1- Introducing YHWH

The Names of God

I. Introduction – How names were different in ancient Hebrew culture than modern US culture

Q. Write down the top baby names of the decade you were born?

http://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/decades/index.html

Names in our culture shift according to what is popular and most people want to name their children something that is on trend but slightly unique. Unless you are a Celebrity then you might get some very strange names. Like Moon Unit Zappa or North West.

2-The Names of GOD in Psalm 23

You will need your Bible.  I did not type the verses out.

With the exception of Jehovah RA-AH (The LORD is my shepherd) the Jehovah titles are not in the original language of the Psalm rather inferred from the context. This is a good way to practice applying the names and titles of God to everyday life.

3-Jehovah Nissi The Lord Is My Banner

A survey of Exodus 17:8-16

Open your Bible to Exodus 17

v. 8 Amalek was the _Grandson of _Esau_ which made the Amalekites natural blood enemies.

Esau and Jacob were twins. Their story is told in Genesis. Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of bean soup. As a result they separated paths. Jacob later became the founding father of Israel. His name was changed to Israel. Each of his 12 sons became the father of a tribe of all the Jewish nation we know now. Jacob and Esau later reconciled but the Amalek must not have shared in his grandfather’s feelings. His nomadic tribe made their living off of raiding settlements and commentaries say they killed for pleasure. When the Israelites became a target, they remained in Amalek’s sites and in Exodus 17:8-16 the Amalekites will be in a battle that changes history.

4-Jehovah Shalom

As with each of the names, or titles of God, Jehovah Shalom was ascribed by a human being who had an amazing, life altering experience with the creator. The name of the man who ascribed "Shalom" to Jehovah was Gideon. Most understand that "Shalom" means peace, but in actuality it has a much deeper meaning than just that one word can hold.

Numbers From A Sky View

Wah! Wah! Wah! Complain, Complain, Complain.... This is all the Israelites seemed to be doing on their trek to freedom to a "promised land". Yet with this enticing destination in mind they automatically began complaining about EVERYTHING. Complaints are not necessarily bad, in and of themselves. If an egregious situation occurs complaining through the proper chancels can bring positive results.

The DO-NOTS DID NOT - Leviticus 18

Chapter 18 of Leviticus is one of the chapters that contains lots of "DO-NOT" lists. This particular chapter is regarding sexual relations and should certainly be labeled "readers discretion strongly advised". Whew! Racy stuff!

The list makes for an interesting read, but it isn't what grabbed my focus. For me Leviticus 18:5 jumped out of the page and caught my attention.

Roadkill

There is a Roadkill clause in the Levitical Law. It is found in Levitucus 17:15.

The Life Is In The Blood And Face To Face Questions

Leviticus 17:11b It is the blood that makes atonement of one's life
Leviticus 17:14a because the life of every creature is its blood

When I ask myself the question, "Why did Jesus have to die?" or "Why did Jesus have to suffer such a gruesome death?" the above versus give the answer. The blood that ripples through us with each heartbeat carries our very life, our very existence. The blood brings life and sustains life.

Leviticus 16 - General Observations

Observations
Leviticus 16 is full of treasure. One day I need to go back and give it more consideration and thought. So I listed the following observations to noodle on.

Atonement - Leviticus 16

In this chapter of Leviticus the Jews were introduced to the instructions for Atonement. Later in history this day became known as the "Day of Atonement" or Yom Kippur. It is still celebrated today. This chapter lays out for us the very beginnings of this great day. For the Jew this day is still practiced and is still necessary because they do not believe their Messiah has come. For Christians, Jesus has fulfilled the requirements of this day and its practice is no longer required. Atonement is complete in Jesus.

Among Them - Leviticus 15

You can just imagine my excitement when looking at the heading of Leviticus 15, “Discharges Causing Uncleanness”. Wow! I just couldn’t wait to read all about it. Ew! As in typical Levitical style there are no punches pulled or words couched in flowery language regarding such a sensitive subject. The law is laid out matter-of-fact with definitions of the various bodily fluids, the time of uncleanness and typical instructions for rectifying this state. Also, as is typical, the law is very practical and just plain common sense.

I Saw God In Mildew And Boils - Leviticus 14

There is a rhythm to this chapter. There is a cleansing ritual, followed by a guilt offering, followed by anointing. I’m not sure if this rhythm will be repeated in the rest of Leviticus, but it is obviously fixed in chapter 14. I believe I am seeing three separate ministries of God at work here. In fact, I dare to say I see three separate persons of God at hand. The cleansing ritual is indicative of the Father. The guilt offering reminds me of the atonement work of Christ. The anointing with oil represents the power and comfort of the Holy Spirit.

