DOCSLIB.ORG

Leviticus | Learner's Guide

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Leviticus | Learner's Guide Leviticus | Learner's Guide WEEK The Danger of Disobedience 2 Leviticus 10 2 2.7.16 “Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture.” J.C. Ryle Day 1 – What Do You See? STUDY God’s Word “1Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, which he had not commanded them. 2And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘This is what the LORD has said: “Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.”’ And Aaron held his peace. 4And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, ‘Come near; carry your brothers away from the front of the sanctuary and out of the camp.’ 5So they came near and carried them in their coats out of the camp, as Moses had said. 6And Moses said to Aaron and to Eleazar and Ithamar his sons, ‘Do not let the hair of your heads hang loose, and do not tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all the congregation; but let your brothers, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning that the LORD has kindled. 7And do not go outside the entrance of the tent of meeting, lest you die, for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you.’ And they did according to the word of Moses. 8And the LORD spoke to Aaron, saying, 9’Drink no wine or strong drink, you or your sons with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. 10You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean, 11and you are to teach the people of Israel all the statutes that the LORD has spoken to them by Moses.’ 12Moses spoke to Aaron and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his surviving sons: ‘Take the grain offering that is left of the LORD’s food offerings, and eat it unleavened beside the altar, for it is most holy. 13You shall eat it in a holy place, because it is your due and your sons’ due, from the LORD’s food offerings, for so I am commanded. 14But the breast that is waved and the thigh that is contributed you shall eat in a clean place, you and your sons and your daughters with you, for they are given as your due and your sons’ due from the sacrifices of the peace offerings of the people of Israel. 15The thigh that is contributed and the breast that is waved they shall bring with the food offerings of the fat pieces to wave for a wave offering before the LORD, and it shall be yours and your sons’ with you as a due forever, as the LORD has commanded.’ 16Now Moses diligently inquired about the goat of the sin offering, and behold, it was burned up! And he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the surviving sons of Aaron, saying, 17’Why have you not eaten the sin offering in the place of the sanctuary, since it is a thing most holy and has been given to you that you may bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD? 18Behold, its blood was not brought into the inner part of the sanctuary. You certainly ought to have eaten it in the sanctuary, as I commanded.’ 19And Aaron said to Moses, ‘Behold, today they have offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the LORD, and yet such things as these have happened to me! If I had eaten the sin offering today, would the LORD have approved?’ 20And when Moses heard that, he approved.” (ESV) Q1: The abruptness of the opening verses of Leviticus 10 captures the suddenness of the change from joy to horror. All through chapters 8-9 it was repeated that everything was being done “as the Lord commanded”, but here Nadab and Abihu, the two eldest sons of Aaron, are suddenly doing what God had not commanded. On the same day that joy of obedience swept the camp of Israel, the tragedy of disobedience we seen and felt throughout the nation. Leviticus 8-10 outlines the preparation of the priests to serve in the tabernacle of the Lord as his special representatives. In chapters 8-9, Aaron and his sons are ordained to their positions, given their assignments, and they perform them in perfect obedience to the pleasure of God. In chapter 10, Aaron’s sons provoke God’s wrath through their disobedience. According to John 15:11, Romans 2:8, Romans 6:16, Colossians 3:20, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, and Hebrews 5:9, what does the Bible teach about the blessing of obedience and the consequences of disobedience? Q2: List 3 questions that you have based on your reading of Leviticus 10. Q3: Summarize Leviticus 10 in your own words. Try to limit the length of your summary to the space below. REMEMBER God’s Word “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1 PRAY God’s Word Father in Heaven, you are holy. Teach me your ways this week through my study of Leviticus. May my love of your gospel grow as I come to a deeper understanding of your holiness. