Leviticus 22, Laws of Holiness (5) (20: Punishments)

The “law of the harvest” (you reap what you sow) is all over Scripture.  This chapter identifies penalties for certain violations.

·       Capital punishment (the death penalty) is for offering children to Molech (v1-5), consulting mediums and spiritists (v6,27), cursing father or mother (v9) and adultery (v10-21).  The phrase “cut off” is likely referring to death, not eviction from the camp.  Likewise, the phrase “die childless.” 

·       As in the previous three chapters we see the emphasis on “holiness” (being God’s set-apart people, His special treasure; 20:7-8).  There is a command to be holy, and the fact that God made them holy. 

·       They are to be separate from other nations (v22-27).  Again, remember Gen. 15:13-16 where God would not give Canaan to Abraham at the time because the sins of the Amorites had not reached full measure.  We may think God is not paying attention but He is; He knows the sins even of the USA and we will give account.

Laws for Priests (Lev. 21-22)

Lev. 21-22 contain additional laws for priests.  Remember that the major point of Leviticus is facilitating the true worship of God in Israel.  These are not meant to be guidelines for leaders in the Church, the Body of Christ.  However, there will be some connection between OT and NT which we will seek to point out.

·       21:1-6: The priest must not let natural sympathies interfere with his work.  Likewise, Christ at 12 years of age said, I must be about My Father’s business.

·       21:7-8, 13-15: The priest must be properly married.  The NT had a similar requirement for Elders (1 Tim. 3:2).  Remember, the priest is a picture of Christ and the Church, the Bride of Christ.

·       21:9: The priest’s children must be respectful.  Again, similar thoughts are raised in the NT for Elders (1 Tim. 3:4f; Titus 1:6).

·       21:10-12; 22:1-9: The priest must not make himself unclean.  I.e., he is called to holiness.  Compare this to 1 Tim. 3:2-3,6f; Titus 1:7f.

·       21:16-24: The priest must not serve if he has a physical defect.  The issue is that he stands for the Messiah, the Priest after Melchizedek, the One without blemish and thus qualified to be the sacrifice for our sins, the Lamb of God.  There is no such command for leaders in the Church.

·       22:10-30: The priest must abide by the laws of the offerings.  Only Priestly families could partake of the sacred food (v10-16).  No defective animals were to be used (v17-25).  They were not to slaughter two animals from the same “family” on the same day (v26-28).  And the thanksgiving offering was to be eaten the same day (v29-30).

·       22:31-33: The summary statement is that they were called to diligent obedience.