Through the Bible: Leviticus
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The English name “Leviticus” can be traced back to the Septuagint (a Greek translation of the Old Testament), in which the book is called leyitikon, meaning “things concerning Levites.”
The English name “Leviticus” can be traced back to the Septuagint (a Greek translation of the Old Testament), in which the book is called leyitikon, meaning “things concerning Levites.”
The Hebrew name for Leviticus, taken from the beginning of the book, is wayyiqra’, meaning “and he called.”
The Hebrew name for Leviticus, taken from the beginning of the book, is wayyiqra’, meaning “and he called.”
Time Frame: Still at Mount Sinai. About a month after the completion of the tabernacle.
Time Frame: Still at Mount Sinai. About a month after the completion of the tabernacle.
Content: Various laws having to do with holiness before God and with love of neighbor, including sacrifices, ritual cleanness, and social obligations, as well as laws for the Levites regarding their priestly duties.
Content: Various laws having to do with holiness before God and with love of neighbor, including sacrifices, ritual cleanness, and social obligations, as well as laws for the Levites regarding their priestly duties.
Emphases: Getting it right with regard to worship, for both people and priests; institution of the priesthood under Aaron; laws protecting ritual cleanness, including atonement for sins (the Day of Atonement); laws regulating sexual relations, family life, punishments for major crimes, festivals, and special years.
Emphases: Getting it right with regard to worship, for both people and priests; institution of the priesthood under Aaron; laws protecting ritual cleanness, including atonement for sins (the Day of Atonement); laws regulating sexual relations, family life, punishments for major crimes, festivals, and special years.
Overarching Theme: God is holy, and therefore His people must be holy too.
Overarching Theme: God is holy, and therefore His people must be holy too.
Key Themes
Key Themes
1. The holy Lord is present in the midst of his people (; ). The people of Israel must therefore properly address their sin and impurity and must strive for personal holiness.
1. The holy Lord is present in the midst of his people (; ). The people of Israel must therefore properly address their sin and impurity and must strive for personal holiness.
2. In order to approach God, worshipers must be wholehearted in their devotion (1:1–6:7; 22:17–30).
2. In order to approach God, worshipers must be wholehearted in their devotion (1:1–6:7; 22:17–30).
3. Those who are called to be spiritual leaders, such as priests, bear a heavier responsibility than do the laypeople (chs. 4; 21). In addition to the outward holiness that the priests are granted when ordained, they are constantly commanded to maintain inner holiness (chs. 8; 9; 10; 21).
3. Those who are called to be spiritual leaders, such as priests, bear a heavier responsibility than do the laypeople (chs. 4; 21). In addition to the outward holiness that the priests are granted when ordained, they are constantly commanded to maintain inner holiness (chs. 8; 9; 10; 21).
4. As seen in the Day of Atonement ritual (ch. 16), the total cleansing of sins and uncleanness is done when the innermost part of the tent of meeting is purified. Ultimate purification of uncleanness is impossible from the human side.
4. As seen in the Day of Atonement ritual (ch. 16), the total cleansing of sins and uncleanness is done when the innermost part of the tent of meeting is purified. Ultimate purification of uncleanness is impossible from the human side.
5. Atonement is a gracious act of the Lord by which sins and impurities can be dealt with (17:11).
5. Atonement is a gracious act of the Lord by which sins and impurities can be dealt with (17:11).
Specific Advice For Reading Leviticus
Specific Advice For Reading Leviticus
1. These laws are part of God’s covenant with Israel, and therefore they are not just religious rites but have to do with relationships.
1. These laws are part of God’s covenant with Israel, and therefore they are not just religious rites but have to do with relationships.
2. Leviticus is part of the larger narrative of the Pentateuch and must be understood in light of what has preceded and what follows.
2. Leviticus is part of the larger narrative of the Pentateuch and must be understood in light of what has preceded and what follows.
3. Every law is given with the purpose of setting Israel apart as a holy people for God.
3. Every law is given with the purpose of setting Israel apart as a holy people for God.
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15
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LAW*
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Chapters 1
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7: Offerings
B.
Chapters 8
History of Salvation Summary
History of Salvation Summary
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10: Obedience of Priesthood
C.
Chapters 11
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The book of Leviticus is concerned with what it means to be the holy people of a holy God: it provides instruction for conduct, both in private and as members of the body of God’s people, and it details the ways in which the sacrifices and priesthood are to be administered as God’s gracious provision for his people’s failures. Without doubt, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the culmination of salvation history, according to which he fulfilled the goals of the various offerings, the holy objects, the role of the chief priest, and the holy feasts. He also, by his resurrection, entered into his Davidic kingship and has initiated the era in which the people of God include the Gentiles and are no longer defined as a nation-state. Because of this, Christ’s atoning work made obsolete the literal observance of not only the animal sacrifices and offerings but also the temple worship as a whole.
15:
Separation from the Unclean
II.
But as long as believers continue to bear their sinful nature (which they do until they die), the atoning grace of Christ does not make Leviticus irrelevant to NT believers, since principles can still be learned from the underlying laws in this book. In fact, NT writers such as the apostles Paul and Peter employ language taken from Leviticus in their exhortations to believers to follow Christ (e.g., offerings, the tabernacle, priesthood, and feasts). NT authors use the burnt offering (), sin offering (e.g., ; ; ; ; ; ), and guilt offering (possibly , using ) to explain what Jesus accomplished on the cross, and the peace offering to explain the Christian Lord’s Supper (). Thus, the book of Leviticus serves as a constant reminder of the person and work of Jesus Christ and challenges believers to apply his gospel.
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17
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GRACE
The Day of Atonement
III.
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27
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HOLINESS
Ethical Purity of the People & Religious Festivals
The book follows a real gospel train of thought: First there are laws to tell the Israelites how they might approach Yahweh (part I). But when they fail in their obedience, provision is made for them in the form of a substitutionary sacrifice (part II). Then, from that position of forgiveness and grace, the people are called to live holy lives (part III).
The book follows a real gospel train of thought: First there are laws to tell the Israelites how they might approach Yahweh (part I). But when they fail in their obedience, provision is made for them in the form of a substitutionary sacrifice (part II). Then, from that position of forgiveness and grace, the people are called to live holy lives (part III).
Summary: Leviticus is the part of God’s story where the Israelites are given instructions on how to be holy, on how to be truly acceptable to God and in good relationship with one another - which they could not achieve without his special provision.
Summary: Leviticus is the part of God’s story where the Israelites are given instructions on how to be holy, on how to be truly acceptable to God and in good relationship with one another - which they could not achieve without his special provision.
Any questions, comments, clarifications?
Any questions, comments, clarifications?