Leviticus

Introduction:

If we could hear people’s prayers around the world, we would hear again and again the same cry that has come from our own hearts: “God, please just tell me what You want. What is YOUR will in this situation?”

The Bible gives us such a clear answer that we don’t need to wait for a voice or sign from heaven for confirmation—“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified” ( For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: ). The word sanctified, or holiness means to “be set apart.” Above all other things, God wants us to be set apart from the world and set apart for His purposes. If we will be holy, God will guide us, and we can know for certain that we are in His will. God wants us to be concerned about holiness first and all other details second.

NOTE:

Definition : A comprehensive definition of santification by the New Hampshire Baptist Confession (1833) states: “We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means—especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer” (Article X)

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Definition

This definition helps us to distinguish sanctification from regeneration in that the latter speaks of the inception of the Christian life; but sanctification is thus also distinguished from glorification which focuses on the consummation of God’s work in the believer. Put quite simply, then, regeneration refers to the beginning, sanctification to the middle, and glorification to the end in the “order of salvation.”

This definition helps us to distinguish sanctification from regeneration in that the latter speaks of the inception of the Christian life; but sanctification is thus also distinguished from glorification which focuses on the consummation of God’s work in the believer. Put quite simply, then, regeneration refers to the beginning, sanctification to the middle, and glorification to the end in the “order of salvation.”

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Definition

This definition helps us to distinguish sanctification from regeneration in that the latter speaks of the inception of the Christian life; but sanctification is thus also distinguished from glorification which focuses on the consummation of God’s work in the believer. Put quite simply, then, regeneration refers to the beginning, sanctification to the middle, and glorification to the end in the “order of salvation.”

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Definition

This definition helps us to distinguish sanctification from regeneration in that the latter speaks of the inception of the Christian life; but sanctification is thus also distinguished from glorification which focuses on the consummation of God’s work in the believer. Put quite simply, then, regeneration refers to the beginning, sanctification to the middle, and glorification to the end in the “order of salvation.”

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.). The word sanctified, or holiness means to “be setapart.” Above all otherthings, God wants us to be setapart from the world and set apart for His purposes. If we will be holy, God will guide us, and we can know for certain that we are in His will. God wants us to be concerned about holiness first and all other details second.

If we are set apart for God, we will live for God in every situation. If, however, our focus is more on our situation than on our God, we may make the right choices with the wrong heart and be out of God’s will altogether.

If we are set apart for God, we will live for God in every situation. If, however, our focus is more on our situation than on our God, we may make the right choices with the wrong heart and be out of God’s will altogether.

If we are set apart for God, we will live for God in every situation. If, however, our focus is more on our situation than on our God, we may make the right choices with the wrong heart and be out of God’s will altogether.

The Holiness of God

Peter exhorted the Church to sanctification, he quoted from the book of Leviticus: “Be holy, because I am holy” (; , ; ; , 21:8). This phrase, used so often in the book of Leviticus, is used nowhere else in the Bible. It provides, in fact, a summary of the book of Leviticus. God calls us to holiness. To be holy is to “be set apart.” God is set apart from all of His creation. He is eternal and all else is temporal. He is pure, and we are sinful. He is high and exalted, above everything and everyone. When Isaiah saw the holiness of God, he cried out, “Woe to me!…I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty” (). When the Apostle John beheld the holy God, he “fell at his feet as though dead” (). The angels themselves, beholding the glory of God, cannot cease to cry out continually, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come” (). If we have but a glimpse of the holiness of God, we will recognize that God is far above us in perfection and glory and power and majesty. Between the holy God and sinful humanity is an unsurpassable, immeasurable gulf.

How then are we to respond to the command, “Be holy, because I am holy?” Leviticus gives us the answer according to its two main parts. The first describes our standing before God (). The second part of the book describes our walk before God (). The first focuses on our justification (God’s pardon of our sins). The second concerns itself with our sanctification (becoming more holy through time). The first concern is a legal issue before God and the second a matter a practice before men. The first shows our need for sacrifice and the second, how we become living sacrifices ().

