Studies in the Pentateuch1 LEVITICUS Oh No! Not Leviticus!

Studies in the Pentateuch2 Why is Leviticus so unpopular? Because of…  A sacrificial system which is no longer relevant…  A priesthood which is no longer in existence…  Laws which are no longer binding...

Studies in the Pentateuch3 So why bother?  2 Timothy 3:16-17:  “All Scripture is God-breathed, and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be fully equipped for every good work.”

Studies in the Pentateuch4 1.The Concept of Sacrifice  We cannot understand the concept of sacrifice without studying the God-ordained sacrificial system presented in Leviticus.  Why did Jesus have to die?  What did he accomplish in his death?  Leviticus reminds us that sacrifice was not only for forgiveness of sin.  Romans 12:1 What IS a “living sacrifice”?  (Answer: Read Leviticus!)

Studies in the Pentateuch5 2. The Concept of Priesthood  Leviticus describes the priesthood.  Jesus is said to be our High Priest (Heb 4:14,16)  What is a high priest? What did Jesus do that made him act like a priest for us? Leviticus opens our eyes to these truths.  Also, WE ARE PRIESTS! What does this mean? The NT gives us clues, but the authors presume their readers know the Law contained in Leviticus. So we need to study this book in order to understand our role as priests.

Studies in the Pentateuch6 3.The Concept of Law  Leviticus focuses on God's Law given to Israel.  Jesus said: “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished.” (Mat 5:17-18)  So we need to understand the Law and we need to ask ourselves how Jesus fulfilled the Law, and in what sense these laws are still relevant for us.

Studies in the Pentateuch7 4.The Concept of Holiness  When YOU think of someone who is holy, what image comes to mind?  Holiness is the central theme of Leviticus. "You shall be holy, for I am holy" (11:44-45, 19:2, 20:7, 20:26).  We come to understand the holiness of God, and what holiness means for us by reading this book.  The concepts of sacrifice, priesthood, law, and holiness are all central to our Christian walk; these are the themes of the book of Leviticus.

Studies in the Pentateuch8 Reading 1 Peter 2:4-10  Holiness. Priesthood. Sacrifices. They are all here. All of 1 Peter, and particularly this passage, comes alive with startling clarity when we gain a deeper understanding of these central concepts…

Studies in the Pentateuch9 So HOW do we study Leviticus?  First, we will take it on faith that the entire book is profitable. Our task is to figure out how it is profitable. To accomplish this, we will begin by asking,  (1) Is this passage or verse a picture of New Testament spiritual truth? If it is, is that its only importance? If this answer is yes, once we have determined the meaning of the picture, our interpretation is finished.

Studies in the Pentateuch10 …or alternatively  (2) For some passages, however, we may not be confident that God is only giving us a picture of spiritual truth. In these cases, we need to ask ourselves, Why did God give this verse/ passage to the Israelites? To be moral? To be different? To be healthy? If we conclude that the specific command is not relevant for us, we must ask, What is the principle behind the commands of God? How does the principle apply to us?

Studies in the Pentateuch11 Developing a HERMENEUTIC  For example, read Leviticus 19:19  What picture of spiritual truth is contained in this command? What is the principle behind the command?  Is the command still relevant?  If the specific command is NOT still relevant, what about the principle?

Studies in the Pentateuch12 An Outline  1-16 God’s provision to meet man’s needs refer to God's standard for man to live by. Grace and response.  Chapters 1-7 describe the five different types of offerings. These offerings are God's plan for dealing with our needs: Our need for love, our need for joy, our need for peace, our need for forgiveness, and our need for restoration of relationships.  Chapters 8-10 describe the priesthood.  Chapters describe different aspects of holiness, while chapter 16 lays out regulations for celebrating the Day of Atonement.  Chapters 17 to 27 then constitute the second major section of the book, detailing God's standard for our performance. “ I know your weakness and your failures, but I have made full provision for them. You now have the ability to live lives worthy of your calling. So be holy!"