Monite Me 31, 2021

that a light may be kept burning

ke ai ha maama ke ulo ma‘u pē

Levitiko 24 (Leviticus 24)

 

* G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible*

 As this chapter is read, it seems at first to be out of place or out of order. Yet undoubtedly it is not so. The fact that we may not be able clearly to see the connection does not warrant its omission or give us any ground for placing it elsewhere.

 In it provision was made concerning the oil and the shewbread. It would seem that the ingathering of harvest being complete and the feast thereof arranged for, in the giving of the laws they were thus reminded of the claims. of God on their produce, especially in the two matters which indicated their responsibility of light bearing and their privilege of communion.

 Here also we have a fragment of history. It is the story of the blasphemer upon whom punishment fell. It may be that it was inserted here because of its occurrence during the period of the promulgation of the laws.

 In any case, the point emphasized is that if for any reason a stranger take up his abode within the circle of the divine government, he is amenable to the laws thereof. Among the people under the Kingship of Jehovah taking His name in vain was a most heinous offense, and the man guilty thereof suffered the extreme penalty.

 (v. 1-4) 1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil from beaten olives for the lamp, that a light may be kept burning regularly. 3 Outside the veil of the testimony, in the tent of meeting, Aaron shall arrange it from evening to morning before the Lord regularly. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. 4 He shall arrange the lamps on the lampstand of pure gold before the Lord regularly.

 (v. 1-4) 1 PEA folofola ‘a Sihova kia Mōsese, ‘o pehē, 2 Fekau ki ha‘a ‘Isileli ke nau ‘omi kiate koe ha lolo ‘ōlive ma‘a, ko e lolo kuo tuki ki he maama; koe‘uhi ke ai ha maama ke ulo ma‘u pē. 3 ‘E teuteu ia ‘e ‘Ēlone ma‘u ai pē, mei he efiafi ki he ‘apongipongi, ‘i he ‘ao ‘o e ‘Eiki, ‘i he tu‘a tatau ‘o e fakamo‘oni‘anga ‘i he Tēniti Fe‘iloaki‘anga. 4 Te ne teuteu ‘a e ngaahi nge‘esi maama ‘i he funga tu‘unga maama ma‘a ‘i he ‘ao ‘o Sihova ma‘u ai pē.

 

*Commentary: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible*

 Verses 1-9

1-9 The loaves of bread typify Christ as the Bread of life, and the food of the souls of his people. He is the Light of his church, the Light of the world; in and through his word this light shines. By this light we discern the food prepared for our souls; and we should daily, but especially from sabbath to sabbath, feed thereon in our hearts with thanksgiving. And as the loaves were left in the sanctuary, so should we abide with God till he dismiss us.

 

 Sapate Me 30, 2021

the appointed feasts of the Lord

ko e ngaahi ‘aho tu‘utu‘uni ‘a Sihova 

Levitiko 13 (Leviticus 13)

(v.1-2) 1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, These are the appointed feasts of the Lord that you shall proclaim as holy convocations; they are my appointed feasts.

(v. 1-2) 1 PEA folofola ‘a Sihova kia Mōsese, ‘o pehē, 2 Lea ki ha‘a ‘Isileli, pea tala kiate kinautolu, ko e ngaahi ‘aho tu‘utu‘uni ‘a Sihova, ‘a ia te mou fanongonongo ‘o tala ke fakataha tapu–ko eni ia ‘eku ngaahi ‘aho kotofa ko ia.

 

* G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible*

The feasts of Jehovah were national l signs and symbols. These were now dealt with. The foremost place was given to the Sabbath. Its constant recurrence, governed not by the natural order, but by the divine enactment, spoke ever of infinite things and eternal values.

The year commenced with the feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread, thus ever reminding the people of the fundamental truths concerning their national existence.

The feast of Firstfruits was to be observed in the land. It marked the fact of possession and was to be characterized by joyfulness.

After a lapse of seven full weeks during which harvest was gathered, the feast of Harvest was observed, this being a recognition that all came from God.

The seventh month was the most sacred month of the year. In it two great ordinances were observed: the Day of Atonement and the feast of Tabernacles, these being preceded by the feast of Trumpets. The Day of Atonement has already been described (chapter 16). Here it is placed among the feasts of Jehovah. All the other feasts were seasons of joy. This was to be a day of diction. Nevertheless, in the profoundest sense it was a day of feasting and rejoicing. The mourning was the method, but joy was the issue.

