DAY 55    Read Leviticus 22 and 23.

Today's reading:  After prescribing the kinds of sacrifices for different situations the Lord gives instructions for the three great yearly festivals.

Memory gem:  "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast....with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth"  (1 Corinthians 5:7, 8).

Thought for today:
We might put it this way: The law of ceremonial sacrifices was the preaching of the gospel, revealing the promised Saviour, who would come and die for the sins of the world.  The blood shed in those services pointed forward to Jesus, whose blood was shed for man's sin.  In every sacrifice His righteousness was revealed as much as in every Communion service today.

As one travels through India he realized that the people of the vast land are very religious, and have been for centuries.  The altars, the temples, the sacrifices, the multitudes of priests and devotees prove it.  Some time ago a Calcutta newspaper reported that a young Brahman, a recognized leader of religion and Hinduism, came to the house of a missionary for an interview.  In the course of the conversation he said, "Many things which Christianity contains I find in Hinduism, but there is one thing which Christianity has that Hinduism has not."

"And what is that?" the missionary asked.

The young man's reply was striking--"A Saviour."

And that is just what the sacrifices and ceremonies of the Old Testament promised--a Saviour.  That is one reason why we should study the Old Testament as well as the New.  The Old Testament promised a Saviour, in prophecy and ceremony, in the feast and sacrifice.  The New Testament reveals a Saviour who had come and fulfilled the Old Testament promises.

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Difficult or obscure words:
Leviticus 23:7, 8.  "Holy convocation"--that is, a holy or sacred gathering, called a "sabbath" in verse 15.  The first and last day of each of the week-long feasts was a"sabbath" regardless of the day of the week on which they fell.  These were not the same as the seventh-day Sabbath of verse 3.

DAY 54    Read Leviticus 19 through 21.

Today's reading:  Among other solemn instructions, God issues a warning against dabbling with the occult.

Memory gem:  "Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy"  (Leviticus 19:2).

Thought for today:
Through human mediums, and even through the priesthood of certain pagan religions, demon powers have made contact with men, in order to take the very place of God in the lives of fallen humanity.

All contact with these unseen demon spirits was forbidden in ancient Israel.  Later on, in his desperation when God had forsaken him, King Saul sought contact with the dead Samuel through the intervention of such spirits.

But Saul was punished for his sin, as we read in 1 Chronicles 10:13: "So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it."

The "familiar spirit" attempted to palm itself off as the spirit of the prophet Samuel.  To this very day these spirits often imitate the dead friends of those who seek their advice.  Sometimes they claim to be the spirits or souls of eminent people of past ages.  The prophet Isaiah warns against consulting with such familiar spirits claiming to be the spirits of the dead: "When they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God?"  (Isaiah 8:19).

DAY 53    Read Leviticus 16 through 18.

Today's reading describes, among other things, one of the most important aspects of the sanctuary service--the yearly Day of Atonement.

Memory gem:  "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"  (1 John 1:9).

Thought for today:
In Israel of old, when the holy temple was cleansed at the end of the year, each offender had a chance to show that he was still repentant, that he still wanted forgiveness.  If that was true, the record of his sin was blotted out when the sanctuary was cleansed.  When that day of remembrance was made again of sins, as the writer of Hebrews puts it in Hebrews 10:3, every true Israelite renewed his consecration to God and confirmed his repentance.

"On that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord"  (Leviticus 16:30).

How happy they must have been when that day had passed and they were clean from their sins!  Friends, we may have that same experience.  We read in 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Notice, we are not only forgiven, but cleansed from all unrighteousness, from all our sins.  Then we can sing:

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
            ----Fanny J. Crosby

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Difficult or obscure words:
Leviticus 16:8.  "Scapegoat"--Azazel, a superhuman, wicked spirit.  One goat was "for the Lord" and the other was "for Azazel."  The blood of this goat was not shed as a sacrifice for the sins of men; its death was in no way substitutionary.

DAY 52    Read Leviticus 14 and 15.

Today's reading has more of the sanctuary laws, giving particular attention to the ceremonies for cleansing any defilement.

Memory gem:  "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow"  (Psalm 51:7).

Thought for today:
"Now," says Dr. F.B. Meyer, "I contend that Jesus...is all through the Book, the Book of God.  He is in every chapter and every verse, from the beginning to the end.  In fact, every incident and subject in the Bible is either about Jesus or somehow makes a road to Him."

That is especially true of the so-called ceremonial law of the Old Testament.  It is just full of types and ceremonies, sacrifices and priests, which are really a picture and prophecy of Jesus.  And, in view of what our Saviour accomplished on Calvary's cross, it seems clear to me that we should make a distinction between the Ten Commandments, or moral law, and what is called the ceremonial law.  The Ten Commandments, sometimes called the Decalogue, constitute in principle God's holy law which is unchangeable.  It is the very foundation of His holy throne.  It is the righteous expression of His character.  And since that is so, we believe it is as eternal as the everlasting God Himself.

