Leviticus The Law of Moses wasn’t saying that these things were bad, it was using these issues as object lessons. Leviticus 11 -food laws Leviticus 12 -purification of women after childbirth (a boy – one week, a girl – two weeks) Leviticus 13 -leprosy, skin disease Leviticus 14 -laws and rites to leprosy Leviticus 15 -issues of blood, fluids Leviticus 16 -day of atonement The point seemed to be that we are not going to get through life without being unclean, so, we must learn to utilize the atonement.

Leviticus “Clean and Unclean” These chapters deal with aspects of what could be called uncleanness in the flesh due to infections or secretions of the body, including the expulsion of fluid associated with birth, sores of the skin, infections found with such militates as leprosy or boils, running infections, the seed of copulation and menstrual fluids. Leviticus 16 “Day of Atonement” “Day of Atonement” is also called Yom Kipper. It is in the fall of the year and is the most solemn of all Israelite festivals. It is a time of national fasting, with sins being forgiven and atoned for (Bible Dictionary, 67).

Why should natural bodily functions render one unclean ? It did not suggest that something disgusting or filthy had taken place. It simply meant that it rendered a person unfit for sacred ordinances. The physical body and its natural functions remind one that he was of the earth, of the physical. Therefore, to say that a man or woman was unclean (that is, not to perform sacred ordinances) at certain times was to suggest to the mind that the natural man must be put aside in order to approach God. Any person with a physical handicap was barred from being a high priest (Leviticus 21:17-21).

Leviticus 13 “Leprosy” Although it included true leprosy (Hansen’s disease), leprosy also seemed to have designated a wide range of diseases and even such physical decay as mildew or dry rot. Thus leprosy became a type or a symbol of sin and the sinful man. Classical leprosy was a dreaded and horrible disease that required exile from society and isolation (v.45). When a man had the mark of leprosy, he must go about like a mourner, i.e., he must tear his clothes, leave his hair unkempt, and cover his mustache; and he must be segregated from ordinary human society. Isolation was the very best method of prevention of the spread of contagion.

“10 Lepers Healed” Luke 17:11-19 v. 14 “Go show yourselves unto the Priest” For a leper in the day of his cleaning, the prescribed means of obtaining permission to re- enter society required him to show himself to the priest. It was a test of their faith! The 10 lepers were probably mixed nationalities. The one who said thank you was a Samaritan (v. 16).

Leviticus 14 “The cleansing of a Leper” 1. The leper Leprosy was a type or symbol of what happened to a man spiritually when he sins. A sinful person was cut off from fellowship with spiritual Israel (the natural man). 2. The Priest The official representative of the Lord who was authorized to cleanse the leper and bring him back into full fellowship.

3. The birds The birds symbolized the candidate. Two birds were required. The first bird was killed signifying that the leper (the natural man) had to give up his life. The second bird was released signifying that the man had been freed from the bondage of sin. 4. The cedar wood Still used today because of its ability to preserve surrounding objects from decay and corruption. 5. The scarlet wool A piece of wool dyed bright red to remind us of blood, which is the symbol of life and also the atonement.

6. The hyssop Though we don’t know why the herb hyssop in the Old Testament carried with it, the symbolism is of purification. 7. The basin of water The blood of the bird was mixed with the water. In Moses 6:59 we learn that blood and water are the symbols of birth, both physical and spiritual. 8. The washing of the leper A symbol of cleansing

9. The shaving of the hair In order to look like a baby, the candidate graphically demonstrated that he was newborn spiritually. 10. The sacrifice of the lamb The offering of the Son of God. 11. The smearing of the blood on the parts of the body Every aspect of the person’s life was touched and affected by the atonement of Christ. 12. The oil Emblem of peace and purity

Matthew 8:2-15 The Savior healed three unlikely candidates : 1. A leper (unclean) 2. A gentile’s servant (gentile’s are unclean) 3. A woman(Peter’s mother in-law)

Luke 8:43-48 “Woman with blood issue” This story is the epitome of “fallen man.” The woman blind sides the Savior rather than facing him head on because she was “unclean,” and had been for 12 years. She would have to veil her face for that entire time. She took a huge risk in doing what she did. Luke assumes that you and I (New Testament Readers) understand the Book of Leviticus.

Luke 10:25-37 “The Parable of the Good Samaritan” Is it possible that the priest and the Levite receive a bad rap in this parable? Why or why not? Four types of people : 1. Thieves-take what they want 2. Levite/ Priest-have what they want, so don’t bother them 3. Inn Keeper-I’ll help you if you will pay me 4. Samaritan-Everything is God’s, my hands are His hands

Three things necessary to be clean : 1. Time (from a couple of hours to 40 days) 2. Ritual Washings 3. Sacrifice Point of the Law of Moses : If you want to be clean, something must die. When you deal with the Law of Moses, you deal with defilement. The Jews seem to have lost Christ in the process.

Remember this : Most of the people did not live these laws. The “Am haraotz” in the Saviors day. Leviticus 16:31 “afflict” = “fasting” Extend mercy to those who need it and then hope mercy will be extended back to you.

The problem with the Law of Moses was that the people thought they saved themselves by doing the actions. Mosiah 2:17 You can serve all of your life, but service is not enough. Mosiah two, sets up chapter three which teaches that it is all because of Christ. King Benjamin is a Christian and he wants to make sure his people are as well. He seems to be concerned that they perform the rituals well, but don’t know Christ. This seemed to be similar to what Moses people are doing as well. They must learn that Christ was at the center of the law. They were living the law, but perhaps missing the mark. The mark is “Christ and the atonement.”

Later in Jerusalem the problem will be that most of the Jews lived the oral law or traditions and not the law that they were intended to live. Oral traditions : The Mishna and Talmud Salvation is impossible under the Law of Moses alone! 3 Nephi 15:2-9 Christ fulfilled the Law!