1. Leviticus

2. Reasons to study Leviticus
No book claims inspiration more often (for the size of the book)
The book reveals the nature of God
In order to understand a people it is necessary to understand their ritual- Wenham, Numbers, 30
It provides important background material to the NT- Luke 2:22-24 with Lev 12:6-8

3. Outline of Leviticus 1-7 Sacrifices 8-10 The priesthood
11-15 The clean and the unclean
16 The day of atonement
17-25 Holiness code
26 Blessing and Cursing
27 Vows
Key concept: The Holiness of God
Key verse: Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7, 26

4. Sacrifices Lev 1: Burnt offerings- wholly offered
Lev 2: Grain offerings- non-meat
Lev 3: Peace offerings- worshiper ate part of
Lev 4:1-5:13 Sin offerings- different sacrifice depending on status in community

5. Sacrifices
Lev 5:14-6:7 Trespass/ Guilt offerings- pay “fine” in addition to sacrifice
Sacrifices connected with forgiveness- Lev 1:4; 4:20, 26, 31, 35; 5: 6, 10, 13, 16, 18; 6:7
Sinful people need forgiveness to approach a holy God
Why different sacrifices?

6. Jesus: Fulfillment of Sacrifices
Sacrifices point to the sacrifice of Jesus- sometimes the NT uses specific sacrificial practice (Heb 13:11-13; Lev 4:7, 11-12)
Contrast to these repeated sacrifices Christ offered one sacrifice (Heb 7:27; 9:12, 23-28; 10:11-14)
His death accomplished what those sacrifices could not (Heb 10:1-4, 19-21)

7. Priesthood
Basis of priesthood: Holiness of God and the need for someone to approach God on our behalf
The very structure of the tabernacle was a reminder of the holiness of God (Ex 25-31; 35-40; Heb 9:1-10)
The layman who approached the tabernacle was to be put to death (Num 1:47-54)

8. Priesthood Sinful man needed a mediator of God’s holiness.
This is why God demanded great holiness of the priests (Lev 10:1-3; contrast 9:22-24)

9. Jesus the Fulfillment
Do we still need a priest today to mediate God’s holiness?
While the priesthood of all believers is true (I Peter 2:5, 9; Ex 19:5-6), this does not minimize the need for a high priest (I Tim 2:5-6)
Christ the high priest (Heb 2:17-18; 4:14- 16) Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Heb 5:10; 6:20; 7:17)

10. Leprosy or Skin Diseases
Leviticus Why these two extensive chapters describing skin diseases right in the center of the book?
Skin diseases made one unclean and he could not approach God, the tabernacle (Num 5:1-4) and alienated him from fellow- man (Lev 13:45-46)

11. Leprosy or Skin Diseases
Skin diseases and their treatment were symbolic of sin and its consequences (Ps 51:7; Isaiah 6:1-5)
Jesus cleansing lepers show forgive sin (Luke 5:12-16; 8; 7:22; 48-50)

12. Feast Days: Lev 23
23:4-14 Passover and feast of unleavened bread- 1st month, 14th day; 15-21st
23:15-22 Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)- about seven weeks after previous feast
23:23-25 Trumpets- 7th month and 1st day
23:26-32 Day of Atonement- 7th month and 10th day
23:33-44 Feast of Booths- 7th month, 15-21st day

13. Jesus: Fulfillment of the Feast
Feast of Booths- John 7:2, 37-39; 8:12
Passover- All gospels give this feast as the setting for the crucifixion Mt 26:1-5; Mk 14:1-2; Lk 22:1-2; Jn 11:55
Jesus the Passover Lamb John 19:36; Ex 12:46; Num 9:12; I Cor 5:7
The salvation that is accomplished through Jesus is a new exodus- Ex 12/ Is 43:16-17; Jer 16:14-15/ Luke 9:31/ Revelation 15:3-4

14. Jubilee and Leviticus 25 Every 49 or 50 years (25:8-12)
In this year debts were forgiven, slaves were set free, and people were given their family lands (25:23-55)
Isaiah 61:1-2 Announces a year of jubilee
Luke 4:18-19 What was done in the year of Jubilee foreshadows the salvation that Christ brings- debts are forgiven, slaves set free, and hope of heaven