Through these last 7 chapters, there is not much devotional material. But there is this line that repeats itself over and over. "I am the LORD who sanctifies you."
Now this is a very significant thing especially when you consider the whole book. Through the book we learn of various ceremonies that a person goes through to become sanctified. Sacrifices and washings, and feasts oh my. These people were to live lives striving towards holiness. And if one were to look at it with an overly "Lutheran" view of the text, they would be earning their sanctification. Yet, God thunders repeatedly "I am the LORD who sanctifies you."
The participation of these Israelites in their sanctification does not imply that they are sanctifying themselves, by their own power and ability. God is the one who sanctifies.
So this is the tension that Arminians and Calvinists live in.
I would make clear, that God was the one who delivered them from Egypt. And these rules and stipulations and laws are given after they were delivered, but nevertheless, these are God's house rules for their time period.
Are there still house rules today? Are there still punishments for the violation of those house rules?
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