The final feast of the year was that of Tabernacles. By dwelling in booths the people were reminded of the pilgrim character of their life under the government of God. It was to be preeminently a feast of joy. Readiness to obey the will of God is the occasion of songs rather than dirges.

 

*Commentary: The NIV Study Bible*

Holy Feasts

The Sabbath principle permeates each of these feasts, which are intended to express the divine-human relationship. Each feast requires (1) cessation from ordinary work and (2) dedication to the Lord by means of offerings.

Feast      Gen Time of yr     SpecificTime           today                            importance           

Sabbath     Weekly  7th day                                Saturday                         Creation

Passover    Spring    14^th 1st mo.(Abib)              Mar/Apr(Easter)               Salvation

Firstfruits   Spring    16^th of 1st mo.(Abib)          Mar/Apr(Easter)               Dedication

Weeks        Spring    1st of 3rd mo.(Sivan)          Pentecost                        Dedication

Trumpets    Fall          1st of 7th mo.(Tishri)         September                     Solemn                                                                                                                                 assembly

Day of Atonement    10th of 7^th mo.(Tishri)Sep/Oct                                Redemption

Booths        Fall          15th-22nd of 7^th mo.          Sep/Oct            Joyful remembrance

                                                                                           of the Lord's historic guidance

*The Feast of Unleavened Bread directly follows Passover, 15th-21st days of the month.

 Tokonaki Me 29, 2021

which they dedicate to me…I am the Lord

‘oku nau fakatāpui ma‘aku: ko Sihova au 

Levitiko 22 (Leviticus 22)

 

* G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible*

Instructions already given are now repeated with greater detail and wider application. Not only must the priest himself be free from blemish and defilement, he must see to it that all that which he offered was to be of the same character. Yet again, he was not to exercise hospitality toward those who were unclean or strangers to the covenant of the things which pertained to the House of his God.

These stringent instructions closed with a reaffirmation of the reason, which had been given in other connections, "I am Jehovah . . . I will be hallowed among the children of Israel." Thus these people were never allowed to lose sight of the fact that the deepest purpose of their existence was the manifestation of the truth concerning God. All the degradation existing among the nations was due to the false ideas of God which characterized their life and worship. Jehovah is the God of holiness because He is essentially the God of love. These are the profoundest things that nations can learn. A people created for their manifestation must share in that holiness and in that love. Hence the absolute necessity for entire loyalty in personal life and relative conduct of the men who are to interpret to the surrounding nations the truth concerning God.

(v. 1-3) 1 PEA folofola ‘a Sihova kia Mōsese, ‘o pehē, 2 Lea kia ‘Ēlone mo hono ngaahi foha ke nau fakatāpui kinautolu mei he ngaahi me‘a tapu ‘a ha‘a ‘Isileli, ‘o ‘oua te nau maumau ‘a e tapu ‘a hoku hingoa ‘i he ngaahi me‘a ‘oku nau fakatāpui ma‘aku: ko Sihova au. 3 Tala kiate kinautolu, ‘Ilonga ha taha ‘i homou hako ‘i homou ngaahi to‘utangata ‘a ia te ne ‘unu‘unu ki he ngaahi me‘a tapu, ‘a ia ‘oku fakatāpui ‘e ha‘a ‘Isileli kia Sihova, ka ‘oku ‘iate ia hano ta‘ema‘a‘anga, ‘e tu‘usi ‘a e laumālie ko ia mei hoku ‘ao: ko Sihova au.

(v. 1-3) 1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to Aaron and his sons so that they abstain from the holy things of the people of Israel, which they dedicate to me, so that they do not profane my holy name: I am the Lord. 3 Say to them, ‘If any one of all your offspring throughout your generations approaches the holy things that the people of Israel dedicate to the Lord, while he has an uncleanness, that person shall be cut off from my presence: I am the Lord.

 

*Commentary: David Guzik – Study Guide to Leviticus*

Who goes near the holy things which the children of Israel dedicate to the LORD, while he has uncleanness upon him, that person shall be cut off: Because the Old Covenant was a covenant of shadows and types, pointing to the glory of the New Covenant (Colossians 2:16-17; Hebrews 8:4-5; 10:1), the idea that a priest could not minister in a ceremonially defiled (unclean) state was important. Israel needed to know that drawing close to God was to be pure.