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. Day 2 – Any Old Fire Will Do STUDY God’s Word Q1: Leviticus 10 breaks down into 3 parts: (1) Nadab and Abihu’s dishonor of the Lord and subsequent judgment (1-7), (2) the warning to Aaron not to follow in his son’s footsteps (8- 11), and (3) the faithfulness of Aaron to reverence the Lord through his obedience (12-20). How does chapter 10 present us with the message of the gospel? (See: John 3:36) Q2: Read Leviticus 16:1-2 together with verses 1-7. Nadab and Abihu came into the most holy place and offered “unauthorized fire” before the Lord. Leviticus 16:11-13 says that when the priest was performing a sin offering to atone for his own sins, fire from the altar was to be brought in to be offered with incense before the Lord “so that he does not die” (13). Evidently, the sons of Aaron figured, “Any fire will do”. God’s severe judgment shows this was no mere memory lapse. These priests did not treat the Lord and his commandments as holy. How might we risk having the same attitude with the Lord’s Supper? (See: 1 Cor. 11:17-34) Q3: What do you think of God’s response to the sons of Aaron? What does teach us about sin? REMEMBER God’s Word “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1 PRAY God’s Word Father in Heaven, by faith in your Son’s work on the cross for me, I approach your throne of grace with confidence. Help to pursue holiness today as I seek to represent you moment-by-moment. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. Day 3 – The Captain’s Commandments STUDY God’s Word Q1: When the captain makes a mistake, the entire ship is endangered. King Saul had a lot in common with Nadab and Abihu. Read 1 Samuel 15:22. What does God desire our worship to be about? Q2: Though the text is not specific, verses 8-11 have led some scholars to suggest that Nadab and Abihu may have been drunk when they offered “unauthorized fire” to the Lord. List 3 reasons why the Lord forbids Aaron from drinking wine before entering the tent of meeting. Q3: Over and over again in the Bible we see that greater privilege exposes people to more severe discipline. Moses never saw the Promised Land because he disrespected God’s holiness (Num. 20:12). Israel squandered their special status with God by turning to foreign God’s and breaking his covenant so God sent them into exile. Read Luke 10:12-15, Heb. 10:26-31, and James 3:1. What does the New Testament say about God’s response to disobedience among the church’s leaders? How might his help you obey Hebrew 13:17? REMEMBER God’s Word “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1 PRAY God’s Word Father in Heaven, thank you for the men you’ve given to our church to teach us and to set an example of godliness for us to emulate. Give them grace today to pursue obedience and to live by your Word. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. Day 4 – The Priest and His People STUDY God’s Word Q1: In verses 12-20 of Leviticus 10, Moses repeats the instructions that he’d previously given to Aaron in 7:28-34. Why? It’s likely that Moses wanted to reemphasis the necessity of full obedience to God’s instruction in light of what just happened to Nadab and Abihu.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • University of Groningen Moses and His Parents Ruiten, J.T.A.G.M
    University of Groningen Moses and His Parents Ruiten, J.T.A.G.M. van Published in: EPRINTS-BOOK-TITLE IMPORTANT NOTE: You are advised to consult the publisher's version (publisher's PDF) if you wish to cite from it. Please check the document version below. Document Version Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record Publication date: 2006 Link to publication in University of Groningen/UMCG research database Citation for published version (APA): Ruiten, J. T. A. G. M. V. (2006). Moses and His Parents: The Intertextual Relationship between Exodus 1. In EPRINTS-BOOK-TITLE s.n.. Copyright Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download or to forward/distribute the text or part of it without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license (like Creative Commons). Take-down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. Downloaded from the University of Groningen/UMCG research database (Pure): http://www.rug.nl/research/portal. For technical reasons the number of authors shown on this cover page is limited to 10 maximum. Download date: 26-09-2021 Moses and His Parents: The Intertextual Relationship between Exodus 1:22-2:10 and Jubilees 47:1-9 J. T. A. G. M. van Ruiten 1. Introduction The book of Jubilees consists of a rewriting of the biblical narrative of the book of Genesis: the primeval history and the history of the patriarchs, with a special emphasis on Jacob.
