Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Today is left out of my schedule.  Happy leap year!

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Today's readings are taken from parts of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy and cover penalties if a life is taken, a person is injured, or property is stolen.  An interesting note in the commentary today pointed out that there is no imprisonment.  Many moral and criminal crimes require death.  Most civil laws require restitution.  No jail system.  What a money saver!  Of course, this entire system, as noted in yesterday's post, requires honest witnesses.  That can make appropriate punishment very difficult to decide. 

Here is a link with some explanations for cities of refuge and avengers of blood that I found interesting:
http://www.enduringword.com/commentaries/0519.htm

Monday, February 27, 2012

Rules for selection of a king, and of his conduct; laws regarding judges of the law; and instructions for witnesses are pulled from parts of Exodus, Deuteronomy and Leviticus.  I noticed the phrase often quoted: " . . . an eye for an eye. . . ." It is actually a punishment designated NOT for a perpetrator, but for a false witness.  A false witness is to be punished with whatever they intended for the person against whom they are falsely testifying.  I think in today's world of "relative truth" it is especially relevant to note the importance of accurate and honest recounting of information. 

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Today's reading is selected verses from Deuteronomy 22, 23; Numbers 6; and Leviticus 19 and 27.  It deals with those to be excluded from the assembly; those who set themselves apart through a Nazirite vow; and those who set a possession apart as a dedication to the Lord.  They are pretty straight forward.  I am putting a link for clarification of Nazirite vow: http://www.gotquestions.org/Nazirite-vow.html

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Today's reading in Leviticus and Numbers covers more conduct issues.  These laws were given by God to keep the Israelites set apart and holy.  My commentary notes that death and disease came about due to sin.  Therefore, all "unclean" must purify themselves.  Again, an additional apparent benefit is the physical health of God's people.

For some clarification of the significance of placing blood on right earlobes, thumbs and big toes:  http://www.biblenews1.com/hands/handc.htm

Friday, February 24, 2012

Today's reading in Exodus and Leviticus describes the 7th year sabbatical for the land.  As many of the laws, history will show this practice to be scientifically sound.  Many of the laws governing cleansing of mold and mildew and also of skin rashes and impurities, became good , sound health practice.  The scripture, however, is clear that these laws are to be followed because everything belongs to God. 

After the completion of  7 cycles of these 7th year sabbiticals, the 50th year is the Year of Jubilee where all land and slaves are "set free".

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Numbers and Leviticus are again the source of today's reading.  It seems that there is a hierarchy of sacrifices.  Perhaps the bulls are most important, followed by goats, sheep, lambs and then female lambs.