 Falaite Me 28, 2021

No one shall make himself unclean for the dead

‘E ‘ikai fakata‘ema‘a ia ‘e ha taha koe‘uhi ko ha me‘a faka‘eiki 

Levitiko 21 (Leviticus 21)

 

*Commentary: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible*

Verses 1-24

As these priests were types of Christ, so all ministers must be followers of him, that their example may teach others to imitate the Saviour. Without blemish, and separate from sinners, He executed his priestly office on earth. What manner of persons then should his ministers be! But all are, if Christians, spiritual priests; the minister especially is called to set a good example, that the people may follow it. Our bodily infirmities, blessed be God, cannot now shut us out from his service, from these privileges, or from his heavenly glory. Many a healthful, beautiful soul is lodged in a feeble, deformed body. And those who may not be suited for the work of the ministry, may serve God with comfort in other duties in his church.

(v. 1-3) 1 And the Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them, No one shall make himself unclean for the dead among his people, 2 except for his closest relatives, his mother, his father, his son, his daughter, his brother, 3 or his virgin sister (who is near to him because she has had no husband; for her he may make himself unclean).

(v. 1-3) 1 PEA folofola ‘a Sihova kia Mōsese, ‘o pehē, Lea ki he kau taula‘eiki ko e fānau ‘a ‘Ēlone, pea tala kiate kinautolu, ‘E ‘ikai fakata‘ema‘a ia ‘e ha taha koe‘uhi ko ha me‘a faka‘eiki ‘i hono kakai; 2 ngata pē ‘i hono kakano totonu, ha taha ofi kiate ia, ‘o pehē ko ‘ene fa‘ē, pe tamai, pe foha, pe ‘ōfefine, pe tokoua. 3 Kapau ko hono tuofefine foki ‘oku tāupo‘ou, ‘oku ofi ia kiate ia he kuo te‘eki hano husepāniti; ‘e ngofua ‘ene fakata‘ema‘a ia koe‘uhi ko ia.

 

*Commentary: The Reformation Study Bible*

21:1-24 Ceremonial cleanliness regulations specific to the priests are re-

corded. These deal with priests in general (vv. 1-9), the high priest (vv. 10-15), and priests suffering from defects (vv. 16-24). All priests who serve within the tabernacle have to show God's holiness in their character and in their bodies.

Because their duties bring them closer to God, it is essential that they be holy. Holiness in restored man ultimately involves his perfection and health (fullness of life; freedom from mortality and decay), so priests with certain handicaps are forbidden to offer sacrifice (vv.17-21). Wholeness is closely associated with holiness. But handicapped priests still enjoy a full share of priestly provisions (v.22).

21:1 Holiness (as a key attribute of God, who is Himself life) and death are incompatible; therefore, priests may not mourn for any save their closest relatives (vv. 2, 3).

 Tu’apulelulu Me 27, 2021 

who gives any of his children to Molech

kuo ne ‘atu hano hako kia Moloke

Levitiko 20 (Leviticus 20)

(v. 9) 1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Say to the people of Israel, Any one of the people of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech shall surely be put to death. The people of the land shall stone him with stones. 3 I myself will set my face against that man and will cut him off from among his people, because he has given one of his children to Molech, to make my sanctuary unclean and to profane my holy name.

(v. 1-3) 1 PEA na‘e folofola ‘a Sihova kia Mōsese, ‘o pehē, 2 Te ke tala foki ki ha‘a ‘Isileli, ‘Ilonga ‘a ia ‘i ha‘a ‘Isileli, pe ‘i ha‘a muli ‘oku ‘āunofo mai ki ‘Isileli, ‘a ia te ne ‘atu hano hako kia Moloke; ‘e mate tāmate‘i ia: ‘e tolomaka‘i ‘e he kakai ‘o e fonua. 3 Ko au foki te u hāngai mamahi ki he tokotaha ko ia, pea te u tu‘usi ia mei hono kakai; koe‘uhi kuo ne ‘atu hano hako kia Moloke ke fakata‘ema‘a hoku fale tapu, pea ke fakame‘avale‘i hoku hingoa tapu.

 

*Commentary: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible*

Are we shocked at the unnatural cruelty of the ancient idolaters in sacrificing their children? We may justly be so. But are there not very many parents, who, by bad teaching and wicked examples, and by the mysteries of iniquity which they show their children, devote them to the service of Satan, and forward their everlasting ruin, in a manner even more to be lamented? What an account must such parents render to God, and what a meeting will they have with their children at the day of judgment! On the other hand, let children remember that he who cursed father or mother was surely put to death. This law Christ confirmed. Laws which were made before are repeated, and penalties annexed to them. If men will not avoid evil practices, because the law has made these practices sin, and it is right that we go on that principle, surely they should avoid them when the law has made them death, from a principle of self-preservation. In the midst of these laws comes in a general charge, Sanctify yourselves, and be ye holy. It is the Lord that sanctifies, and his work will be done, though it be difficult. Yet his grace is so far from doing away our endeavours, that it strongly encourages them. Work out your salvation, for it is God that worketh in you.

