Day 55 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Leviticus 24–25
Discipline, Fairness, and Grace
Parents, teachers, employers, and other organizational leaders need to exercise discipline, but they want to do it right. The consequences of misbehavior must be fair, just, and equal for everyone. Fighting between children or squabbles between employees must be discouraged. Losses of property or respect need compensation or restoration. It is essential to know when to express discipline or grace. There is some help for that decision in this Bible study.
Discipline usually begins with breaking given rules. Children might suffer the removal of privileges for not keeping their rooms cleaned, not doing their homework, or fighting with another child. Employees might get fired for not showing up on time, doing shoddy work, or causing dissension.
Shining the light, living the example
In today’s Bible reading, God has more rules for the Israelite priests, and these also have symbolic significance. First, the LORD instructs Aaron, the high priest, to keep the lamps in the tabernacle burning all night with olive oil. This symbolizes God’s continual presence in the tabernacle and is a great comfort!
Today, Jesus dwells (or tabernacles) within all of us who have received him as the Savior of our souls (John 1:12-14). Like the Menorah, Jesus’ light is present in every one of his followers (John 12:46; 2Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 5:8). This is comforting but also challenging. We need to be lights to our world, showing them by good works the love of God and also drawing them to him (John 8:12; Matthew 5:14-16).
Community connects us
Second, the small golden table, the table of God’s presence (Exodus 25:30), must be maintained. Twelve yeastless cakes of flatbread are replaced there weekly, perhaps symbolizing God’s continual presence with his people and our fellowship with him.
God is with us. Yes, praise the LORD! But he also wants us to connect with our brothers and sisters in Christ in our churches or worship centers.
Respect must be maintained
Some time afterward, there is an incident of gross disrespect for God. One Israelite man born from a mixed relationship gets into a fight with another Israelite man. He curses God and blasphemes (meaning he pierces or gives God a bad name). We don’t know what he said, but apparently, it was a curse smearing God’s character because God told Moses to have him stoned to death.
God’s very name is to be considered holy and revered. How sacred is it to us? Do we curse using his name? He takes that very seriously. However, the punishment God’s people carried out on the blaspheming Israelite is unique to them—they were a theocratic society. The LORD was their Sovereign. He doesn’t suggest that we should kill someone who profanes the LORD’s name or that we should be killed if we do the same.
Even so, the LORD may punish Christians for cursing, using his holy name. We shouldn’t pierce his reputation by saying anything evil about God, even in our anger. He is good. By the name of his Son, our sins are forgiven; we are saved from hell and given spiritual life and blessings.
As a principle, those who act in rebellion against authorities deserve the strictest discipline. This may be done by taking away significant privileges, dismissal, or even expulsion— whatever applies best to the situation. It mustn’t be tolerated!
Equitable Restitution for Wrongs
How do we make corrections with fairness and equity? It is an old precept but may still be of some use to us: “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” Basically, this is the concept of equitable restitution (Leviticus 24:17-22).Again, we are not a theocratic society, but to a degree, we can apply this principle by making the punishment fit the crime. Rule or law violations that are not worthy of capital punishment must be met with fair and equitable penalties and always considering what is best for all involved. The goal is for the offender to learn a lesson and change his ways, not to render excessive punishment. A discipline that is right and administered with an even-hand usually stops fighting.
Later in Jewish history, Jesus gives us a different perspective on their law.
You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you (Matthew 5:38-42, NIV).
The emphasis in the Levitical law is justice for a civil society. The focus of Jesus’ sermon on the mount is grace. Grace means not resisting an enemy, seeking to live peaceably, lessening offenses with kindness, humility, selflessness, and leaving the final judgment with God (Romans 12:17-21).
We need to pray and judge by the circumstances,which actions—justice or grace is most appropriate and then act.
Stewards of God’s grace
Fourth, how do we act with fairness and help those who are poor or otherwise disadvantaged? Israel’s year of Jubilee gives us some insights. The year of Jubilee is held every fifty years and starts with a trumpet blast of a ram’s horn before the Day of Atonement (late March or Early April). During this year-long celebration, there is a Sabbath (rest) of the land with no planting, tending, or harvesting. Each person returns to his family property and to his own clan. During that year, both rich and poor eat off the land from what it produces by itself, without planting or harvesting. Nothing is to be harvested and sold that year.
If property or people are sold to compensate for unpaid debts during that year, the masters can’t keep them permanently. Landowners and masters are to be stewards of God’s property and people for all or part of those years. The LORD is the one who retains ownership. How do we view the possessions the LORD gives us? Do we view ourselves as owners or stewards?
The Israelite poor are not to be taken advantage of or sold as slaves. They serve as indentured servants and are to be released in the year of Jubilee. They are not to be ruthlessly managed. The masters must remember that the poor are God’s servants, not their slaves. Even foreigners living among the people are not allowed to keep the Israelites as slaves in the year of Jubilee. They are to be released!
More instructions about the year of Jubilee are given in Deuteronomy 15:7-19. When poor Israelites are released, the masters are not to be hard-hearted and tight-fisted. They are told to share generously and give them a fresh start. They are to think soberly—the masters were also once slaves in Egypt before the LORD liberated them.
The Year of Jubilee for the Israelites can be compared to a Christian Jubilee. By Jesus’ sacrifice, he redeems us and gives us freedom from sin’s slavery to serve our God (Romans 6:17-18, NIV). Whether rich or poor, spiritually speaking, we are all the same.
How should we Christians treat the poor, especially those of the faith? A summary of Luke 4:18-19, Galatians 2:10, and Galatians 5:13-14 reminds us that God forgives our debts and gives us freedom. We need to remember the poor, liberally providing for their needs and giving them a hand up. We are not to selfishly think of ourselves but serve one another. We should do this as stewards of God’s possessions and as brothers in Christ, remembering how the Lord redeemed us. This is how we express God’s grace.
One of the other things which God commands the Israelites to do is to give the land rest (a Sabbath) from agricultural pursuits every seventh year. This will take effect when they possess the Promised Land. To the farmers, this may seem foolish, but God says he will bless them for their obedience. Farmers know the value of not wearing out the land but making provisions for it. What are we doing which might bring punishment or harmful consequences? How might we be good examples, instead?
Discussion
Before exercising any discipline or punishment, what three priestly duties might help us with this?
How do we balance exercising equitable and fair discipline with showing God’s grace?
Focus Verse
Micah 6:8 (NIV) “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
Looking Ahead: We know the consequences of our sin, so we need to learn to Make the Right Choice. Find out how to do this in our Next Lesson.
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