Pure And Clean - Leviticus 14

Psalm 51:7

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Reading through Leviticus 14 can be a fairly dry exercise. It's certainly not overtly relevant and only somewhat intriguing. (As is the case with most of the chapters in Leviticus.) But when you look closely there are some insights to be gained.

A new type of sacrifice is introduced in this chapter.

More Than Skin Deep - Leviticus 13

There are many practical guidelines for skin diseases and mold/mildew in Leviticus 13 that ensured both the individual's health and the health of the community. If a person had a sore on their head they had to shave their head. This makes sense if the sore was from lice. Someone with an infectious disease was isolated from the community; thus instituting a quarantine protecting the community from disease. If there is mold or mildew found in clothing the clothing is either destroyed or the mold cut out to prevent further contamination.  Leviticus 13 is filled with practical guidelines for the care of skin and clothing.

What's interesting to me in this chapter is the role of the Priest. The Priest had to act as the doctor.

8 Verses And A Lifetime Of Lessons - Leviticus 12

Leviticus 12 is a very short chapter with 8 little verses all pertaining to the “ceremonial” uncleanliness of a woman after childbirth. So I figured this will be a quick blog update. WRONG! It’s taken me so long to update my blog on this chapter because the more I began to meditate and noodle, it became more and more intriguing and now I have so much to say about these 8 verses, this posting is quite long...so to the few of you who read my nutty, acorny, thoughts, Thank You in advance for hanging in until the end.

Ready For Worship - Leviticus 11

The instructions for the people given in chapter 11 of Leviticus are all regarding what they can and cannot eat. If they were to touch certain carcasses then they would be ceremonial unclean and unable to worship in the temple until the proper cleansing rituals. This is just yet another lesson to these people of the holiness of God.

Leviticus 11:44 I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy because I am holy.

I've read or heard somewhere that some of the guidelines for what was considered clean to eat and what was considered unclean had health benefits to the nation and prevented disease. I don't know how true that is. But what is obvious, is that God wanted his people to be unique amongst all the nations surrounding them. He wanted them set apart, consecrated and holy.

Four Sons Of Aaron And One Holy God - Leviticus 10

As I stated in my previous posting, the picture of God I see in Leviticus 10 is difficult for me to reconcile to my understanding of my gracious and loving Father. But I think a helpful thing is for me to remember that there truly is only ONE WAY to God. On this side of the cross it is through Jesus, but in the legalistic era of Leviticus the way to God was through rituals and commands handed down by God, himself, to Moses.

One Way - Leviticus 10

Leviticus 10:10
You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean.

If there is a key verse for the book of Leviticus the above verse would be it. In fact, if there were a key verse for Christian living, this verse would be a good candidate.

The Glory Of The Lord - Leviticus 9

Leviticus 9:6 Then Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded you to do, so that the glory of the LORD may appear to you."

Leviticus 9:24 Fire, came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell face down.

This section of scripture is interesting to me. The chapter explains the ritual sacrifices that followed the priests' ordination ceremony. It was out of obedience in the ritual that resulted in God's glory being revealed to the people in such a powerful way. The people were used to God's glory being in fire. His presence was with them as a pillar of fire at night. But this fire was different. A whole new system was being established where the people could get closer to God.

Ordination - You Are Acceptable Leviticus 8

As a pastor’s kid I was able to witness my dad’s ordination ceremony. It was sort of like a graduation type thing where the church leaders of the denomination declared him as suitable and validated his call by God. It was nice, we had cake. "Hey now", I was little.  The Levitical priests ordination was radically different.  They surely didn't have cake!

Leviticus 8 gives you a glimpse of a completely different ordination ceremony. Moses says to Aaron that you and all your sons are now special people called priests and you will be the only ones suitable to talk to God. You are responsible for making sure that the sins of the nation are atoned for. You have to slaughter animals, drain blood, burn fat, and wave animal parts around in the air. You have to eat portions what the people give you, because if you don’t eat it all, well then the people’s offering is in vain and not acceptable. This is your job from now on. But don’t worry; you’ll get paid in grain and livestock. Oh, and so the people will know that this is now your responsibility we’re going to have this big ordination ceremony. You’ll get to wear really cool clothes. We’ll slaughter a bull, a ram, a lamb and eat some flat bread with no yeast. There’s just this one part of the ceremony where I’m going to put blood on your right ear lobe, your right thumb, your right big toe and sprinkle blood on your clothes, but I’m sure you won’t mind. Then you have to go to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting for seven days and eat all this stuff we burned. If you leave before the seven days or don’t eat it all,...well...you’ll die. It’s what the Lord told me to do with you and your family, so I’m sure there’s no problem. Sound good? Aren’t you excited! Great, let’s do it!