No Shadow of Turning | James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 ESV What does the final phrase of this verse mean? The ESV footnotes that shadow due to change could also be rendered a shadow of …

Continue reading No Shadow of Turning | James 1:17

Those Who Make Them Become Like Them | Psalm 15 & Psalm 115:4-8

When we think of the Reformation, justification by faith alone or the authority of Scripture alone are typically the first theological thoughts. And those were truly central to the movement. But one of the key Reformers, John Calvin, wrote a short treatise called The Necessity of Reforming the Church, where he makes a striking comment …

Continue reading Those Who Make Them Become Like Them | Psalm 15 & Psalm 115:4-8

Devoted to the LORD | Leviticus 27

Why is this chapter here? That is the big question that I have when coming to the book's final chapter. At first glance, it seems as though this chapter could have been placed anywhere else in Leviticus, which would have let the book end with chapter 26 as its climactic finish. But the LORD, in …

Continue reading Devoted to the LORD | Leviticus 27

Blessings & Curses | Leviticus 26

Leviticus 26 is, in many ways, the climax of the book. Indeed, it is the covenantal climax. Leviticus, of course, is a book of laws. Hopefully, throughout this study, we have seen how much depth and significance there is in these laws. For instance, God gave these laws to shape Israel as they draw near …

Continue reading Blessings & Curses | Leviticus 26

The Year of Jubilee | Leviticus 25

And the LORD spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying… Every portion of the Bible is God-breathed, and all of it is profitable. We have seen that it is profitable for teaching, for reproof, and for correction. Paul then adds a final profitability: for training in righteousness. The word translated as training is paideia. Paideia …

Continue reading The Year of Jubilee | Leviticus 25

The Light, the Bread, & the Name | Leviticus 24

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying… All of the Bible is God-breathed, and all of the Bible is profitable. Each portion of Scripture teaches us and reproves us, but God’s Word does not leave us in rebuke. It is also profitable for correction. God’s Word is the instrument of our loving Father for correcting …

Continue reading The Light, the Bread, & the Name | Leviticus 24

Seasons of Worship | Leviticus 23

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying…  All of Scripture is God-breathed and profitable. It is profitable for teaching, for proper doctrine. God’s Word is also profitable for reproof. While being reproved is never pleasant, it is necessary and for our good. David once prayed: “Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let …

Continue reading Seasons of Worship | Leviticus 23

Childbirth, Leprosy, & Bodily Discharges | Leviticus 12-15

And the LORD to Moses, saying… Each of our four chapters begin with this phrase (though 13 and 15 include Aaron), so let us continue our brief meditations from Psalm 19 to focus our minds upon God’s Word. Verse 9 begins: “The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever.” The fear of Yahweh is …

Continue reading Childbirth, Leprosy, & Bodily Discharges | Leviticus 12-15

Clean & Unclean | Leviticus 11

And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying... The previous two chapters did not begin with this phrase, so we have paused our glance at Psalm 19. But here it is again, so let us pick up where we left off with the second half of verse 8: "The commandment of the LORD is …

Continue reading Clean & Unclean | Leviticus 11

Unauthorized Fire | Leviticus 10

"Perhaps he also thought you were Saruman," said Gimli. "But you speak of him as if he was a friend. I thought Fangorn was dangerous." "Dangerous!" cried Gandalf. "And so am I. Very dangerous. More dangerous than anything you will ever meet unless you are brought alive before the seat of the Dark Lord. And …

Continue reading Unauthorized Fire | Leviticus 10