LEVITICUS

Leviticus is so named because it is a Book addressed to the Levites. They were set apart by God as a tribe of priests, when they refused to participate in the idolatry of the rest of Israel (Ex. 32:26). Within the tribe of Levi were the sons of Aaron. They were set apart to serve at the altar as priests. It was their exclusive duty to offer the sacrifices to the LORD on behalf of the people. Therefore, Leviticus could be more precisely named Priestly Instructions. Its contents deal with the responsibilities of the priests in service to the Lord firstly, then to people. Kenneth Boa has pointed out that Leviticus is neatly divided into two sections- 1) Sacrifices, and 2) Sanctification . He sees chapters one to ten as dealing with sacrifices while chapters eleven to twenty seven dealing with sanctification. This is a simple and acceptable summary of the Book.

Many people have found Leviticus to be a boring Book with little or no relevance for today. It contains little historical data, except for the case of Nadab and Abihu in chapter ten. It is directed to priests who are to perform sacrificial rites and instruct the people in morality. Yet because holiness is a continuous theme throughout the Book, we can be impressed by the awesomeness of God's holiness, and the risk of approaching such a holy God without first being made holy. Thank God, that through Jesus we can enter the very throne room of God with boldness! (Heb. 4:16)

SUMMARY OF THE BOOK

 

OFFERINGS

Each of the offerings in the Ceremonial Law speak of Christ and His work on the Cross. They are what the Bible calls shadows of things to come. According to Hebrews 10:4, it was, and is, impossible for the blood of mere animals to take sin away. Why then were all the animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant necessary? The answer lies in the understanding of God's one Testament, though revealed in two covenants, that there has only ever been one way of salvation with God (Jn 14:6). Animal sacrifices served as object displays of faith and obedience in God. They established the principle that without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sin. They pointed directly God's future act of deliverance and redemption for His people through the Cross of Christ.

1. According to Colossians 2:14 what did the death of Christ do away with?

____________________________________________________________

BURNT OFFERING- the person who had to make this sacrifice had the choice of a bullock, kid, turtle-doves, pigeons or a ram. All the sacrifice was burned and the person identified with it by understanding that his guilt was also burnt with the sacrifice. Exodus 29:15-18.

2. What was this typical of?

a) That all of Christ died for all of our sin.

b) That it was hot when Christ died.

c) That Christ death was unnecessary.

d) Christ's entire obedience to God, surrendering all.

e) Both a) and d)

MEAL OFFERING- this was bloodless, and consisted basically of flour and oil. Leviticus 2:1-3; 6:14-18.

3. What did this typify?

a) That Christ was offered with oil on the Cross.

b) That Christ was both human (flour) and divine (oil).

c) That Christ offered a meal offering prior to being crucified.

d) Christ's perfect (sinless) humanity anointed with the Holy Spirit.

e) Both b) and d).

PEACE (FELLOWSHIP) OFFERING- a bullock, a lamb, or a goat. It celebrated peace between God and man. Leviticus 3:6-11.

4. What was this typical of? (Ephesians 2:14)

____________________________________________________________

SIN OFFERING- a bullock, a kid, turtle-dove, pigeons, or fine flour. The offering was burnt outside the camp. It concerned paying the price for sin. Exodus 29:10-14.

5. What was this typical of?

a) Christ's work on the Cross.

b) That Christ was crucified outside the walls of the city.

c) That Christ's work on the Cross is for all

d) All of the above.

TRESPASS OFFERING- consisted of a ram and restitution money. It provided for particular transgressions rather than forgiveness as a whole. It recognised atonement as the basis of restitution. Leviticus 5:1-7.

THE HIGH PRIEST

Leviticus 8

The writer of Hebrews contrasts the difference between the Old covenant's High Priest and the Ultimate and Real High Priest- Jesus. This is an important contrast. Many have overlooked the symbolism and typology in the High Priest and his priestly garments being fulfilled in Christ. The High Priest's garments including the tunic, sash, robe, ephod, band, breastplate, Urim and Thummin, turban, golden plate, and the holy crown, all typify the Person and character of Christ.

