Leviticus chapters 17-26 contain several distinctive features that set it apart as a distinctive unit, which scholars call the "Holiness Code" because it repeatedly employs the phrase: "Be Holy because I, the Lord your God, am Holy" (19:2; 20::7, 26; 21:6, 8). Walter Kaiser, Jr., in his New Interpreter's Bible commentary on Leviticus (Abingdon Press, 1994) notes that in addition to the the holiness theme, tone, and subject matter addressed, Leviticus 17-26 "focuses almost entirely on the Israelite people (as opposed to Aaron and the priests).
Leviticus is a book of the Law for the people - addressing everyday concerns and outlining a plan of daily life to keep them in harmony with God.
Chapter 18 (the reading for Friday, Feb. 25) contains a long list of prohibitions against specific forms of incest, explaining most of them as a form of dishonor for the male committing the incest (assumed by the second personal pronoun "you") or for the male husband or close relative of the woman with whom "you" are committing incest. An interesting topical study might involve tracing the other uses in Leviticus of the concept of honor and dishonor. But you won't get far by searching on the word "honor" or "dishonor". If you read the Jewish translation of Leviticus 18:8 (or the accurate but clunky New American Standard) you can see that the Hebrew employs a colloquialism, which modern translators have rendered into more understandable English (a translation tactic called dynamic equivalency).
In the TNIV (a modern English translation), translators have dynamically rendered Leviticus 18:8 as follows: "Do not have sexual relations with your father's wife; that would dishonor your father." The Tanakh (a Jewish translation into English, translates the phrase word-for-word): "Do not uncover the nakedness of your father's wife; it is the nakedness of your father." This euphemism sheds some light on why Noah was so angry that his son, Ham, "saw his father's nakedness" in Genesis 9:22, while his father was drunk.
Chapter 18 begins and ends by negatively comparing the customs of the Canaanites (and the Egyptians) with God's Laws. The chapter opens with this command: "You shall not copy the practices of the land of Egypt where you dwelt, or of the land of Canaan to which I am taking you; nor shall you follow their laws" (Lev 18:3 TNK). The final verse in chapter 18 summarizes the rationale for these prohibitions: "Keep my requirements and do not follow any of the detestable customs that were practiced before you came and do not defile yourselves with them. I am the LORD your God.'" (Lev 18:30 TNIV).
Later, when we begin reading about the Israelite military conquest of Canaan, we will want to remember this justification (particularly Leviticus 18:25).
Of course, Leviticus 18:22 contains the scriptural justification of the Jewish and Christian condemnation and mistreatment of homosexual persons. I have written extensively about interpretations that question the validity of that understanding of Leviticus 18:22, if you care to find out more about other ways to understand this particular verse (you can go directly to the bottom of page 13 and 14 to read my commentary on this passage). My strategy involves asking the question, "What is going on here?" or "What customs and practices of the Canaanites do these verses (21-23) presume?"
I encourage you to immerse yourself in this sometimes strange world of Leviticus in order to hear and respond to that ancient call to live a holy life, as our God is holy!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Exodus 25-28: A Tour of the Tabernacle
The details can get a little frustrating, because they differ so much from nearly everything that has gone before. In the whirlwind of detail about fabric colors and measures, poles and sockets, planks, loops and clasps, we wonder what is going on. How is this "scriptural"? Even the verse like Exodus 25:40 (Note well, and follow the patterns for them that are being shown you on the mountain) does little to contextualize this laundry list of excruciating detail.
We have talked some about the scriptures as a portable Temple in the wake of the destruction of the first and second Temple in Jerusalem (in 586 BCE and in 70 CE). The description in Exodus 25-28 paints a vivid picture of the Tabernacle, a movable Temple for the children of Israel while they journeyed in the wilderness for 40 years. It's layout and design anticipates the design of the Temple in Jerusalem, with its altar, inner space for the table and the bread of presence and the light, and inner sanctum, or Holy of Holies, shielded from all by the high priest (and even from him on all days but the Day of Atonement), where the Ark of the Covenant was kept.
The Ark itself is described as the throne of God, between the extended wings of Golden Cherubim. The dark rich colors of blue, purple, and crimson, and the rich smells of the anointing oil and heavy smoke of incense, make for a feast for the senses. Everything about the Tabernacle bears a load of meaning and promise. Here is a storehouse of memories of God's goodness and provision in the past and promise of eternal presence among the people.
The priests, too, wear vestments designed to bring to life their belief in the God they could not name or sculpt. Their tribal names were represented by precious stones worn over the heart of the priest, set in precious gold. Even the undergarments were holy - set apart for the Lord, as the children of Israel were set apart to bless the world. Later, we will read much about the complex sacrificial system of meat and grain offerings overseen by the priests.
Like the intricate system of laws we read from Exodus 20 through 24, this detailed picture of the Tabernacle invites us into the lives of an ancient family - our family - who practiced an intentional and intricate walk with God in every action, every heartbeat. Clearly, this is a stylized account - but it reflects a deep longing to order abd to orient our every breath around a conscious expectation and awareness of God's presence among us, and of our special place in God's heart.
As you read all the exquisite details of this portable Temple, perhaps you will realize that ths is your home as well, and that wherever you go, you will always be home and among family.
We have talked some about the scriptures as a portable Temple in the wake of the destruction of the first and second Temple in Jerusalem (in 586 BCE and in 70 CE). The description in Exodus 25-28 paints a vivid picture of the Tabernacle, a movable Temple for the children of Israel while they journeyed in the wilderness for 40 years. It's layout and design anticipates the design of the Temple in Jerusalem, with its altar, inner space for the table and the bread of presence and the light, and inner sanctum, or Holy of Holies, shielded from all by the high priest (and even from him on all days but the Day of Atonement), where the Ark of the Covenant was kept.
The Ark itself is described as the throne of God, between the extended wings of Golden Cherubim. The dark rich colors of blue, purple, and crimson, and the rich smells of the anointing oil and heavy smoke of incense, make for a feast for the senses. Everything about the Tabernacle bears a load of meaning and promise. Here is a storehouse of memories of God's goodness and provision in the past and promise of eternal presence among the people.
The priests, too, wear vestments designed to bring to life their belief in the God they could not name or sculpt. Their tribal names were represented by precious stones worn over the heart of the priest, set in precious gold. Even the undergarments were holy - set apart for the Lord, as the children of Israel were set apart to bless the world. Later, we will read much about the complex sacrificial system of meat and grain offerings overseen by the priests.
Like the intricate system of laws we read from Exodus 20 through 24, this detailed picture of the Tabernacle invites us into the lives of an ancient family - our family - who practiced an intentional and intricate walk with God in every action, every heartbeat. Clearly, this is a stylized account - but it reflects a deep longing to order abd to orient our every breath around a conscious expectation and awareness of God's presence among us, and of our special place in God's heart.
As you read all the exquisite details of this portable Temple, perhaps you will realize that ths is your home as well, and that wherever you go, you will always be home and among family.
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