Flesh and Bones

Last Sunday morning we had a great discussion about what God is trying to accomplish with the sacrificial system of Leviticus. We said, in the end, that he was attempting to get a message across to his people. Here are some of the pieces of that message that you thought were most important:

• Sin matters and cannot be easily erased, but atoning for it comes with a cost; that cost is a life.
• Obedience to the law is paramount and the sacrifices do not diminish that truth, in fact, they enhance it.
• Submission to the details of the sacrifices shows how submissive a person is to the will of God; it is not wise to think we have a better way.
• Death and Life are the stakes being laid out in this system. It is foolish not to take God's law and sacrifices seriously.
• Inclusivity is found throughout the system. In one sense because there are exceptions made so even the very poor can participate, but in another because no one is exempt from the sacrificial system and given a pass.

We will continue this discussion on the 24th, putting these themes and messages into some kind of semblance so we can get our hands around them. We will also open up the Old Testament and look at what other passages say about these sacrifices.

Let me offer an anology to help us understand the Levitical code and sacrificial system. Perhaps the Law is like a human skeleton. It is a crucial part of the body, providing framework and solidity. But unless that skeleton is fleshed out with sinew, muscle, organs, blood, and skin it is just a skeleton, devoid of life, rigid and useless. What the Israelites were asked to do was flesh out the Law through every day obedience. The kings, priests, judges, and prophets helped to add substance to the bones.

Does this analogy help put the Law in its proper perspective? Where is the analogy strong? Where does it fall short? Do you have another analogy or image to offer?

I'll offer up another post with the question I posed at the end of class later this week.

Stay Holy,
Len