The Bible by David Alley

by David Alley

Season 1

Leviticus 20 - Punishments for Various Sins | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Leviticus 20 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Leviticus 20 we read many similar things as in chapter 18 but now in more detail, especially with punishment. The death penalty is ascribed for so many of these things. For some of these, such as sacrificing one’s children to the demon Molech, it makes more sense, but for others, our modern minds have washed away the seriousness of the sin. Why are the punishments so severe? One key reason is that God wanted to reinforce to the Israelites in advance, how bad these things were before they were confronted by them in Canaan. Parents do this with their own children today on occasion when they are going into a situation unfamiliar. For example child sacrifice was not really an Etyptian thing, but a Canaanite thing. The Israelites were going to see evil practices they had only heard about before, and were not at all to be tempted to participate in them. So the stakes were set high by the Lord. Those who didn’t obey, would be punished by God and be cut off, even if they were not punished by the nation. Most likely being cut off was a reference to the eternal consequences of their sins. Even though we don’t live in ancient Israel, and are not under the civil laws of the nation at that time, we still need to walk before God and carry His priorities.

S1 · E110

Jun 21, 2022

14:53

Leviticus 19 -Holiness and Social Responsibility| Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Leviticus 19 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Leviticus 19 we get to the high point of God’s requirements in the law. And along with that we find the central statement of the law. God says to “be holy, because I am holy.” Modern society thinks it can be moral without God, but it's clear to any objective observers, that morality declines when the Lord is removed. The ultimate question that is asked by anyone when given a law to follow is “why?” If we are commanded to be holy because God is holy, and he also requires it, that is a sufficient answer. This is one reason for the rise in the popularity of atheism, because if no God exists, there is no moral obligation to Him. This chapter then goes on to list many laws for the Israelites, which include the ten commandments in other ways, plus many other things. There is much to learn and emulate here, and even though we are not under the law, our hearts should desire to please God in following him, setting an example to others in holiness. Some examples of the laws included here are the ten commandments again, and other laws about how to treat the poor, how to treat refugees, not to tattoo your body, to conduct business fairly, and more.

S1 · E109

Jun 20, 2022

15:19

Leviticus 18 - Laws for Sexual Relations | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Leviticus 18 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Leviticus 18 God’s people are told they should not copy the behaviour of those in the world around them, very specifically the sexual practices of the world around us. The Coffman commentary explains that to “uncover their nakedness” was a figure of speech meaning to get married to. Here the Israelites were told not to intermarry with close relatives. This was common in the ancient world, and there are previous examples of it in the Bible with the patriarchs. It was certainly common in ancient Egypt in the royal family of the 18th dynasty. Here in Leviticus, God steps in to stop this practice. Now this type of law is common worldwide, taking a leaf from scripture. After the rules against marrying relatives, it then gives other rules about sexual behaviour, all of which are based on the physical act. But later in the sermon on the mount, Jesus increases the moral responsibility to include what the heart desires. So if a person wants to commit adultery, even if they don’t physically do so, they are now guilty of having committed adultery. The love of sin is also a sin. St Augustine in his book City of God used negative reasoning to explain this. He said a women who is raped is not guilty of rape, becasue she did not desire to commit adultery. Then in the same way a person who does desire adultery, even though they physically do not participate, actually is guilty of that sin. Later in scripture, in Psalm 45:7 and in Hebrews 1:9 it says we should love righteousness, and hate wickedness, and this is the example Christ sets for us. So we don’t just strive to obey God, we strive to love the things God loves. We are to be God’s holy people, not like the world around us.

