Leviticus 15:1-16:28

Thesis

The passage Leviticus 15:1-16:28 describes God's instructions for maintaining purity and atonement among the Israelites.

Commentary

The passage emphasizes the importance of maintaining purity among the Israelites, with God's instructions for washing and bathing after contact with unclean things (Leviticus 15:2-18).

Women's menstrual impurity is also addressed, with similar instructions for maintaining purity (Leviticus 15:19-33).

Aaron's role in atonement on Yom Kippur involves a sin offering and two goats, highlighting the importance of making amends for transgressions (Leviticus 16:1-22).

The ritual of casting lots over goats is a key part of the atonement process, with one goat sent away to the wilderness as Azazel (Leviticus 16:8-10).

Aaron's purification after the atonement ritual involves washing and bathing in water, emphasizing the importance of maintaining purity (Leviticus 16:23-28).

Context

• The passage begins with God speaking to Moses about uncleanness and cleansing (Leviticus 15:1).
• The laws for men with discharge or semen emission are given, emphasizing the importance of washing and bathing after contact with unclean things (Leviticus 15:2-18).
• Women's menstrual impurity is also addressed, with similar instructions for maintaining purity (Leviticus 15:19-33).
• The passage shifts to Aaron's instructions for atonement on Yom Kippur, involving two goats and a sin offering (Leviticus 16:1-22).
• The ritual of casting lots over goats is described, with one goat sent away to the wilderness as Azazel (Leviticus 16:8-10).

Structure

God's instructions for maintaining purity are given through Moses (Leviticus 15:1-33).

Aaron's role in atonement on Yom Kippur is described, involving a sin offering and two goats (Leviticus 16:1-22).

The ritual of casting lots over goats is a key part of the atonement process (Leviticus 16:8-10).

The passage concludes with instructions for Aaron's purification after the atonement ritual (Leviticus 16:23-28).

Key Terms

• Unclean discharge
• Menstrual impurity
• Sin offering
• Burnt offering
• Atonement
• Uncleanness
• Holiness

Interpretive Options

Option 1: The passage emphasizes God's concern for maintaining purity among the Israelites, with instructions for washing and bathing after contact with unclean things.

Option 2: The atonement ritual on Yom Kippur is a key part of the passage, highlighting Aaron's role in making amends for transgressions.

Option 3: The ritual of casting lots over goats is a unique aspect of the atonement process, with one goat sent away to the wilderness as Azazel.

Theological Synthesis

The passage highlights God's concern for maintaining purity among the Israelites, emphasizing the importance of washing and bathing after contact with unclean things.

Aaron's role in atonement on Yom Kippur involves a sin offering and two goats, highlighting the importance of making amends for transgressions.

The ritual of casting lots over goats is a key part of the atonement process, with one goat sent away to the wilderness as Azazel.

Cross References

• Leviticus 12:1-8 (regarding women's menstrual impurity)
• Numbers 19:1-22 (regarding uncleanness and cleansing)
• Exodus 29:1-46 (regarding Aaron's ordination and atonement ritual)
• Ezekiel 36:25-27 (regarding God's concern for maintaining purity among the Israelites)

Mark 7:1-23

Thesis

Jesus critiques the Pharisees for prioritizing their own traditions over God's commandments.

Commentary

Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13 to criticize the Pharisees for prioritizing their own traditions over God's commandments (Mark 7:6).

The Pharisaic tradition of washing hands before eating is a human-made rule that supersedes God's commandment to honor one's father and mother (Mark 7:9-10).

Jesus teaches that what comes out of a person, not what goes into them, defiles them (Mark 7:14-23).

The passage emphasizes the importance of heart attitude over external actions in maintaining ritual purity.

Jesus declares all foods clean, implying that dietary restrictions are not necessary (Mark 7:19).

Context

• The passage takes place in Galilee, where Jesus is confronted by Pharisees and scribes about his disciples' eating habits.
• The Pharisees follow the tradition of washing hands before eating, which they consider essential to maintaining ritual purity.
• Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13 to criticize the Pharisees for prioritizing their own traditions over God's commandments.

Structure

Introduction (Mark 7:1): Jesus is confronted by Pharisees and scribes about his disciples' eating habits.

Critique of Pharisaic tradition (Mark 7:2-23):

Jesus quotes Isaiah to criticize the Pharisees for prioritizing their own traditions over God's commandments (Mark 7:6-8).

Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for making void God's word through their traditions (Mark 7:9-13).

Jesus teaches that what comes out of a person, not what goes into them, defiles them (Mark 7:14-23).

Key Terms

• Tradition of the elders: the Pharisaic tradition of washing hands before eating.
• Defiled hands: hands that have not been washed according to the Pharisaic tradition.
• Corban: a gift given to God, used as an excuse to avoid caring for one's parents.
• Commandments of men: human-made rules and regulations that supersede God's commandments.

Interpretive Options

Option 1: Jesus is criticizing the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and legalism. This interpretation emphasizes the importance of heart attitude over external actions.

Option 2: Jesus is challenging the Pharisaic tradition of washing hands before eating as a means of maintaining ritual purity. This interpretation highlights the tension between Jewish tradition and Jesus' teachings on cleanliness.

Preferred option: The passage emphasizes the importance of heart attitude over external actions in maintaining ritual purity.

Theological Synthesis

The passage highlights the tension between Jewish tradition and Jesus' teachings on cleanliness.

Jesus' critique of Pharisaic tradition emphasizes the importance of heart attitude over external actions.

The passage underscores the significance of God's commandments over human-made rules and regulations.

