Podcast Summary: A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace

Episode: S5: Day 30: Leviticus 1–3
Hosts: Shelby (A) and C.J. Gossage (B)
Date: January 30, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, hosts Shelby and C.J. begin the journey through the book of Leviticus by discussing chapters 1 through 3. Recognizing the challenges and unfamiliarity many readers face with Leviticus, they provide historical context, clarify the purpose of the opening sacrifices, and connect Leviticus’ ancient rituals with modern Christian faith. The central theme is discovering God’s compassion and grace, even within a text often viewed as legalistic or distant.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to Leviticus and the Hosts

• [00:05-00:45] Shelby welcomes C.J. as a new co-host and team editor at The Daily Grace Company.
  • C.J. shares brief background as a new team member and Texan.

2. Leviticus in the Scriptural Narrative

• [01:00-02:01] Shelby asks C.J. to set the stage after Exodus.

  • C.J. explains: Exodus ends with Moses erecting the Tabernacle and God’s presence filling it.
  • Leviticus begins with “now what?”—instructions for how Israel is to approach God through sacrifices in the new Tabernacle.

  “At the very end of Exodus, at the last several verses, God's presence takes up residence in the Tabernacle. And that's kind of where we start in Leviticus. It's like the Tabernacle is up. So now what?” —C.J. [02:01]

3. The First Three Offerings (Leviticus 1–3)

• [02:34-03:56] C.J. clarifies the three voluntary offerings described:

  • Burnt Offering (Lev. 1): Entire animal or most of it offered to God as thanksgiving, gratitude, or worship. Modern analogy: Christian prayer, tithing, or giving.
  • Grain Offering (Lev. 2): Flour and oil mixture (no leaven), given as an act of gratitude or worship.
    • “Shout out to all the sourdough bakers.” —Shelby [03:22]
    • C.J. jokes it’s not quite sourdough, “but a flour and oil mixture… again, a gift or expression of gratitude.” [03:24]
  • Peace Offering (Lev. 3): A shared festive meal symbolizing communion between God, priests, and worshipers.

  “The peace offering, you can think of as a festive meal that takes place between God and the priests and the worshipers… everyone takes a piece and everyone takes a part.” —C.J. [03:56]

4. Relevance for Today

• [04:06-05:01] Shelby notes Christians don’t perform sacrifices—how, then, are these chapters meaningful now?

  • C.J.: Principles remain the same; we give our money, time, and prayers as gratitude and worship. “Think of [the sacrifices] as a way to commune with God.”
  • He encourages viewing these ancient rituals as pointers to communion with God, which Christians now experience through prayer, worship, and Scripture.

  “…the idea is we give our money, our time, our prayers to God as expressions of gratitude and worship… Instead of viewing these as sacrifices in the sense that we just cut up animals and offer them to God, think of them as a way to commune with God.” —C.J. [04:12, 04:53]

5. Key Takeaway: God’s Compassion in Leviticus

• [05:01-05:39] Shelby reflects on the importance of seeking God’s compassion and mercy throughout Leviticus.
  • “It might not always be obvious or… jumping off the page, but I know it’s there…” —Shelby [05:01]

6. Closing Encouragement

• [01:05] C.J. encourages listeners not to give up:
  • “Don’t give up. Push forward. Keep going. Good for you.” —C.J. [01:05]

Notable Quotes

• “Leviticus is strange and it is difficult… Don't give up. Push forward. Keep going.”
  —C.J. Gossage [01:05]

• “We should view Leviticus, as with all of Scripture, as marked by God's grace and compassion.”
  —C.J. [01:22]

• “Think of [the sacrifices] as a way to commune with God… and that is a way to understand the voluntary offerings in Leviticus 1–3.”
  —C.J. [04:53]

• “Reading through, you might feel so distant or, like, detached from these chapters, but when you explain it in that way, I can see… parallels… in my own life.”
  —Shelby [05:01]

Segment Timestamps

• 00:05 — Shelby welcomes C.J.; C.J. intro
• 01:00 — Setting the Biblical stage: Exodus to Leviticus
• 02:34 — Overview of Leviticus 1–3: voluntary offerings
• 04:06 — Application to Christian life today
• 05:01 — Takeaway: Finding God’s compassion and mercy in Leviticus
• 05:36 — Closing thoughts

Episode Tone & Approach

The hosts maintain an encouraging, conversational, and accessible tone. They acknowledge Leviticus’ challenges while inviting listeners to look deeper for God’s compassion and to find relevance for their own faith journeys.

Summary Takeaway

Leviticus 1–3 details ancient voluntary offerings, which can feel distant but hold rich meaning when viewed as acts of worship and communion with God. The hosts encourage listeners not to be discouraged by the book’s strangeness, but to look for God’s grace throughout—even in the tough passages. Through contextual explanation and practical application, this episode provides reassurance and clarity for all Bible readers navigating Leviticus.