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Note: 12:1–2

12:1–2 Paradigm for Exhortations: Total Dedication to God. These verses summarize the response to God’s grace and serve as the introduction for all of 12:1–15:13. They encapsulate what it means to live in a way that pleases God.

12:1 Therefore points back to the entire argument from 1:18–11:36. mercies of God (Refers to the undeserved kindness God shows toward sinners—one of Paul’s main themes so far in the letter). Christians are to give themselves entirely to God because of his saving grace, as shown in 3:21–11:36. Sacrificial language from the OT is used to denote the new life of Christians, and this means that the word bodies (The Greek word used here, sōma, refers to the entire person) here refers to Christians as whole persons, for both body and soul belong to God. They are a living sacrifice (This expression might indicate that believers are to continually offer themselves in service to God. It also could describe believers as dead to sin yet alive to God ()) meaning that they are alive from the dead since they enjoy new life with Christ (6:4). “Living” also means that they will not be put to death as OT animal sacrifices were (see notes on sacrifices in ), for Christ has fulfilled what was predicted by those sacrifices. Whereas OT worship focused on offering animal sacrifices in the temple, Paul says that spiritual worship in a broad sense now includes offering one’s whole life to God (cf. ). Elsewhere, however, the NT can also use the word “worship” in a narrower sense, to speak of specific acts of adoration and praise (; ; ; ; ; ). Holy (Indicates that the sacrifice is set apart for God. In the OT, such terminology is associated with worship in the tabernacle and temple (; ; ). reasonable (The Greek word used here, logikos, can mean “spiritual,” suggesting worship that involves the heart and mind in contrast to physical offerings and sacrifices. Alternatively, logikos could be translated as “reasonable” or “proper,” indicating worship that reflects a correct understanding of the gospel message and a rational response to it. It also might mean “true,” implying that worship is appropriate for those with a renewed mind) ().service( The Greek word used here, latreia, commonly refers to priestly duties in the temple (, ). Believers do not operate in a physical temple but are themselves God’s temple (). They offer themselves because God has made them a holy priesthood (, )).

Barry, J. D., M

12:2 this age Refers to the present evil age (see note on ), the time prior to Christ’s return. The present evil age still threatens those who belong to Christ, so they must resist its pressure. renewal of your mind Refers to mental conformity to the truth of God. This renewal results in a transformation in the life of the believer. Their lives are changed as their minds are made new (contrast ), so that they are able to “discern” God’s will. perfect will of God (Describes the purpose of renewal and transformation. Israel had failed to recognize God’s will and purposes—that He was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ (). Paul provides this instruction so that the Roman believers will not do the same).By testing you may discern translates Greek dokimazō, which often has the sense of finding out the worth of something by putting it to use or testing it in actual practice (cf. ; ; ; ).

12:1 Therefore points back to the entire argument from 1:18–11:36. mercies of God. Christians are to give themselves entirely to God because of his saving grace, as shown in 3:21–11:36. Sacrificial language from the OT is used to denote the new life of Christians, and this means that the word bodies here refers to Christians as whole persons, for both body and soul belong to God. They are a living sacrifice, meaning that they are alive from the dead since they enjoy new life with Christ (6:4). “Living” also means that they will not be put to death as OT animal sacrifices were (see notes on sacrifices in ), for Christ has fulfilled what was predicted by those sacrifices. Whereas OT worship focused on offering animal sacrifices in the temple, Paul says that spiritual worship in a broad sense now includes offering one’s whole life to God (cf. ). Elsewhere, however, the NT can also use the word “worship” in a narrower sense, to speak of specific acts of adoration and praise (; ; ; ; ; ).

