Justin Houtz

Leviticus 22, Psalm 28–29, Ecclesiastes 5, 2 Timothy 1

DateVersionReading Plan
@April 18, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

Leviticus 22

Leviticus 22:26-28 26 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 27 “When an ox or sheep or goat is born, it shall remain seven days with its mother, and from the eighth day on it shall be acceptable as a food offering to the Lord. 28 But you shall not kill an ox or a sheep and her young in one day.

Animals eligible for sacrifice were not allowed to be killed and offered as a food offering until the eighth day of life. The Faithlife Study Bible offers the explanation that this was to “encourage respect for the animal kingdom and restraint in the context of a sacrificial system that demands the death of animals.” What is curious about this is that the eighth day of life was also the day on which a male Israelite was to be circumcised (Lev. 12:3). I did not find commentary that connect the two and it would be improper to associate them if it is simply coincidence, but it seems interesting nonetheless.

Psalm 28–29

Psalm 28:1-2

1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2  Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

David calls for the heavenly beings to give ascription to the Lord for His strength and the glory due His name. David’s audience is the heavenly host who have direct access to God, but this is an encouraging word for us as well. When we ascribe glory to the Lord, we are refreshed in His character and the due recipient of our honor and praise. Ascribing glory to the Lord should be for us a daily practice, throughout times of both ease and trial, and by this we would worship Him in the splendor of holiness.

Ecclesiastes 5

Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 19 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

The gift of God is not wealth and possessions but the power given by God to enjoy them. This is crucial to grasp because so many mistakenly attribute possessions as the gift itself and seek to accumulate more. Only the one who understands this rightly will rejoice in his days, fully occupied by the joy God has placed in his heart.

2 Timothy 1

2 Timothy 12b 12b But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.

Paul was not ashamed of the Lord as he knew whom he had believed and was convinced that the He would protect him. What a heartening proclamation by Paul that we can make our own. May it be for us that our confidence in God would lead to such boldness, convinced that He will guard us until the day He brings us home.

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