Justin Houtz

Leviticus 10-12; Acts 16

DateVersionReading Plan
February 9, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

Leviticus 10-12

Observation & Interpretation

Lev. 10:1-2 – In the incident with Nadab and Abihu offering unauthorized fire before the LORD, the words “before the LORD” are repeated 3x.

  • The location before the LORD may refer to the bronze altar in the courtyard (1:5) or inside the tent in the holy place (4:4). (CSB Notes)

Lev. 10:3 – In reaction to the death of his sons, Nadab and Abihu, and what Moses said on behalf of the LORD, Aaron held his peace.

  • Aaron’s silence reflected his discernment that mourning rites in the sacred sanctuary were inappropriate (v. 6). (CSB Notes)

Lev. 10:16-20 – There was a mixup regarding the sin offering that was not handled properly, leading to conflict between Moses, Aaron and Aaron’s two sons.

  • (10:16-18) Moses complained that Aaron’s sons had failed to eat the consecration portions of the sin offering as prescribed by the Lord. By their failure to perform the proper ritual ceremony, the guilt of the community remained. (CSB Notes)
  • (10:19) Aaron had to determine whether the desecration by Nadab and Abihu made the sin offering portions inappropriate for priestly consumption. Rather than run the risk of defiling the sanctuary further, Aaron chose to burn up the entire goat. (CSB Notes)

Lev. 12:5 – In the case of the birth of a female child, the mother’s uncleanness and continuance of the blood of her purifying were twice that of a male child.

  • The rationale for doubling the period of isolation for the birth of a female child was not a matter of gender bias since the purification rite was the same for a male child. Possibly the circumstance of bearing a future mother doubled the period of time. (CSB Notes)

Acts 16

Observation & Interpretation

Acts 16:2-3 – Luke records how Timothy was well spoken of and that Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him. Paul wanted to surround himself with faithful ministers of the gospel.

  • It rejoiced Paul’s heart to learn from the brethren … at Lystra and Iconium that Timothy was progressing well in the Christian faith. Paul invited him to go long on this missionary trip. We do well to notice that the early apostles not only worked in pairs, but also took along younger brethren (Mark and Timothy) for training in practical aspects of the Christian ministry. What a privilege it was for these young men to be yoked together with seasoned veterans in Christian missionary enterprise. (BBC)

Acts 16:33 – The same hour that the word of the Lord was spoken to the Philippian jailer by Paul and Silas, the jailer washed their wounds and was the jailer was baptized.

  • After Paul and Silas had a teaching session with the household, the jailer demonstrated the genuineness of his conversion by washing their wounds, and by being baptized without delay. (BBC)

Acts 16:38-39 – Upon learning that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, the magistrates responded in fear, apologized to them, took them out and asked them to leave the city.

  • (16:38) The fear of the magistrates is understandable. Philippi was a Roman colony that followed Roman law. Many people in the town would have known about the rights of a Roman citizen. (CSB Notes)
  • (16:39-40) Though not obligated to do so, Paul and Silas chose to count the apology as amends for the wrongs they had suffered. Many times it is best for the Christian to forego demanding full justice. (CSB Notes)

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