6. Read through the Book of Hebrews and note some of the contrasts between Israel's High Priest, and our High Priest:

 

THE FEASTS

(Leviticus 23)

Each of these seven great feasts signify some aspect of Christ and His work before and after the Cross. The chronological order for the feasts has to this date been typically fulfilled in the same order and at the same time of year to which it was foreshadowed. The next remaining feast which has not been fulfilled is the feast of Trumpets which is typical of the Second (not Third!) Coming of Christ which will be heralded by the trumpet of the arch-angel (1Thess. 4:16; Rev. 11:15). It is referred to as the last trumpet in the New Testament (1Cor. 15:52)

 

 

NADAB AND ABIHU

Leviticus 10

Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, approached the LORD in an unholy way. For their treason and contempt, God killed them in anger. We are not told the details of what they did that angered God so much, but we are given a clue when God spoke through Moses to a grieving and bewildered Aaron in Lev. 10:3. God told Aaron that He did this as a display of His holiness, and as an example to all Israel to take note of. The later, when the LORD spoke privately and directly to Aaron, He possibly explained further why it was that He was so swift in judgment.

7. Examine God's statement to Aaron in Leviticus 10:8-11 and draw a possible conclusion as to the condition of Nadab and Abihu when they approached God late that previous night. (Also note Ezekiel 44:21)

____________________________________________________________

8. Knowing that Christians have been made a kingdom of priests to God, what significance does this have for Christian conduct today?

____________________________________________________________

9. Having just lost a son, Aaron failed to perform his required priestly duties for the day. How did God through Moses respond to this? What does this tell us about God? (Lev. 10:16-20)

____________________________________________________________

FOOD LAWS

Leviticus 11

The food laws served two principle purposes: a) nutritional, and b) symbolic holiness. The student might like to investigate these laws further in a little book called None of These Diseases . Also worth noting is their symbolic fulfilment, and their practical invalidation at the Cross (refer to Acts 10:9-16).

LEPROSY

Leviticus 13

The "leprosy" of the Old Testament represented a broad category of discolouration. This included human skin (Lev. 13:1-46), fabric (vss 47-59), and even house walls (14:33-57). Therefore the use of the word leprosy is not be viewed as the same leprosy that we are familiar with today, or even that which the New Testament depicts (although it might have included it) . Its basic treatment was isolation and then prescribed ritual cleansings directed by the priest who was to diagnose all who had its symptoms.

BLESSINGS AND CURSES

Leviticus 26

Leviticus mentions a brief list of blessings and curses which were entrusted to the priests to be taught to the people. These are announced generally in Deuteronomy 28. In many ways these blessings or curses are based on a corporate (group) civil relationship with God. This is where a nation (whether individuals personally trust God or not isn't the principle issue) adheres to God's moral guidelines. Hence, the New Testament believer is not directly under these covenant blessings or curses. We are under the blessings of Abraham's covenant since we are his seed (Gal. 3:6-9). In Christ all the promises (blessings) of God are ours- "yes and amen" (2Cor. 1:20).

9. What was the general condition to receiving the blessing of God? (Lev. 26:3)

____________________________________________________________

10. What was the general reason for God's curse, and what was the result? (Lev. 26:18-20)

____________________________________________________________

If a person walked away from the LORD, they had the gracious opportunity to return to Him if they confessed their sin and repented (Lev. 26:40-45), again pointing to God's one and only Testamental way of salvation. Included in the blessings of God was the covenant condition of the tithe (one tenth of all income). If a person wanted to with-hold their tithe, they could do so at an interest rate of 20%. The tithes were to be received by the priests for their support,and were to be considered as being given to God. In reading Leviticus, we are impressed by the fact that whom God calls, He sets apart. This requires a response of holiness and dedication to Him. Leviticus mentions nearly every aspect of every day life in a person dedicated to Him. Their holidays, their leisure, their food, their health, their relationships, their money, and their jobs are all mentioned in Leviticus in the light of holiness. For the believer, this principle of total surrender to God in every area of lives, not just our church activities, is clear.

 

Amen.

 © Andrew Corbett 1992-2001

eMail