Rev. Nate Hill, pastor at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Winchester, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Leviticus 19:1-37. Because the LORD is holy, He gives holiness to His people for their day-to-day life. That holiness manifests itself as they seek after a life according to the Ten Commandments, beginning with the right worship of the one true God. This love of God leads to a love for neighbor, particularly the poor and the sojourner in Israel. As the LORD applies His Word to the li...
Sep 19, 2023•55 min
Rev. Dr. Rick Marrs, senior professor of practical theology and pastoral counseling at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Leviticus 18:1-30. Because the LORD is God for His people Israel, they are not to follow the wicked examples of Egypt or Canaan in matters of marriage and sexuality. Instead, His people should live in the holiness that He has given them in the 6th Commandment. Rather than abusing the family relationships that He has given them, the Isr...
Sep 18, 2023•55 min
Rev. Joshua Haller, pastor at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fairgrove, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Leviticus 17:1-16. The LORD instructs His people concerning the proper place for worship. Their sacrifices are not to be made wherever they want, but in the place that He has directed. In this way, they will not bear the guilt of their sins, but their guilt will be taken away. Similarly, the LORD instructs His people concerning the proper content of their worship, especially r...
Sep 15, 2023•56 min
Rev. Harrison Goodman, content executive for Higher Things, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Leviticus 16:1-34. The Day of Atonement is central to Leviticus, not only structurally, but especially theologically. In the rites for the Day of Atonement, the LORD provides cleansing for the sins of His people, so that they do not die like Nadab and Abihu, and He provides cleansing for the tabernacle, so that the sins of Israel do not keep Him from dwelling in their midst. Both the sacrifices and...
Sep 14, 2023•55 min
Rev. Chris Hull, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Leviticus 15:1-33. Although the LORD’s teaching concerning bodily discharges may strike modern readers as unusual, the LORD’s concern is revealed in the structure of the chapter. At the center is the relationship between the husband and the wife. Though the consummation of their relationship is not some special source of holiness, as pagans practiced, still the LORD protects and honors His good...
Sep 13, 2023•55 min
Rev. Sean Kilgo, pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lawrence, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Leviticus 14:1-57. The LORD teaches His priests how those who have been healed from various skin diseases can be made clean and restored to the full fellowship of the people of Israel. The LORD provided for bathing and sacrifices by which His gift of restoration could be received, culminating in the eighth day. Because Israelite homes were an extension of the LORD’s house, decaying infecti...
Sep 12, 2023•56 min
Rev. Dr. Brian Kachelmeier, teacher for Wittenberg Academy, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Leviticus 13:1-59. The LORD provides instructions for His priests to distinguish between clean and unclean in various skin diseases. A skin disease that makes an Israelite unclean is one that shows decay and death on the way. Because this is a reminder of the effects of original sin, it is not appropriate in the presence of the LORD’s holiness. Because clothing was seen as a second skin for a perso...
Sep 11, 2023•55 min
Rev. Jason Schockman, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc, WI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Leviticus 11:1-12:8. In the wake of the death of Nadab and Abihu, the LORD makes plain the distinction between clean and unclean. He starts with the matter of Israelite diet. That which is sacrificed at the LORD’s altar makes the difference. That food which is fit for the LORD’s table is fit for tables in Israelite homes; that food which does not have a place on the LORD’s table s...
Sep 08, 2023•57 min
Rev. Stephen Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Leviticus 10:1-20. The euphoria of the initial Divine Service is replaced by the horror of the death of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu. Because they attempted to approach the LORD’s holiness on their own terms, His holiness consumes them in their sin. The LORD provides for their uncleanness to be removed from His presence and commissions Aaron to distinguish between the holy and the common ...
Sep 07, 2023•56 min
Rev. David Appold, pastor at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Paducah, KY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Leviticus 9:1-24. Having come to the eighth day of Aaron’s consecration, the LORD gives instructions for the high priest to begin his role among the people. The LORD’s purpose is realized when His glory appears to all the people at the conclusion of the Divine Service and His fire consumes the burnt offering. The dual blessing that is given serves as the paradigm for God’s intention for...
