BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusSample

The symbolic re-creation of Eden space and time within Israel’s camp continues in today’s reading. Inside the tabernacle, a golden lampstand’s flowering branches portray the original tree of life from Eden’s garden. Its branches support seven lights, pointing to the seven days of creation and to God’s own light bursting through the darkness. God’s abundance, generosity, and seventh-day rest also order every level of Israel’s calendar, as seen in today’s video.

Leviticus 24 includes a sobering story about honoring God’s name. Like Israel’s priests who have a special duty to care for the holiness of the tabernacle, the whole nation also has a special calling to preserve the holiness of Yahweh’s name. Just like Nadab and Abihu, who violated their vocation as priests by dishonoring God’s holy space, the unnamed man who blasphemes God’s holy name also faces severe consequences. The story suggests that representing the name of Yahweh is a gift, as well as a weighty responsibility.

Reflection Questions

• What do the regulations for weekly, yearly, and generational Sabbath rest in Leviticus tell you about the kind of rest God desires for his people? How does that compare or contrast with a mainstream culture’s understanding of rest?
• In Luke’s gospel, Jesus announces his mission by quoting Isaiah 61, which refers to the year of Jubilee: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19). How do you see Jesus fulfilling the regulations for the year of Jubilee in his life and ministry?