Trinity Bible Church

Leviticus 14

Prayer

Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever (Psalm 30:10- 12).

Today’s Hymn

Words: Written by German Jesuits as Schönster Herr Jesu in the 17th Century. Published in the Münster Gesangbuch, 1677, and translated from German to English by Joseph A. Seiss, 1873.

FAIREST LORD JESUS
Click here for tune.

Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my souls glory, joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels Heavn can boast.

All fairest beauty, heavenly and earthly,
Wondrously, Jesus, is found in Thee;
None can be nearer, fairer or dearer,
Than Thou, my Savior, art to me.

Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forever more be Thine.

Thought Provoker

With all the medical technology available today there are still many diseases, absent divine intervention, without a cure. Can you name any diseases for which there are no cures for today? Perhaps your list included AIDS, along with many types of cancers, diseases of the heart and liver. During Bible times, leprosy (Hansen’s disease) was one of those incurable diseases. This bacterial disease would attack the nervous system resulting in patches of numbness along with the loss of fingers and toes. Advanced leprosy made a person appear grotesque. The disease was eventually fatal. Here’s a question for your family to discuss. Why did God spend an entire chapter (Lev. 14) instructing the priests on the detailed steps of cleansing a leper upon being healed when there was no cure for leprosy? Could it be so that there would be a witness of Christ’s deity to the priest who was on duty the day that Jesus miraculously healed 10 lepers?

Dad’s Study

How did the Jews know that Jesus was the true Messiah? When John the Baptist asked that question Jesus replied to his disciples, — Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached (Luke 7:22). In other words the marks of the Messiah would be that He would heal that which no man could heal, including leprosy, as well as preach the Gospel to the poor in spirit. Read together the wonderful healing of ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19. Why did the lepers speak to Jesus afar off? Lepers were to stay away and warn others that they were unclean with leprosy. How did Jesus heal all ten? That’s right, just by His command they were healed. Why did He tell them to go show themselves to the priest? According the Leviticus 14 certain steps had to be taken by the priest before a healed leper could be declared clean and fit to reenter society. This became a witness to the priest that Jesus was truly the Messiah! Read through Lev. 14 and make a list of all the steps necessary to cleanse a leper. How many days did this process take? What do you think that priest thought when these 10 well- known lepers came to him and told him that they had been healed by Jesus? There they stood, with their fingers made whole! The spots of leprosy were gone! They could rejoin their families and society. Jesus had performed the impossible! You would think that these men would remain eternally grateful to Jesus for being healed. However, what was their response to this miracle (Luke 17:15-17)? Only one of the 10 gave thanks and glorified God! Nine said nothing! Nine did not give thanks or glorify God! Only one worshipped God for his healing and he and he alone received an even greater healing, the forgiveness of his sins! His faith had not only made Him physically whole but spiritually whole as well!

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

What is the heartfelt response God delights to see in those who are the objects of His grace? Did you say glorifying God through thanksgiving? Both of these heart attitudes are the mark of true saving grace. God’s mercies are renewed and added to everyday. May your worship today be filled with hearts that glorify God with prayers of thanksgiving. Are there blessings God has graced you with that you have not thanked Him for? Stop and give Him thanks!

Catechism

Question 77

Q. Are the infants of such as are professing to be baptised?

A. The infants of such as are professing believers are not to be baptised, because there is neither command nor example in the Holy Scriptures for their baptism (Ex. 23:13; Pr. 30:6).

Popularity: unranked [?]

Leviticus 13

Prayer

Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven (Psalm 107:28-30).

Today’s Hymn

Words: Written by German Jesuits as Schönster Herr Jesu in the 17th Century. Published in the Münster Gesangbuch, 1677, and translated from German to English by Joseph A. Seiss, 1873.

FAIREST LORD JESUS
Click here for tune.

Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my souls glory, joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels Heavn can boast.

All fairest beauty, heavenly and earthly,
Wondrously, Jesus, is found in Thee;
None can be nearer, fairer or dearer,
Than Thou, my Savior, art to me.

Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forever more be Thine.

