OT Survey I Leviticus

Setting The book of Leviticus takes place over a period of about one month at Mount Sinai. According to Exodus 40:17, the tabernacle was erected exactly 1 year after the first Passover. Numbers 1:1 begins on the first day of the second month.

Purpose Statement Yahweh gave instruction that enabled Him as a holy God to live among His people and enabled His people to have fellowship with Him. Note: The book had special relevance for the priests as a manual on guiding Israel in their worship.

Major Themes The Presence of the Lord Holiness “before the Lord” (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 16, 17) “I am the Lord your God” (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) Holiness The Holy Yahweh (11:44, 45; 19:2; 20:6) Israel (11:44, 45; 19:2; 20:6) Things (2:3, 10) Times (23:2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 21, 24, 27, 35, 36, 37) The Common, Profane (19:8, 12, 29; 20:3; 21:6, 9, 12, 15, 23; 22:2) The Clean and the Unclean (11 – 15) – This is not the same as holy versus common. These are stipulations for what is allowed to come into contact with what is holy.

Major Themes The Sacrificial System Key Verses: The Offerings (1-7; 16) The Priests (8-10) Key Verses: “For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy” (11:44). “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement” (17:11).

Structure Israel’s Acceptable Approach to God Through Sacrifice (chaps. 1 – 10) Israel’s Walk with God in Fellowship (chaps. 11 – 27)

Structure Israel’s Acceptable Approach to God Through Sacrifice (chaps. 1 – 10) The Offerings and Their Regulations (1-7) The Burnt Offering – Purpose was the acceptance of the worshipper by atoning for his sin in general; substitutionary. Required unblemished male animal; animal could vary depending on the financial condition of the one who offered. The Meal or Grain Offering – burnt grain offering memorialized worshipper before the Lord. Significance uncertain; perhaps to express thankfulness and dedication to God. The Peace Offering – Certain animal parts were consumed on the altar, others were eaten by priests. Expressed joy of fellowship with the Lord. The Sin Offering – Made on behalf of individuals or for the assembly as a whole (Day of Atonement). Required animal without defect. Blood sprinkled on altar, part of the sacrifice offered on the altar, part burned outside the camp. The Trespass or Guilt Offering – Similar to sin offering; primary difference is requirement to make restitution, either to the Lord or fellow man, for something that has been taken or withheld.

Structure Israel’s Acceptable Approach to God Through Sacrifice (chaps. 1 – 10) The Offerings and Their Regulations (1-7) The Consecration and Duties of the Priests (8-10) After the completion of the Tabernacle Aaron and his sons are set apart as priests (8). This consecration process took one week and included a special designation of Aaron as High Priest (9). The seriousness of obedience for the priesthood is illustrated by the incident with Nadab and Abihu (10).

Structure Israel’s Walk with God in Fellowship (chaps. 11 – 27) Instruction on clean versus unclean (11-15) Animals (11, esp. vv. 46 and 47) Uncleanness of child-bearing and instructions on circumcision (12) Instructions for priests to deal with various skin diseases and bodily discharges (13 – 15) Instruction for the Day of Atonement (16) Emphasis on the proper procedure for offering sacrifices (17) Instruction on prohibited sexual practices (18) Instruction on dealing with neighbors and strangers within the land (19) Penalties for breaking various laws (20; 20:22-26 is a key passage) Emphasis on the priests’ necessity to be holy (21-22)

Structure Israel’s Walk with God in Fellowship (chaps. 11 – 27) The Festivals of God’s People (23 – 25) Sabbath Day Spring Festivals (First and Third Months) Passover – to commemorate Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. Unleavened Bread – to commemorate the hardships of the hurried flight to Egypt. Firstfruits – wave offering of barley sheaf and an unblemished lamb offered to the Lord in thanksgiving. Pentecost – wave offering of two loaves of bread; sacrifices of 7 lambs, one bull, and two rams in celebration of the wheat harvest. Fall Festivals (Seventh Month) Feast of Trumpets – day of rest Day of Atonement – for national cleansing Feast of Booths – to commemorate the wilderness wandering and rejoice in the competed harvest (including grapes and olives). The Sabbath Year and Year of Jubilee – In the latter, debts were forgiven, servants released, and land returned to original owners. Promises of Blessing for Obedience and Curses for Disobedience, Vows and Valuations (26 – 27)

Israel’s Wilderness Wanderings Next Week: Numbers Israel’s Wilderness Wanderings