Chapter 1 refers to instructions regarding sacrifices to be made by the children of Israel.
Chapter 2 refers to instructions for the grain offering, a voluntary act of worship involving flour, oil, frankincense, and sometimes salt, but notably without leaven or honey.
Chapter 3 details the peace offering that is to be offered to the Lord, a voluntary sacrifice focused on communion, gratitude, and shared fellowship between God and the worshiper.
Chapter 4 teaches how to atone for sin among the brethren.
Chapter 5 continues in how to atone for sin among the brethren.
Chapter 6 continues in how to atone for sin.
Chapter 7 teaches how to atone for the trespass offering.
Chapter 8 states that the Lord commands Moses to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests at the tabernacle door.
Chapter 9 speaks about Aaron and his sons offering a calf and a ram for a burnt offering without blemish before the Lord to God for the priests and the people as atonement.
Chapter 10 recounts the immediate judgment of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, who were consumed by fire from the Lord for offering strange or unauthorized fire, highlighting the necessity of strict obedience in worship.
Chapter 11 speaks about what beast the children of Israel may eat.
Chapter 12 speaks about bearing of children and purification process thereafter.
Chapter 13 speaks about how to deal with spots, scabs, or bright spots on one’s skin to be treated.
Chapter 14 speaks about how lepers are to be cleansed.
Chapter 15 speaks about how unclean a man with a running issue is to himself and others.
Chapter 16 details the Day of Atonement outlining the annual ritual for cleansing the sanctuary, priests, and people from sin.
Chapter 17 mandates that all animal sacrifices be brought to the tabernacle door, prohibiting slaughter in the open field to prevent idolatry. It establishes the sanctity of the blood, declaring that it holds life for atonement.
Chapter 18 outlines prohibitions against sexual immorality and idolatry, commanding the Israelites to avoid the practices of Egypt and Canaan. Key restrictions include prohibitions against incest, homosexuality, bestiality, and sacrificing children to Molech.
Chapter 19-1-2 is a command for the people to be holy for the Lord your God is holy. Elsewhere, the word of Habakkuk 1: 13, states that God cannot look on sin. Apostle Paul writes in 1Cor. 6: 18-19, our bodies are the temple of God and in (Jude 1: 24), Jesus will present us holy and without blame to the Father with exceedingly joy someday. God takes holiness seriously and gets nasty when we make light of our dedication to the Lord’s values of discipleship as noted in the scriptures above.
Verse 3-The people are to fear (revere) their mothers and their fathers. Not only is this a commandment from God, but a reasonable expectation of gratitude for being raised in the fear and admonition of the Lord God. (Exodus 20: 12). There is also with this commandment of respect, the promise of longevity of life.
Verse 4 denotes the people are not to make unto themselves molten images or worship any idols. God states that He alone, is the Lord your God.
(Exodus 34: 14) (Exodus 20: 5) (Isaiah 44: 6)
God says, “I am the first and the last.” In reality, He’s the in between as well..
Verse 5-8 If the people offer a peace offering to God voluntarily, they are to eat it and let it not grow stale or burn it. Improper handling of the peace offering can profane the offering and lead to that soul being cut off from among the people. This is a Jewish ritual for Jews only.
Verses 9-10 speak of times of harvest, the Israelites were to remember the gleaners and the poor. Jesus added in the Gospel of John 12: 8, that ye shall have the poor with you always. This undergirds the commandment, “Thou shall not steal (8th commandment) and Christian believers are to help take care of the poor who are neighbors. (Luke 10: 25-37) (Matthew 25: 31-46) (Proverbs 19: 17) (James 1: 27) (Galatians 2: 10) Read the book of Ruth for further understanding.
Verses 11-12 discuss the acknowledgement of the denunciation of theft and adultery. Do not profane the name of God nor swear by my name.
Verses 13-14 point out to not lessen or hinder the handicapped because God, Himself will defend them. Pay wages on time and do not defraud the worker of his fair wages. All people of handicap status are in the watchful eye of God who sees everything. (Prov. 22: 22-23) (Deut. 24: 14)
Verse 15 Treat all people the same and not show favoritism because of some being mighty or poor. (Exodus 23: 3) (James 2: 1-9) (Romans 2: 11)
Verse 16-18 details they are not be a talebearer or gossiper. Hate no one.
Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. (James 3: 1-12)
Summary
How does this lesson relates to us today?
Do people think that their bodies are the temple of God?
(1 Cor. 6: 18-19) Do we feel holy and blameless? (Jude 1: 24)
If Christian believers believed these scriptures were intrinsically given by the Heavenly Father for our well-being, might they be more mindful of their daily behavior? As a general consensus, do children respect their parents as special people? Do children when grown, stay in touch with parents to assure there is care for their needs? How long has it been since we have communicated with some elderly single person or an elderly couple living alone near us? (Eph. 6: 2-3) Are we aware that every elderly individual is someone’s mother or father that may be struggling to provide assistance?
Where or what do we spend most of our time thinking about?
Malachi 3: 10 states that if people would give what God requires to be placed in his storehouses, and PROVE HIM, they would see God would pour out from the Windows of Heaven blessings that people cannot receive. Malachi is often misunderstood to be speaking only of tithing financially. Tithing has been assessed as a tenth. A week’s tithes of time for the Lord would consist of 16.5 hours weekly. How are we doing with this tithing? Maybe we are doing better than we first thought about it? Sometimes, we may not know how and where to count our blessings. Do we have good health, peace of mind, many good Christian friends, safety, often dodging bullets of storms and outages, making one’s food supply go extra distances, the old vehicle just keeps on plugging along, you have a great mechanic, long life, God’s blessing your garden and the works of your hands. Shall I continue?
Do you have easy access to a phone? Do you go to the doctor by walking, wagon, or riding a horse like the days of our parents?
Is there someone that calls and checks on you periodically?
Would your parents consider the life that you live would be a poor one or a blessed one?
Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4: 8, we are to spend much of our time focusing on that which is good, pure, and honorable. He instructs believers whatever is true, noble, right, lovely, and admirable, essentially focusing on things that are excellent or praiseworthy. How could we have a bad day with this attitude?
The one drawback to all of this peace and joy for our lives is that it refers to “believers in Christ”.
Sower's Field by L. Michael Schoonover 