OT Survey IOT Survey I

Leviticus Leviticus

SettingSetting

The book of Leviticus The book of Leviticus takes place over a takes place over a period of about one period of about one month at Mount Sinai. month at Mount Sinai. According to Exodus According to Exodus 40:17, the tabernacle 40:17, the tabernacle was erected exactly 1 was erected exactly 1 year after the first year after the first Passover. Numbers 1:1 Passover. Numbers 1:1 begins on the first day begins on the first day of the second month. of the second month.

Purpose StatementPurpose Statement

Yahweh gave instruction that Yahweh gave instruction that enabled Him as a holy God to live enabled Him as a holy God to live among His people and enabled His among His people and enabled His people to have fellowship with Him.people to have fellowship with Him. Note: The book had special relevance Note: The book had special relevance

for the priests as a manual on guiding for the priests as a manual on guiding Israel in their worship.Israel in their worship.

Major ThemesMajor Themes The Presence of the LordThe Presence of the Lord

““before the Lord” (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 16, 17)before the Lord” (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 16, 17) ““I am the Lord your God” (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, I am the Lord your God” (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24,

25, 26)25, 26) HolinessHoliness

The HolyThe Holy Yahweh (11:44, 45; 19:2; 20:6)Yahweh (11:44, 45; 19:2; 20:6) Israel (11:44, 45; 19:2; 20:6) Israel (11:44, 45; 19:2; 20:6) Things (2:3, 10)Things (2:3, 10) Times (23:2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 21, 24, 27, 35, 36, 37) Times (23:2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 21, 24, 27, 35, 36, 37)

The Common, Profane (19:8, 12, 29; 20:3; 21:6, 9, 12, The Common, Profane (19:8, 12, 29; 20:3; 21:6, 9, 12, 15, 23; 22:2)15, 23; 22:2)

The Clean and the Unclean (11 – 15) – This is not the The Clean and the Unclean (11 – 15) – This is not the same as holy versus common. Tsame as holy versus common. These are stipulations for what is allowed to come into contact with what is holy.

Major ThemesMajor Themes

The Sacrificial SystemThe Sacrificial System The Offerings (1-7; 16)The Offerings (1-7; 16) The Priests (8-10)The Priests (8-10)

Key Verses:Key Verses: “For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate

yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy” (11:44).

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement” (17:11).

StructureStructure

Israel’s Acceptable Approach to God Israel’s Acceptable Approach to God Through Sacrifice (chaps. 1 – 10)Through Sacrifice (chaps. 1 – 10)

Israel’s Walk with God in Fellowship Israel’s Walk with God in Fellowship (chaps. 11 – 27)(chaps. 11 – 27)

StructureStructure Israel’s Acceptable Approach to God Through Israel’s Acceptable Approach to God Through

Sacrifice (chaps. 1 – 10)Sacrifice (chaps. 1 – 10) The Offerings and Their Regulations (1-7)The Offerings and Their Regulations (1-7)

The Burnt OfferingThe Burnt Offering – Purpose was the acceptance of the – Purpose was the acceptance of the worshipper by atoning for his sin in general; substitutionary. worshipper by atoning for his sin in general; substitutionary. Required unblemished male animal; animal could vary Required unblemished male animal; animal could vary depending on the financial condition of the one who offered.depending on the financial condition of the one who offered.

The Meal or Grain OfferingThe Meal or Grain Offering – burnt grain offering – burnt grain offering memorialized worshipper before the Lord. Significance memorialized worshipper before the Lord. Significance uncertain; perhaps to express thankfulness and dedication to uncertain; perhaps to express thankfulness and dedication to God.God.

The Peace OfferingThe Peace Offering – Certain animal parts were consumed on – Certain animal parts were consumed on the altar, others were eaten by priests. Expressed joy of the altar, others were eaten by priests. Expressed joy of fellowship with the Lord.fellowship with the Lord.

The Sin OfferingThe Sin Offering – Made on behalf of individuals or for the – Made on behalf of individuals or for the assembly as a whole (Day of Atonement). Required animal assembly as a whole (Day of Atonement). Required animal without defect. Blood sprinkled on altar, part of the sacrifice without defect. Blood sprinkled on altar, part of the sacrifice offered on the altar, part burned outside the camp.offered on the altar, part burned outside the camp.

