“None devoted, which shall be devoted of men, shall be redeemed; but shall surely be put to death.”
Context: The book of Leviticus is part of the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, and it contains the laws and regulations given by God to the Israelites through Moses. Leviticus 27 specifically deals with laws regarding vows and dedications to the Lord.
Devoted things: The verse you mentioned talks about things that are “devoted.” In this context, when something or someone is devoted to the Lord, it means that it is set apart for His exclusive use and is to be wholly dedicated to Him. People and possessions could be devoted to the Lord in various ways.
Devoted to destruction: The verse states that something or someone “devoted of men” should not be redeemed but should be put to death. This refers to a special type of devotion called “devoted to destruction” or “herem” in Hebrew. When something or someone was devoted to destruction, it meant that it was to be completely annihilated and not spared.
Examples of devoted things: In the context of Leviticus, there were instances when people or things were devoted to destruction. For example, the city of Jericho was devoted to destruction (Joshua 6:17-21), and the spoils of war from Jericho were also devoted (Joshua 7:1). These were acts of judgment by God upon those who opposed His people or engaged in idolatry.
Severity of the law: The principle behind this law was that certain things or people were considered so thoroughly corrupt or contaminated by sin that they were not to be redeemed or spared. It served as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the consequences that it can bring. The severity of the punishment reflected God’s holiness and His desire for the Israelites to maintain purity and obedience.
Christ’s fulfillment: While the Old Testament laws, including the laws on devotion, may seem harsh by today’s standards, they served a specific purpose in the context of ancient Israel. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ fulfilled the requirements of the law and established a new covenant based on grace and redemption through His sacrifice on the cross. As Christians, we are no longer bound by the specific laws and regulations of the Old Testament.
Application: While we are not under the same laws as the ancient Israelites, the principle of devotion can still apply to our lives. As believers, we are called to devote ourselves fully to God, surrendering our lives, desires, and possessions to Him. We should be willing to let go of anything that hinders our relationship with God and strive to live in obedience to His Word.
Remember, studying the Bible in its entirety helps us understand the context and overarching themes of God’s redemptive plan.