S1 · E108

Jun 19, 2022

14:16

Leviticus 17 - Laws for Eating Blood and Meat | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Leviticus 17 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Leviticus 17 two things are highlighted clearly. First that sacrifices MUST be done at the tabernacle/temple, and that blood must NOT be eaten. First on the tabernacle, we see this is important because it makes a clear differentiation from the other worship in the land of Canaan which was under every spreading tree. It was a strengthening of the holy priesthood. It made people dependent on God, and it helped strengthen a nation. All the twelve tribes of Israel had the tabernacle as their central point and this rule was useful not just for worship, but politically. Of course, later King Jeroboam the first deliberately built two golden calves to purposely undermine this rule, and cement his political control over ten of the tribes. This undermined everything God was highlighting in this chapter. But God still worked miraculously just the same to bring about his ends, through Christ who was the real meaning behind all these symbols. Today, we must come to Christ who is our temple, and not try to work out our own righteousness any other way. We cannot go anywhere else except to Him, adn this is the key lesson here. But secondly on blood. Nowhere in the scripture is it more strongly prohibited than here. But contrastingly in John 6, Jesus said to drink his blood. This was a ghastly thought and the greek word scandalo described the idea of it. Other nations consumed blood in their meat, but God wanted them separate. He also wanted them to consume his blood metaphorically as it contained the true life that would last forever. Later in the New Testament in Acts 15, the prohibition against blood continues as one of just a few remaining instructions from the Law, still relevant for all believers.

S1 · E107

Jun 18, 2022

14:28

Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Leviticus 16 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Leviticus 16 we come to the central point of the book of Leviticus, and the high point of the entire Torah. This is Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement. This was a ritual atonement for the sin of the entire community, which occurred once a year ritual on day ten of the month of tishri. The highpriest had a 21 step process, which included among other things, washing, changing into simple clothes, offering sacrifices for himself, and then cleansing the tabernacle, and then finally offering sacrifices for the nation. Part of this included casting lots over two goats, one for God which was killed as a sacrifice, and the other a scapegoat. The sins of the nation were laid on the scapegoat which was sent away into the wilderness. Christ is the picture of both the sacrifices and the High Priest in this. Firstly as High Priest he laid aside his fancy heavenly position and took a humble position as a human, copying the task of changing into simple clothes. Later he represented both goats. On the one hand, he died for our sins, at calvary, and on the other hand he took our sins on himself and carried them away, just as the scapegoat did. But while this ritual is an annual thing, the work of Christ was once for all time. His death on Calvary represents THE DAY OF ATONEMENT for us all. The book of Hebrews has many things to say about Christ as both our High Priest and as our offering.

S1 · E106

Jun 17, 2022

16:20

Leviticus 15 - Laws for Bodily Discharges | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Leviticus 15 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Leviticus 15 the discussion of things that make one clean or unclean continues. This isn’t a consideration of what is moral or immoral, but what is appropriate for coming before God. Essentially it is a big lesson about the level of seriousness we need to take about the holiness of God. In my family there have been occasions where my children said something highly inappropriate at the wrong time. For example making a burp at the dinner table in front of an important guest. After an incident like that, we would make the child apologize in front of everyone. If we didn’t follow through on this, in front of our guests, they would end up thinking it was us, the parents, who were inappropriate. And so there are things, such as in this chapter which teach that God is to be approached appropriately. The individual things, such as burping in front of guests, may not be sinful in themselves. Of course things like that become sin, if the motive of the heart, after being aware of what God wants, or parents have asked, isn’t right in obedience. So, what is appropriate and inappropriate today? For example, what is our attitude while in prayer? And, what is the context of our lives, that prayer is in? A good example is in our prayers for forgiveness. It would not be appropriate to ask for that, if we ourselves were not forgiving others. We are not under law, but grace, and yet this passage shows us that we need to approach God in all seriousness.

