Tuesday Night Dinner

These things take time

This week we leave behind the edible (the Kosher foods) and move onto to a much more graphic and queezy subject: The Purification of Women – Child (after)birth.  Here are the basics:

• New mothers are considered unclean for certain periods after the birth of a child.  They may not enter the temple nor touch any holy thing.
• If the child is a male the mother is unclean for the first 7 days, on the eighth day she will bring him to be circumcised, then will be unclean for 33 more days.
• If the child is female the mother is unclean for a total of 66 days (four score nights )
• At the end of this period of uncleanliness, the mother is to bring a lamb, without blemish, to the temple for sacrifice by the high priest.  If one could not afford a lamb, then two turtle doves were acceptable. (Mary, mother of a newborn Jesus, brought two turtle doves to the temple.

The text in Leviticus 12 does not expand on the reasons for these post-childbirth regulations.  We will talk about what scholars, both Christian and Jew, have said about this matter.

The classic dietary conundrum

And now we wade into the complicated and detailed depths of the Levitical law:  This week we are talking about what may be eaten and what shall not be touched.  We will look at all of Leviticus 11. It is a lot of material but it reads quickly.  The main thrust of the chapter is a definition of “clean foods” vs. “detestable objects”. Jews who observe Kashrut (Kosher eating) derive the cleanliness standards from this chapter, along with Dueteronomy 17.

Here is a little snippet from Chapter 11*:

3 Whatever parts the hoof and is cloven-footed and chews the cud, among the animals, you may eat. 4 Nevertheless, among those that chew the cud or part the hoof, you shall not eat these: The camel, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. 5 And the rock badger, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. 6 And the hare, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. 7 And the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you.

* Download the whole chapter in DOC format, color coded and organized for your enjoyment: Leviticus11.doc

Several factors impact why certain animals are edible and others are not. Many scholars believe that the primary motivations were sanitary health, digestive ability and disease prevention.  Keep in mind that these laws were originally given to a nomadic people inhabiting the Sinai Peninsula.  Experts and historians also note that the “nature” of each forbidden creature also plays a role in the legal designations.  For example, many of the birds and fowl prohibited in chapter 11 are considered “ravenous creatures”, or birds of prey, feasting on the meat of others by swooping in without mercy, tearing away flesh and breaking bones.

If you would like more information about Kosher regulations and procedures check out these links:

• OU Kosher – the most officially recognized Kosher Certification organization
• Kosher on About.com – I know, it seems simplistic but it is very educational
• Online Slang Dictionary – Find alternate uses for the word “Kosher”

This week we will be looking at Leviticus 10 with an emphasis on the beginning and end of the passage.  Merely moments after Aaron and his sons are ordained and installed as the high priests, half of them (Nadab and Abihu) are killed by the Holy fire of God when they deviate from God’s command for worship.  While this passage might seem a bit harsh, it communicates very directly about God’s tolerance for the “institutions of man”.  Simply put, God does not react well when people “add to” or “subtract from” the commands of God for selfish gain.  This characteristic of God is also displayed in Jesus’ very harsh words for the Pharasies of his time.

While “Our God is a consuming fire” we are not to live in a perpetual state of fear for our life since He has poured out His wrath on the cross.  His grace and mercy abound as He delights in His children. Our passage this week illustrates what Paul speaks of in Romans 11 – that God’s first property is to always have mercy when He looks upon an unholy people.  Christ died so that we may have life and we live in response to this.

Here is a little commentary from Adam Clarke concerning the Death of Aaron’s sons in Leviticus 10:

Every part of the religion of God is Divine. He alone knew what he designed by its rites and ceremonies, for that which they prefigured-the whole economy of redemption by Christ-was conceived in his own mind, and was out of the reach of human wisdom and conjecture. He therefore who altered any part of this representative system, who omitted or added any thing, assumed a prerogative which belonged to God alone, and was certainly guilty of a very high offence against the wisdom, justice, and righteousness of his Maker. This appears to have been the sin of Nadab and Abihu, and this at once shows the reason why they were so severely punished. The most awful judgments are threatened against those who either add to, or take away from, the declarations of God.