Thought Provoker

If you were to be stricken with a fatal disease and your doctor asked you, “Do you wish to be cured, or to be clean?” How would you answer that question? Most would say to be cured. We are afflicted with sin, which is fatal to all, yet the Bible says that we are not cured of sin, but we are cleansed of our unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). The cure for sin is not found in this world, in this world it is enough to be clean (John 13:5-10), and it is in the next world that we will be “cured” and live without sin.

Dad’s Study

Matthew Henry in his commentary on Leviticus 13 had this to say about leprosy in the lives of the children of God. “The plague of leprosy was an uncleanness, rather than a disease. Christ is said to cleanse lepers, not to cure them. Common as the leprosy was among the Hebrews, during and after their residence in Egypt, we have no reason to believe that it was known among them before. Their distressed state and employment in that land must have rendered them liable to disease. But it was a plague often inflicted immediately by the hand of God. Miriam’s leprosy, and Gehazi’s, and king Uzziah’s, were punishments of particular sins; no marvel there was care taken to distinguish it from a common distemper. The judgment of it was referred to the priests. And it was a figure of the moral pollutions of men’s minds by sin, which is the leprosy of the soul, defiling to the conscience, and from which Christ alone can cleanse. The priest could only convict the leper, (by the law is the knowledge of sin,) but Christ can cure the sinner, he can take away sin. It is a work of great importance, but of great difficulty, to judge of our spiritual state. We all have cause to suspect ourselves, being conscious of sores and spots; but whether clean or unclean is the question. As there were certain marks by which to know it was leprosy, so there are marks of such as are in the gall of bitterness. The priest must take time in making his judgment. This teaches all, both ministers and people, not to be hasty in censures, nor to judge anything before the time. If some men’s sins go before unto judgment, the sins of others follow after, and so do men’s good works. If the person suspected were found to be clean, yet he must wash his clothes, because there had been ground for the suspicion. We have need to be washed in the blood of Christ from our spots, though not leprosy spots; for who can say, I am pure from sin?”

“The priest is told what judgment to make, if there were any appearance of a leprosy in old sores; and such is the danger of those who having escaped the pollutions of the world are again entangled therein, or, in a burn by accident. The burning of strife and contention often occasions the rising and breaking out of that corruption, which proves that men are unclean. Human life lies exposed to many grievances. With what troops of diseases are we beset on every side; and thy all entered by sin! If the constitution be healthy, and the body lively and easy, we are bound to glorify God with our bodies. Particular note was taken of the leprosy, if in the head. If the leprosy of sin has seized the head; if the judgment be corrupted, and wicked principles, which support wicked practices, are embraced, it is utter uncleanness, from which few are cleansed. Soundness in the faith keeps leprosy from the head.”

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

It is soundness in the faith through the means of grace that will keep us free from the uncleanness of sin and makes us vessels of righteousness to the glory of God.

Catechism

Question 77

Q. Are the infants of such as are professing to be baptised?

A. The infants of such as are professing believers are not to be baptised, because there is neither command nor example in the Holy Scriptures for their baptism (Ex. 23:13; Pr. 30:6).

Popularity: unranked [?]

Leviticus 12

Prayer

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin [is] ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done [this] evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, [and] be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden [part] thou shalt make me to know wisdom. (Ps. 51:1-6)

Today’s Hymn

Words: Written by German Jesuits as Schönster Herr Jesu in the 17th Century. Published in the Münster Gesangbuch, 1677, and translated from German to English by Joseph A. Seiss, 1873.

FAIREST LORD JESUS
Click here for tune.

Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my souls glory, joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels Heavn can boast.

All fairest beauty, heavenly and earthly,
Wondrously, Jesus, is found in Thee;
None can be nearer, fairer or dearer,
Than Thou, my Savior, art to me.

Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forever more be Thine.

Thought Provoker

Have you ever considered what life would be like had Adam not sinned in the garden? What if Adam had passed the test of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and had chosen to submit himself to the will of God and abstain from the tree? How would our lives be different? One thing we know for sure, there were certain things that were changed for the worse as part of God’s curse upon the man and the woman for their sin. Each was directly related to their respective roles, for the man he would toil in providing food, for the woman she would toil in giving birth. Scripture affirms that children are still a blessing, the fall notwithstanding, but how much more of a blessing would the command to be fruitful and multiply be, were it not for the added pains now attendant upon this duty?