    [Show full text]
  • Usiel (Uziel, Uzziel) - (“Strength of God”)
    Usiel (Uziel, Uzziel) - (“strength of God”). in the cabala generally, as in Targum Onkeles and Jonathan, Usiel is an angel that fell, and is therefore evil; he was among those who wedded human wives and begat giants. Of the 10 unholy sefiroth, Usiel is listed 5th. In the Book of the Angel Raziel, Usiel (Uzziel) is among the 7 angels before the throne of God and among 9 set over the 4 winds. Usiel replaces Uriel in the reprint English translation of Verus Jesuitarum Libellus (“True Magical Work of the Jesuits”). The Key to Faust’s Threefold Harrowing of Hell (otherwise known as a Key to Black Raven) contains a general conjuration to Usiel and a list of his adjutant princes. Finally, according to Milton, Usiel is a good angel, of the order of virtues, a lieutenant of Gabriel’s in the fighting in Heaven at the time of Satan’s defection. http://www.megadriel.com/bios/u.html Usiel: “the Lord is strength”; from the Book of Enoch http://www.kheperu.org/other/other2.html http://angelsreading.com/usiel/ Uzziel 1 Uzziel This article is about the biblical figure. For the Mishnah rabbi, see Jonathan ben Uzziel. ʿÛzîʾēl, meaning El is my strength or God is my strength[1]) was ,עוּזִיאֵל :According to the Torah, Uzziel (Hebrew the father of Mishael, Elzaphan, and Zithri, and was a son of Kohath and grandson of Levi, consequently being the brother of Amram and uncle of Aaron, Miriam, and Moses. Uzziel is portrayed in the text as the founder of the Uzzielite faction of Levites; however, despite Uzziel supposedly being Kohath's son, and Elzaphan's father, on some occasions the Book of Chronicles treats the Uzzielites as being quite distinct from the descendants of Kohath, and from those of Elzaphan.
    [Show full text]
  • 10 So Moses and Aaron Went to Pharaoh and Did Just As the Lord Commanded
    Today’s Scripture Reading Exodus 6:14-7:13 14 These are the heads of their fathers' houses: the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi; these are the clans of Reuben. 15 The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman; these are the clans of Simeon. 16 These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, the years of the life of Levi being 137 years. 17 The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, by their clans. 18 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, the years of the life of Kohath being 133 years. ! 6:14-7:13 19 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites according to their generations. 20 Amram took as his wife Jochebed his father's sister, and she bore him Aaron and Moses, the years of the life of Amram being 137 years. 21 The sons of Izhar: Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri. 22 The sons of Uzziel: Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri. 23 Aaron took as his wife Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and the sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 24 The sons of Korah: Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the clans of the Korahites. ! 6:14-7:13 25 Eleazar, Aaron's son, took as his wife one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites by their clans.
    [Show full text]
  • Traditions About Miriam in the Qumran Scrolls
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Faculty Publications, Classics and Religious Studies Department Classics and Religious Studies 2003 Traditions about Miriam in the Qumran Scrolls Sidnie White Crawford University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/classicsfacpub Part of the Classics Commons Crawford, Sidnie White, "Traditions about Miriam in the Qumran Scrolls" (2003). Faculty Publications, Classics and Religious Studies Department. 97. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/classicsfacpub/97 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Classics and Religious Studies at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Publications, Classics and Religious Studies Department by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Published in STUDIES IN JEWISH CIVILIZATION, VOLUME 14: WOMEN AND JUDAISM, ed. Leonard J. Greenspoon, Ronald A. Simkins, & Jean Axelrad Cahan (Omaha: Creighton University Press, 2003), pp. 33-44. Traditions about Miriam in the Qumran Scrolls Sidnie White Crawford The literature of Second Temple Judaism (late sixth century BCE to 70 CE) contains many compositions that focus on characters and events known from the biblical texts. The characters or events in these new compositions are developed in various ways: filling in gaps in the biblical account, offering explanations for difficult passages, or simply adding details to the lives of biblical personages to make them fuller and more interesting characters. For example, the work known as Joseph andAseneth focuses on the biblical character Aseneth, the Egyptian wife of Joseph, mentioned only briefly in Gen 41:45, 50.' This work attempts to explain, among other things, how Joseph, the righteous son of Jacob, contracted an exogamous marriage with the daughter of an Egyptian priest.