Christians are to give themselves entirely to God because of his saving grace, as shown in 3:21–11:36. Sacrificial language from the OT is used to denote the new life of Christians, and this means that the word bodies here refers to Christians as whole persons, for both body and soul belong to God. They are a living sacrifice, meaning that they are alive from the dead since they enjoy new life with Christ (6:4). “Living” also means that they will not be put to death as OT animal sacrifices were (see notes on sacrifices in ), for Christ has fulfilled what was predicted by those sacrifices. Whereas OT worship focused on offering animal sacrifices in the temple, Paul says that spiritual worship in a broad sense now includes offering one’s whole life to God (cf. ). Elsewhere, however, the NT can also use the word “worship” in a narrower sense, to speak of specific acts of adoration and praise (; ; ; ; ; ).

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

meaning that they are alive from the dead since they enjoy new life with Christ (6:4). “Living” also means that they will not be put to death as OT animal sacrifices were (see notes on sacrifices in ), for Christ has fulfilled what was predicted by those sacrifices. Whereas OT worship focused on offering animal sacrifices in the temple, Paul says that spiritual worship in a broad sense now includes offering one’s whole life to God (cf. ). Elsewhere, however, the NT can also use the word “worship” in a narrower sense, to speak of specific acts of adoration and praise (; ; ; ; ; ).

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press. here refers to Christians as whole persons, for both body and soul belong to God. They are a living sacrifice, meaning that they are alive from the dead since they enjoy new life with Christ (6:4). “Living” also means that they will not be put to death as OT animal sacrifices were (see notes on sacrifices in ), for Christ has fulfilled what was predicted by those sacrifices. Whereas OT worship focused on offering animal sacrifices in the temple, Paul says that spiritual worship in a broad sense now includes offering one’s whole life to God (cf. ). Elsewhere, however, the NT can also use the word “worship” in a narrower sense, to speak of specific acts of adoration and praise (; ; ; ; ; ).

By testing you may discern translates Greek dokimazō, which often has the sense of finding out the worth of something by putting it to use or testing it in actual practice (cf. ; ; ; ).

12:2 The present evil age still threatens those who belong to Christ, so they must resist its pressure. Their lives are changed as their minds are made new (contrast 1:28), so that they are able to “discern” God’s will. By testing you may discern translates Greek dokimazō, which often has the sense of finding out the worth of something by putting it to use or testing it in actual practice (cf. ; ; ; ).

By testing you may discern translates Greek dokimazō, which often has the sense of finding out the worth of something by putting it to use or testing it in actual practice (cf. ; ; ; ).

The present evil age still threatens those who belong to Christ, so they must resist its pressure. Their lives are changed as their minds are made new (contrast 1:28), so that they are able to “discern” God’s will. By testing you may discern translates Greek dokimazō, which often has the sense of finding out the worth of something by putting it to use or testing it in actual practice (cf. ; ; ; ).

Their lives are changed as their minds are made new (contrast 1:28), so that they are able to “discern” God’s will. By testing you may discern translates Greek dokimazō, which often has the sense of finding out the worth of something by putting it to use or testing it in actual practice (cf. ; ; ; ).

Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (pp. 2178–2179). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Sacrifice For Holiness ()

The title Leviticus means “of the Levites.” The Levites were God’s priests. The primary role of the Old Testament priest was to come into God’s presence to offer sacrifices for themselves and for the sins of the people. describes the sacrifices that were to be offered. While we will not (at this time) study them in detail, we can recognize their significance with amazement and wonder.

The Burnt Offering () signifies Christ’s offering Himself completely and fully, without blemish to God. The Grain Offering () typifies the perfect humanity and life of Christ, our sacrifice. The Fellowship Offering () tells of the peace won between believers and God through the cross of Christ. The Sin Offering () symbolizes Christ’s payment for our sin nature. And finally, the Guilt Offering () pictures Christ’s sacrifice for each of our transgressions and offenses against God and man. Taken together, we see a multifaceted gem, sparkling in the glory of the mercies of God toward us. For “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” ().

and wonder.