Dad’s Study

In Leviticus 12 we come to the laws concerning uncleannes and purification. In the previous chapters we have considered unclean animals and we now come to uncleanness as it relates to people. The first deals with the uncleanness of the woman related to childbirth, perhaps this is first because all begins here. This uncleanness signifies the pollution of sin we are all conceived and born under. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Ps. 51:5) As a result of this uncleanness the woman was to separated from all things holy until such time as she was purified. She was not allowed to enter the sanctuary or touch an consecrated thing. Nothing unclean can come into the presence of the most Holy God. The cleansing for this sin is different after the birth of a boy as opposed to a girl. There is no explanation given for this difference and perhaps it is only because that was the will of the lawgiver. Some have suggested that perhaps it was because the woman was first in man’s transgression in the fall, 1Tim. 2:14, or perhaps that with a male child there was the shedding of the male child’s blood in circumcision and that somehow bears a portion of the burden of this purification thus lessening the time for the mother; or perhaps it is to show that the women were to be purified, sanctified, and saved by one of the other sex, the man Christ Jesus, without whom they should have still continued in their impurity. That man’s sinful nature lies at the root of this uncleanness is clear by the atoning offerings that were required; the burnt offering and the sin offering. The burnt offering signified the offerors complete surrender to God and the sin offering is not for a specific sin, that was the trespass offering, but for the atonement for the person of the offender. The sin offering symbolised redemption in general, that which is necessary for all who are conceived and born in iniquity.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

This ceremonial uncleanness should be a reminder to us all that we are born in sin and that this natural corruption is sufficient to separate us from all holy things, especially our Creator. Were it not for His mercy in providing the atoning sin offering of His Son Jesus Christ we would all be separated from Him eternally. But just as the law required the sinner to appropriate the offering and bring it to the doorway of the tent of meeting for sacrifice so we too must appropriate the atonement for our sins by faith. We do so by trusting in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ in bearing our unrighteousness on the cross. He has cleansed and purified all who believe in Him with the shedding of His own blood. Repent of your sins, totally surrender yourself to God and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins today.

Catechism

Question 77

Q. Are the infants of such as are professing to be baptised?

A. The infants of such as are professing believers are not to be baptised, because there is neither command nor example in the Holy Scriptures for their baptism (Ex. 23:13; Pr. 30:6).

Popularity: 1% [?]

Prayer

“Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” Psalm 29:2

Today’s Hymn

Words: Written by German Jesuits as Schönster Herr Jesu in the 17th Century. Published in the Münster Gesangbuch, 1677, and translated from German to English by Joseph A. Seiss, 1873.

FAIREST LORD JESUS
Click here for tune.

Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my souls glory, joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels Heavn can boast.

All fairest beauty, heavenly and earthly,
Wondrously, Jesus, is found in Thee;
None can be nearer, fairer or dearer,
Than Thou, my Savior, art to me.

Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forever more be Thine.

Thought Provoker

Question: In the beginning, did God create animals as clean and unclean? Dont answer too quickly! Consider this: If not, then why did God distinguish animals as clean or unclean to Noah (Genesis 7:2, 8:20)?

Answer: Of course, we know that all of Gods creatures were created good and pure (Genesis 1:31). Through one man sin entered the world, while animals and other creatures were not contaminated by sin; these suffer under its consequences.

Dad’s Study

The next five chapters deal with matters of ceremonial cleanness and uncleanness. If the Hebrews became “defiled,” they could not participate until they were “cleansed.” A holy people must be holy in every area of life. God used even food to illustrate the difference between what is clean and unclean.

Two qualifications of clean animals are that they “chew the cud” and have a “cloven hoof.” A spiritual application is that Christians should meditate on Gods Word (chew the cud) and live a separated life (cloven hoof).

A clean fish was one that has both scales and fins. Scales are a layer of protection. Believers have been provided a layer of protection by God against the world, often best pictured by Paul as armor in Ephesians 6. Fins enable fish to navigate without being consumed by their under-water world. For the Christian, God provides grace–His divine power–that we might live in this world, but not be overcome by it.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

What did God want to accomplish in giving these laws? He desired that His people recognize His holiness and the necessity for His people to be holy as well (v. 45).

