Leviticus 20:22-22:16
Big Idea
God commands Moses to keep all His statutes and rules, emphasizing the importance of holiness and separation from uncleanliness.
Commentary
The passage emphasizes the need for Israelites to be holy and separate from other nations.
Priests are set apart for God's service and must maintain their holiness.
Unclean animals and birds are forbidden, but clean ones are allowed.
Mediums and necromancers are considered unclean and are put to death.
Priests with blemishes may eat holy things but not approach the altar.
Abstaining from holy things is necessary to avoid profaning God's name.
Israelites must contribute holy things to the LORD, which priests must handle carefully.
The passage highlights the importance of maintaining purity and avoiding uncleanness.
Priests are instructed on how to maintain their holiness and separate themselves from uncleanliness.
The consequences of profaning God's name or violating His statutes are severe.
Claims
- God requires Israelites to be holy and separate from other nations (Leviticus 20:26).
- Priests must abstain from holy things if they have an uncleanness (Leviticus 22:2-3).
- Anyone who touches something unclean will be unclean until evening and cannot eat holy things (Leviticus 22:4-6).
- A priest's daughter may eat of her father's food, but a lay person may not (Leviticus 22:12).
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
Unclean animals are forbidden for consumption, but clean ones are allowed
Correction
This is correct, as the passage distinguishes between clean and unclean animals.
Misunderstanding
Priests with blemishes cannot approach the altar
Correction
This is incorrect; they may eat holy things but not approach the altar (Leviticus 21:23).
Misunderstanding
Mediums and necromancers are put to death for being unclean
Correction
This is correct, as the passage considers them unclean and punishable by death.
Misunderstanding
Priests must marry virgins, not prostitutes or divorced women
Correction
This is correct, as the passage instructs priests on how to maintain their holiness through marriage.
Application Questions
- What are some ways that Israelites can maintain their holiness in everyday life?
- How do the instructions for priests relate to the broader theme of maintaining purity and avoiding uncleanness?
- What are the consequences of profaning God's name or violating His statutes?
Mark 9:1-29
Big Idea
Jesus' transfiguration is a private experience for Peter, James, and John.
Commentary
The passage begins with Jesus predicting that some of his followers will see the kingdom of God after its power has come.
This prediction sets the stage for the events that follow, including Jesus' transfiguration and the healing of the boy possessed by an unclean spirit.
The transfiguration is a private experience for Peter, James, and John, but it serves as a foreshadowing of Jesus' glory and power.
The conversation between Elijah and Moses with Jesus highlights the importance of listening to Jesus and following his teachings.
The voice from the cloud identifies Jesus as the Son of God, emphasizing his divine nature and authority.
The apostles are instructed to keep the experience secret until after Jesus' resurrection, demonstrating the need for faith and trust in Jesus' plan.
The scribes misunderstand Elijah's role, thinking he must physically return before Jesus, but Jesus explains that Elijah has come in the form of John the Baptist.
The healing of the boy possessed by an unclean spirit demonstrates Jesus' power over evil spirits and his compassion for those suffering.
The disciples privately ask why they couldn't cast out the spirit, and Jesus attributes it to lack of prayer, emphasizing the importance of faith and dependence on God.
Claims
- Jesus is the Son of God and has divine authority.
- Elijah's role in restoring all things is fulfilled through John the Baptist.
- Prayer is essential for casting out certain spirits.
- Faith and trust in Jesus are necessary for experiencing his power and glory.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
The scribes think Elijah must physically return before Jesus, but Jesus explains that Elijah has come in the form of John the Baptist
Correction
Elijah's role is fulfilled through John the Baptist.
Misunderstanding
The crowd thinks Jesus is too busy to help them, but he takes time to heal the boy and cast out the unclean spirit
Correction
Jesus prioritizes compassion and helping those in need.
Application Questions
- What does it mean for Jesus to be the Son of God, and how should this understanding shape our faith?
- How can we apply the principle that Elijah's role is fulfilled through John the Baptist to our own lives?
- In what ways can prayer help us overcome spiritual struggles and dependencies on evil spirits?
Psalm 43:1-5
Big Idea
The Psalmist seeks vindication and defense from God against unjust people and an enemy.
Commentary
The Psalmist feels rejected by God despite taking refuge in Him.
The speaker is oppressed by an enemy, but hopes in God for salvation.
Light and truth are sent out to lead the speaker to God's holy hill.
The speaker will praise God with the lyre at the altar of God.
The Psalmist takes refuge in God, but feels cast down and in turmoil within.
Hope is placed in God for future praise and salvation.
The Psalmist addresses their soul to hope in God despite current feelings of rejection.
The holy hill and dwelling are places where the speaker hopes to be led by light and truth.
The altar of God is a place where the speaker will praise God with the lyre.
Claims
- God is the one in whom the Psalmist takes refuge.
- The Psalmist feels rejected by God despite taking refuge in Him.
- Light and truth are sent out to lead the speaker to God's holy hill.
- The speaker hopes in God for salvation and future praise.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
The speaker is asking God to reject them.
Correction
The speaker is actually feeling rejected by God, not asking for it.
Misunderstanding
God has abandoned the Psalmist.
Correction
The Psalmist feels rejected by God, but still takes refuge in Him.
Application Questions
- How can you take refuge in God despite feeling rejected or oppressed?
- What does it mean to hope in God for salvation and future praise?
- In what ways can light and truth lead us to God's holy hill and dwelling?
Proverbs 10:18
Big Idea
The passage highlights the contrast between those who conceal their true feelings and those who openly express them.
Commentary
The verse emphasizes the importance of honesty in communication.
Concealing one's emotions can lead to dishonesty, which is considered a negative trait.
Uttering slander is equated with foolishness, indicating that speaking falsely or maliciously about others is not wise.
The passage suggests that true nature is often revealed through one's words and actions.
Those who conceal hatred may be hiding their true emotions, but this can lead to further problems.
Lying lips are a result of concealing one's true feelings.
Uttering slander is a form of speaking falsely or maliciously about others.
Claims
- Concealing hatred leads to lying lips.
- Whoever utters slander is considered a fool.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
<Concealing hatred means being kind and gentle>
Correction
Concealing hatred actually implies hiding one's true emotions, which can lead to dishonesty.
Misunderstanding
<Uttering slander is a form of free speech>
Correction
Uttering slander refers to speaking falsely or maliciously about someone, not expressing opinions freely.
Application Questions
- How can we balance honesty with tact in our communication?
- What are some consequences of hiding one's true feelings?
- Can you think of a situation where uttering slander might be considered foolish?