Some of the scriptures I am having a hard time understanding and I'm wrestling with because I don't fully understand. I have a hard time when I don't understand, I start to avoid because the nagging frustrating gets to me.
I am currently in Leviticus 23 Chapter.
Some of the questions - as I do questions along with the bible study I am unsure how to answer and I can't really connect or picture it in my mind [to process it].
1. How does God view the relationship between the normal work cycle and the special days of festival giving thanks to God [vv. 1-25]? Are you taking adequate time to focus properly on God?
As you likely know, festival, feast and fasting observance is not required of Christians, whether they be Jew or Gentile. That also goes for Sabbath observances. Where we are free to observe any and all the Torah observances, they are no longer a lasting requirements for observation. The Jews in Jerusalem, as it's written, remained zealous for the Law, which is likely what motivated the Judaisers to go out and do damage among the churches that Paull had planted. Read Acts 15 very carefully, and you will see how the Jerusalem council handled the alleged requirement for Gentiles to become Torah observant.
2. How much of a distinction does God make between workdays and worship days [vv. 3, 7-8, 21, 30-31]? How much distinction do you make?
The fleshly practice of separating between the secular and the sacred, that's just not how we are supposed to live.
Recall what Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well, when He stated that the day was coming when men would worship the Father in SPIRIT and in TRUTH. Those are not activities, they are descriptors of a way of DAILY life that should be lived by all who follow Christ Jesus. By doing that, it's only then that one will have something to offer up in corporate worship that is acceptable before the Father.
3. How generous does God expect you to be in your worship of him [vv. 10, 14, 17, 20]? Are you as generous as you ought to be?
If your asking about the alleged requirement for tithing, that's a doctrine of men. Generosity aimed at meeting genuine needs before one sees to the care of a dead facility that will burn with this earth, THAT is the priority we should have in our giving generously, with all else being secondary, or thirdly or fourthly down the line of priorities in our giving.
4. Why does God view his people's sacrifices as "pleasing aroma" [v. 18]? Do you enjoy raising up a pleasing aroma to God through your worship?
Psalm 135:3 Praise the LORD; for the LORD [is] good: sing praises unto his name; for [it is] pleasant.
I'm also reminded of when the apostles were chained to the wall in prison, and they offered up a sacrifice of praise in that place rather than cursings and complaints, and the Lord sent an angel to set them free. When bed-ridden with illness in the past, I raised up my hands and voice in praise of the Lord in the midst of it all rather than for it, and He blessed me tremendously with strength and a powerful sense of His presence.
5. Can you name the festivals God set and what was celebrated [chap. 23; see Ex. 23:14-17; 34:18-26; Nm 28-29; Dt. 16:1-17; Ezk. 45:18-25]?
The main one I know of is the Feast of Tabernacles, because that's the one that all the nations of the earth that had ever come up against Israel will be required to take pilgrimage to Jerusalem and participate, and those that don't will not have rain for their land during the Millennial reign of Christ Jesus on this earth.
6. How does the New Testament use these festivals [see Jn 19:31-37; Acts 2:1, 1 Co 5:7-8; 15:23]?
The believing Jews in Jerusalem did them as a continuing reminder of the great and glorious things the Lord had done for their nation and the world. They were not required to observe those observances, but even we can do so today as a remembrance. That is the freedom in Christ that we have.
I just have been struggling so much with understanding - I am at a mental block. If there is any mistakes I apologize ahead of time.
There are a few more questions but I will post them later.
That's the beauty of these forums, where we all can share with one another, and love one another, which this world is sorely lacking.
MM