Monday

18 Feb

Lev 18-20; Prov 21: Mark 11

Leviticus 18:  What does the Lord warn the Israelites NOT to do?

Leviticus 19:  What message is repeated throughout this chapter?

Proverbs 21: What is more acceptable to God than sacrifice? What happens if you ignore the poor?

Mark 11:  Why do you think Jesus cursed the fig tree? What is essential to do prior to praying? (v. 25-26) Do you do this? Or do you expect answered prayer regardless?

Journal Prompt:  Leviticus 18 lists practices of the Egyptians and the Canaanites that the Lord finds to be an abomination and He warns the Israelites to never adopt those beliefs and practices.  What in our society today do you think the Lord finds to be an abomination and how are you keeping yourself from accepting those beliefs or practices?

Answers:

Leviticus 18: The Lord warns the Israelites NOT to follow the customs, traditions, laws, etc. of other nations.  God wants them to be separate – distinct – fully God’s.  If they do assimilate and accept the practices of the lands they are conquering, they will be removed (vomited out) from the land.

Leviticus 19:  The message that is repeated is “I am the Lord” and “I am the Lord, your God”.  He is reminding them of His holiness and the fact that they belong to Him; therefore they must live in a way that honors Him:

Proverbs 21:  Being honest and fair is more acceptable to God than sacrifice. If you ignore the poor your prayers will not be answered. (v. 13)

Mark 11:  Jesus cursed the fig tree because it had leaves – the appearance of fruit, but it did not bear fruit.  It could be compared to the Pharisees – clean and shiny on the outside but not so on the inside. Their lives looked great, but they did not produce fruit.

Prior to asking God for anything, you must forgive anyone in your life who has offended you.