Leviticus

Reasons to study Leviticus No book claims inspiration more often (for the size of the book) The book reveals the nature of God In order to understand a people it is necessary to understand their ritual- Wenham, Numbers, 30 It provides important background material to the NT- Luke 2:22-24 with Lev 12:6-8

Outline of Leviticus 1-7 Sacrifices 8-10 The priesthood 11-15 The clean and the unclean 16 The day of atonement 17-25 Holiness code 26 Blessing and Cursing 27 Vows Key concept: The Holiness of God Key verse: Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7, 26

Sacrifices Lev 1: Burnt offerings- wholly offered Lev 2: Grain offerings- non-meat Lev 3: Peace offerings- worshiper ate part of Lev 4:1-5:13 Sin offerings- different sacrifice depending on status in community

Sacrifices Lev 5:14-6:7 Trespass/ Guilt offerings- pay “fine” in addition to sacrifice Sacrifices connected with forgiveness- Lev 1:4; 4:20, 26, 31, 35; 5: 6, 10, 13, 16, 18; 6:7 Sinful people need forgiveness to approach a holy God Why different sacrifices?

Jesus: Fulfillment of Sacrifices Sacrifices point to the sacrifice of Jesus- sometimes the NT uses specific sacrificial practice (Heb 13:11-13; Lev 4:7, 11-12) Contrast to these repeated sacrifices Christ offered one sacrifice (Heb 7:27; 9:12, 23-28; 10:11-14) His death accomplished what those sacrifices could not (Heb 10:1-4, 19-21)

Priesthood Basis of priesthood: Holiness of God and the need for someone to approach God on our behalf The very structure of the tabernacle was a reminder of the holiness of God (Ex 25-31; 35-40; Heb 9:1-10) The layman who approached the tabernacle was to be put to death (Num 1:47-54)

Priesthood Sinful man needed a mediator of God’s holiness. This is why God demanded great holiness of the priests (Lev 10:1-3; contrast 9:22-24)

Jesus the Fulfillment Do we still need a priest today to mediate God’s holiness? While the priesthood of all believers is true (I Peter 2:5, 9; Ex 19:5-6), this does not minimize the need for a high priest (I Tim 2:5-6) Christ the high priest (Heb 2:17-18; 4:14- 16) Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Heb 5:10; 6:20; 7:17)

Leprosy or Skin Diseases Leviticus 13-14 Why these two extensive chapters describing skin diseases right in the center of the book? Skin diseases made one unclean and he could not approach God, the tabernacle (Num 5:1-4) and alienated him from fellow- man (Lev 13:45-46)

Leprosy or Skin Diseases Skin diseases and their treatment were symbolic of sin and its consequences (Ps 51:7; Isaiah 6:1-5) Jesus cleansing lepers show forgive sin (Luke 5:12-16; 8; 7:22; 48-50)

Feast Days: Lev 23 23:4-14 Passover and feast of unleavened bread- 1st month, 14th day; 15-21st 23:15-22 Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)- about seven weeks after previous feast 23:23-25 Trumpets- 7th month and 1st day 23:26-32 Day of Atonement- 7th month and 10th day 23:33-44 Feast of Booths- 7th month, 15-21st day

Jesus: Fulfillment of the Feast Feast of Booths- John 7:2, 37-39; 8:12 Passover- All gospels give this feast as the setting for the crucifixion Mt 26:1-5; Mk 14:1-2; Lk 22:1-2; Jn 11:55 Jesus the Passover Lamb John 19:36; Ex 12:46; Num 9:12; I Cor 5:7 The salvation that is accomplished through Jesus is a new exodus- Ex 12/ Is 43:16-17; Jer 16:14-15/ Luke 9:31/ Revelation 15:3-4

Jubilee and Leviticus 25 Every 49 or 50 years (25:8-12) In this year debts were forgiven, slaves were set free, and people were given their family lands (25:23-55) Isaiah 61:1-2 Announces a year of jubilee Luke 4:18-19 What was done in the year of Jubilee foreshadows the salvation that Christ brings- debts are forgiven, slaves set free, and hope of heaven