Justin Houtz

Leviticus 5, Acts 6

DateVersionReading Plan
April 5, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Leviticus 5

Observation

The chapter continues in the LORD’s instruction to Moses to give to the people on offerings. It begins with four cases specifically:

  1. Those who fail to testify in court (Lev. 5:1)
  2. Those who become unclean through contact with an unclean animal (Lev. 5:2)
  3. Those who become unclean through contact with an unclean person (Lev. 5:3)
  4. Those who uttered a rash oath (Lev. 5:4)

When a person realized his guilt and confessed his sins, he was to bring a female lamb or goat as a sin offering (Lev. 5:6). If he could not afford a lamb or goat, two turtledoves or pigeons could be offered (Lev. 5:7). One of the two turtledoves/pigeons was to be a sin offering (offered first) and the other was to be a burnt offering (Lev. 5:8-10). If he could not afford two turtledoves/pigeons, a tenth of a ephah of fine flour was to be brought as a sin offering. The priest was to take a handful of it as a memorial portion and burn it on the altar (Lev. 5:12). The remainder was to be for the priest as a grain offering (Lev. 5:13).

If anyone committed a breach of faith and sins unintentionally in any of the holy things of the LORD, a ram without blemish was to be brought as compensation, a guilt offering, valued in silver shekels according to the shekel of the sanctuary (Lev. 5:14). If anyone sinned and did any of the things agains the LORD, did not know it but then realizes his guilt, he was to bear his iniquity and bring a ram without blemish (or equivalent) to the priest as a guilt offering to make atonement (Lev. 5:17-18). It was a guilt offering is this person indeed had incurred guilt before the LORD (Lev. 5:19)

Application

Our sin condemns us and leaves us guilty before a holy God. Given this unavoidable truth, the only two options with which we are left is to incur the punishment of the guilt ourselves through death and eternal separation from God, or, to have a worthy sacrifice take the full punishment on our behalf. This is substitutionary atonement and the manifestation of Christ’s infinitely gracious propitiatory work on the cross. He is the worthy Lamb who was slain—once for all—that we may be redeemed and restored to right relationship with our Creator.

Acts 6

Observation

In the days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint was levied by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution (Acts 6:1). The twelve summoned the full number of disciples, telling them that it was not right to give up preaching the Word to serve tables (Acts 6:2). They told the disciples to select seven men among them of good repute to appoint for this duty while they devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:3-4). The seven men were selected and named (among whom was Stephen) and they prayed and laid their hands on them (Acts 6:5-6). The word of God continued to increase, the number of disciples multiplied and a great many priests became obedient to the faith (Acts 6:7)

Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:8). A coalition of conspirators rose against Stephen in dispute, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking (Acts 6:9-10). The opposition party then secretly instigated men who said that Stephen was speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God, stirring up the people, elders and scribes which resulted in Stephen being seized and brought before the council (Acts 6:11-12). They set up false witness against Stephen, saying that he never ceases to speak words against that holy place and the law, saying that Jesus will destroy the place and change the customs that Moses delivered to them (Acts 6:13-14). Gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that Stephen’s face was like the face of an angel (Acts 6:15)

Application

According to the CSB Notes, “The distinction between those responsible for preaching and those responsible for distribution of food marks the beginning of functional distinction of roles and responsibilities in the early church.” This is helpful for reflection because it illuminates the need to properly assign roles and thereby leverage the individual giftings of members within the church. No one person possesses all gifts, as Paul makes clear through rhetorical question in 1 Cor. 12:29-30: “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” By both embracing the divine assignment of gifts and working together to use them for the purpose of gospel ministry, the church achieves an ecclesiastical harmony for the flourishing and upbuilding of the saints.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, how amazing is Your grace that You would send Your Son to be our worthy sacrifice. Father, may my life be wholly lived in gratitude for all that You have done for the honor and glory of Your great name. Father, help Your church to see how we can fulfill the purpose we have been given—individually and collectively—that we may stir one another to love and good works and bring the gospel of Christ to the nations.

Resources