 Pulelulu Me 26, 2021

You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people

‘E ‘ikai te ke ‘alu fano ‘i he lotolotonga ‘o ho kakai ke fakakovi

Levitiko 19 (Leviticus 19)

(v. 16-17) 16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord. 17 “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.

(v. 16-17) 16 ‘E ‘ikai te ke ‘alu fano ‘i he lotolotonga ‘o ho kakai ke fakakovi: pea ‘e ‘ikai te ke kumi ki he toto ‘o ho kaungā‘api: ko Sihova au. 17 ‘E ‘ikai te ke tauhi ‘i ho loto ‘a e fehi‘a ki ho tokoua: te ke mātu‘aki valoki si‘i kāinga ko ia, ‘o ‘oua ‘e fua hia koe‘uhi ko ia.

 

*Morning Devotion: Charles Haddon Spurgeon *

19:16, 17

Tale-bearing emits a threefold poison; for it injures the teller, the hearer, and the person concerning whom the tale is told. Whether the report be true or false, we are by this precept of God's Word forbidden to spread it. The reputations of the Lord's people should be very precious in our sight, and we should count it shame to help the devil to dishonour the Church and the name of the Lord. Some tongues need a bridle rather than a spur. Many glory in pulling down their brethren, as if thereby they raised themselves. Noah's wise sons cast a mantle over their father, and he who exposed him earned a fearful curse. We may ourselves one of these dark days need forbearance and silence from our brethren, let us render it cheerfully to those who require it now. Be this our family rule, and our personal bond - SPEAK EVIL OF NO MAN.

The Holy Spirit, however, permits us to censure sin, and prescribes the way in which we are to do it. It must be done by rebuking our brother to his face, not by railing behind his back. This course is manly, brotherly, Christlike, and under God's blessing will be useful. Does the flesh shrink from it? Then we must lay the greater stress upon our conscience, and keep ourselves to the work, lest by suffering sin upon our friend we become ourselves partakers of it. Hundreds have been saved from gross sins by the timely, wise, affectionate warnings of faithful ministers and brethren. Our Lord Jesus has set us a gracious example of how to deal with erring friends in His warning given to Peter, the prayer with which He preceded it, and the gentle way in which He bore with Peter's boastful denial that he needed such a caution.

 Tusite Me 25, 2021

Ko Sihova au ko homou ‘Otua

I am the LORD your God 

Levitiko 18 (Leviticus 18)

* G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible*

At this point in the enunciation of the laws of separation they assume a slightly altered character. So far, the fundamental matters of relationships to God have been the principal note. Now the habits of the life of separation are more particularly dealt with. The enactments here recorded especially recognize the perils which would surround these people on account of the habits and customs of the people by whom they would be surrounded in the land.

 

In view of these there was first a call to separation in general terms. Jehovah asserted Himself as being their God and distinctly forbade their conforming their actions to the doings either of Egypt or of Canaan, accompanying the commandment with a promise that if they obeyed Him they should live thereby.

 

Then followed the naming of certain evil practices of the people of these lands, certain abominations which had cursed the whole life of the peoples.

 

In this connection occurs a most important declaration, explaining the judgment of God upon the people of these lands. It is that the reason for such judgment is to be found in the practice of these abominations with terrible effects produced upon the peoples, so that they were utterly corrupt. All this emphasizes the paramount importance of the insistence on the necessity that the people of God should not be influenced by such practices.

 

(v. 1-4) 1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, I am the Lord your God. 3 You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. 4 You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the Lord your God.

 

(v. 1-4) 1 PEA folofola ‘a Sihova kia Mōsese, ‘o pehē, 2 Lea ki ha‘a ‘Isileli, pea ke tala kiate kinautolu, 3 Ko Sihova au ko homou ‘Otua. ‘E ‘ikai te mou fai ‘o hangē ko e fai ‘a e fonua ko ‘Isipite, ‘a ia na‘a mou nofo ai, pea ‘e ‘ikai te mou fai ‘o hangē ko e fai ‘a e fonua ko Kēnani, ‘a ia ‘oku taki kimoutolu ki ai: pea ‘e ‘ikai te mou fou ‘i he‘enau ngaahi tu‘utu‘uni. 4 Ko e konisitūtone ‘a‘aku te mou fai ki ai, pea ko e ngaahi tu‘utu‘uni ‘a‘aku te mou tauhi ke mou fou ai: ko Sihova au ko homou ‘Otua.

