Leviticus 1-7

Intro

Why is Leviticus in our bible?

A book of instructions

Seems outdated- We are not Israelites, and certainly not Levitical priests!

Even so, It is scripture inspired by God

Important to Christ (quotes Leviticus in “Love your neighbor” command)

Holy Spirit guided the whole church to accept against Marcion

Leviticus a case study in theological appropriation of scripture

Cannot be appropriated 1:1, Leviticus a problem for fundamentalism

Nevertheless, cannot be laid aside and forgotten. This is God breathed and inspired

So what can we learn from it?

Purpose of Ritual

Guilt offerings

Firstly, sin causes problems between us and God. Relationship must be restored between God and Man, and even Man and Man

Need for reparations and restitution

Lev. 6:4-5

The New Revised Standard Version Chapter 6

when you have sinned and realize your guilt, and would restore what you took by robbery or by fraud or the deposit that was committed to you, or the lost thing that you found, 5 or anything else about which you have sworn falsely, you shall repay the principal amount and shall add one-fifth to it. You shall pay it to its owner when you realize your guilt.

Sin Offerings

Human evil does more, however. It creates miasma of impurity

Sin leaves behind spiritual traces, i.e., “spiritual pollution”

This prevents true communion with God

Thus sacrifice obtains both moral and spiritual purity

Well-being Offerings

Additionally, sacrifice recognizes dependence upon God.

Well-being offerings provide opportunity for celebration. They are essentially communal feasts with one another in the presence of God

Conclusion

Something is wrong that needs to be fixed (i.e., recognition of sin!)

Sacrificial rituals open the way to live with God by purifying and cleansing us of sin. We become Holy that we might dwell with the Holy One

Meaning of Ritual

The offering

Unblemished- give your best to God

No economic bar- offerings for both rich and poor

Suggests God cares not so much about what is offered as how it is offered

Hos 6.6 (and Jesus)

The New Revised Standard Version Impenitence of Israel and Judah

For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,

the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Laying on of hands

Declaration of ownership

Identification/substitution- the Penalty for sin is separation from God and thus death. I should die, but the animal does instead

Costliness of human evil

The Blood

Blood as symbol of life

Lev 17.11

The New Revised Standard Version Eating Blood Prohibited

For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you for making atonement for your lives on the altar; for, as life, it is the blood that makes atonement.

Blood sprinkled on altar and rest poured out at base of altar

Life belongs to God. God gives life, and apart from God no one has life

Smoke

Rise of smoke lifts our hearts and eyes to God

Revelation 5:8

The New Revised Standard Version The Scroll and the Lamb

When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints

The Priesthood

Priests receive their pay for leading worship from the sacrifice

NT affirms e.g. 1 Tim 5:17-18

The New Revised Standard Version Duties toward Believers

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching; 18 for the scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves to be paid.”

Priests lead the people in offering sacrifice. Notice the person is present at sacrifice, lays hands on the offering, and likely even assists in slaughtering the sacrifice!

Priests not there to be holy in place of the people, but rather to lead the people to holiness!

Priestly instructions not a secret; the people should know the instructions for the priest

Thus, the people are expected to take part in and understand the worship of God. Priests are a guide, not a stand-in

Leviticus, Christ, & Eucharist

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 4: Leviticus Explanation

Like the animal required for this offering, he was a male, without defect (1 Pet 1:18–19). Having lived in complete obedience to God, he was blameless. For this reason his sacrifice was far superior to any of the offerings presented under the old covenant (Heb 9:23–26). On the altar of the cross Jesus gave himself up entirely to God his Father (Rom 8:32). Like a whole offering Christ’s death was “a soothing aroma” to God (Eph 5:2). In contrast to the frequent presentation of whole offerings, Christ offered himself up once for all time (Heb 10:12). The finality of Christ’s death put an end to the offering of animals as a part of faithful worship of God.

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 4: Leviticus Explanation

The highest moment of Christian worship is the Eucharist. Paul, motivated by the same beliefs that undergird this portion of Leviticus, is very concerned that the bread be eaten and the cup drunk in a worthy manner, i.e., a manner that recognizes its high sanctity (1 Cor 11:27–34).