While the moral law of God is eternal in character, it would not be true to say that the rites and ceremonies which He gave to Israel as a nation are eternal.  Many of the offerings,the feast days, even the priesthood itself were typical of the redemptive work of Christ; and they all met their glorious fulfillment in the offering of our Saviour on Calvary's cross.  This is what was meant by the apostle Paul when he wrote that Christ "abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances"  (Ephesians 2:15).

What did Jesus do with this law of ordinances?  We read in Colossians 2:14: "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross."

Every sacrificed lamb of the ancient Israelite ritual pointed forward to Jesus.  He was the reality that the rites foreshadowed.

DAY 51    Read Leviticus 12 and 13.

Today's reading looks at some of the regulations for preserving the health of God's people.

Memory gem:  "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth"  (3 John 2).

Thought for today:
The laws given through Moses concerning sanitation, hygiene, diet, and the control of communicable disease are astounding in their scope and exactness.  Medical science today is just beginning to catch up with what was common knowledge to the ancient Israelites in the fifteenth century B.C.  Public health played a prominent part in the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage.  It certainly helps to account for the fact that God's blessing was upon His people, and that "there was not one feeble person among their tribes''  (Psalm 105:37).

Afflictions will come to many of us in spite of the greatest care in obeying health rules.  We are living in a degenerate age.  We are a long way from the Garden of Eden, but obedience to God's instruction in all these things will bring us blessing and help, no matter what our condition may be.  And let us remember the wonderful statement on Exodus 15:26: "I am the Lord that healeth thee."

May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Creator of the world and the Redeemer of the human race, bless you and yours, physically, mentally, and spiritually--and may He prepare you for a place in that glorious new world which is to be yours and mine though His grace revealed in Jesus Christ.

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Difficult or obscure words:
Numbers 14:34.  "Breach of promise"--better: "your hindering of frustration of My promise."  Israel's rebellious opposition prevented the fulfillment of God's promise.

DAY 50    Read Numbers 14; Leviticus 10 and 11.

Today's reading records Israel's tragic failure on the very border of the Promised Land; it tells a painful story of swift punishment for a grievous sin.  It also lists the clean and unclean animals.

Memory gem:  "Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of  the mercy"  (Numbers 14:19).

Thought for today:
"At the hour of worship, as the prayers and praise of the people were ascending to God, two of the sons of Aaron took each his censer, and burned fragrant incense thereon, to rise as a sweet odor before the Lord.  But they transgressed his command by the use of  'strange fire.'  For burning the incense they took common instead of the sacred fire which God Himself had kindled, and which He had commanded to be used for this purpose.  For this sin, a fire went out from the Lord and devoured them in the sight of the people.

"Next to Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu had stood highest in Israel.  They had been especially honored by the Lord, having been permitted with the seventy elders to behold his glory in the mount.  But their transgression was not therefore to be excused or lightly regarded.  All this rendered their sin more grievous.  Because men have received great light, because they have, like the princes of Israel, ascended to the mount, and been privileged to have communion with God, and to dwell in the light of His glory, let them not flatter themselves that they can afterward sin with impunity; that because they have been thus honored, God will not be strict to punish their iniquity.  This is a fatal deception.  The great light and privileges bestowed require returns of virtue and holiness corresponding to the light given.  Anything short of this, God cannot accept.  Great blessings or privileges should never lull to security or carelessness.  They should never give license to sin or cause the recipients to feel that God will not be exact with them.  All the advantages which God has given are His means to throw ardor into the spirit, zeal into effort, and vigor into the carrying out of His holy will."--Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 359, 360.

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Difficult or obscure words:
Leviticus 11.  Some of the creatures mentioned here do not correspond to those modern ones with the same names.  The general principles remain the same, however.

DAY 49    Read Numbers 10:29 through chapter 13.

Today's reading:  Israel breaks camp at Mount Sinai, and the people start in the direction of the Promised Land.  One episode concerns Aaron and Miriam's jealousy of Moses.

Memory gem:  "Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel"  (Numbers 10:36).

Thought for today:
A snare so prevalent in this modern age is covetousness.  In the Ten Commandments it says: "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's"  (Exodus 20:17).

God certainly knew what He was doing when He put that in His law.  Jesus said, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth"  (Luke 12:15).

