Holiness now, Happiness later.
In our Bible study this year, we're almost shifting to the book of Leviticus. On the onset, many people begin reading Leviticus and quickly feel overwhelmed. It seems full of rules about sacrifices, food, skin diseases, clothing, bodily discharges, and priestly procedures. At first glance, it feels distant and highly ceremonial. But when you slow down, something surprising appears: Leviticus is intensely practical and down to earth. Leviticus is about holiness — but not holiness in a narrow, religious sense. It teaches what we might call the wholeness of life. According to Leviticus, there is no part of life that lies outside God’s concern. Holiness touches health, diet, family relationships, sexuality, clothing, housing, work, and social responsibility. All this things matter to God and therefore they should matter to us. The body matters. What one eats matters. Clean and unclean foods are discussed in detail. Childbirth and bodily conditions are addressed openly. Even haircuts an...