Leviticus is not the easiest book in the Bible to read and apply because much of it explains how Old Testament priests and Levites were to do their job. When reading Leviticus it is helpful to keep in mind the New Testament Scripture Hebrews 10:1, "The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship." The sacrifices made at the tabernacle reminded Israel that God is holy and we are sinful, but that God makes a way for us to draw near to Him. The New Testament teaches us, "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings." (Hebrews 10:19, 22)
Because Psalm 18 is longer than most Psalms, we have only one Psalm in the schedule this week.
In Matthew 24 Jesus tells us what to expect in the end times.
Sunday, February 4, Leviticus 1 - 2, Matthew 21
- Leviticus 1:3 and 1:10 required that burnt offerings be "without defect." Why would a defect matter if an animal was just going to be burned up?
- According to Leviticus 2:13, what did all grain offerings have to include?
- When Jesus entered Jerusalem in Matthew 21, why were the crowds so enthusiastic?
- In Matthew 21:22 Jesus taught, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." How can we develop the faith that Jesus was telling us we can have?
- In Matthew 21:33-40 Jesus told a parable of tenants who were behaving as though they were owners. What attitudes should we have toward our lives and our possessions if we think of ourselves as tenants and the Lord as the owner?
Monday, February 5, Leviticus 3, Psalm 18
- Leviticus 3:16-17 says, "All the fat is the Lord’s. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood." Why do you think fat and blood were forbidden?
- After talking about God delivering him from his enemies, David wrote, "He brought me out into a spacious place," (Psalm 18:19). A spacious place would be somewhere he wouldn't fear ambush and would know that attack from an enemy is not imminent. What would give you the feeling of being in a spacious place?
- David wrote in Psalm 18:27, "You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty." What does it mean to be humble? Why does the Lord save the humble?
Tuesday, February 6, Leviticus 4 - 5, Matthew 22
- Why are the sin offerings in Leviticus 4 different for a priest, a leader, and a member of the community?
- Leviticus 5:7 makes provision for someone who is unable to bring a lamb. The New International Version says, "Anyone who cannot afford a lamb..." The King James Version says, "And if he be not able to bring a lamb..." If God tells you to give something, how do you determine if you can "afford" to?
- Jesus told a parable in Matthew 22:1-14 that describes the invitation to the king's banquet going out to all, "the bad as well as the good." When you look around at people you know, are you aware that the Lord wants them all invited to come to Him?
- In Matthew 22:21 Jesus said to give, "God what is God’s." What are we supposed to be giving to God?
- In Matthew 22:29, what did Jesus say was the root reason for the Sadducees error?
Wednesday, February 7, Leviticus 6 - 7, Matthew 23
- According to Leviticus 6 when a person makes restitution for cheating their neighbor, how much do they need to add to the amount they are restoring?
- Leviticus 7:18 says, "If any meat of the fellowship offering is eaten on the third day, the one who offered it will not be accepted." God was very specific about what made an offering acceptable. However, Hosea wrote, "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Jesus quoted from Hosea in Matthew 9:13. If God is more interested in our heart than on sacrifices, why was God so specific in telling the priests how to offer sacrifices?
- Jesus describes the root of hypocrisy in Matthew 23:5, "Everything they do is done for people to see." How can you avoid worrying about what people think and live your life only for the Lord?
- Jesus rebuked the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees. While they were diligent in giving a tenth even of their spices, Jesus said they neglected justice, mercy and faithfulness. What opportunities do you have for exercising justice, mercy and faithfulness?
- In Matthew 23:37 Jesus said, "how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing." What do you need to do to allow Jesus to "gather" you in the way He describes?
Thursday, February 8, Leviticus 8 - 9, Matthew 24
- How long did the ordination of Aaron and his sons last in Leviticus 8?
- In Leviticus 9 how did the glory of the Lord appear to all the people?
- In Matthew 24 what did Jesus say would happen before the end comes?
- According to Jesus, who knows the day and hour of His return?
- In Matthew 24:42 Jesus commands us to keep watch. What does this mean? Are you doing it?
Friday, February 9, Leviticus 10 - 12
- Why were Nadab and Abihu's actions in Leviticus 10 so wrong that they died?
- What was the purpose of the dietary restrictions in Leviticus 11?
- Why was the time required for purification after childbirth, described in Leviticus 12, longer if the baby was a girl than if it was a boy?
Saturday, February 10, Leviticus 13 - 14
- Leviticus 13 provides rules for examining skin conditions and designating people as unclean who have contagious skin diseases. Why were people with skin diseases required to live outside the camp?
- After a person had been healed of a skin disease, why did they still need to go through a ceremonial cleansing and present sacrifices, as described in Leviticus 14?
