Today’s Reading: Leviticus 8-10

Did you make it through Day 33? I hope so! Remember, the Bible is God’s message to mankind, and every part of it is given by Him to build us up in our Christian faith and walk (see 2 Tim. 3:16-17)!

The events in today’s chapter occur in the same day or time as the completion of the Tabernacle from yesterday’s reading.

Two important, and interrelated, concepts are started in today’s reading:

1. The “office” of Israelite (Levitical/Aaronic) priesthood is inaugurated. This will be described and explained later on in the Bible. However, they do play a key role in Israel’s history and worship, so they are important to understand. Whenever you read about the priests, picture the men in the attached illustration. The basic concept of the priesthood is that people need a mediator, a “middle-man”, between themselves and God.
2. The “Levitical” system of ritual sacrifices/offerings is commenced. Further details and explanations about the various types of sacrifices and what they mean are covered a little later on in the Bible. The basic concept of the sacrifices is that a proper relationship with God is based on a blood sacrifice.

A definition: The word “Atonement” is found in this passage and will become increasingly common in the near future. It is important to know this word’s meaning to understand the Old Testament.
In Hebrew, the word for Atonement is “Kafar.” It is a verb that essentially means “to cover.” (It’s also used in Genesis when Noah covered the ark with tar.) So, “Kafar” (or Atonement) is the covering of sins with blood, primarily of a clean animal, to put them out of sight and forgive them.

One last thought I enjoyed; The “blood on the ear may have symbolized dedication to hearing God’s Word, blood on the thumb may have pictured holiness in doing God’s work, and blood on the toe may have spoken of walking carefully in the service of God” (Bible Knowledge Commentary, pg. 152).