Coronavirus and The Christian

With the current pandemic creating shelter at home orders, one of the biggest complaints one hears repeatedly is that people are becoming bored; there's nothing to do and nowhere to go. That should never be the case for the Christian, even in times like this.

How much of your recently discovered free time have you spent reading and studying from God's word to enable you to, "rightly divide the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15)? So many people have spent many hours lately on Netflix and other entertainment options. Have you taken advantage of the countless valuable resources available online to dig deeper into the word of God and its lessons? 365.polishingthepulpit.com, gbntv.org and thegospelofchrist.com are just a few of many resources providing sound preaching on a variety of topics. Those are in addition to the countless podcasts available from the brotherhood.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to, "Pray without ceasing," yet too many Christians fail to make their prayer life a daily priority. This last two months have provided ample opportunities for us to improve and increase our prayer life. Not only should the current situation make us more acutely aware of our dependence upon God, as our "down time" has increased, our prayer life should have increased. Has yours? 

Since this virus has taken center stage, a lot of attention has been given to doctors, nurses and other "essential" workers. While there is nothing wrong with appreciating the work those people do, are we remembering the missionaries who are serving in foreign countries? As difficult as your life may have become recently, think about being thousands of miles from home, often in countries who don't have the healthcare standards as we in the United States have. Are we praying for those truly essential workers?

1 Peter 4:11 should speak to Christians very loudly at this time. "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ..." Yes, God can and will be glorified, even in times of global concern. But that will only happen if his believers make that happen. Face to face contact may be limited but even on social media, are you commenting on the political aspects of this current crisis, or are you speaking a good word for Jesus and sharing hope to others?

If ever this is a time for the Lord's church to, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16), now is that time. Check on the widow and elderly in your neighborhood. Make sure the single parent who now has their children at home 24/7 has help, support and supplies. 

These days are golden opportunities for Christians worldwide. Let's not waste time in doing what we know we should be doing. We are prepared, "for such a time as this." Make the time count. 

Leviticus Study Notes - Chapter 23 (Feasts and Observances)

These instructions were given for the Hebrews to observe continually throughout their history. Two things to be gained by the Hebrews in doing so.
1. They would grow in their appreciation of what God did for them by redeeming them.
2. They would grow in their attitudes and disposition toward God through observing these days.
Great parallel for us today when we observe the Lord's Supper

"Holy Convocations" used 11 times in this chapter. Vs. 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 21, 24, 27, 35
Seven holy convocations:
1. Passover
2. Feast of Unleavened Bread
3. Fest of First Fruits
4. Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)
5. Day of Atonement
6. Feast of Tabernacles
7. Harvest Festival

Each of these occasions had a historical connection or in some way pointed out God's blessings. Easily recognized by Israel. Not easily recognized were the prophetic aspects of them

Verses 3-4: "Do no work" Compare to "customary work" Look at vs. 7. 8. 21, 25, 35, 36
"No work" again in vs. 28 for Day of Atonement
No work...NOTHING! Not even preparing food
Customary work...your job (Exodus 12:16)

Verses 5-8: Passover and Unleavened Bread (Nisan) March/April
Passover, one day (Exodus 12)
Feast of Unleavened Bread, 7 consecutive days

Verse 8: Three things mentioned
1. Offering made by fire
2. Holy convocation on the 7th day
3. No customary work done
No details related to the "offering made by fire' are given here. Found in Numbers 28:19;24

Verses 9-14: Feast of First Fruits
It'll be more than 40 years from this point until this celebration will take place.
Offerings brought: male lamb as burnt offering (vs. 12), drink offering (vs. 13). Until they brought those, they were NOT to eat the grain (vs. 14). Why? God comes first!

Verses 15-21: Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)
7 weeks after Passover
From the Greek pentekonta, meaning 50
Count the days from when the wave offering is made. 49 days, the next day is Pentecost

Verse 22: Almost appears as incidental but it's not. When one considers his own blessings, he should be mindful of the needs of others.

Verses 23-25: Feast of Trumpets (Beginning of the new civil year) and agricultural season. Month of Tishri (September/October)
Numbers 29:1-6
Whoa! Go back to verse 5
Difference in civil/sacred year

Verses 26-32: Day of Atonement

Verses 33-43: Feast of Tabernacles (Booths), Succoth
Began on 15th of Tishri
How do we understand verse 43?

Spence & Ezell's "The Pulpit Commentary": Historically, the Feast of Tabernacles is generally considered to commemorate the dwelling of tents throughout the 40 years wandering in the wilderness. Rather, it commemorates the first encampment of the Israelites after setting forth from Egypt, which took place at Succoth, the meaning of the word 'tabernacle.' Thus, as the event historically associated with the first harvest festival, the Passover, was setting forth from Egypt, that associated with the last, the Feast of Tabernacles, was the resting at the end of the first day's journey at Succoth, where the people now felt that they were free, and began to rejoice in their freedom."

Leviticus Study Notes - Chapters 21 and 22 (Instructions For Priests)

9 times in these two chapters, "I am the Lord"
vs. 8, 12; 22:2-3, 8 and 30-33

What is the purpose of the Jews lives? To acknowledge the greatness of God
What is the purpose of our lives?
As we come before God today, we also need to be impressed with the great holiness of God and serve Him in reverence

Verses 1-4: Avoiding contact with dead bodies
Priests couldn't prepare wife for burial, she wasn't a blood relative
Egyptians were so preoccupied with death, hence the pyramids

Verses 5-9: More heathen practices forbidden
Canaanite funeral practices
7: Marrying a prostitute. 2 types, common and cultic which were used in "worship"
Same principle today Romans 12:1-2, 1 Peter 1:14-16
9: "burned with fire" after stoning, more than likely

Verses 16-23 Defects in priests
12 physical issues listed. Rabbis later expanded the list to 142 issues
This is more foreshadowing. Restricting those who had an imperfection was to avoid profaning God's sanctuary and sacrifices without blemish
Today: Our spiritual defilements are washed away by the spotless Son of God. We then have a responsibility to remain as clean as possible (Ephesians 5:26-27)

Chapter 22

1-3: Separation from ceremonial uncleanness
Which is harder, ceremonial uncleanness or spiritual uncleanness? (Consider when and how we approach the Lord's Supper)

4-16: Rights of the priest to the holy things
Look at 4-5, Pharisees became angry when Jesus would touch anyone who would make Him ceremonially unclean

19: "without blemish" Complete, perfect, conveys the idea that the sacrifice must be flawless
2nd Temple Period (Malachi 1:8-14)
New Testament repeatedly teaches God's people must bring their best
2 Corinthians 8-9, Ephesians 5:2, Philippians 4:1-20, Hebrews 13:15-16, 1 Peter 2:5

Billy Bland writes: Christians should remember the special relationship they have with God. It was God who brought us out of spiritual captivity and sanctified us. Like John, we should exclaim, 'Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; therefore the world knows us not because it knew Him not.' (1 John 3:1)