Leviticus is the 3rd book in the Bible. One would easily notice that God gave Israelites many specific guidelines on offerings and purification. They were also given various laws.
But there are some things that really struck me in this book.
First of all, I'm really a softie so I get emotional very easily. My heart bled when I read the story of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu's death. They offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to His command. Thus, fire consumed and killed them (Leviticus 10: 1-2).
Then, there was a story of an Israelite woman's son who blasphemed God's name and so, he was stoned to death (Leviticus 24: 11-16). I really feel so bad after reading their stories. I couldn't imagine their grief of their parents or loved ones. It must have been tragic.
The consequences of their choices were severe, especially if we compare them to the present times. If they have lived today, what they did will be considered "mistakes". If someone blasphemed God's name, it will be called "Freedom of Speech". You know the "casual" curses we have today.
But, I guess we are living in a very different time and context. What they did weren't taken very lightly and they have to pay a handsome price.
As I learned from Exodus, Our God is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, forgiving (Exodus 34: 6-7). But, there is no doubt the consequences were harsh. And we might think why. Is God harsh and brutal? It seems that He was quick to anger, especially with the Nadab and Abihu.
[I thought never mind the blasphemer's case because of 3 reasons:
1. He violated one of the 10 commandments. The Israelites just entered into a covenant with God and there he was, violating the sacred terms.
2. He was first sent outside while the people were asking God what to do with him. They didn't kill him immediately unlike with Aaron's sons' fate.
3. It was the people who facilitated his punishment. They want to give him what is due to him unlike Aaron's son, which is really an act of God.]
But then, I recalled that these 2 men are not just any ordinary men. They were priests, sons of Aaron. They surely have witnessed God's might and power with their own senses (sight, sound, etc). They must have been warned lots of times to follow God. Don't add to his commands nor remove anything. To love God is to follow completely and impartially. Yet, despite these, they did not show reverence and did contrary to God's command.
True, our God is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger and forgiving but He is also a God of Justice and Righteousness. He is most holy and pure.
He will give what is due because accountability gives our free will so much power. As mentioned in one of my blog posts, love is always for justice. Without accountability, there is no justice. It is all beautifully connected.
[Side note: All these beautiful, noble ideals are connected into 1 big beautiful, noble thing (for the lack of a better term). This is one of the many reasons I believe there is a very good, benevolent and all powerful God. It couldn't just be accident.]
Their stories' main point is that we should give God what is due to Him: complete reverence. As God, He has complete authority over our lives. The creator should have authority over his creation, not the other way around.
Our God is a God of Justice and yes, that includes what we consider now as social justice. In the passage of the Year of Jubilee, God commanded owners not to take advantage in the sale of their properties. He also mandated that the land should also have its sabbath. This is to foster stewardship. We are entrusted to take care of God's creation and not abuse it for our own benefit. Moreover, all people, regardless if they are Israelites or not, who sold themselves to slavery will reserve their right to redeem themselves.
I know that the regulation about slaves are far from our standard of human rights now. But when compared to most societies or cultures during their time, this is a very profound distinction of the Hebrews.
I was also asking myself. Why wouldn't God just outright abolish slavery at that point? But then, I believe that as God honors our free will, He wouldn't force things on to us and just be "upfront".
Just like how He could have just killed Pharaoh or all the Egyptians when the latter wouldn't let the Israelites go no matter what signs and wonders He made through Moses (The Pharaoh gave up at last when all the firstborns were killed but there were a lot of signs before that.)
He is a God who considers His people's circumstances, weaknesses and needs. I've particularly remembered how He directed them through the wilderness to the Red Sea because He was concerned that they might get change their minds if they go through shorter route through the Philistine country (Exodus 13: 17).
And so, I really feel that one reason why God didn't outright abolish slavery even if He is for justice is because He looks and evaluates at our hearts if we are really ready for it.
I think the concept of mercy and social justice are still very new during that time. The seeds of these ideals (During that time, they were ideals but now, they are our standards.) are just being sown in human hearts and human history. And God knew our limitations and thus, he worked with us and with our hearts gradually.
This is one evidence that I hold on so dearly to prove that our God is super duper patient. Although we entered in a covenant, He doesn't impose His will. We works with us across races, ethnicities and generations.
It is difficult to deal with humans. I have some HR work duties. In just handling a few people, it can be a headache, a heartache and just exhausting. How much more with billions of people, right?
And so, that is why I believe that the book of Leviticus is about God's justice.
I thank Him for His powerful love and mercy. He has sent His son, Jesus Christ, to reach and save us. He is the spotless, perfect offering that fulfills all the offerings and rituals commanded in this book. Without Him, we would have surely experienced God's wrath for all our sinfulness.
His love makes me grateful and teary eyed, as always. 😢 I hope you will realize this too and accept God's offer of love. Remember, He doesn't coerce us and He honors our free will. Choose wisely, my friends!
God bless you and have a great day!