READING: Leviticus 22-23
I love it when the Bible provides a simple but challenging summary statement that calls me to (1) pause and read the text over and over again, (2) review my life in the light of that text, and (3) make adjustments as needed in my life. Today’s reading includes one of those texts.
For several chapters, the book of Leviticus has focused on guidelines for holy living. Now, chapter 22 ends with these verses: "You are to keep My commands and do them; I am Yahweh. You must not profane My holy name; I must be treated as holy among the Israelites. I am Yahweh who sets you apart, the One who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God; I am Yahweh.”
The texts are simple, yet challenging. Twice they remind us of who God is. He is Yahweh, the Lord. He is not a false god of Egypt or a pagan god of the Canaanites. He is the one and only true God. There is no other.
And yet, He is a personal God. He’s the One who called Abraham, through him created a people, protected and blessed them in Egypt, and then delivered them from their bondage. He displayed His glory through the plagues not only to show His power to them but also to announce His glory to the nations. Thus, He is the personal God who is also the deliverer God.
He is indeed the gracious Deliverer, but He also maintains His holiness even as He delivers. He demands that His people be different, demonstrating His holiness by modeling it. They are never to defame His holy name by their words or their actions. The bottom line is this: His people are to keep His commands and do them. Should they sin (and they would), he would hold them accountable — but also provide a sacrificial system to atone for that sin.
As I re-read this text today, I again evaluate my life:
- Do I recognize how holy God is?
- Do I treat Him as holy?
- Am I grateful that He has delivered me from the enemy’s snares?
- Do I understand the depth of His grace toward me, a sinner?
- Do I keep His commands and do them?
ACTION STEPS: Consider these steps today:
- Take time to answer the same questions I ask above.
- If your life choices don’t honor God as holy, start afresh now. Confess and repent.
PRAYER: “Father, You are holy. Show me throughout this day any place where I don’t treat You as holy.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Leviticus 24-25
