewish tradition holds that there are 613 Commandments contained
in these writings.
Bonus: Which punishment seems most harsh to you?
