Leviticus 13 Not all diseases are as noticeable as skin diseases. The LORD commanded Israel:
“Take care, in a case of leprous disease, to be very careful to do according to all that the Levitical priests shall direct you. As I commanded them, so you shall be careful to do.” (Deut. 24:8).
The people were to remain spotless on the outside to indicate their commitment to purity on the inside.
LORD, make our devotion to you visible and noticeable.
Leviticus 12 Giving birth is a natural process for women, yet it involves the flow of blood, and as such, was to be treated as an impurity. Our “normal” lives are interrupted by God in a similar way. He forces us to rethink normal. Every aspect of life belongs to him, and should be controlled by him.
Leviticus 11 The LORD of the Israelite’s salvation was also lord over their daily lives. It was he who determined which animals were suitable for eating, and which were not. It had nothing to do with hygiene or health. Many of the animals were perfectly suitable for eating. I, myself, am quite partial to ostrich, which was unclean for the Israelites.
The point was that the God who delivered them was sovereign over their daily lives. Without this kind of sanctification, deliverance is not complete.
Jesus declared all foods clean for those who trust in him for salvation (Mark 7:19). Sanctification in the new covenant has less to do with externals, and more to do with internals.
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
However, the principle that the Savior is the one who determines what sanctifies is still in effect.
LORD, we surrender our preferences to you. Sanctify us your way.
Leviticus 10 The installation rituals for Aaron and his sons involved service and celebration. The service elements were absolutely essential, and the LORD would tolerate no deviation. The sad story of the death of Nadab and Abihu (for offering unauthorized fire at the altar) teaches us that. But when it came to the celebration aspect of the ritual, the LORD made an exception. He did not punish Aaron and his sons for refusing to eat of the sin offering. They were just not in the mood to celebrate.
We make much of the joyful celebrations we regularly have as believers. But we need to be considerate of those whose joy is being dampened by pain or tragedy.
LORD, help us to serve you always, and celebrate when appropriate.
Leviticus 9 This event was singular in that the priests did not have to prepare the fire which was to consume the sacrifices on the altar. The LORD himself sent the fire. This was his way of showing approval of Aaron and Moses. Their obedience was noted. God approved. This does not mean that either one of them was sinless. It means that God is willing to work with them, in spite of their fallenness. Do not fear serving the LORD. He will approve. He wants to show the world that he loves you, and that he can love others through you.
LORD, here we are. We await your orders. We anticipate your glory.
Leviticus 8 The special ordination ritual for Aaron and his sons was a reminder of their solemn duties as representatives of the people before God. Not taking the ordination seriously would have meant death (35). 
Leviticus 6:8-7:38 Aaron and his sons were designated by the LORD to serve as priests under the covenant. This involved much responsibility, but it also came with privileges. Many of the sacrifices went to the priests, after a portion was burned on the altar. They were to stand as symbols of the LORD to all the congregation. The whole community would be evaluated on how well they treated the priests, because they were the anointed ones.
Peter tells believers…
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9).
All believers are priests under the new covenant. Our lives are to be centered around the presence of God in our midst, and what he has commanded us to do and say.
LORD, help us to walk according to our anointing.
Leviticus 5:14-6:7 These are not the words of a God who ignores sin and guilt. These are the words of the LORD, who punishes the guilty. But he does not want to. It is not God’s desire that any perish, but that all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). That is why he built into the covenantal system at Sinai a means for people to make restitution and remove guilt. He wants a people who are comfortable in his presence forever. We are not there yet, but by God’s grace we are getting there.
Leviticus 4-5:13 The sin offering communicates some important things about God. He is a holy God, and he cannot overlook sin, even when the sinner is unaware of it. As soon as the worshipper is aware of any sin, he must take care of it immediately, seeking forgiveness, and confessing the sin. God offers forgiveness through the atoning blood of the sacrifice – the sin offering, Jesus Christ. He sought a community in Israel that would take their relationship with him as seriously as he does.
Leviticus 3 The peace offerings showed how the worshipper could demonstrate complete dependence on the LORD, and find peace only in his relationship with the LORD. Whatever was offered, it had to be without blemish. You cannot offer your life to the LORD if you intend to keep living it for yourself. You cannot achieve holiness while still being committed to sin.
Peace offerings were to be drained of blood, because blood represented life. Anyone coming to Christ must be willing to lose his life for Christ’s sake.
Peace offerings also required that all the fat of the animal be consumed on the altar. Fat symbolized prosperity and well-being. The worshipper must be willing to pursue God’s kingdom and righteousness above al else.
LORD, we are willing to surrender to you, in order to gain peace with you.
