I do a lot of sharing reflections on here from the Word in hopes it blesses you like it does me, but today I felt the need to share with you how I wrestled in the Word today. I do this daily honestly and it's how I believe the Lord brings me into revelation. All that to say as I type I can't help but cry out, "Holy Spirit give me the Words to adequately express what my mind, heart and spirit is screaming out!"
Okay there were like 2 distinct parts that had me feeling like, "what the what" today. Now before I highlight these verses I want to walk you through a bit of the process I take as I jump in the Word most mornings. It doesn't always look just like this, but Im certain you will get it.
Very last minute after several snoozes I wake up between 6-6:30 most mornings. I like literally roll off the bed to the floor. I stretch a little and then as I get up to make coffee Im already telling the Lord, "thank you, thank you, thank you!" Whether it's a good nights sleep, another day or simply the privilege to be His daughter, be a mother, etc... I want to start the day off right. #talkingtoJesus
I then mozy into the kitchen to get my coffee. As I walk back to the prayer chair in my bedroom I simply pray a little prayer like this:
Lord open yourself up to me in a new way today. Speak to me through your Word. Give me revelation and show me what I might otherwise not know!
As I dive into the Word, especially the Old Testament, I usually find myself questioning something, bothered or just taken back. There were two things that stuck out to me today that were disturbing.
By the way, for those who are joining us in our practice of reading the Bible a chapter a day, personal reflections do not have to be long by any means this happened to be a bit of a longer one for me today!!!! I had to pause when I read this particular verse because my goodness this seems quite drastic...
The daughter of any priest, if she profanes herself by playing the harlot, she profanes her father. She shall be burned with fire.” Leviticus 21:9 NKJV
The reading was certainly disturbing on many levels and left me wanting more Information. It definitely prompted me to look deeper into the realities of why this was the way that it was taking into consideration time period, cultural differences in the area and the reality that we are studying the old testament. I think it’s important to remember here that this is definitely the old covenant and everything points to the new covenant and the redemptive work of Jesus. With all this in mind I went digging a bit on the internet of the symbolism and meaning. Part of the reason this particular verse appeared to be so harsh was because sin and crime required severe consequences just to simple maintain law and order. Sin required severe consequences clearly or how would we have understood the reality of our sinful nature? Also fire symbolized a method to purify and bring judgement on someone or something.
Okay then I as I kept reading I was sad to hear people with deformities and defect were disqualified from serving the Lord as a priest.
No man of the descendants of Aaron the priest, who has a defect, shall come near to offer the offerings made by fire to the Lord. He has a defect; he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God. He may eat the bread of his God, both the most holy and the holy; Leviticus 21:21-22 NKJV
I was glad that while they couldn't serve in this capacity, the verse right after said they could partake of the bread of God. What a sweet reminder that while God is holy and requires perfection in His presence, someone with defect does not have less value to the Lord.
It truly just was the reality pointing to all the requirements to be In the holiness and perfection of God’s presence.
Now here is when it gets good. This is how the Lord typically answers my prayers specifically around my reading. It may not be right in the moment I read it, but it may come in a conversation or a reading or perhaps a Bible study I get to jump on. Sometimes it simply comes from learning from others' reading with me. I love my car ride in the morning with the kids. I had the privilege this morning of reading a devotional that happened to talk spcifically to this very topic from the side of Jesus walking on earth. I love the specific reminder for me of how he spent time with and made sure “to See!” and regard as valuable those who others would cast out, while he was here with us. He often talks of the orphans, widows, blind, foreigner, gentiles and poor. It just so ‘happened’ to include those with deformities and those who were disfigured too. I’m just an awe of how specific the Lord is with me as I read each chapter. It's like the daily text takes me on a new adventure daily with the Lord. Im able to learn, grow, adapt and trust Him through the process.
Thank you, Lord for reminding me in the simplest ways when I have concerns or questions about your goodness how GOOD you are. Thank you for allowing me to ask questions, show concern and confusion. You are so kind to me.
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