Leviticus The book of sacrificial and ritual laws

Leviticus was named after the Levites, the priests. The book is attributed to the Priestly writer. The author is trying to answer the question, How can Israel survive as a people believing in one God while living in a foreign culture whose people worship other gods?

The writer wants the Jews to see there worship in the Temple related to their life in community. The Covenant with God was meant to frame the whole of life If someone goes to Church on Sunday and keeps the rules but shows little no concern for justice and peace, would you consider that person a good Christian?

The book encourages the reader to honesty, reverence, respect, compassion, and generosity These are virtues we need today

These laws served to teach the Israelites to stay pure and maintain their intimate union with God “You shall be holy, because I, the Lord, am holy.”

Sacrifice in the Old Testament Proper sacrifice Incredible detail on ritual correctness Your heart must be in it, but you NEED to perform the sacrifice CORRECTLY

What Was The Sacrifice For? Forgiveness Gratitude to God To provide food for the people. This also underscores the seriousness of taking animal life for food-it’s done for a purpose Animals used: Bulls, Cows, Calves Sheep, Lambs, Goats, Kids Bird, Dove, Pigeon

Leviticus 1 Holocaust: from Geek meaning “wholly burned” The entire animal was burned (except the hide) The purpose-a complete gift to God

Burnt Offering This was an offering for sin Young bull,1 yr. old lamb, bird, dove, pigeon Roasted entirely-the smell goes up to God

Leviticus 2 Cereal Offering The Grain offering Was thanks for God’s providence What was used: Fine flour, olive oil, incense, unleavened bread, seasoned w/ salt.

Leviticus 3 Peace Offering This offering was showing desire for peace and fellowship with God

Leviticus 4 Sin Offering The Sin Offering was payment for unintentional sins An individuals status was very important The higher the statue, the bigger the offering Ones intentions determined the sacrifice

The Atonement of Jesus Once a year, on the day of Atonement – (Yom Kippur) the High Priest enters the holy of holies and offers a sacrifice of a bull representing himself and his tribe, and a goat representing the Israelite people. So why is Jesus called the true Hight Priest?

Leviticus 5 Guilt Offering The guilt offering was given to repay offences against a fellow Israelite-or God That is-it removed guilt

Leviticus 11 Kosher Laws What’s Good?

Meat All animals which chew their cud and have a split hoof are kosher. Cattle, Sheep, Goats, and Deer are Kosher. Horses, Donkeys, Camels and Pigs are not Kosher. Meat must be killed according to the laws of Shecitah. (Ritual slaughter according to Jewish dietary laws) Meat must be properly salted to remove blood.

What’s Not Kosher Meat?

Flying Things Birds that eat meat are unclean, ones that eat grain are kosher Pigeons were the most common

What’s Good-Flying things?

Non Kosher Birds

Kosher/Non Kosher Birds Kosher Birds: ChickenDoveDuckGoosePigeonTurkey Non-Kosher Birds: BatCuckooEagleHawkHeronKiteLapwingOstrichOwlPelicanStorkSwanVulture

Sea Food Fish must have scales and fins to be kosher

Sea Food that’s Good

Non Kosher Sea Food

Non-Kosher Sea Food CatfishEelPorpoiseSharkWhaleClamCrabFrogLobsterOysterScallopShrimpSnail

Kosher Sea Food Fish that are deemed kosher must have fins and scales. Shellfish is prohibited Anchovy * Pike Bluefish * Porgy Butterfish * Red Snapper Carp * Salmon Cod * Sardine Flounder * Sea Bass Fluke * Smelt Haddock * Sole Halibut * Trout Herring * Tuna Mackerel * Whitefish Mackerel

Holiness Code The codes in Leviticus are advanced moral teachings: Leaving some of the harvest for the poor to glean Not withholding wages until the next day Don’t curse the blind/don’t put stumbling blocks in the way of the blind

Don’t stand idly while your neighbor’s life is at stake. Don’t persecute foreigners Don’t fashion dishonest weights and measures Every 50 yrs. Debts are to be canceled. Those who’ve lost property are allowed opportunity to redeem it