Leviticus 27
Have you ever made a promise you couldn’t keep? I know I’ve made assurances before without considering my ability to make good on those guarantees, only to find myself unable to deliver later. Undoubtedly, broken pledges like these erode trust between those involved, not to mention what it may do for one’s witness as an ambassador for Christ Jesus. In the final chapter of Leviticus, God gives provisions for those who make vows to serve Him with their lives or who desire to offer Him gifts out of a grateful overflow of their heart.
As you read through the first eight verses, it is important to note that the valuation of a person was not based on how important they were in God’s eyes, but rather on their value as laborers. Moreover, we see that no one was exempt from devoting themselves to the LORD, as those with and without financial means were included in this initial section of today’s reading. That reminds me that all followers of Jesus are called to offer ourselves to God (Romans 12:1). But while we are commanded to do so, Matthew Henry cautions us that “the matter should be well weighed…else rash vows and hesitation in doing them will dishonour God, and trouble our own minds.”[i]
Assuredly, when we declare that we are devoting ourselves to Christ Jesus, yet live no differently than this fallen world, God is not glorified, and our souls will be distressed. Meditate on Paul’s words from Romans 6:2-4 before moving on: “How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (emphasis added).
The remainder of today’s reading deals with the dedication of houses, fields, and cattle, as well as “every tithe of the land” (v. 30). This reminds us that every area of a person’s life should be considered worthy of offering to God. Let us endeavor to bring Him honor and glory in all areas of our lives; He is worthy of it all!
The book of Leviticus closes with the following statement: “These are the commandments that the LORD commanded Moses for the people of Israel on Mount Sinai” (v. 46). As we come to the end of this volume, I’ll leave you with some additional wisdom from Matthew Henry:
Many of these commandments are moral, and of perpetual obligation; others of them, which were ceremonial and peculiar to the Jewish economy, have notwithstanding a spiritual significancy, and are instructive to us who are furnished with a key to let us into the mysteries contained in them; for unto us, by those institutions, is the gospel preached as well as unto them, Heb. 4:2…
Upon the whole matter, we may see cause to bless God that we have not come to mount Sinai, Heb. 12:18. 1. That we are not under the dark shadows of the law, but enjoy the clear light of the gospel, which shows us Christ the end of the law for righteousness, Rom. 10:4. The doctrine of our reconciliation to God by a Mediator is not clouded with the smoke of burning sacrifices, but cleared by the knowledge of Christ and him crucified….
Let us not therefore think that because we are not tied to the ceremonial cleansings, feasts, and oblations, a little care, time, and expense, will serve to honour God with. No, but rather have our hearts more enlarged with free-will offerings to his praise, more inflamed with holy love and joy, and more engaged in seriousness of thought and sincerity of intention…
Having boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, let us draw near with a true heart, and full assurance of faith, worshipping God with so much the more cheerfulness and humble confidence, still saying, Blessed be God for Jesus Christ![ii]
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Journal responses to the following prompts:
· As you reflect upon the many commands of God, what stands out the most to you regarding God’s heart?
· After reading through the books of Exodus and Leviticus, have you fully grasped your own inability to save yourself by adhering to God’s laws?
[i] Leviticus 27 Bible commentary. (n.d.). Christianity.com. Retrieved April 24, 2026, from https://www.christianity.com/bible/commentary/matthew-henry-concise/leviticus/27
[ii] Henry, M. (2014). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible. (Vol. 1). Hendrickson Publishers. p. 441.