We’re continuing in the book of Numbers today, which has a reputation for putting people off both because of the title and because the first seven chapters (or so) contain a good bit of repetition. You’ll experience some of that repetition today, so if you want to put me on 2x speed for that section, I won’t judge! Consider, though, that the repetition is intentional. When you’re writing everything by hand, there is no copy/paste function. The repetition is a deliberate choice, in part, because the ritual was meant to invoke repetition and meditation. Moreover, these handwritten details would have also been read aloud, and would have impressed upon the hearer that God had provided for the Israelites lavishly.

Numbers 4 - 1:00 .

Numbers 5 - 8:56 .

Numbers 6 - 15:15 .

Psalm 51 - 20:11 .

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Numbers are boring, right? I mean, who gets excited about counting things? Well, did you ever count your Christmas presents as a kid? Have you ever memorized the stats of your favorite athletes, or checked the number of likes on a post, or rejoice over the number of indigenous believers saved through the work a missionary? The numbers presented in these first few chapters may seem boring to us, but they represent the faithfulness of God to Israel. And don’t worry, the title of this book as a little misleading; while it opens with counting heads, it gets more exciting in coming chapters.

Numbers 1 - 1:01 .

Numbers 2 - 9:01 .

Numbers 3 - 13:05 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Our time in Leviticus comes to a close today as we hear a foreshadowing of the coming exile of Israel some 900 years before it occurs, as the Lord God makes plain that to abandon the covenant is to exchange blessing for a curse. God warns that the covenant is not to be taken lightly, for if Israel fails to observe the Lord’s commands, they will be cut off from the Lord, and their sacrifices will no longer be pleasing to God. He will no longer turn his face toward the nation of Israel with power and unmatched favor, but will instead turn against them in wrath whereupon they will be scattered and overtaken by another nation.

Leviticus 26 - 1:02 .

Leviticus 27 - 10:39 .

Psalm 50 - 16:50 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Our reading begins with instructions for the bread and the oil in the tabernacle, but soon thereafter these instructions are somewhat interrupted by a fight. A young man has blasphemed the Name of God, and instructions are given about what must be done, followed by further instruction for punishment of violent crimes. Later, the Lord explains the institutions of Sabbath years and the year of Jubilee. In short, Israel is to work the ground for six years, then on the seventh year they are to rest. After 49 years (7x7) they are to celebrate a year of Jubilee where debts are canceled, and Hebrew servants are relieved from their indentured service.

Leviticus 24 - 1:01 .

Leviticus 25 – 8:40 .

Psalm 48 - 15:21 .

Psalm 49 - 17:08 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Moses continues to receive instructions from the Lord, and today’s episode begins with instructions for the priests in eating their portion of the sacrifices to the Lord. Recall that the Levites will not be given large portions of land when they enter the Promised Land; instead, the Lord will be their portion. For their service in the tabernacle, they will receive portions of food from the offerings given to the Lord, and thereby be sustained. Or reading continues by considering which sacrifices are acceptable, which days are to be set aside for Sabbaths, and which days are to be set aside for worship, celebration, and remembrance.

Leviticus 22 - 1:01 .

Leviticus 23 - 7:57 .

Psalm 47 - 16:38 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Our passage today begins with an appeal to Israel to be holy before their holy God, using some of the Ten Commandments as bullet points for discussion. As we read, you’ll notice that there is to be an “otherness” amongst the Israelites that makes them distinct from the rest of the world. To our modern ears and worldview, it may seem limiting or perhaps cruel that the Lord would be so particular, but every instance is designed to connote elements of purity, wholeness, unity, and devotion to the Lord. In their worship to God, only the best would do, and anything offered that fell short was an insinuation that God was not worthy of the best they could offer.

Leviticus 19 - 1:10 .

Leviticus 20 - 7:54 .

Leviticus 21 - 14:15 .

Psalm 46 - 18:12 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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We’re continuing to read through the Levitical law that was given to Moses and Aaron. These were the statutes, ordinances, and observances commanded by the Lord that Israel must keep in order to maintain the covenant. God Almighty, who is perfect in holiness, is to dwell among them. Since man is imperfect, God is giving this law as a means for them to be justified before him. By humble obedience to the Lord, they could stay within the camp of Israel and be blessed by the presence of God. Today’s reading covers the day of atonement, a non-exhaustive list of forbidden sacrifices, the consequences of eating blood, the prohibition of pagan practices, and the prohibition of sexual perversions.

Leviticus 16 - 1:01 .

Leviticus 17 - 8:45 .

Leviticus 18 - 11:49 .

Psalm 45 - 16:42 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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We’re continuing to work our way through the Levitical law concerning those occasions where one is considered clean and where one is considered unclean. As mentioned previously, to be unclean is not to be equated necessarily with being immoral or sinful. To be unclean simply means that one may not enter the camp of Israel, a people who were set apart for the Lord. These intermissions of uncleanness and the procedures required to be declared clean once again would have served as a perpetual reminder to Israel that they belonged to the Lord God.

Leviticus 14 - 1:01 .

Leviticus 15 - 11:11 .

Psalm 44 - 17:11 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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