S1 · E105

Jun 16, 2022

15:33

Leviticus 14 - Laws for Cleansing Lepers | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Leviticus 14 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Leviticus 14 we continue thinking about leprosy, but this time the aftermath of healing and the cure. This is the second longest chapter in Leviticus with 57 verses. Leprosy is really a symbol of sin, which is so pervasive in our lives and hard to remove. And with that in mind, we now realise that we should be excluded from the camp. We are all lepers in God’s sight and not safe to include. We are in need not just of forgiveness from sin, but cleansing. In 1 John 1:8-9 it says that he will “forgive AND cleanse” us from all unrighteousness. In the blood of Christ is both the power to forgive us and to heal. For our healing from sin we have to go to God alone. There is no human way that this can be achieved, only on our knees at the foot of the cross. Once again, like so many other times in Leviticus Christ makes an appearance. He is the offering of the two birds. One is killed and one flies away. Christ was killed and his blood atoned for us, but then Christ was also raised and flew away from the grave. Both of the birds symbolise what Christ does for us. He provides for us in his death, and for us in his life. If we are truly to be not just forgiven, but cleansed of sin, so that we overcome its power in our lives, the only way this can happen is if the power of Christ’s death and resurrection are both at work in us.

S1 · E104

Jun 15, 2022

19:26

Leviticus 13 - Laws for Leprosy | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Leviticus 13 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Leviticus 13 we talk about skin diseases, and the general category of leprosy. This isn’t necessarily the leprosy we know of today as Hansen’s disease, but a group of skin diseases which include that. In 2021 the world is in the grip of the COVID pandemic and governments have very strict rules about how to live, so as to prevent the disease from spreading. So looking back at this chapter we see God’s wisdom at work to protect the nation of Israel from infectious diseases too. As tough as it is being under restrictions, with social distance, face masks, sanitization, quarantining and much more, and we can all relate to that, we also see the wisdom of it. Father Damien was a catholic priest who ministered on Molokai Island in Hawaii among lepers and ended up dying from the disease himself. We know that God cares for everyone, including lepers, but in this chapter we see the aspect of God's care for the entire group. Because there were no doctors in the camp, following these rules, with the priests in charge, was important. As priests under the New Covenant, we also have a responsibility before God to keep our lives, our families, and the people of God free from things that are impure. This isn’t just the job of a church leader, but rather we see that we all have this job. These chapters not only show us God’s care and provision for the health needs of a nation back then, but also the importance of spiritual purity now.

S1 · E103

Jun 14, 2022

19:43

Leviticus 12 - Purification after Childbirth | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Leviticus 12 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Leviticus 12 a woman who gives birth to a boy is unclean for 40 days. The number forty appears regularly in the Bible associated with the idea of trial or testing, and often ending with new life, or new blessings. For example Jesus tested for 40 days and then he entered into ministry in the power of the Spirit. So here we see this in the life of a mother and a new boy. This uncleanness isn’t moral, but ceremonial. This is actually a hugely considerate move by God. When a mother gives birth she needs rest, and it's hard to get sufficient rest, and still remain involved while normal life beckons. But during a period of ritual uncleanness, she is unable to wash, cook, clean or do other tasks, as her unclean state forbids her. So she is required to rest. So this period of forced rest is good for her, and good for the baby boy she is bonding with, and also a time of trial for the rest of the family who have to do more than usual, but it will result in new life and blessing. So we see there are practical benefits to this command. But why was she unclean twice as long after giving birth to a girl? At first it sounds like female babies are not as valuable, but what this double period of uncleanness meant, was that the mother was able to have twice as long resting if she had a daughter. It's possible that while society celebrated the birth of a son, because culturally they felt it was better, the mother inwardly was also very happy at having a daughter and was able to spend twice as long bonding with this little person, imparting love and value to her. It shows that God highly values women, and is far more considerate than we imagine. It wasn’t a double curse, but a double blessing. And the sacrifice at the end of the period is the same for boys and girls indicating they have equal value. Spiritually this chapter reinforces the idea that being clean is important, and the spiritual aspect is the real truth that the entire book of Leviticus is pointing at. Jesus said to his disciples in John 15, “you are clean” because of my word in you. This teaches us that we need to get Jesus’ words inside of us.

S1 · E102

Jun 13, 2022

12:05

Leviticus 11 - Clean and Unclean Animals | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Leviticus 11 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.

S1 · E101

Jun 12, 2022

18:00

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