welcome immigrants
Growing up I noticed that different houses had different rules, and those rules expressed a value. At Amanda’s house we couldn’t jump on the couch (value: respect for furniture). At Bess’ house we had to clean up the games once we finished (value: the person forced to clean up if we didn’t). Jamie’s house didn’t have any rules at all (value: perhaps freedom, but the lack of any rules left us wondering if anything was important). If it seems like Leviticus reads like a contract full of rules, you’re reading it right. But don’t miss the value in them. Biblical laws reveal the character of God.
Often Biblical laws express a general principle and then offer follow-up specifics to flesh out the principle.
how could there have been light before the sun?
Here’s the most important thing: The ancient man was more concerned with the purpose of creation, not the actual matter or process of creation. The creation of nature tells us about the nature of the Creator.
calling for a comeback
I'm calling for an OT comeback (specifically in American white evangelical churches) because the left side of the Bible has entire sections devoted to teaching justice and wisdom. Books like Deuteronomy, Leviticus, and the last half of Exodus. These books have primarily been left closed because they are contextually tricky (at least initially). In regular Sunday services, it’s unlikely we’ve heard a six-week series about Leviticus. Or an in-depth analysis on Deuteronomy. As a result, many of us are trying to react to hashtagged opinions without knowing how God determines justice.
But this may be good news! NOW we are hungry, and NOW we want to understand it for ourselves. And since we are relatively clueless about these odd books, there isn’t much to deconstruct. We are ripe and ready for a healthy dose of Biblical orientation towards justice and wisdom.