Leviticus 23-24
Leviticus 23-24
Leviticus 23-24 continues the theme of ritual holiness. We have to be careful not to think of this as “mere rituals that don’t really matter.” Our modern instinctive dislike of rituals in the West prompts us to think like that. But the rituals and instructions of Leviticus 23-24 matter for Israel’s overall life as a people distinct and different from the nations — as God’s holy people, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
So in the whole section of Leviticus 21-24 the main question is, what does it look like to respect the people, places, things, and times that belong to the Lord as holy? And in Leviticus 23-24 one of the main emphases is on time: what will Israel’s weekly and annual calendar look like that will set them apart for the Lord?
Leviticus 23-24
Leviticus 23-24
Leviticus 23-24 continues the theme of ritual holiness. We have to be careful not to think of this as “mere rituals that don’t really matter.” Our modern instinctive dislike of rituals in the West prompts us to think like that. But the rituals and instructions of Leviticus 23-24 matter for Israel’s overall life as a people distinct and different from the nations — as God’s holy people, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
So in the whole section of Leviticus 21-24 the main question is, what does it look like to respect the people, places, things, and times that belong to the Lord as holy? And in Leviticus 23-24 one of the main emphases is on time: what will Israel’s weekly and annual calendar look like that will set them apart for the Lord?