This week the book of Leviticus takes a shift in tone from the explanation of the basic elements of the procedures for sacrifice to a historical recounting of the consecration of Aaron and his sons as the high priests of God’s people. While the context of our discussion includes all of chapter 8, our discussion will be focused on the elements found in the three following sections:

1. 8:5-13 – the dressing and consecration of the Priests
2. 8:22-25 – the ordination by the blood of Lamb
3. 8:30 – the anointing by oil and blood

Read Chapter 8 here

Here are some definitions of critical words that shed light on these passages:

• Ephod: priestly garment, shoulder-cape or mantle, outer garment 1. worn by an ordinary priest and made of white stuff 2. worn by the high priest – more costly, woven of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and linen threads provided with shoulder-pieces and a breast piece of like material, ornamented with gems and gold
• Consecrate: to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate
• Anointment Oil: consecrated portion, anointing oil, portion, ointment, anointing portion 1. ointment (used to consecrate by anointing) 2. anointing portion

This week we are back on track, studying the first list of offenses that require restitution in Leviticus. I have prepared a Word document that outlines these lists for unintentional sins committed by the people of God.  Take a look at them and consider how sin is defined and when restitution is required.

http://www.jonpattillo.com/tuesday/notes/Leviticus5-6_outline.doc

If the law seems broad, it is supposed to be that way.  On Tuesday we will discuss, once again, that the law exists not to create perfect performance but only to reveal our every-present sin. Our human pride leads us to believe that perfection in behavior will result in righteousness in God. Only by the Holy Spirit, through conviction, refinement and restoration, do we come to the ulitimate goal of God: to love and delight in Him without the encumbrance of Sin.

Here is a short prayer from commentator Adam Clarke on this thought:

“Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be open, and from whom no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

To date we have discussed the two different types of sacrifices, “burnt offerings” and “food offerings,” as designated in Leviticus chapters 1 and 2.  Burnt offerings may be either animal or grain and are totally consumed by fire as a “pleasing aroma to the Lord”.  Food offerings are technically translated as a “meat offering” but defined as a “fruit of the earth” or “fruit of labor”, implied the daily sacrifice of man’s labor and toil. A portion of the food offering was consumed by fire as a burnt offering and the remainder set aside for the provision for the priests.

In Leviticus 3 [link] the category of “peace offering” is introduced.  The offering may be a cattle, lamb or goat, either male or female but either without blemish. The text specifies how the animals are to be killed, cut up and burned on the altar.  From the animal, neither the fat (the most valuable part) nor the blood (considered the “life” of the being) were to be consumed. “For all fat belongs to the Lord” – Leviticus 3:17b

Webster’s dictionary defines peace as not only “tranquility and calm” but also the “cessation of violence between two warring parties”.  This specific word for “peace offering” is directly connected to Genesis 14:18 [link] where Melchizedek, the king of Salem, came out with an offering of bread and wine to make peace between God and man.

Abraham Meets Melchizedek - by Peter Paul Rubens

At the center of this account is a man named Abram (soon to be renamed Abraham), designated by God to be the father of many nations.  Soon after Melchizedek’s peace offering in Genesis 15 God deems Abram a righteous man – not due to his obedience but to his FAITH.

This week we will talk about the important distinctions between obedience to God’s commandments (ie. the sacrificial and purity laws of Leviticus) and how God defines and bestows “righteousness” or “justification” in man. Our sin nature leads us directly toward seeking righteousness through the human efforts of obedience, ritual and legalism – also know as “works”.

All of the sacrifices in Leviticus represent that with the consequence of sin, death and destruction always follow. As we have previously discussed, these rituals do not justify people but are “intentional acts meant to affect and transform the participants, both the offered innocent victim (animal or grain) and the offering party (priests, individuals of nations).”  Only by God’s grace, through faith (see Abram), are we justified in His sight.

“For by the works of the Law no human being will be justified in His sight, since through the law comes only the knowledge of Sin.  But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” – Romans 3:20-23

If you want, please read over the following passages for context of our discussion on Tuesday night:

Genesis 15:1-6 [link]
Genesis 17:1-14 [link]
Romans 4:1-12 [link]

The immaculate "Eric Estrada" bread

Suggested reading for this week:

• Leviticus 2 – Laws for Grain Offerings [link]
• Matthew 5:1-16 – The Beatitudes [link]
• Matthew 16:5-12 – The Leaven of the Pharisees [link]
• 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 – Clean out the old leaven [link]

Animal sacrifices typically came at significant times or high holidays.  Grain offerings symbolize the sacrifice and offer of the day-to-day elements of life. While all of the described sacrifices consist of fine flour, the grain offering itself could come in the form of basic flour, oven-baked, griddle-baked and pan-cooked.  Every grain offering is to be covered in oil (occasionally topped with frankincense) and offered with salt.  Salt is specifically mentioned as a critical element for an acceptable sacrifice.  The entire offering is divided by the Priests into a “memorial portion” to be burned as a sacrifice to the Lord and a “priestly portion” which would be kept for the priests of the tabernacle, presumably for their daily food.

The subject of “first-fruits” is also discussed with some exception to the general commands for sacrifice. This represents the “first fruit of labor” or, in more general terms, unprocessed, or green, corn fresh from the harvest.