 

*Commentary: David Guzik – Study Guide to Leviticus*

I am the LORD your God. According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do: Before God gave a single command in this area, He first established a foundation for the whole matter. He declared this principle: "You belong to Me, you shall not do as the world does."

"The Persians, for example, encouraged marital unions with mothers, daughters and sisters, on the ground that such relationships had special merit in the eyes of the gods." (Harrison)

Sadly, the Christians today often take their standard of sexual conduct from the world, and not from God and His Word. Clearly, Christians should be different from the world in their sexual morality, and they should follow a Biblical standard of sexual morality. In the early church, one argument for the truth of Christianity offered by Christians was "You can know it's true by looking at our lives." Today, the Christian world says, "Don't look at me, look at Jesus."

 Monite Me 24, 2021

in front of the tabernacle of the Lord

‘i he ‘ao ‘o e Tāpanekale ‘o Sihova 

Levitiko 17 (Leviticus 17)

(v. 1-4) 1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to Aaron and his sons and to all the people of Israel and say to them, This is the thing that the Lord has commanded. 3 If any one of the house of Israel kills an ox or a lamb or a goat in the camp, or kills it outside the camp, 4 and does not bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting to offer it as a gift to the Lord in front of the tabernacle of the Lord, bloodguilt shall be imputed to that man. He has shed blood, and that man shall be cut off from among his people.

(v. 1-4) 1 PEA folofola ‘a e ‘Eiki kia Mōsese, ‘o pehē, 2 Lea kia ‘Ēlone mo hono ngaahi foha, pea ki ha‘a ‘Isileli kotoa, pea ke fakahā kiate kinautolu; ko eni ‘a e me‘a kuo tu‘utu‘uni ‘e Sihova: 3 ‘Ilonga ha tangata ‘i he fale ‘o ‘Isileli, ‘a ia ‘oku ne tāmate‘i ha pulu pe lami pe kosi ‘i he ‘apitanga, pe ‘oku ne tāmate‘i ‘i he tu‘a ‘apitanga, 4 ka kuo ‘ikai te ne ‘omi mu‘a ki he mata Tēniti Fe‘iloaki‘anga, ke kōpano ‘aki ki he ‘Eiki ‘i he ‘ao ‘o e Tāpanekale ‘o Sihova: ‘e lau toto ki he tangata ko ia; kuo ne lingi toto; pea ‘e tu‘usi ‘a e tangata ko ia mei hono kakai:

 

*Commentary: Matthew Henry*

After the law concerning the atonement to be made for all Israel by the high priest, at the tabernacle, with the blood of bulls and goats, in this chapter we have two prohibitions necessary for the preservation of the honour of that atonement.

That no sacrifice should be offered by any other than the priests, nor any where but at the door of the tabernacle, and this upon pain of death (v. 1-9).

That no blood should be eaten, and this under the same penalty (v. 10, etc.).

*Commentary: David Guzik – Study Guide to Leviticus*

Prohibition of sacrifice outside the tabernacle.

(Lev 17:1-4) Sacrifice must be at the tabernacle and by the appointed priests.

Bring it to the door of the tabernacle of meeting: In the pagan world at that time, it was customary to offer sacrifice wherever one pleased. Altars were customarily be built on high hills, in forested areas, or at other special places.

The guilt of bloodshed shall be imputed to that man: This looser attitude towards the place of sacrifice may have been fine for the time of the patriarchs. Yet now with a centralized place of worship, the Israelites were not allowed to offer sacrifice any way they pleased - they had to come to the tabernacle and have their sacrifice administered by the priests. If they disobeyed, they would be cut off from among the people - exiled from their community.

This command runs completely contrary to the way most people come to God in our culture. The modern world is characterized by an entirely individualistic way of coming to God, where each person makes up their own rules about dealing with God as they see Him.

In the book Habits of the Heart, Robert Bellah and his colleagues interviewed a young nurse named Sheila Larson, whom they describe as representing many Americans' experience and views on religion. Speaking about her own faith and how it operates in her life, she said: "I believe in God. I'm not a religious fanatic. I can't remember the last time I went to church. My faith has carried me a long way. It is 'Sheilaism.' Just my own little voice." This instinct for an individualistic, set-your-own-rules religion is given free reign in our modern world.