Daily Bible Reading
Week of May 4, 2025
Reading Schedule:
May 5 — Lev. 13
May 6 — Lev. 14
May 7 — Lev. 15
May 8 — Lev. 16
May 9 — Lev. 16 (again)
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Reader's Guide:
When the Bible starts talking plainly about matters of private and public health, it can get a little awkward for modern readers, but there are some deep lessons about God bound up in those concepts. Here are a few things you should know to help make the most of these readings:
When the Law of Moses talks about ‘leprosy,’ it usually means any sort of surface problem that visibly spreads. We know them as bacterial or fungal or infectious conditions — the kind of thing that can show up on skin, in the wood construction of a house, in long-term food storage, etc. Knowing that helps to understand the multi-faceted responses to it in Leviticus.
The concepts of ‘clean’ and ‘unclean’ aren’t the same as being right or wrong with God; it’s more about being permitted in (or simply near) God’s presence. Things and people that are ‘unclean’ can’t be close to his holiness, even though they aren’t inherently sinful. And that helps us understand what’s happening with all of the ‘cleansing’ rituals.
The “Day of Atonement” was arguably the holy day of all holy days in Israel’s calendar. All of the special occasions ordained by God were important, but this yearly day when their sins were atoned for and forgiven was paramount. And even for us, this day sets the template for how we receive God’s forgiveness through Christ, so it is worth our attentive and contemplative reading in order to better understand God’s gift of life to us.
