Chapter 8 The Law and Entering into the Promised Land Exodus 32-40, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy

Moses Returns

After the Fall Israel lost some of its unique, personal relationship with God – For one, only the Levites assumed the priesthood Remember in the last chapter when it was said that all the people of Israel were to be priests? That changed. – The law was given to maintain order and teach humility and holiness Moses goes back up Mt. Sinai bringing with him new tablets to write the commandments on and thus renews the covenant – When he comes down his face is radiant and needs to be covered with a veil

Book of Leviticus Leviticus meaning: – From Latin: “having to do with the Levites” Why? Leviticus is a sort of “Manual for Priests” – It is primarily concerned with atonement, ritual purity, and holiness. Atonement is causing a sin to be forgiven Ritual Purity is meant to remove specifically defined uncleanliness prior to a worship of God – This is done because in Leviticus it says that God separates himself from things that are “unclean” Holiness is dependent on the first two in order to dedicate oneself to God Many laws are listed and they are meant to be taken seriously – See Lv 10: 1-3

Nazarite Vow Numbers 6: 1-21 describes the conditions of the Nazarite Vow. – This was an optional vow taken to commit oneself to the LORD It included commitments such as not drinking alcohol; not cutting one’s hair; and not going near corpses or graves – We will hear about this again, especially concerning whom? » Samson! » Other famous narizites: Absolom, Samuel, Paul, and John the Baptist