Leviticus closes with rules about redeeming persons who have been dedicated to the Lord, reminding us that we, too, have been redeemed.

We rejoice when God blesses the righteous, but do not want to confuse that with a belief that our actions can manipulate God

The Old Testament presents economic principles very different from our modern systems. That might be a good thing.

From now through early January it seems there is some kind of holiday or observance almost every week. It is the things we remember as a community that shape us.

Belief in witchcraft and sorcery, while still with us, is less common than it once was. But we still have ways we try to know and control the future rather than trusting in God to take care of it.

A practical result of most of the laws of the Old Testament is that those who follow them will be seen as people of compassion and integrity. Those attributes serve well in attracting people to the faith.

The Old Testament sacrificial rituals provided physicals ways to represent the release of sin. Rituals can often reinforce unseen truths by making them visible.

While the idea of ceremonial purity is foreign to us, we understand what it means to feel unclean or unworthy.

Laws about ritual purity and health seemed far removed from our religious experience, but they helped guide people on how to get along.

Aaron’s sons find that looking like a priest is not enough. In a scene that reminds us of the story of Cain and Abel, they make an offering to the Lord in the wrong spirit, and suffer the consequences.