Welcome back to our Read Through the Bible With Me journey! 💕
We officially finished Exodus, and now we are beginning a brand-new book: Leviticus!
If you have been reading along since Genesis, take a moment to appreciate how far we have come. We are growing in our understanding of God's Word one chapter at a time.
Leviticus might seem a little different from Genesis and Exodus because it focuses heavily on sacrifices, worship, holiness, and God's instructions for His people.
But don't skip over this book!
Leviticus teaches us something incredibly important: God is holy, and He desires a relationship with His people.
Today, we begin with Chapter 1, where God introduces the burnt offering.
Summary
Leviticus Chapter 1 begins with God calling Moses from the tent of meeting.
The Israelites had completed the tabernacle in Exodus, and now God was giving them instructions on how to approach Him through worship and sacrifice.
The first offering God explains is the burnt offering.
This offering was a voluntary sacrifice that an Israelite could bring before the Lord.
Depending on what a person could provide, the offering could be:
A bull from the herd.
A sheep or goat from the flock.
A dove or young pigeon.
The animal had to meet specific requirements, and the person bringing the offering was instructed to follow God's directions carefully.
For offerings from the herd or flock, the animal had to be without defect.
The worshiper would place a hand on the animal's head, and the offering would be accepted on their behalf to make atonement.
The priests would then carry out their responsibilities, including handling the blood and burning the offering on the altar.
Unlike some other sacrifices, the burnt offering was completely burned on the altar, symbolizing complete devotion to God.
The chapter repeatedly describes the sacrifice as an offering made by fire, with an aroma pleasing to the Lord.
This wasn't about God needing the smell of a sacrifice.
It represented an offering presented to Him according to His instructions.
The bigger lesson?
Approaching God was not something the Israelites were supposed to take lightly.
God was teaching His people about holiness, obedience, sacrifice, and the seriousness of sin.
As Christians, we can also see how the Old Testament sacrificial system points forward to Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.
Observations
1. God Deserves Our Best
2. God Looks at Our Willingness to Give
3. True Worship Involves Surrender
Life Application
Leviticus Chapter 1 reminds us that worship is about more than singing songs, going to church, or reading the Bible.
Worship is also about how we live.
It's about our choices, priorities, attitudes, and willingness to follow God.
Take a moment to examine your relationship with Him.
Are you giving God intentional time, or only remembering Him when something goes wrong?
Are you comparing your spiritual journey with someone else's?
Are there parts of your life you're struggling to surrender?
Here's something I want us to remember as we begin Leviticus:
You don't need to have everything figured out to start growing closer to God.
You can begin right where you are.
Start with five minutes of prayer.
Read one chapter.
Ask God to help you understand His Word.
Surrender one worry that has been weighing heavily on your heart.
Small steps of obedience matter.
And while we no longer bring animal sacrifices because of what Jesus accomplished, we can offer our lives to God through gratitude, faith, love, and obedience.
Questions
1. Am I giving God my best? Think about how you spend your time and what receives most of your attention. Is there something you could change to make your relationship with God a greater priority?
2. Have I been comparing my faith journey to someone else's? How can you focus more on growing in your own relationship with God?
3. What area of my life do I need to surrender to God? Is it fear, finances, relationships, control, uncertainty, or something else?
Take your time with these questions. You can write your answers in a journal or spend a few quiet moments talking to God.
Memory Verse
Leviticus 1:3 (NIV)
“You are to offer a male without defect.”
Today's Encouragement
If Leviticus feels a little confusing at first, please don't get discouraged.
Some chapters will be easier to understand than others.
There will be instructions, sacrifices, laws, and details that might seem unfamiliar.
But every chapter gives us an opportunity to learn something about God's character.
Remember, we aren't reading through the Bible to finish it as quickly as possible.
We're reading to understand God, strengthen our faith, and grow closer to Him.
You don't need to be a Bible expert.
You don't need to understand every verse immediately.
Just keep showing up.
And if you have been following along since Genesis Chapter 1, I hope you recognize how much you've already accomplished.
We finished Genesis.
We finished Exodus.
And now we're beginning Leviticus together!
One chapter at a time, one lesson at a time, and one day closer to understanding God's Word. 🦋
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for bringing us into another book of Your Word.
As we begin Leviticus, I ask that You open our hearts and minds to understand what You want to teach us.
Some parts of the Bible may seem difficult or unfamiliar, but help us remember that every chapter has a purpose.
Lord, forgive me for the times I have given You what was left over instead of making You a priority.
Forgive me for the times I have allowed distractions, worries, and responsibilities to take my attention away from You.
Teach me how to honor You with my time, my decisions, my words, and my actions.
Help me stop comparing my relationship with You to someone else's.
Remind me that spiritual growth is a journey and that You are patient with me as I continue learning.
Father, show me the areas of my life that I have been afraid to surrender.
If I am holding on to fear, help me trust You.
If I am trying to control everything, teach me to release what I cannot change.
If I am struggling with obedience, give me the courage to follow Your direction.
Thank You for sending Jesus to become the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.
Because of Him, we can come before You with confidence and gratitude.
May my life become an expression of worship to You.
Help me give You my best, not because I am trying to earn Your love, but because I am thankful for the love You have already shown me.
Continue guiding us as we read through the Bible together.
In Jesus' name,
Amen. 💕
Read It Yourself
I always encourage you to open your own Bible and read the chapter for yourself.
My breakdowns are here to help you understand what you're reading, but nothing replaces spending time in God's Word personally.
Don't Have a Bible?
If you don't have a Bible of your own, please reach out to me.
I would love to purchase one for you.
I truly believe everyone deserves the opportunity to have their own Bible, open God's Word, and experience the encouragement, wisdom, and hope found within its pages.
Please don't let not having a Bible stop you from beginning your journey with God.
You are always welcome here, whether you are reading the Bible for the very first time or returning after years away.
We're growing in faith together, one chapter at a time. 🦋
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