I spent 2 grueling days reading and studying through the book of Leviticus this week. As I wrote earlier I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of rules and regulations while also being joyful that the sacrificial system is over and done with. Through out the reading I would pause to study a little deeper into some of the study notes behind certain sacrifices or certain rules. I am proud to say that I found quite a few laws that I have always and (hopefully) will always keep without question. So here is this week’s The List: 10 Levitical Rules That I Follow (Without Really Trying)

1) I have never eaten a camel or a rock badger. (11:4-5)
2) I have never eaten an eagle, vulture, sea gull, or barn owl. (11:13-19)
3) I don’t eat road kill (11:39-40)
4) I don’t make sacrifices to goat demons. (17: 7)
5) I don’t eat blood- I’m a medium well kinda guy. (17:10)
6) I have never — and will never — ever — approach a relative and “uncover their nakedness.” Ewww. (18:1-30)
7) I have never cursed the deaf or purposely tripped the blind. (19:14)
8) I avoid necromancers. (19:31)
9) I have just balances and measures (my tape measure and calculators are fair) (19:36)
10) I will not give my child to Molech. (20:1-5)

Of course these rules are pretty easy to keep. They seem so bizarre and antiquated that is is easy to laugh at them and pull them out as examples of the “old law.” However, let us not poke fun at these rules at the expense of the ones that can be applicable to today. Rules that speak to living holy lives full of justice and mercy dedicated only to the LORD Almighty. Laws about helping the poor, outcast and alien. Laws that make us different from the surrounding culture.

Let us never forget the laws that relate to the pursuit of holy living and honoring the God that calls us to be set apart for his purposes. He alone frees us. He alone cleanses us and makes us his own.