Leviticus 7:28-9:6
Big Idea
The passage describes the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests, including their washing, clothing, anointing, and ordination.
Commentary
The passage emphasizes the importance of following God's commands precisely.
The use of repetition ("As the LORD commanded Moses") highlights the significance of obedience.
The consecration of Aaron and his sons is a crucial event in establishing the priesthood.
The passage describes various offerings, including peace, burnt, sin, guilt, ordination, and wave offerings.
The anointing oil plays a central role in consecrating Aaron and his sons.
The tabernacle and its contents are also anointed.
The passage includes detailed descriptions of the rituals involved in each offering.
Claims
- God commands Moses to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests (Leviticus 8:1-5).
- Aaron and his sons must wash, clothe, and anoint themselves before performing their priestly duties (Leviticus 8:6-13).
- The tabernacle and its contents are anointed with the same oil used to consecrate Aaron and his sons (Leviticus 8:14-21).
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
The passage describes a single bull of the sin offering, but it actually involves two bulls (one for the ordination ritual and another for the regular sin offering).
Correction
Two bulls are involved in different rituals.
Misunderstanding
The passage implies that Aaron and his sons are consecrated on the same day as the tabernacle. However, this is not the case; they are consecrated separately.
Correction
Consecration of Aaron and his sons occurs after the tabernacle has been anointed.
Application Questions
- What does it mean to be consecrated as a priest in God's eyes?
- How do the rituals described in Leviticus 8:1-36 relate to our understanding of worship and sacrifice today?
- In what ways can we apply the principles of obedience and following God's commands precisely in our own lives?
Mark 3:31-4:25
Big Idea
Jesus teaches about the parables of the sower and different types of soil, explaining that they are for those who have been given the secret of the kingdom, but for others everything is in parables.
Commentary
Jesus' family comes to see him, but he says they are his true family.
A large crowd gathers around Jesus by the sea.
He teaches them in parables about a sower and different types of soil.
The twelve disciples ask him about the parables when they are alone with him.
Jesus explains that some people will not understand the word because Satan takes it away or they fall away due to tribulation.
Cares and desires can choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Jesus emphasizes the importance of understanding the parables.
He uses a metaphor about a lamp to emphasize that nothing is hidden except to be made manifest.
The parables are about the word of God being sown in different types of people.
Satan can take away the word, and tribulation or persecution can cause people to fall away.
Jesus warns his listeners to pay attention to what they hear because their measure will be used against them.
Claims
- Those who do God's will are considered Jesus' family.
- The parables are for those who have been given the secret of the kingdom, but for others everything is in parables.
- Satan can take away the word, and tribulation or persecution can cause people to fall away.
- Cares and desires can choke the word, making it unfruitful.
- Jesus emphasizes the importance of understanding the parables.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
The parables are only for the twelve disciples.
Correction
The parables are for those who have been given the secret of the kingdom, but for others everything is in parables.
Misunderstanding
The sower represents Jesus himself.
Correction
The sower represents the word of God being sown in different types of people.
Application Questions
- How can you apply the concept that those who do God's will are considered Jesus' family to your own life?
- What does it mean for you to have "ears to hear" and how can you cultivate this ability?
- In what ways can Satan take away the word, and how can you protect yourself from this?
- How can you avoid letting cares and desires choke the word in your life?
Psalm 37:12-29
Big Idea
God's justice is a reason for hope in the righteous, and those who follow His ways will ultimately prosper.
Commentary
The psalm highlights the contrast between the wicked and the righteous, with the former being punished for their actions and the latter being blessed by God.
The wicked plot against the righteous, but God laughs at them because He sees that their day of reckoning is coming (v. 13).
The wicked will be punished for their actions, while the righteous are upheld by God and given abundance (v. 17, v. 19).
The blameless are known by God and have a secure inheritance, while those cursed by Him are cut off (v. 18, v. 22).
Even when falling, the righteous are upheld by God, and their steps are established by Him (v. 24, v. 23).
The psalmist has seen no instance of the righteous being forsaken or their children begging for bread (v. 25).
Those blessed by God inherit the land, while those cursed are cut off (v. 22).
The wicked do not repay debts, but the righteous give generously (v. 21).
The enemies of God are like fleeting smoke and will perish (v. 20).
Claims
- The Lord upholds the righteous.
- Those blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land.
- The children of the wicked shall be cut off.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
The psalm says that the wicked will prosper, but this is a misreading - it actually says that they will perish (v. 20).
Correction
The psalm says that the wicked will perish.
Misunderstanding
The verse implies that God's justice is arbitrary and unfair, but this is not true - God's justice is based on His character and promises to uphold the righteous (v. 28).
Correction
The verse emphasizes God's justice as a reason for hope in the righteous.
Application Questions
- How can you apply the psalmist's testimony of seeing no instance of the righteous being forsaken or their children begging for bread to your own life?
- What does it mean to be "blessed by the Lord" and how can you cultivate this blessing in your life?
- How can you prioritize generosity and giving, as opposed to hoarding wealth and resources?
Proverbs 10:5
Big Idea
The passage emphasizes the importance of diligence and hard work.
Commentary
The passage uses "summer" to represent a time of abundance and opportunity.
A prudent son is one who takes advantage of opportunities when they arise.
Sleeping in harvest implies laziness and missed opportunities.
Being a son who brings shame has negative consequences, but the exact nature is not specified.
The contrast between gathering in summer and sleeping in harvest highlights the consequences of procrastination.
The passage assumes that readers are familiar with the concept of harvesting and its significance.
The use of "son" as a metaphor for behavior implies that the principles apply to all individuals, regardless of age or relationship status.
The emphasis on shame suggests that the consequences of laziness are not only personal but also social.
The passage does not provide specific details about what it means to be a son who brings shame.
Claims
- He who gathers in summer is a prudent son.
- He who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
<The passage is saying that only sons are lazy.>
Correction
The passage uses "son" as a metaphor for behavior, not to imply that only sons can be lazy.
Misunderstanding
<Gathering in summer and sleeping in harvest are literal instructions.>
Correction
The passage uses these phrases figuratively to convey the importance of taking advantage of opportunities.
Application Questions
- What does it mean to gather in summer in your own life?
- How do you prioritize tasks and take advantage of opportunities when they arise?
- What are some ways you can apply the principle of diligence and hard work to your daily life?