Sep 06, 2023•56 min
Rev. Dr. Adam Koontz, pastor and evangelist at Trinity Lutheran Church in Denver, CO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Leviticus 8:1-36. The book of Leviticus begins a narrative section as the LORD instructs Moses how to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests. The vestments they are given to wear and the sacrifices that are made serve to set them apart for their holy work. At the same time, this also serves as a reminder that their priesthood is incomplete and imperfect. This points us t...
Sep 05, 2023•55 min
Rev. Rick Jones, Chaplain and Vice-President of Spiritual Life at the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in Minot, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Leviticus 7:1-38. The LORD continues to give more explicit instructions to His priests for the way they will carry out the sacrifices for the people of Israel. The details remind us both of the seriousness and the gift of encountering God’s holiness. He desires to be at table with His people in the peace offering, and He desires to provide for His...
Sep 04, 2023•55 min
Rev. Caleb Adams, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bend, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Leviticus 5:14-6:30. The LORD speaks to Moses concerning guilt offerings that the people of Israel could bring especially in cases of sin in which restitution toward God or a neighbor would be made. Through the guilt offering, the LORD restored not only His holiness to His people, but also brought reconciliation among His people. Significantly, Jesus is described as this very type of sacrifice as ...
Sep 01, 2023•56 min
Rev. John Bussman, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Leviticus 4:1-5:13. The LORD details the sacrifices that would be brought before Him in the case of unintentional sins. The fact that the LORD provides sacrifices for unintentional sins shows the deadly serious nature of all sin as well as the LORD’s concern for the consolation of consciences in the certainty of His forgiveness. The type of animal sacrificed was based not on the type of...
Aug 31, 2023•55 min
Rev. Vance Becker, LCMS missionary serving as a theological education at Neema Lutheran College in Matongo, Kenya, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Leviticus 3:1-17. The LORD describes the peace offerings that His people could bring before Him. As in other sacrifices, the fat belonged solely to the LORD. The most important feature of the peace offerings was the ability of the worshiper to partake of the meat from the sacrifice. Because of the celebratory nature of the meal and the amount o...
Aug 30, 2023•56 min
Rev. Andy Wright, pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Leviticus 2:1-16. The LORD describes grain offerings that His people may bring before Him. Unlike the burnt offering in which the entire sacrifice was consumed on the altar, part of the grain offerings are to be eaten by the priests. Neither leaven nor honey is to be burned with the grain offerings, but they must all be seasoned with salt. The pleasing aroma of the offering once again asc...
Aug 29, 2023•55 min
Rev. Dr. Adam Hensley, associate professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Leviticus 1:1-17. Although the book of Leviticus is unfamiliar to many Christians today, it occupies a key place within the Holy Scriptures. The people of God are encamped at Mt. Sinai, and the LORD has taken up residence among them in the tabernacle. How can He dwell among them with His holiness without consuming them in their sin? Through the rites gi...
Aug 28, 2023•57 min
“The Holiness of God” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Leviticus. Because God desired to dwell among His sinful people for their blessing rather than their destruction, He gave them the sacrifices and regulations of Leviticus to bestow His holiness upon them. In this way, the book of Leviticus points us to Christ who is our great High Priest who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice to make us holy before God. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the t...
Aug 28, 2023•3 min
Rev. Mark Squire, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ecclesiastes 12:9-14. Solomon brings the book of Ecclesiastes to a beautiful conclusion. He has studied and taught with diligence; the words of delight that he has found are the words of truth. Such truth is assured because it is not human wisdom; it comes from God alone. His wisdom is to be sought more than any books of human writing. What is the ultimate wisdom for this life under the...
Aug 25, 2023•55 min
Rev. Andrew Jagow, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Alexandria, VA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ecclesiastes 12:1-8. Solomon commands those who are young to remember their Creator now, before old age comes. Using a variety of poetic images, Solomon describes both the reality that death will come to all and the reality that all will stand before God on the Last Day. Even as he restates his theme of vanity in this life under the sun, Solomon continues to hold out the hope of eternal...