Some may ask whether Christians are required to follow the dietary laws. Here is one authors response: “In Mark 7:18-19, the Lord Jesus declared all foods to be ceremonially clean. And Paul taught that no food should be refused if it is received with thanksgiving (1Timothy 4:1-5). However, even that would not include foods that are contaminated, culturally unacceptable, or digestively disagreeable to a person.”

Catechism

Question 77

Q. Are the infants of such as are professing to be baptised?

A. The infants of such as are professing believers are not to be baptised, because there is neither command nor example in the Holy Scriptures for their baptism (Ex. 23:13; Pr. 30:6).

Popularity: 1% [?]

Leviticus 10

Prayer

“I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” —Psalm 18:3

Today’s Hymn

Words: Written by German Jesuits as Schönster Herr Jesu in the 17th Century. Published in the Münster Gesangbuch, 1677, and translated from German to English by Joseph A. Seiss, 1873.

FAIREST LORD JESUS
Click here for tune.

Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my souls glory, joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels Heavn can boast.

All fairest beauty, heavenly and earthly,
Wondrously, Jesus, is found in Thee;
None can be nearer, fairer or dearer,
Than Thou, my Savior, art to me.

Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forever more be Thine.

Thought Provoker

About this time each year a public awareness campaign begins again in Southern California to help prevent accidental fires from igniting all the dry ground cover. Slogans such as “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires” abound. The message is easy to understand and the results of disregarding it sometimes will last for years. For all the effort in this yearly campaign some wonder, “does it actually work?”

This is often the question churches and families ask when deciding how they will serve, follow, and obey the Lord, “Does it work?” We all know that disastrous consequences await those who “play with fire” (fail to obey according to Gods command).

That is what happened to Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Dad’s Study

In Leviticus 9:23-24, God used fire to indicate the appearance of His glory in the Tabernacle and the acceptance of the offering. This was the grand culmination of all that God had been preparing in the desert. Leviticus 1-7 teach that God must be approached by sacrificial offerings. Leviticus 8-9 have taught that our sins are mediated by the priesthood. Leviticus 10 demonstrates that even the priests (like the sacrifices) are insufficient to save. Only by Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice and His continuous intercession can any be redeemed. Anything less–or adding something more–is like playing with fire.

10:1-11 “The Sin of Nadab and Abihu”

What was Nadab and Abihus sin? (v. 1, They didn’t do what God commanded–they took fire from a source other than the brazen altar). If you look back through chapters 8 and 9, you may notice that the phrase “the Lord commanded” is repeated 11 times.

How did God discipline Nadab and Abihu? (v. 2, They died immediately). Compare a similar consequence with Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5.

How did God emphasize the seriousness of Nadab and Abihu’s sin? (vv. 6-7, Aaron, Eleazar and Ithamar were not permitted to mourn Nadab and Abihu’s death).

10:12-20 “The Sin of Eleazar and Ithamar”

What was Eleazar and Ithamar’s sin? (v. 16, They didn’t do what God commanded–they burned the sacrifice instead of eating it).

How did God discipline Eleazar and Ithamar? (v. 16, Moses reprimanded them through questions and anger).

Why didn’t God emphasize the seriousness of their sin? (v.19-20, God knew Aaron’s heart. Aaron had obeyed the spirit of the Law, but not the letter. Moses looked on the outward action, but God looked on the heart and forgave them, evidenced by Moses satisfaction with Aaron’s answer).

First Peter 2:9 says that genuine believers are a “royal priesthood.” From Leviticus 10 we can learn at least two important lessons.

For Nadab and Abihu strange fire “worked” for them. Has God prescribed by what means we are to live His life and to carry out His work? If so, what are these? Are you willing to forsake the “does it work?” scheme so prevalent today?

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

With such a strong warning by the death of their brothers, Eleazar and Ithamar were motivated to not do wrong, but did anyway. What precautions can you take to keep from becoming complacent and rebellious toward God? Does familiarity with Gods ways and Word help or hinder you in obedience?

Catechism

Question 77

Q. Are the infants of such as are professing to be baptised?

A. The infants of such as are professing believers are not to be baptised, because there is neither command nor example in the Holy Scriptures for their baptism (Ex. 23:13; Pr. 30:6).

Popularity: unranked [?]