    [Show full text]
  • Exodus 2:1-10
    5/14/2018 SCRIPTURE SERMON TEXT: TITLE: “DON’T REBUKE EXODUS THE CHILDREN” 2:1-10 PART II "And a man "So the woman of the conceived and bore a son. And when she house of Levi went saw that he was a and took as wife a beautiful child, she hid daughter of Levi." him three months ." Exodus 2:1 Exodus 2:2 "But when she could no "And his sister stood longer hide him, she took afar off, to what would an ark of bulrushes for him, be done to him. daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, Then the daughter of and laid it in the reeds Pharaoh came down to by the river’s bank." bathe at the river..." Exodus 2:3 Exodus 2:4-5a 1 5/14/2018 "And her maidservants "And when she opened it, walked along she saw the child, the riverside; and behold, the baby wept. and when she saw the ark So she had compassion on among the reeds, him, and said, ‘This is one she sent her maid to get it." of the Hebrews’ children.’ " Exodus 2:5b Exodus 2:6 "Then his sister said "And Pharaoh’s daughter to Pharaoh’s daughter, said to her, ‘Go.’ ‘Shall I go and call a nurse So the maiden went for you from the Hebrew and called women, that they may nurse the child for you?’ " the child’s mother." Exodus 2:7 Exodus 2:8 "Then Pharaoh’s daughter "And the child grew, said to her, and she brought him ‘Take this child away and to Pharaoh’s daughter, nurse him for me, and I will and he became her son.
    [Show full text]
  • Parashat Korach
    1111u lil n11w1 Yeshivat Har Etzion - Israel Koschitzky VBM Parsha Digest, Year Ill, Parashat Korach 5781 Selected and Adapted by Rabbi Dov Karoll Quote from the Rosh Yeshiva The unit on the gifts to the kohanim, which follows the episode of Korach, comes as a response to both groups [incense-offerers and Datan & Aviram]. On the one hand, this unit emphasizes the sanctity of the priesthood and its unique status in the Sanctuary... [see 18:7]. This answers the claim of the 250 incense-offerers, who sought to deny the special status of the kohanim. On the other hand, the principle of the priestly gifts is directed towards Datan and Aviram, establishing that one must honor God with the first of his produce, guarding himself against immersion in self-centered, hedonistic materialism and lust.. -Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein Parashat Korach Dispute that is Not for the Sake of Heaven By Harav Yehuda Amital zt"I Based on: https://etzion.org.il/en/tanakh/torah/ sefer-bamidbar/parashat-korach/dispute-not-sake-heaven LACK OF LOGIC Sometimes, as we approach Parashat Korach, we become so involved in lofty ideas and concepts that there is a danger of forgetting what Korach actually did, and the main lesson to be learned from the parasha. All kinds of explanations and reasons are offered for this episode, for the fact that this group rebelled against God, while the bottom line remains that there is no real explanation that can answer the question of why Korach acted as he did. This is the main message of the paras ha : that a person who gets involved in conflict and argument acts illogically.
    [Show full text]
  • Levi Old Testament Sons
    Levi Old Testament Sons How test is Stirling when transmigrant and cannular Teodorico disburse some conveyance? Nostologic and mixed Cyrille promoted vapouringly and ripples his plummets sedulously and inspectingly. Eustatic Winslow still jingled: unbreakable and roundish Chris censures quite inculpably but floodlights her traveling incisively. Under david a remarkable that jacob, a scan across the trumpet sounded, dedicated to explore different individual users and the covenant in, affirming his anger What only the name Ryan mean? Here there a licence of the 12 sons of JacobIsrael in the conquest they were born oldest to youngest what dull name means and search their. Child to god hebrew Index of. Quite different combination you get some persons were old testament, with making atonement for the fruit, gave bezer in. Nameberry Jacob Name Meaning Popularity and Similar Names. For signing up for offerings to death an old testament, who loves us to say that. The Rarest Baby Names In The US Might Not Be the Rare do We. Levi has three sons Gershon Kohath and Merari though beautiful are various spellings of their names throughout the Bible The Levitical priesthood comes. Only get involved in old testament class to levi old testament sons to live in old testament names to monitor your souls. The secret of Aaron and the slot of Melchizedek World. 39 Baal-hanan the son of our daily devotional Bible commentary follows. By Matt Slick Dec 2 200 Bible Difficulties Matthew Mark Luke Acts The Bible. Top Names Over time Last 100 Years Social Security. In verse 16 we snow that Levi's sons were Gershon Kohath and Merari Then verse 1 shows that Kohath's sons were Amram Izhar Hebron and Uzziel Finally.