Aug 24, 2023•54 min
Rev. Ian Kinney, pastor at First Lutheran Church in Sabetha, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ecclesiastes 11:1-10. With the image of casting bread upon waters, Solomon commends generosity. Not only does this serve the neighbor in need, but it helps us to fight against materialism. Humility is needed, for God’s work and will is over all things. Although we do not know what the future holds, we know that the Lord will be faithful whatever comes. This sets us free to work with joy at eve...
Aug 23, 2023•53 min
Rev. David Boisclair, interim pastor at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Overland, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ecclesiastes 10:8-20. Though our work may have useful intentions, that does not guarantee safe outcomes; the logs we intend to use to build houses may end up bringing harm to us. Still, Solomon commends wisdom for the sake of bringing success to work. Fools may speak many words, thinking that they know what will happen, but such foolishness only leads to evil madness. This...
Aug 22, 2023•56 min
Rev. Andrew Belt, pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Marshfield, WI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ecclesiastes 9:11-10:7. Solomon laments the reality under the sun that no outcome is assured. Those who are fastest don’t always win the race, and those are smart don’t always get rich. Wisdom conquers brute force, and yet wisdom doesn’t always receive its due recognition. Nonetheless, wisdom is to be preferred for this life under the sun. A little folly can ruin everything, because it le...
Aug 21, 2023•55 min
Rev. Dr. Ryan Tietz, Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology and Dean of Students at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ecclesiastes 9:1-10. Solomon tells it like it is. In this life under the sun, man cannot see God’s purposes. On whatever end of the spectrum a person falls, he still dies. Those who are living have the advantage of reflecting on this reality and learning God’s wisdom for the days He gives. In that wisdom, those who fear Go...
Aug 18, 2023•54 min
Rev. Merritt Demski, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waterloo, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ecclesiastes 8:10-17. Solomon sees that those who are evil die, even if they were praised in this life. The neglect of justice for evil leads to further evil, yet the fear of God always leads to that which truly lasts. Though righteousness may not receive an earthly reward, still God’s people can enjoy this life as His gift to them. His work cannot be found out under the sun, which cal...
Aug 17, 2023•55 min
Rev. Matt Wietfeldt, Vice President of Admissions and Director of the Christ Academy Program at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ecclesiastes 8:1-9. Solomon gives wisdom concerning interactions with the king, who has received authority from God to govern for the good of the people. Because in this life the king does what he pleases, care should be taken in his presence and in listening to his words. At the same time, God stands as the author...
Aug 16, 2023•55 min
Rev. Joel Heckmann, pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche, OK, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ecclesiastes 7:15-29. Solomon sees that the righteous man still dies and that the wicked man may live long. At the same time, Solomon still recognizes that the fear of God is a necessity, because there is no one who has righteousness of his own. As Solomon has looked for wisdom in this life, he knows that it remains far from humanity in our sin. Folly is far more common, for man often ...
Aug 15, 2023•59 min
Rev. Jason M. Kaspar, pastor at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in La Grange, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ecclesiastes 7:1-14. Solomon speaks in the style of the book of Proverbs in the first part of Ecclesiastes 7. He contrasts the unbridled pursuit of empty happiness with the wisdom of recognizing the reality of mortality. Those who are wise are willing to endure the sadness of considering mortality for the benefit of learning how to use the limited days of this life in a godly way....
Aug 14, 2023•55 min
Rev. Dr. Rick Marrs, senior professor of practical theology and pastoral counseling at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ecclesiastes 5:18-6:12. Recognizing that all humanity are dependent creatures of God, Solomon commends joy in the gifts of God throughout life. Such joy comes even in the midst of the reality that sometimes death comes before we expect it. In this life under the sun, Solomon recognizes the vanity of this reality that all eventually die...
Aug 11, 2023•55 min
Rev. Timothy Kern, pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Marlette, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ecclesiastes 5:1-17. Solomon instructs us in the wisdom of guarding our words, both before God in worship and before others. Only when we are quick to listen to God’s Word will we know how best to speak before God. As we observe life under the sun, we should not be surprised by injustice and unrighteousness. Comfort is found in realizing that God is higher than all who would abuse thei...
Aug 10, 2023•55 min
