Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Leviticus 1, Introduction to Leviticus

(Administrative note: I apologize for the mess in our notes on Exodus as the "table" format made the posts unreadable.  I have gone through and cleaned it up should you be interested in checking it out.) 

In our survey of Leviticus, let’s begin with an outline.

·       Ch. 1-7: The offerings.

·       Ch. 8-10: The Priesthood.

·       Ch. 11-15: Laws of purification.

·       Ch. 16: Day of Atonement.

·       Ch. 17-18: Heathen customs forbidden.

·       Ch. 19-22: Laws of holiness.

·       Ch. 23-25: Feasts and Seasons.

·       Ch. 26-27: Conditions for God’s blessing.

Chapters 1-7 give instructions for 5 offerings:

·       The Sweet Savor offerings:

1.    Burnt offering.

2.    Meal offering (:meat” offering in the KJV but it is not a blood offering).

3.    Fellowship offering (“peace” offering in the KJV).

·       The Non-sweet Savor offerings:

4.    Sin offering.

5.    Guilt offering (“trespass” offering in KJV).

The significance of these 5 offerings are:

1.    Atonement/consecration.

2.    Consecration to God.

3.    Fellowship with God.

4.    Forgiveness (unintentional sin).

5.    Forgiveness (intentional sin).

As you read Leviticus, here are a few terms/phrases to keep an eye out for:

·       “I am the LORD.”  This is the motive for obedience and appears in connection with many laws/commands.

·       “Atonement” (45 times).  The way to God requires a covering for sin.  Atonement is by the blood of sacrifice.

·       “Holiness” (87 times).   A persons walk with God is by sanctification.

The name of the book in Hebrew is “And He called out” (the opening words.)  The Greek (Leviticus) comes from the sacrificial rites performed by the Levites.

There is essentially no argument on the human authorship of Leviticus.  Mosaic authorship is stated 56 times in the book (e.g. 4:1) and it was attested by Christ.  Matt. 8:4 (offering for a healed leper) comes from Lev. 14:3-10 and Jesus says it came from Moses.  John 7:23 (circumcision on the Sabbath) comes from Lev. 12:3 and Jesus says it came from Moses.

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