Of note: There is great deal of discussion about leaven vs. unleavened bread.  All of the forms of grain offerings in this text are required to be unleavened but this does not necessarily mean that leaven represents evil or impurity. Leaven was a very common element in all forms of baking and serves as a symbol for both sin and righteousness; a small element that has a large affect. In the New Testament, Christ refers to the Kingdom of Heaven like a little bit of leaven hidden in the dough. (see Mat 13:33)

Last week we discussed the first chapter of Leviticus which addresses the commands for animal sacrifice and the Burnt Offering (a sacrifice where the entire offering is for the Lord, consumed by fire).  The animals called for are to be males, without defect (meaning whole, complete, entire, sound – not castrated, not abnormal, but both physically superior and fertile). The death of these animals allowed for the people to be accepted (when God finds pleasure, delight, favor and goodwill) and granted atonement (to cover, purge or make reconciliation for sins).

We found three themes from the first chapter of Leviticus:

1. Value/Cost: The animals commanded for sacrifice represent a great financial cost to the people.  God does not ask for the least of the animals, the rejects, the undesirable.  He asks for the very best, the most desirable, the most valuable.  An unblemished (or without defect) bull or ram would be the very life-blood of a nomadic herdsman’s entire life. APPLICATION: God is not asking for whatever is left over, nor an inconsequential gift. He asking for the thing you value the most.
2. Faith: Sacrificing the prize bull or ram also symbolizes a very large step in faith – a seemingly irrational act of extraordinary trust that God would continue to care for His people. For a society of nomadic herdsmen these animals serve as the source of economic wealth, nutrition and social standing in the community. APPLICATION: “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we can not see” – Hebrews 11:1
3. Death: “For the wages of Sin is death” – Romans 6:23 – These sacrifices were made in hope for acceptance from the Lord and an atonement for sins. The animals are referred to a “innocent victims”, or those without blame.  The death of any animal is a dramatic process where the animation, or life, passes out of a once-living being.  APPLICATION: Animal sacrifice is a dramatic, emotional and painful process that is intended to deeply affect and transform the one asking for acceptance and atonement.

Of note: The third category of animal called for is the dove, or the pigeon.  The poorest of society did not own cattle, oxen, lambs or goats so they we commanded to bring a dove.  This demonstrates that access to God, and the subsequent acceptance and atonement, is available to even the least of society. When Mary and Joseph brought their newborn son Jesus to be consecrated on the eighth day, as per the Jewish custom, they offered two turtledoves.  The Messiah did not descend on chariots of fire to rule by force but was born in a manger to two very poor people.

Suggested reading for this week (1/13/09):

• Leviticus 1 – Laws for Burnt Offerings [link]
• Genesis 22:1-19 – The Sacrifice of Isaac [link]
• 1 Peter 1:17-23 – Called to be Holy [link]

As Jon Hallmark commented last week: “Man, that is a lot of blood.”  This week will talk about bulls, rams and birds all loosing their lives as innocent victims on our behalf.  Discussion will include the very first sacrificial decrees of Leviticus, the burnt offering, which is required to approach the Lord by the atonement for sins.

Three categories of animals are listed: 1) “From the herd” 2)”Of the flock” and 3)”Of birds”. The different levels represent the concept of “equal access” to God despite economic class.  Only the very wealthy landowners possessed cattle, let alone bulls. Typical middle-class herdsman tended to nomadic flocks of sheep and goats.  The poor kept and raised pigeons and doves, to which they had the mostly “free” access.

Of note: This section describes a very specific kind of sacrifice, the burnt offering.  Commentators note that this designation uniquely refers to the entire animal being consumed by fire, for God. No piece of meat or by-product is kept for human benefit or consumption. These sacrifices come at great financial and laborious cost, perhaps the most costly of all sacrifices dictated in Leviticus.

CONTEXT: Leviticus is the third book of Moses, a.k.a. the Pentateuch or Torah, and directly extends from the end of Exodus. At this time the Lord notifies Moses that He will dwell amongst His people, requiring the construction of the Tabernacle (or the Tent of Meeting) and will make them a royal priesthood and a divine nation. The first seven chapters of Leviticus then address how an unholy people shall be in the presence of Holy God and how to approach righteous Judge.

MAJOR THEMES OF LEVITICUS:

1. Worship – giving God honor and praise in response to His glory and mercy. As a result of “proper” worship, the people experience sacrifice (or gift-giving), atonement of sins and communion with God.
2. Holiness – the people learn and practice the acts of being “set-apart” for divine purposes. The middle section of this book goes through and great amount of clean vs. unclean and how to cleanse those who are impure.
3. Prophesy and Promise – the order and requirement for approaching God in sacrifice and being reconciled to Him through atonement ultimately point to the Christ, the Lamb of God, the Firstborn of all creation, He Who Knows no Sin.

APPLICATION:
God desires to be with His people but this reunion comes at a great and painful cost. This points to toward the ultimate sacrifice on Christ.