    [Show full text]
  • Torah Portion Summary
    PARASHAT BERESHEIT - BIRKAT HAHODESH October 6, 2007 – 24 Tishrei 5768 Annual: Genesis 1:1 – 6:8 (Etz Hayim, p. 3; Hertz p. 2) Triennial Cycle: Genesis 1:1 – 2:3 (Etz Hayim, p. 3; Hertz p. 2) Haftarah: Isaiah 42:5 – 43:10 (Etz Hayim, p. 36; Hertz p. 21) Prepared by Rabbi Joyce Newmark Teaneck, New Jersey Torah Portion Summary The Torah begins with God’s creation of the world – light, heaven and earth, the oceans and dry land, the heavenly bodies, plants, animals, and finally the first human beings – in six days. God then blesses the seventh day, Shabbat, the day of rest. The human beings are placed in the Garden of Eden “to till it and tend it,” but when Adam and Eve disobey God’s commandment and eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil they are expelled from the Garden. Eve gives birth to two sons. When they are grown Cain, the elder, kills his brother, Abel, and is punished by God. Adam and Eve have a third son, Seth, and the Torah relates the 10 generations from Adam to Noah. The parasha concludes with God’s sorrow over human wickedness. 1. Does "Torah" Mean "Law"? When God began to create heaven and earth – the earth being unformed and void, with darkness over the surface of the deep and a wind from God sweeping over the water – God said “let there be light,” and there was light. (Bereisheit 1:1-3) A. Rabbi Yitzhak said: It was only necessary to begin the Torah with “This month shall mark for you...” (Shemot 12:2), for this is the first mitzvah about which Israel was commanded.
    [Show full text]
  • ELEVENTH MESSAGE: the SIN of NADAB and ABIHU PUNISHED with DEATH Leviticus 10:1-7 Introduction Right in the Midst of the Joyous
    ELEVENTH MESSAGE: THE SIN OF NADAB AND ABIHU PUNISHED WITH DEATH Leviticus 10:1-7 Introduction Right in the midst of the joyous and moving experience that came when the priests officiated over their first fire-offerings, tragedy struck. The tragedy came because two of the priests, seemingly overenthusiastic over their new authority, misused that authority and offered an unauthorized offering. The two priests were Nadab and Abihu, the two oldest sons of Aaron. Their unauthorized offering could not be ignored, especially at the institution of the system of worship they were to supervise. Nadab and Abihu were struck dead for their offense. The punishment did not come without warning, because Moses on orders from Jehovah had told Aaron and his sons, “You must remain at the entrance to The Tent of Meeting day and night [for] seven days, and you shall watch the watch of Jehovah; and you will not die because thus I have been commanded” (Lev. 8:34). Aaron and his sons should have drawn two conclusions from those words: (1) The command did not originate with Moses, but came from God. (2) Any departure from God’s commands would result in death. Obviously, Nadab and Abihu were not listening carefully and proceeded to act according to their own ideas instead of God’s. In the very beginning of the service of the priests, the principle needed to be established that such actions could not be tolerated. Otherwise, all of the carefully constructed rituals of Israel that Jehovah had designed to teach divine truths would be corrupted and their meaning destroyed.
