Day 25 Reading Schedule : Leviticus 21-25

Leviticus 21: Purification of the Priestly Duties 

[Overview]

This chapter discusses the purification regulations, qualifications, and behavioral standards of the priests. Since the priests were in a position to mediate reconciliation between God and the people through the atonement ceremony, they were especially required to be pure and observe moral standards. First, the purification regulations that the priests had to observe personally are mentioned (verses 1-9), and then the purification regulations that had to be observed in relation to their duties are mentioned (verses 10-15). Finally, the qualifications of the priests are mentioned, and in particular, those with physical defects could not become priests (verses 16-24).

Up to this point, we have discussed the daily attitudes that ordinary people had to adopt in order to become holy. However, from chapter 21 onwards, we discuss the guidelines necessary for the holiness of the priests. This chapter deals specifically with the purification of the priests, including their qualifications and behavior. Due to their unique status and duties, the priests had to observe stricter laws of purity than ordinary people.

Leviticus 22: Regulations on the Holiness of Offerings 

[Overview]

This chapter is about the regulations on the holy things and offerings offered to God. Since the holy things and offerings are an expression of faith in God, the attitude toward them is very important. The unclean are prohibited from touching the holy things, and anyone who violates this rule will be put to death (verses 1-9). Also, only those who are qualified are not allowed to eat the holy things (verses 10-16). Meanwhile, the offerings offered to God must be the best and without blemish (verses 17-30). Such regulations signify reverence for the holy God and complete devotion.

In the previous chapter, it was mentioned that the qualifications of priests must be pure and without blemish. This chapter mentions the regulations on the attitude of priests toward the holy things and the offering of perfect offerings to God. All of these can be said to be God’s measures to preserve the dignity of God’s people.

Leviticus 23: Regulations on the Feasts 

[Overview]

This chapter mostly talks about the regulations on the feasts that have already been mentioned above. For the Israelites, the feasts were important days to confirm and give thanks for God’s presence. This chapter includes regulations on the Sabbath (verses 1-3), Passover (verses 4-8) related to the Exodus, the Feast of Firstfruits (verses 9-14) to give thanks for the first harvest of grain, Pentecost (verses 15-22) to offer the first harvest of wheat, and the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement (verses 23-32), as well as the Feast of Tabernacles, which was a yearly harvest and a time to give thanks to God (verses 33-44).

This chapter contains instructions on various important feasts that the Israelites were to keep forever from generation to generation. Most of them have already been partially mentioned above. However, this chapter comprehensively deals with all the official festivals observed in Israel during the Old Testament period, except for the Feast of Purim, which was instituted during the Babylonian captivity. Among them, the focus is on the three major festivals in which all the people gathered in Jerusalem and held a holy assembly.

Leviticus 24: The Rules for the Lamp and the Bread of the Presence, and Blasphemy 

[Overview]

This chapter deals with the rules for the management of holy things and the rules for civil and criminal damage compensation. The lamps in the tabernacle were to be kept burning at all times (verses 1-4), and the bread of the Presence was to be placed on the table in the tabernacle every Sabbath, which only the priests were permitted to eat (verses 5-9). Meanwhile, anyone who blasphemed the name of the Lord was to be stoned to death (verses 10-16), and it was stipulated in civil and criminal law that anyone who caused damage to others was to pay for it according to their actions (verses 17-23).

This chapter specifically mentions the rules for the lamp and the Bread of the Presence, as well as the laws for compensation for various murders and injuries. It also mentions the fact that a son born to an Egyptian father and a Jewish woman named Shelomith blasphemed God's name and was punished and died. This is to show how great a blasphemy it is to blaspheme or curse Jehovah's holy name, and also how fatal the consequences can be.

Leviticus 25: Sabbath Year and Jubilee 

[Summary]

To the Israelites, land meant more than just property. This is because land was a sign of the covenant that guaranteed God’s salvation and blessing. This chapter focuses on the regulations regarding land among general social norms. When cultivating land, it must rest in the seventh year (verses 1-7), and in the Jubilee year of the fiftieth year, not only must the land rest, but all land that was sold must be returned to its original owner (verses 8-28). In addition, regulations regarding house transactions and prohibition of usury are mentioned (verses 29-38). In particular, the latter part of the chapter contains regulations regarding slaves. Slaves among their own people must not be treated harshly, and must be released as free men during the Jubilee year, just like the land (verses 39-55). As such, the Jubilee system described in this chapter is a unique system that only the covenant community has, and cannot be found in other societies of the ancient Near East.

From chapter 25 onwards, the sanctification of social and economic relations is explained. First, this chapter mentions the regulations for the Sabbath year and the Jubilee year. The Sabbath year was a model of the faith and obedience of the Israelites toward God. And the Jubilee year was a symbol of the fact that only Jehovah has eternal sovereignty over this land.