Reading Days 8-14

Leviticus 1:1 - Deuteronomy 23:11
Hello Fellow BIND class members,
This is week 2 and we are reading Leviticus, Numbers and most of Deuteronomy.
    Lots of rules and laws, and not as many familiar stories – but hang in there, because when we get to Joshua, the stories start again. In the mean time, have you heard enough about burnt offerings and animal sacrifices?
     I am always interested in all the laws and rules that are in the Old Testament. It is fascinating to see how much things have changed, or not. Starting with the strict end of the spectrum, have you noticed all the crimes that are punishable by death? To name a few: intentional murder, adultery, being devoted to destruction, homosexuality, being a medium, working on the Sabbath, being a blasphemer, and cursing your parents (look out teenagers!). That was a harsh time in which to live. Stay tuned for some clarifications in the New Testament by Jesus and Paul, thank goodness.
There are lots of gems in these books, but you have to pay attention to find them.
• Did you find the golden rule (Le 19:18)?
• Now I know what a scapegoat is (Le 16).
• Also, one of my favorite stories, about a talking mule – it almost belongs in a Super Bowl commercial. The thing I like best about it is that the rider, Balaam, talks right back to the mule, and never thinks twice about it. Wake up – your mule is talking! (Nu 22)
• There is also a lot of attention to mildew – how can a group of people, living in a dessert, with no indoor plumbing, be so worried about mildew? (Le 14)
• How about all the rules about what to eat? We are allowed to eat locust and grasshoppers, but not some of my favorite seafood (shrimp, lobster, scallops). (Le 11)
• Not sure about this one: Don't wear clothing woven of two kinds of material (Le 19)
• No Tattoos (Le 19)
• Eye for and eye... (Le 24)
• Keep watching in Deuteronomy, for one of my favorites (the 3rd time it appears in the Bible): “Do not cook a young goat in its mother's milk.” (Huh?)
That's enough of my listing. I'll leave you with another gem and familiar Blessing: (Nu 6):


"The LORD bless you
and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace."


Keep reading, keep watching!
Marv Baker