SEXUAL PURITY
Today’s Reading: Leviticus 17-18
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
An Ibex on the run in Ein Gedi, Israel. First Samuel 1:1-2 tells us of David hiding from King Saul here at Ein Gedi, the place of "the rocks of the wild goats."
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: Leviticus 18:5
You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.
The words “I am the Lord” appear 18 times in today’s and tomorrow’s readings. God is establishing His infinitely high moral standards in the minds of a people who have just come out from Egypt, where they practised the abominations mentioned here. Let me point out again that persons were not called “abominable”…their acts were. There is nothing new here. The very things that corrupt society and destroy people and families are described in Moses’ writings. In our key verse, just before a long list of immoral acts, God promises, once again, that just as sin leads to death, obedience leads to life. It’s clear that God hates sexual sin, and it is also clear that He has made provision for the forgiveness of all sin. The words “cut off” could be understood, for example, as the imprisonment of a convicted pedophile. The sacrifices we read so much about were pictures of the final and complete Sacrifice for sin offered by our Lord Jesus.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, give me a loathing for sin and, at the same time, an intense practical love for the sinner. That includes my sin and myself. As the man of whom Jesus spoke prayed, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner,” and was made righteous before You, so I pray this prayer often. Thank You for this prayer that You guarantee, from the mouth of Jesus, will restore and maintain my relationship with You, O Holy God. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Those words, “I am the Lord,” remind me of standing beside the Sea of Galilee with my Middle-Eastern son-in-law. He told me of the significance of the 153 fish the disciples caught in John 21:11. His first language is Arabic, his second is Hebrew, and his third is English. He explained how in Hebrew, each letter has a numerical value, and “Ana Elohim” (“I am the Lord”) comes to 100, 50, and 3. Peter and the other disciples, who would have attended synagogue schools, knew exactly what the risen Christ was communicating. My son-in-law is an ordained minister in the Nazareth Baptist Church, and I’ve checked this out with Hebrew scholars. We’ll be moving to the Gospel of John in nine days. Don’t get discouraged in Leviticus! How about you and I click right now and read that portion about the 153 fish…John 21:1-14. A lady told me the other day that it was not Leviticus where she got bogged down in her reading, it was Numbers. Something to look forward to, right?
Yours for the blessing of going back and forth between the Old and the New Testaments,
David
P.S. I trust all my Canadian friends will have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday this weekend. Below is a photo of Norma-Jean and me. We were about to partake of a delicious turkey dinner with some of our family…
Thank You Jesus, for what You’ve done.
For Your undying sacrifice on the cross.
We live and breathe because of Your love.
Our faith is alive as You live in us.
So moved by the 153 fish; looking forward to John. Great photo, David and Norma-Jean, though I remember it from before. Hope you will soon post a new photo. Thinking of you, saints, and praying for all of you, today; giving thanks for all the blessings we share as Canadians! Wishing you all a precious day in the Lord! Amen!
Interesting facts (about the 153 fish and the word count). Are you celebrating our Thanksgiving down in Florida? Awesome. Then you can have a second one in November down there (and put on weight)! Have a great time, both times.
Hi David,
I really enjoy reading the insights and scriptural truths that you convey in your blog. As believers we may sometimes fail to balance the understanding of biblical truths with common sense practical wisdom in our daily lives. Many of the stories you relate illustrate just how that is done in the life of a modern day believer in Christ. Thank you for your real life stories and thank you for your blog.
Don Bremner
P.S. Have you ever thought of creating a book from your archived and current blog posts. I would gladly buy one.
God’s laws and the religion of Christianity just makes sense. If only millions of souls couldn’t see that.
This is a lovely song by a Scottish lady. Enjoy.
Isla Grant was born in Wigtownshire, Scotland but grew up in the south border area where she found country and folk music.
You will be pleased that you took the time to watch this video!
https://www.youtube.com/embed/__Hz-eaj3x0?rel=0
PS.- great pic of the ibex but even better of you Rev. DM and your lovely wife.
Blessings.
Thanks Lynda. That is a lovely piece. I wish all children could have a happy childhood like she must have had. She has a lovely voice.
Just an interesting fact I found about biblical accuracy, the kind of child sacrifices forbidden by God in Leviticus 18:21 were actually documented by the Romans when they laid siege to the ancient city of Carthage (of Hannibal fame), the Carthaginians actually sacrificed their children in an attempt to please their god and drive the Romans away.
Thanks for the explanation of the 153 fish. Another truth!!
Wishing everyone a blessed Thanksgiving and yes Pastor David we need a new picture, as we know you are looking so well these days.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!!!! Praise God for His abundant blessings.
Hello! I’m back and missed all of you! Arrived home Tuesday and had a great time witnessing for the Lord Jesus Christ in Bulgaria and meeting some wonderful people there; some for the first time and some renewing our acquaintance. We did 21 services in 11 days so we were busy. Those of us who were not singers or preachers had an opportunity to give our testimony and hand out bibles. What a joy it was to see the smile on their faces as they received a bible for the first time. Also I informed some of them who could speak English about 100words.ca. I have some catching up to do and realized I need to buy some gadgets to keep in touch especially when taking a trip. Thank you for your prayers. Except for some bouts with dealing with salt and high blood pressure, I did well. Slava na Boga(my spelling) Praise the Lord in Bulgarian. Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Praise the Lord, Ger! So nice to have you back. Praise God for you distributing bibles to the wonderful people in Bulgaria! What a wonderful blessing!! Thank you, dear sister-in-Christ!
Dear Beverlee,
We are quite connected , you and I, in more ways then I ever thought.
Like you about 2 weeks ago I realized that Ger is not a sister in Christ but a brother in Christ. So my dear sister in Christ let Ger which most probably is Gerald like my dear past away father have a good laugh on us for one last time .
Have a great Thanks giving weekend.
xoxoxo Carole.
Sounds wonderful Ger.
Yes Ger Praise God you are back safe and sound…. Thank you for your generous
christian work to these people , this the Lords work you are doing Bless you….
Happy Thanks Giving Day Every one ….R…
Lovely song, brings back memories of happy times!!
Happy thanksgiving everybody!! Blessings!!
Nancy xoxo
I am really enjoying Leviticus. I have read Leviticus many times, and never really, really enjoyed it. I am using Max McLean’s audible Bible and portions where I would become listless, suddenly come to life. Thank you so much and praise God for your health and devotion to the Lord. As an octogenarian, I thank God for the ministry provided by you and all those who spread the GOOD NEWS wherever.
BLESSINGS AND PRAYERS
Blessed
Dear Rev. David M.
Thank you so much for making Leviticus surprisingly uplifting and encouraging by the way you are guiding us through.
Me and my husband have so much to be grateful for, celebarating our 38th wedding anniversary today.
Looking forward to view of a Thanksgiving picture of you and Norma -Jean coming soon.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone.
xoxoxo Carole
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving everyone.
Thank you Rev. David for including the Hebrew meaning of the number 153 (“I Am the Lord”. No wonder Simon Peter put on his outer garment when he saw The Lord.
this is to much for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! there is a case of sexual abuse going on can’t say much more I know that God knows exactly what is going on and He is going to have to deal with it because I can’t!
If this is something you’re very certain of and someone is in imminent danger then you need to contact the police. If you’re unsure or only suspect then you should talk to your pastor or someone else you trust, I believe there are anonymous help lines if you’re frightened.
Hi David
We really enjoy your blog, every morning.
Thank you very much.
Harold