Leviticus
Leviticus takes its name from the Levites and can be seen as
a kind of instruction manual for the priests. Yet it does not only concern
itself with the duties of the Levites but also with the order of worship
performed in the Tabernacle (and the future temple). Therefore the book contains
a list of laws and regulations pertaining to worship, ceremonial cleanness,
morality, holy days, Sabbaths and the year of Jubilee. These instructions were
given to the priests while Israel was camped beneath Mount Sinai. The book of
Leviticus divides up into seven sections:
1) Laws concerning offerings (1:1-7:38)
2) Acceptable service in the Tabernacle (8:1-10:20)
3) Laws regarding purity and impurity (11:1-15:33)
4) The Day of Atonement (1 6:1-24)
5) Various laws (17:1-25:55)
6) Promises and warnings (26:1-46)
7) Laws concerning vows and tithes (27:1-34)
Basically the thought and teaching behind Leviticus concerns
holiness: the holiness of God and man’s need for holiness in daily living
(11:14,4445; 19:2; 20:7,26). We see in the book that physical perfection was a
requirement for priesthood signifying outward holiness for those who minister in
the Tabernacle of God (Chapters 8-10). Even the animals that were to be used in
sacrifice must be perfect in every way (Chapters 1-7). Physical defects
symbolised spiritual deformities in man. These defects are revealed in various
ways in Leviticus. It could be a women haemorrhaging after giving birth or
during her monthly period (Chapter 12, 15:19-33); Sores, burns and baldness
(Chapters 13-14); any bodily discharge (15:1-18). All of these (and more) made a
person unclean in the sight of God. Those who contracted any skin disorder were
made to live outside the camp until the condition was healed and was pronounced
clean by the priests. A perfect sacrifice was then to be offered to the Lord,
second best was never acceptable, so that the person could re-enter the camp.
Through these things the Lord was revealing to Israel that
He was the one who would govern their lives. In every way, be it religious or
secular, they must be a holy people, separated unto God. Sin must be kept away
from them and they were to be a sanctified people.
Leviticus also pays special attention to religious ritual,
especially in relation to sacrifices and offerings, and what was to take place
inside the sanctuary. No unholy thing or person was permitted inside the house
of God. The priests were commanded to live holy lives and to instruct the people
to live holy also. The animals used for sacrifice were not to have the slightest
blemish upon them. Only a perfect sacrifice could cover the sins of the nation
or the individual. The offerings that were commanded not only atoned for man’s
sins but were a vehicle that was used by God to reveal man’s sin and His
holiness. They made those participating aware of their need for personal
holiness. These offerings include:
a) Burnt offerings (1:3-17; 6:8-13).
b) Meal offerings (2:1-16; 6:14-18).
c) Peace offerings (3:1-17; 7:11-36).
d) Sin Offerings (4:1-5:13; 6:24-30).
e) Trespass Offering (5:14-6:7; 7:1 - 10).
Apart from daily burnt offerings there were offerings made
on the first day of the week, the first of each month, at Passover, Pentecost,
Feast of Tabernacles, and on the Day of Atonement (Chapter 23).
Aaron and his sons were separated and anointed by God to
serve as priests. God commanded that special clothing was to be made for them so
that they could stand before Him in holiness and represent the people (Chapter
8-9) They were responsible for offering sacrifices on behalf of the people.
Aaron and his sons were ordained of God to serve Him in the specified ways and
no one else was permitted to intrude upon their ministry. When Nadab and Abihu
tried to offer “strange fire” unto the Lord they received the severest of
punishments (Chapter 9). Holiness of worship and service had to be maintain at
all times, therefore God would not receive any unholy worship or service no
matter how sincere it may be.
Leviticus gives the priests details regarding:
a) The weekly Sabbath. This day was very important to
the Jews. God commanded that it be a day of rest and worship.
b) Passover. A feast that speaks of redemption. It was
celebrated once a year to
commemorate deliverance from Egypt and protect as the
angel of death passed over the homes that had blood on the doors. The Feast
of unleavened Bread, which lasted for seven days, always followed this
feast.
c) Pentecost. This came fifty days after Passover and
was also known as the Feast of Weeks. This was a celebration of the first
fruits of the harvest. Two loaves of the best flour were used.
d) The Feast of Trumpets. Known to the Jews as Rosh
Hashanah. The priests were to blow the trumpets to signify the voice of God.
e) The Day of Atonement. Known as Yom Kippur. This was
the most solemn of days as the whole nation repented for their sins. A goat
was slain and its blood used to
atone for their sins as the high priest entered the Holy
of Holies. Another goat, called a scapegoat, was sent into the wilderness to
symbolise that their sins were gone from them.
f) Year of Jubilee. This was celebrated every fiftieth
year. It was also known as the Sabbath Year. The ground was allowed to lie
fallow. It was a time when all property was returned to its original owners
and outstanding debts were cancelled.
The book of Leviticus also contains prophetic instructions
to Israel (Chapter 26). In these Moses calls the Jews to obey God and to receive
the rewards that come from obedience to His voice. He points out to them that if
they refuse to obey and follow the Lord then severe punishment would be meted
out to them and they would be removed from the land. Though they would be led
into captivity because of their unbelief, if they repented then the Lord would
regather them according to His Covenant with them.
If there is a single phrase that describes the book of
Leviticus it would be “Holiness unto the Lord”.
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