Leviticus: Be holy as I am

External Religion? u Is religion uniquely personal with few external requirements? u What is the “cult” in OT? u Importance of externals, approach and presence

What in life is secular and what is sacred? u What things are secular to you? u What things are sacred to you? u Leviticus=Whole of person’s life lived out in presence of God

What does holiness mean? u Key verse: Lev 19:2 “Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy (1 Pet 1:15f) u Root idea = separateness/distinctness/uniqueness u Isa 40:25: “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal? Says the Holy one”—incomparability of YHWH

What does holiness mean? u Separateness does not = remoteness u Isa 57:15 “For this is what the high and lofty one says-- he who lives forever, whose name is holy; I live in a high and holy place but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit.”

What does holiness mean? u Does holiness mean we should be afraid of Him? u Dread: covering emphasis: Isa 6: holy, holy, holy,... I am a man of unclean lips...

What does holiness mean? u Holiness moves to the selection of a special people u Exod 19:6 “you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” u Can we make something holy? u Remember Sabbath to keep it holy; (Exod 20:8,11) u Sanctify something = make it holy (separate it); special things

What types of things can be holy? u Holy Things: u Olive Oil (Exod 30:25) u Incense (Exod 30:35) u Holy places u Exod 3:5 holy ground u Holy of holies place (Lev 16:16f) u Temple (Hab. 2:20) u Holy Mountain (Ps 2:6)

What types of things can be holy? (cont) u Holy days u Sabbath (Exod 20:8,11) u Feasts (Lev 23)

What happens when holy things violated? u Nadab & Abihu: Lev 10:1-3 u Uzzah (2 Sam 6:6f) touches ark u Uzziah (2 Chr 26:19) leprosy

How are things made holy? u Designation / sanctified / set apart for special purpose u Transmission of holiness: touch + oil u Touch altar = holy (Exod 29:37) u —Jesus Mt 9:20ff unclean woman

Holiness chart Sanctify Cleanse Profane Pollute HolyCleanUnclean

Purity Laws u Why is a pig unclean? u Why is a cat fish unclean? u Why is a woman unclean after childbirth? (Lev 12:2) u Why is married couple unclean after relations? (Lev 15:18) u Why was a priest with deformed hand not allowed to serve? (Lev 21:5f; 17ff)

Purity Explanations u Totally arbitrary: because I said so u Cultic explanation u Hygenic explanation u Yukkiness view (wholeness view)

How do you eat Kosher? u Land animals u Sea creatures u Flying creatures u Insects

Couple problems u Rabbits chewing cud (Lev. 11:3) u Bats are not birds (Lev. 11:19) u Prohibition against homosexual behavior: Lev. 19:22; 20:13; (cf. 1 Cor. 6:9; 1 Tim. 1:10; Rom. 1:26f)

Sacrifices u Why are there so many types of sacrifices

Aspects of sin u God’s anger -- propitiation u Pollution -- purification u Guilt/shame -- atonement u Damage done -- reparation u Communion broken -- community confession and restoration

Importance of blood u Heb 9:22 “In fact, without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin” u Lev 17:14 not allowed to eat blood

Types of Sacrifices u Whole burnt offering (Lev 1) u Sin (purification) offering (status order, Mary) (Lev 4) u Reparation/trespass/guilt offering (Lev 4) u Fellowship/Peace offering (freewill, vow, thanksgiving) (Lev 7) u Cereal offering (Lev 2): oil, salt, no yeast

Feasts of Israel: spring/fall u Philosophy // seasons u Spring – wheat/barley u Passover/unleavened bread (Lev 23) u Feast of weeks (Pentecost) u Fall—grapes/figs/olives u Feast of trumpets u Day of Atonement: Yom Kippur u Feast of Tabernacles

Other special times u Sabbath (Exod 20:8-11) u Sabbatical year (Lev 25:1-7)—land/debt servant release [Deut 15:1-7] u Jubilee (Lev 25)—return to family land u Purim – Esther (usually March) u Hanukkah -- Maccabees