The declaration that all foods are clean implies a shift in emphasis from ritual purity to spiritual purity.

Cross References

• Isaiah 29:13: "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.
• Exodus 20:12: "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
• Deuteronomy 5:16: "Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

Psalm 40:11-17

Thesis

The psalmist expresses unwavering confidence in God's mercy and steadfast love despite overwhelming circumstances.

Commentary

The psalmist's confidence in God's mercy is unwavering, despite their overwhelming circumstances (v. 11).

The psalmist describes their iniquities as having "overtaken" them, suggesting a sense of being overwhelmed by sin (v. 12).

The psalmist asks for immediate help from God, using the imperative mood to convey a sense of urgency (v. 13).

Those who seek to harm the psalmist will be put to shame and disappointed (v. 14).

Those who delight in the psalmist's hurt will be turned back and brought to dishonor (v. 15).

The psalmist affirms God's greatness and salvation, using the phrase "Great is the LORD!" (v. 16).

The psalmist acknowledges their poverty and need, but trusts in God's care (v. 17).

Context

• The psalm is part of the Psalter, a collection of 150 poems that express various emotions and experiences.
• Psalm 40 is a lament psalm, which typically expresses sorrow, pain, or distress.
• The psalmist's confidence in God's mercy is a common theme throughout the book of Psalms.

Structure

The passage begins with the psalmist addressing God (v. 11), expressing confidence in His mercy and steadfast love.

The psalmist describes their overwhelming circumstances due to their iniquities (v. 12).

The psalmist asks God to deliver them from their enemies (v. 13).

The psalmist expresses disdain for those who seek to harm them (v. 14).

The psalmist contrasts the fate of those who seek to harm them with those who seek God (v. 16).

The psalmist affirms God's help and deliverance (v. 17).

Key Terms

• Mercy: God's kindness and compassion towards His people.
• Steadfast love: God's unwavering commitment to His people.
• Faithfulness: God's reliability and trustworthiness in keeping His promises.
• Iniquities: The psalmist's sinful actions that have led to their circumstances.
• Hairs of my head: A metaphor for the multitude of problems and troubles.

Interpretive Options

Option 1: The psalmist's confidence in God's mercy is a reflection of their faithfulness to God.

Option 2: The psalmist's circumstances are a result of their own sin, and they are seeking forgiveness and deliverance from God.

Preference: Option 1, as the psalmist's confidence in God's mercy is unwavering throughout the passage.

Theological Synthesis

The psalm highlights the importance of trusting in God's mercy and steadfast love, even in the midst of overwhelming circumstances.

The psalm emphasizes the contrast between those who seek to harm others and those who seek God.

The psalm affirms God's greatness and salvation, using language that echoes throughout the book of Psalms.

Cross References

• Psalm 37:5 - "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.
• Isaiah 54:7 - "For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will gather you.
• Jeremiah 31:17 - "There is hope for your future, declares the Lord.
• Lamentations 3:22-23 - "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
• Psalm 138:8 - "The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O God, endures forever.

Proverbs 10:13-14

Thesis

Wisdom is associated with understanding and lips, while foolishness is linked to lack of sense and destructive speech.

Commentary

The phrase "on the lips of him who has understanding" emphasizes the importance of speech in demonstrating wisdom (Proverbs 10:8).

The rod is used as a corrective tool, implying that God disciplines those who reject His correction (Proverbs 22:15).

The wise lay up knowledge, suggesting a proactive approach to learning and growth.

The mouth of a fool brings ruin near, highlighting the destructive consequences of foolish speech.

Context

• Proverbs 10:13-14 follows the introductory wisdom sayings in Proverbs 1-9, which emphasize the importance of wisdom and its contrast with folly.
• The passage builds on the theme of wisdom's association with lips (Proverbs 10:8) and the consequences of foolish speech (Proverbs 10:7).
• The use of a rod as a corrective tool in verse 13 may allude to Proverbs 22:15, where God disciplines those who reject His correction.

Structure

Verse 13 presents a contrast between wisdom and folly, using the metaphor of lips and rods.

Verse 14 continues this contrast, highlighting the consequences of wise and foolish actions.

The passage uses a chiastic structure, with "wisdom" and "foolishness" paired in verses 13 and 14.

Key Terms

• Understanding: refers to the ability to discern and apply wisdom (Proverbs 10:8).
• Wisdom: associated with lips and found on those who have understanding.
• Rod: a tool for correction, not punishment (Proverbs 22:15).
• Sense: lacking sense implies foolishness and a lack of wisdom.
• Knowledge: accumulated by wise people, implying a desire to learn and grow.

Interpretive Options

**Option 1:** The passage presents a straightforward contrast between wisdom and folly, with God's correction implied in verse 13.

**Option 2:** The use of a rod as a corrective tool may suggest that God's discipline is not always punitive, but rather intended to guide individuals towards wisdom.

**Preferred interpretation:** Option 1, as it aligns with the broader theme of Proverbs and emphasizes the importance of wisdom in avoiding destruction.

Theological Synthesis

Wisdom is closely tied to understanding and lips, emphasizing the role of speech in demonstrating wisdom (Proverbs 10:8).

God's correction is a means of guiding individuals towards wisdom, rather than punishing them for their folly.

The passage highlights the importance of accumulating knowledge and avoiding destructive speech.

Cross References

• Proverbs 1:7 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
• Proverbs 9:10 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
• Proverbs 22:15 - "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.
• Psalm 119:66 - "Teach me knowledge and good judgment; for I trust your commands.
• Ecclesiastes 10:3 - "When the axe is laid to the root of the trees, every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.