Men covet not only money, but power and esteem, position and praise.  Nations have been plunged into war, millions of lives have been blotted out, billions of dollars in property have been destroyed to feed the ambition of a few men in power.  Covetousness leads to stealing and dishonesty and marital difficulties.  It affects Christians as well as those who are not.  It is difficult to realize that "a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12:15), when we see in these modern days the mad race for riches and power and glory and security.

God hates sin with a deadly hatred, but He loves the sinner with an all-encompassing love.  Christ can save you from these snares of Satan right now if you will have it so.  Right now ask God to forgive your sin in Jesus' name, and you will find real peace and a better life.

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Difficult or obscure words:

Numbers 12:1.  "Ethiopian"--literally "Cushite."  Zipporah was a Midianite, descendant of Abraham.  Her complexion may have been somewhat darker than that if Miriam, who used the epithet "Ethiopian" in a contemptuous manner.
Numbers 13:16.  "Jehoshua"--usually given in its abbreviated form, Joshua.

DAY 48    Red Exodus 21 through 23.

Today's reading covers a section of the civil laws designed to preserve "domestic tranquility" in a crowded desert camp--as well as later in a new homeland.

Memory gem:  "Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt"  (Exodus 22:21).

Thought for today:
These were the laws that God laid down for His people in ancient times, and I believe the principle on which they were based is just as binding today as it was then.  If we have wrongfully taken anything from any person or in any way defrauded anyone, let us not only confess it, but do all we can to make restitution.  If we have misrepresented anybody, if we have started slander or some false report about someone, we should do all in our part to undo the wrong.

Hugh Latimer, the great reformer, said: "If ye make no restitution of good destined, ye shall cough in hell; the devil shall laugh at you."  This is pretty strong language.  Latimer believed it was true.

Let me say this, friend, repentance demands restitution, which is evidence of true repentance.  True repentance always brings forth fruit.  If we have done wrong to someone, we should ask God to help us make things right, to make restitution.  If I have done any man a great injustice and can make it good, I need to ask God to forgive me until I am willing to make matters right and undo the hurt I have caused.  Suppose I have taken something that does not belong to me; I cannot expect forgiveness until I make restitution as far as possible.

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Difficult or obscure words:
Exodus 22:28.  "Gods"--more properly: judges.

DAY 47    Read Leviticus 8 and 9.

Today's reading:  This section on ceremonial rules duplicates what we found on Exodus 40 about the dedication of the tabernacle for worship.

Memory gem:  "Aaron and his sons did all things which the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses"  (Leviticus 8:36).

Thought for today:
We can see how important it was for the people in those days to take part in daily worship and to turn their minds toward God and the just One who was to come and die for them.

What is the matter with church life today?  Largely lack of prayer.  What is the matter with Christian homes today?  Largely a lack of prayer.  If the family altar were erected in every professedly Christian home this week, there would be a spiritual revolution in the world.  Juvenile delinquency would practically disappear, crime would decrease, confidence would take the place of fear, and peace would rule in the hearts of men as well as in the councils of the diplomats.

Do you have family prayer at the golden altar every morning and night?  Do you lift up your eyes by faith to our Lord as He ministers in the holy temple above?  I realize that many families are divided.  In that case, you can have your own private devotions, your own secret prayer.  And your petitions will arise, accepted by God, because of the sacrifice of our Redeemer.  They will ascend with the merits of our Lord Jesus, like the morning and evening incense from the golden altar of old.

And as we pray, we learn to pray.  We do not merely kneel before God and begin to beg for things.  We learn to talk to Him and with Him, and we listen to Him speaking through His Word or directly through the impressions of the Holy Spirit upon our hearts.

It has often been said that the family that prays together, stays together.  And it certainly is true that the more we have in common, the less likely we are to drift apart.  The father and mother who unite in prayer before God and lead their children to Him will be led to settle their difficulties before they become big ones and alienate their hearts.

DAY 46    Read Leviticus 5 through 7.

Today's reading continues the regulations governing ceremonies in the sanctuary service.

Memory gem:  "The priest shall make an atonement for him....and it shall be forgiven him"  (Leviticus 5:13).

Thought for today:
There is a great deal of truth for us to study in the temple ceremonies, as they wonderfully depict the gospel and salvation in Jesus Christ.  Certainly the temple of the Israelites, in both its movable and its permanent form, had ordinances of divine service that foreshadowed the sacrifice of Jesus and also His work as our High Priest in the heavenly temple.  The definite proof of this is the statement made by the apostle in Hebrews 8:1-3, where he says: "We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hands of the throne of Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.  For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer."

"This man," of course, is Jesus.  He is our High Priest now in the heavenly sanctuary.  There He represents us before God.

The atoning sacrifice that He finished upon Calvary's cross is the offering that He presents for all repentant sinners before the throne of God.  What a glorious gospel these temple ceremonies of old picture for us!