The Israelites were not vegetarians; but the kinds of meat that they consumed was restricted by God’s dietary laws.

I.  Four-legged beasts must have split hooves and they must chew the cud (Lev. 11:1-8)

II. Water creatures must have fins and scales (Lev. 11:9-12)

III. Some birds were forbidden, notably scavenger birds (Lev. 11:13-19)

IV. Some insects were acceptable (Lev. 11:20-28)

V. Reptiles and some smaller mammals are forbidden (Lev. 11:29-30)

VI. Transference of uncleanness (Lev. 11:31-40)

VII. The proper attitude toward unclean creatures (Lev. 11:41-43)

VIII. The reason for these dietary restrictions (Lev. 11:44-47)

Uncleanness by giving birth

I. To a male child (Lev. 12:1-4)

II. To a female child (Lev. 12:5)

III. The required sin offering (Lev. 12:6-8)

Meditation Points:

For I am the Lord that bringeth you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy (Lev. 11:45)

• Because God said so.  Isn’t that enough reason for doing something, or for not doing something?
• Would you be willing to forgo pork chops and shrimp? What about lion, dog, cat and rat? And no more chocolate-covered ants!  But grasshopper soup is okay.
• How do we learn what is right and wrong unless someone lists concrete examples and principles for us to follow?  God gives us His law.
• Child-bearing results in uncleanness? And female children require a longer time of cleansing for the mother.

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The Aaronic priesthood had been established; the priests had been anointed. The first week thereafter the priests were to remain away from the congregation, awaiting further instructions from the Lord. In today’s reading we see that God affirms their consecration in a special way.

I. The newly appointed priests and the elders of Israel are called to assemble (Leviticus 9:1-7)

II. Aaron offers sacrifices on behalf of himself and the people (Leviticus 9:8-22)

III. God startles the congregation by sending fire to consume the sacrifice (Leviticus 9:23-24)

The awe of this heaven-sent fire is soon forgotten by Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, who presume to add their own creativity to the worship of Jehovah and are immediately punished for their profanity.

I. Strange fire calls forth another burst of fire from the Lord (Leviticus 10:1-2)

II. God forbids Aaron and his other sons from mourning the deaths of their rebellious relatives (Leviticus 10:3-7)

III. As an object lesson on the importance of distinguishing good from evil, the priests are forbidden from drinking wine or strong drink (Leviticus 10:8-11)

IV. Moses instructs the priests concerning their right and responsibility to eat a portion of various sacrifices; and he becomes angry when they fail to do so (Leviticus 10:12-20)

Meditation Points:

• The people had seen a fiery pillar before them each night since their departure from Egypt; and they had become familiar with the cloud which indicated the presence of God in their midst. As a people, they had not heretofore witnessed fire from heaven, either in blessing or in judgment; but they would (Gideon, Judges 6:21; David, 1 Chronicles 21:26; Solomon, 2 Chronicles 7:1-3; Elijah, 1 Kings 18:37-39).
• God will be sanctified by those who come near Him (Leviticus 10:3). Do we really think that rock bands, colorful clowns, and Bible-less dance should be part of our worship today?
• The instruction about wine (10:8-11) comes immediately after the death of Nadab and Abihu. One wonders whether they may have been drunk at the time of their profanity. Perhaps this rule for Old Testament priests might well be followed by those who are a kingdom of priests (Revelation 1:6; 5:10). Certainly pastors/bishops/elders of the New Testament church are so warned (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7. See also Romans 14:21; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Timothy 3:8; Titus 2:3; 1 Peter 4:3).
• The priests, by their lives and by their words, were to teach the people that there is a difference between the holy and unholy, and how to know the difference.  Do you know the difference?
• Aaron and the priests are reprimanded for negligence in duty; but when Aaron protests that the grief of the day has caused the oversight, Moses is content.  We, too, must be willing to accept reasonable explanations that others give for their sins of ignorance and omission.

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The Aaronic priesthood begins.

Meditation Points:

• Throughout this chapter we see that the anointing and dedication of the Aaronic priesthood is "as the Lord commanded" (verses 4, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 29, 34, 35, 36 ). How many of today’s priest-led religions can say the same thing?
• All the priests were touched on their ear, thumb and toe with blood from the burnt sacrifice (Leviticus 8:23-24). Would that all of our hearing, and doing, and going were so anointed by the blood of the one sacrifice that truly takes away sin.
• The newly anointed priests were sequestered for one week following their installation into office (Leviticus 8:33-35). The punishment for leaving early was death. Although appointed to the highest privilege, the priests must learn to submit to God. This was not monastic life as some have practiced it; this was a season alone with God before entering upon the actual work among people. After His baptism, Jesus spent 40 days alone with God in the wilderness, before entering into the synagogue in Capernaum and announcing Himself.

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After a discussion of several violations requiring sacrifices, the Lord presents a summary of the various Tabernacle sacrifices.

1. Theft by finding, losing and hiding (Leviticus 6:1-7)
2. Tabernacle sacrifices (Leviticus 7:37-38)
   • burnt offering (6:8-13)
   • grain offering (6:14-23)
   • sin offering (6:24-30)
   • trespass offering (7:1-10)
   • peace offering (7:11-34)

 Meditation Points:

a. If it’s not yours, it’s not yours; give it back.

b. Eating fat or blood was an offense worthy of excommunication (Leviticus 7:25-27).

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