For example, some parts were reserved for consumption by the
priests and their servants, the Levites. Since they had very limited flocks or
herds, they needed to be fed by the contributions of the worshippers. That
makes sense. But it has always puzzled me why God commanded such care be taken
with the offal. Depending on the type of sacrifice, the entrails were treated
differently. Sometimes they were to be burned outside the camp; sometimes they
were offered as a special sacrifice.
The one that has always intrigued me is the frequent
designation of the “lobe of the liver” as a dedicated offering. Today, we know
this as the caudal lobe, and we know that it has a significant purpose in animal
function. We also know that in Canaanite religions, the liver, and especially
the caudal lobe, was used for divination. Even the ancients realized the
crucial function of the liver, and they apparently surmised that the caudal
lobe was special. One assumption that scholars make is that God didn’t want any
confusion as to where the Israelites were to get their information: from Yahweh
not from the caudal lobe of the liver.
Did you ever wonder why Jews, even today, are known for
their beef brisket? Admittedly, the traditions surrounding the brisket stem
from the Ashkenazi Jews (the diaspora) of the tenth century and beyond, but
that connection has its roots in the regulations regarding sacrificial
offerings. From the regulations in Leviticus, we learn that the brisket was
often set aside for the priests. Once the temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. and
ritual sacrifice ceased, the Jews retained an element of the beef brisket’s special
significance.
One aspect of the Levitical priestly regulations is really a
mystery. Holy items were not to be taken out of the tabernacle (temple) as they
retained an aura of holiness that God did not want to spread abroad
indiscriminately. It is as if there was a tangible essence of holiness that could
rub off on things that were not supposed to be holy. This is doubly hard for me
to understand because all through the Levitical directions, Yahweh repeats the
assertion that the people are to be holy. More than that, He
says, “You shall keep My statutes and do them; I am Yahweh who makes you
holy.” God says that numerous times throughout Leviticus. God says He makes
them holy.
I struggle with the idea that God makes His people holy but
restricts the movement of holy items from the tabernacle (temple). Perhaps it
is just a way to emphasize the distinct holiness of the ritual furniture and
furnishings. Perhaps it was meant to discourage unsanctioned worship outside of
the holy place. Perhaps the holy implements and the holy garments on the one
high priest were supposed to remind the people that there is only one God, and
one means of access.
Obviously, none of this has any significance for twentieth
century Christians. Does it? Hmm. If Christ’s body is the temple corporately,
and if believers are a “a
royal priesthood,” how many of the details of the temple/tabernacle regulations
are we meant to reflect? One thing is obvious: there is still only one God and
one way to Him. That is a message that is not accepted by many in modern
cultures. There are even so-called Christians who are “offended” by the
exclusivity of the biblical assertion that Jesus is the only Way to God. They
can’t imagine the loving god of their own creation rejecting pious Buddhists or
Hindus or Muslims. That is the same trap the Israelites fell into when they
dabbled in the religious practices of the people around them.
It may also be important to remember today that to be holy
means to be set aside for a particular purpose. Just as the Old Testament
priests were uniquely charged with guiding people to proper worship of Yahweh,
the purpose of the church (the New Testament kingdom of priests) is to
represent God as the only being worthy of our worship. (See “Thanks
for the Complement”) This is no small thing since moderns are just as
likely to practice idolatrous worship as the ancients. (See “Who’s in
the Temple”) It should make us proud to be chosen but overwhelmed with the
importance of the charge we have been given. The church is supposed to reveal
the mystery of God to everyone, including
the rulers and authorities in the heavenlies.
The New Testament is pretty clear about the necessity of
Christian witness. We are commanded to glorify
God at all times in all we do. My favorite definition of “glorify” is “make
God look good.” In other words, we should live in such a way that people
watching us will want to get to know the God we represent. There are ways to
simulate the OT priest’s outfit. Instead of a turban with “Holy to Yahweh,” we
wear ball caps with crosses or biblical messages. Instead of a breastplate with
twelve gems attached, we wear T-shirts with inspirational printing. Rings and
bracelets and necklaces can portray Christian symbols. However, none of these things
can take the place of living our faith out loud.
Evangelical Christianity does not have the ritualistic
formalities of ancient Judaism. It is easy to forget the holy purpose of
worshipping and living for a supremely holy God. There are Christian
sacraments. The root of “sacrament” is the Latin word “sacer” which
means holy. Catholics recognize seven sacraments and elevate the eucharist to
an astonishing level of holiness. Most protestants hold two things as sacred:
baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We are expected to participate in those rites
with respect for their holy nature. But the truth is, our entire life is
supposed to be a “living
sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” Instead of exclaiming, “Holy cow!” I
should be able to say, “Holy You!”
Related Posts: Holy Moly!; Sanctify Them
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