The Trespass or Guilt OfferingThe Trespass or Guilt Offering – Similar to sin offering; – Similar to sin offering; primary difference is requirement to make restitution, either primary difference is requirement to make restitution, either to the Lord or fellow man, for something that has been taken to the Lord or fellow man, for something that has been taken or withheld.or withheld.

StructureStructure Israel’s Acceptable Approach to God Israel’s Acceptable Approach to God

Through Sacrifice (chaps. 1 – 10)Through Sacrifice (chaps. 1 – 10) The Offerings and Their Regulations (1-7)The Offerings and Their Regulations (1-7) The Consecration and Duties of the Priests (8-The Consecration and Duties of the Priests (8-

10)10) After the completion of the Tabernacle Aaron and his After the completion of the Tabernacle Aaron and his

sons are set apart as priests (8).sons are set apart as priests (8). This consecration process took one week and This consecration process took one week and

included a special designation of Aaron as High Priest included a special designation of Aaron as High Priest (9).(9).

The seriousness of obedience for the priesthood is The seriousness of obedience for the priesthood is illustrated by the incident with Nadab and Abihu (10).illustrated by the incident with Nadab and Abihu (10).

StructureStructure Israel’s Walk with God in Fellowship (chaps. 11 – Israel’s Walk with God in Fellowship (chaps. 11 –

27)27) Instruction on clean versus unclean (11-15)Instruction on clean versus unclean (11-15)

Animals (11, esp. vv. 46 and 47)Animals (11, esp. vv. 46 and 47) Uncleanness of child-bearing and instructions on Uncleanness of child-bearing and instructions on

circumcision (12)circumcision (12) Instructions for priests to deal with various skin diseases Instructions for priests to deal with various skin diseases

and bodily discharges (13 – 15)and bodily discharges (13 – 15) Instruction for the Day of Atonement (16)Instruction for the Day of Atonement (16) Emphasis on the proper procedure for offering sacrifices Emphasis on the proper procedure for offering sacrifices

(17)(17) Instruction on prohibited sexual practices (18)Instruction on prohibited sexual practices (18) Instruction on dealing with neighbors and strangers Instruction on dealing with neighbors and strangers

within the land (19)within the land (19) Penalties for breaking various laws (20; 20:22-26 is a Penalties for breaking various laws (20; 20:22-26 is a

key passage)key passage) Emphasis on the priests’ necessity to be holy (21-22)Emphasis on the priests’ necessity to be holy (21-22)

StructureStructure Israel’s Walk with God in Fellowship (chaps. 11 – 27)Israel’s Walk with God in Fellowship (chaps. 11 – 27)

The Festivals of God’s People (23 – 25)The Festivals of God’s People (23 – 25) Sabbath DaySabbath Day Spring Festivals (First and Third Months)Spring Festivals (First and Third Months)

Passover – to commemorate Israel’s deliverance from Egypt.Passover – to commemorate Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. Unleavened Bread – to commemorate the hardships of the Unleavened Bread – to commemorate the hardships of the

hurried flight to Egypt.hurried flight to Egypt. Firstfruits – wave offering of barley sheaf and an unblemished Firstfruits – wave offering of barley sheaf and an unblemished

lamb offered to the Lord in thanksgiving.lamb offered to the Lord in thanksgiving. Pentecost – wave offering of two loaves of bread; sacrifices of 7 Pentecost – wave offering of two loaves of bread; sacrifices of 7

lambs, one bull, and two rams in celebration of the wheat harvest.lambs, one bull, and two rams in celebration of the wheat harvest. Fall Festivals (Seventh Month)Fall Festivals (Seventh Month)

Feast of Trumpets – day of restFeast of Trumpets – day of rest Day of Atonement – for national cleansingDay of Atonement – for national cleansing Feast of Booths – to commemorate the wilderness wandering and Feast of Booths – to commemorate the wilderness wandering and

rejoice in the competed harvest (including grapes and olives).rejoice in the competed harvest (including grapes and olives). The Sabbath Year and Year of Jubilee – In the latter, debts were The Sabbath Year and Year of Jubilee – In the latter, debts were

forgiven, servants released, and land returned to original owners.forgiven, servants released, and land returned to original owners. Promises of Blessing for Obedience and Curses for Promises of Blessing for Obedience and Curses for

Disobedience, Vows and Valuations (26 – 27)Disobedience, Vows and Valuations (26 – 27)

Next Week: NumbersNext Week: Numbers

Israel’s Wilderness Israel’s Wilderness WanderingsWanderings