Note: On rare occasions, even a human being will die for a righteous (morally upright) person or for a good person (one who has done much good). God’s love, however, belongs in an entirely different category from human love, for Christ did not die for righteous people or those who have done good for others but for sinners, that is, for ungodly, unrighteous people living in willful rebellion against God. It is not just Christ’s love that was shown in his death but also God the Father’s love. While God’s righteousness and justice led to his plan of salvation through the death of Christ (see 3:25–26), it was his love that motivated this plan.

provided guidelines for the priests in offering these sacrifices. demonstrates how completely the ministry of the priests depended on sacrifice. First, in , the priests were ordained through sacrifice. In , the priests performed sacrifices. In , the priests would fail and see, once again, their great need for God’s perfect sacrifice. For Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu offered “unauthorized fire before the Lord”( ). As a result, “fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them.” God was making crystal clear for all generations that He himself is holy and that only through His prescribed redemption (the sacrifice of Christ) can our sins be atoned for ().

shows the great need for sacrifice to atone for our short comings in the details of life, ranging from diet () to daily living in a dark world (). God would even prescribe sacrifice for unknown sins (—the Day of Atonement). Indeed our very life depends on the “life in the blood” of the sacrificial animals—all symbolic of the final and perfect redemption through the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ ().

provided guidelines for the priests in offering these sacrifices. demonstrates how completely the ministry of the priests depended on sacrifice. First, in , the priests were ordained through sacrifice. In , the priests performed sacrifices. In , the priests would fail and see, once again, their great need for God’s perfect sacrifice. For Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu offered “unauthorized fire before the Lord” 1). As a result, “fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them.” God was making crystal clear for all generations that He himself is holy and that only through His prescribed redemption (the sacrifice of Christ) can our sins be atoned for ().

Set Apart to Holiness ()

Because God has so wonderfully demonstrated His grace and taken care of our sin problem through the sacrifice of Christ, one might reason, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase?” To this question, the Apostle Paul gives the definite and resolute response, “May it never be!” ( paraphrase).

Note: For not only did Christ die to forgive our sins, but He was also raised to new life that we might be freed from the power of sin. Not only does God promise to be merciful for sins past, but He also deals with our propensity to sin today (). The sacrifice of Christ does more than release us from the debt of our wrongdoing, for Christ offers Himself to us now through the Holy Spirit to enable us to live holy lives. Even as God is set apart from His creation, so are we to be set apart from the lusts and temptations of the world.

Note: that grace may increase Paul answers a potential objection to his teachings on grace—namely, that if the law caused sin to increase, which led to more grace, then continuing in sin would lead to even greater outpourings of grace. Paul rejects this on the basis that the reign of sin in the believer’s life has definitively ended.

that grace may increase Paul answers a potential objection to his teachings on grace—namely, that if the law caused sin to increase, which led to more grace, then continuing in sin would lead to even greater outpourings of grace. Paul rejects this on the basis that the reign of sin in the believer’s life has definitively ended.

6:2 May it never be (Expresses an emphatic rejection (3:31; 6:2; 7:7). Paul rejects any idea that God is unfaithful to His promises or people.

died to sin Indicates that believers are no longer under the power and control of sin; therefore, they must not live as though they are still under it.

In ch. 5, Paul asserted that God’s gift reversed the effects of Adam’s sin, making believers alive to Him but also dead to sin. He expounds upon that transformation throughout the rest of this chapter.

For not only did Christ die to forgive our sins, but He was also raised to new life that we might be freed from the power of sin. Not only does God promise to be merciful for sins past, but He also deals with our propensity to sin today (). The sacrifice of Christ does more than release us from the debt of our wrongdoing, for Christ offers Himself to us now through the Holy Spirit to enable us to live holy lives. Even as God is set apart from His creation, so are we to be set apart from the lusts and temptations of the world.

The second half of Leviticus moves us from our standing before God (as holy ones, i.e., “saints”) to our walk before God. We know that we will never be perfect and without sin. We must always trust the sacrifice of Christ to atone for our shortcomings (). However, we are granted both the power and the opportunity to “walk as Jesus walked” (). We may summarize this second half of Leviticus as follows:

Be holy in the way you live: . (Focuses on the people’s lives.)