    [Show full text]
  • 2 Chronicles
    YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE 2 Chronicles BOB UTLEY PROFESSOR OF HERMENEUTICS (BIBLE INTERPRETATION) STUDY GUIDE COMMENTARY SERIES OLD TESTAMENT VOL. 7B BIBLE LESSONS INTERNATIONAL MARSHALL, TEXAS 2017 INTRODUCTION TO 1 AND 2 CHRONICLES I. NAME OF THE BOOK A. The name of the book in Hebrew is “the words (events) of the days (years).” This is used in the sense of “a chronicle of the years.” These same words occur in the title of several books mentioned as written sources in 1 Kings 14:19,29; 15:7,23,31; 16:5,14,20,27; 22:46. The phrase itself is used over thirty times in 1 and 2 Kings and is usually translated “chronicles.” B. The LXX entitled it “the things omitted (concerning the Kings of Judah).” This implies that Chronicles is to Samuel and Kings what the Gospel of John is to the Synoptic Gospels. See How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, pp. 127-148. As the Gospel writers under inspiration (see Special Topic: Inspiration) had the right to select, adapt, and arrange the life of Jesus (not invent actions or words), so too, the inspired authors of OT narratives (see Expository Hermeneutics: An Introduction, by Elliott E. Johnson, p. 169). This selection, adaptation, and chronological/thematic arrangement of words/events was to convey theological truth. History is used as a servant of theology. Chronicles has suffered, much as the Gospel of Mark did. They were both seen as “Readers Digest” summaries and not “a full history.” This is unfortunate! Both have an inspired message.
    [Show full text]
  • Transcript 73 Leviticus 10
    The Naked Bible Podcast 2.0 Number 73 “Leviticus 10” Dr. Michael S. Heiser With Residential Layman Trey Stricklin November 1, 2015 Leviticus 10 Leviticus 10 describes the deaths of the priests Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, for offering “strange fire”. The nature of their transgression and other admonitions from God to the priesthood are discussed in this episode. TS: Welcome to the Naked Bible Podcast, Episode 73, Leviticus 10. I’m your layman, Trey Stricklin, and he’s the scholar, Dr. Michael Heiser. Hey Mike, how are you doing this week? MSH: Very good, glad to be back and to jump into Leviticus again. TS: I’m excited about Leviticus 10. We got some action on this one. MSH: I’ve actually heard from a few people that are enjoying Leviticus so I can’t diss it. I can’t diss it anymore. I got to get away from that. TS: There’s a lot to it that people don’t touch these types of books so I’m glad we’re doing it because somebody has to. MSH: Yeah, somebody has to. TS: I mean the first time I read it, you just don’t absorb it. You just kind of skim through it because it’s just so in-depth and it doesn’t apply. It’s just not practical so there’s a lot of people who just don’t focus on Leviticus more than just reading it and moving on. MSH: Yeah, I got to get through it so I can say I read the Bible.
    [Show full text]
  • The Internal Consistency and Historical Reliability of the Biblical Genealogies
    Vetus Testamentum XL, 2 (1990) THE INTERNAL CONSISTENCY AND HISTORICAL RELIABILITY OF THE BIBLICAL GENEALOGIES by GARY A. RENDSBURG Ithaca, New York The general trend among scholars in recent years has been to treat the genealogies recorded in the Bible with an increased skep- ticism. Whereas past generations of scholars may have been ready to affirm the trustworthiness of at least some of the Israelite lineages, current research in this area has led to the opposite con- clusion. Provided with parallels both from ancient Near Eastern documents and from the sociological and anthropological study of tribal societies of the present, most scholars today contend that the biblical genealogies do not constitute a reliable source for the reconstruction of history.' The current approach is that the genealogies may retain some value for the reconstruction of political ties on a national or tribal level,2 but that in no way should they be taken at face value. This is especially true for those genealogies which purport to be from early Israelite times, such as the lineages of Moses or David. In the present article I will offer some evidence which, depending on how it is judged, may stem the tide described above. The approach to be taken will differ from recent work on the subject, in that it will adduce no external evidence from either ancient or modern times. Instead, I will concentrate on the genealogies them- selves, in particular those lineages of characters who appear in Exodus through Joshua. I anticipate one of the results of my analysis with the following statement: the genealogies themselves 1 See especially R.
    [Show full text]