Leviticus-How to please the Lord

If you have ever had a conversation with a non believer, you have likely had the "laws" of the Bible thrown right in your face. I'm no expert but I think one of my Pastors said one time there are approximately 690 something Laws in the Bible, if that's so 600 of them have to be in Leviticus.

This chapter would have been easy for me to gloss over, because I believe in a relational God not a religion based God. However that same God that I believe in that I love so much, included these laws in the Bible knowing full well that someday this day would come and I would read them. Ive heard many times over, the Bible is complete neither lacking nor having too much. This chapter is here for a reason. So I said a prayer asking God to lead me through this book and come out on the other side, with, if nothing else, understanding.

As compared to Genesis and Exodus I view this book as more of a "working out the details." I want nothing more in this life that to please God, (and fairly obviously enough people). As a self proclaimed people pleaser, I found comfort in God laying out the things that would please him, and the things that would not please him. It was a but hard for me to get into at first because punishments for disobedience were listed far before the rewards for obedience.

I found it particularly interesting coming across some of the passages that society throws around any time it fits their needs. Actually that has been one of the more interesting parts of this journey for me, coming across versus Ive heard a lot before, but now understanding more of the context. So as I come across verses about sexual immorality and murder, I notice they are in the same chapter, tone and often punishment as gossip, slander, and adultery. God views these all as disobedience of a law, and all are punishable, however some are far less talked about because far more people are guilty of gossip than murder, and heaven forbid any stones be thrown from our proverbial glass houses.

Even though many of the laws of Leviticus are not observed today, there importance has not diminished. Rather than looking at this book as a book of Laws, I'd like to look at it as a book on "How to please the Lord".

I'm missing the pictures lately, I got a new lens yesterday so maybe I'll have time to play with it soon. :) Thoughts or comments always welcome, especially on Biblical stuff, because I'm really excited to learn all I can.

Exodus

So as I continue my reading of the Bible in 90 days I embarked upon Exodus (Pun intended because I'm lame). Ill be honest for the first 20 chapters I kept singing in my head. "Let my people go" There are really three parts of Exodus, Moses getting the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt, The journey to Mount Sinai, and the covenant and laws.

I'm going to be 100% honest I just deleted an entire paragraph from this post because I was critiquing the book like it was a book club selection and not the second book, of the LORD'S WORD. Forgive me I lost my mind for a second. With sanity regained, Ill say that even though I thought the parts about the Slavery and Tabernacle were drawn out, maybe just maybe (obviously) I don't know squat and God knew I would need to be told things in a way to actually pay attention. The laws and covenant set out are essentially the RULES FOR LIFE, and who the heck do I think I am to think that every little detail wasn't vastly important. This just goes to show how much I need to learn, how far I have to come, and how supremely insignificant I am.

The thoughts that keep coming back to me now that Ive had a bit of time to mill over the Book, is just how much I can relate to Moses. WAIT A SECOND....Did that crazy girl just say that she, could relate to MOSES? The Man God chose to lead his people? Yes yes I did, I went there, but in all honesty I can relate to the insecurity he expressed over and over. When God chose him he spoke up right away and said, Why me, I'm no good at this pick someone else. Then over and over even after God had shown himself, and used him so powerfully in so many ways, he still expressed to God his lack of ability and his insecurity constantly questioning God, "but what if they don't believe me, what if they won't listen to me?"

God has proven himself to me more times than I will ever be able to count, even though never had to even once. Yet when I ma faced with something I immediately question him. Why he chose a certain path for me? Why this person or that is in or out of my life? Why I can;t have things my way? Why others were chosen before me? If even Moses, could have doubts and insecurities and he spoke to God directly, of course I am going to have doubts and insecurities too, but just like he did for Moses God will provide for me in my best interest always.

The Acacia Tree is mentions a lot in the third part of Exodus, well the wood namely, to be used in the Tabernacle and the Ark. When we were in Africa we saw Acacia trees. This is a picture I took on Safari. Its so huge to think a tree just like this, was used by Moses and the Israelites for such an awesome Honor.