Be holy in the way you minister for God: . (Focuses on the priests’ ministries.)

Be holy in expectation of the new life to come: . (Focuses on Canaan, a symbol of heaven.)

The Levitical prescriptions for holy living are in some cases morally binding for all time, such as the sexual prohibitions (). Such lists are not meant to be all-inclusive, but to set the standard and to steer God’s people away from the most heinous of sins. Other prohibitions were specific to the time and circumstances of the Israelites, such as clipping of men’s beards ().

Our best guideline for interpreting the various texts in Leviticus is to allow the Bible to interpret itself. A thorough knowledge of the New Testament provides the best resource for understanding and interpreting the Old Testament. But whether Levitical teachings and prohibitions were temporal or timeless, they all support the resounding theme of the book of Leviticus, “Be holy, because I am holy” ().

Note: (You will be holy, because I am holy Holiness can refer to being blameless and without sin, but it also describes a person set apart for service to God. Here Peter cites the Septuagint version of to exhort Christians to lead holy lives. However, for Peter true holiness does not consist of keeping the law, but instead obeying the Father (). Both in the OT and the NT periods, God calls His people to holiness—to reflect His character (see ; , ).

Final Thought

Imagine a doctor preparing to do surgery on one you love with dirty knife. Would you request that he clean it partially? No. You would demand that he clean it perfectly! God not only grants believers positional holiness but demands of us practical holiness. Are we as serious about holiness as is God?

Devotion (Personal Study)

1. Read the commentary portion of this study guide. Write down one insight that was especially challenging or encouraging for you, based on the commentary or Scripture reading.

2. Read quickly .

a. List the types of offerings you find in these chapters.

b. If you were living in the time of Moses and given instruction from God to bring forth such offerings, what would be your impression about God?

What do these offerings teach us about God? About human beings?

beings?

3. Read . What does this text teach us about the Old Testament offerings?

What was the purpose of the offerings?

Why are such offerings not required today?

4. Read . Jesus Christ is our offering for sin and our High Priest. Record the commands and promises from God that you find in this passage. Take time to pray, thanking God for His promises and asking for strength and heart to obey His commands.

Discussion (Small Group Study)

5. Read aloud . List several of the ordination requirements for Aaron and his sons.

a. The priests and Levites in Moses’ day were, in some measure, a picture of pastors and full-time ministers today. What inferences can you draw from this passage for people in ministry today (, )?

b. In a broader sense, the priests of the Old Testament fore- shadowed all Christians today, whether ordained or not (). Can you find principles drawn from the passage that can be applied to our lives today? See also and . Do you take these commands seriously? Does the Christian church at large take these commands seriously? What is God’s provision for us today when we fall short of God’s standard?

6. Read . What command was broken here? Why do you think God’s punishment was so severe?

7. Skim contents or chapter headings for . Note the variety of regulations and guidelines given by God. Why do you think God was concerned about so many details for the people?

do you think God’s punishment was so severe?

8. Read . Do these same standards apply today?

Compare with . How can we distinguish between regulations and commands that transcend time and those which were only relevant to the Israelites at this particular period of time in history ()?

9. See . Do you think God was overreacting here? Compare with .

a. Why is God careful to protect His name?

b. How is God’s name taken in vain today? Do you think God is grieved or concerned about this?

grieved or concerned about this?

c. Read . Talk to God in prayer about His name and His holiness. Confess sins. Believe God for forgiveness. Pray for God’s help to speak and live according to His grace and holiness.

Digging Deeper (Further Study)

10. Read . Compare with . In what way do these commands carry over for our day?

way do these commands carry over for our day?

How do you personally apply God’s commands to rest?

11. In Leviticus we find that there was a Sabbath Day, a Sabbath Week, and a Sabbath Year. Why was the Sabbath so important?

12. Compare with 26:14-17. How are these same principles still true today ()? Pray that your lives might bear good and eternal fruit for God.