Lord’s Day, Vol. 12 No. 12

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Lord’s Day, Vol. 12 No. 12

Opening the Book of Leviticus (1)

The Book of Genesis is the Book of Beginnings, the Book of Exodus speaks of Redemption while the Book of Leviticus speaks of holiness, of holy living, to teach His people how to worship, serve and obey a holy God – “Ye shall be holy; for I the LORD your God am holy” (Lev. 19:2). God’s holy laws provide the blueprint for holy living.

Faith and obedience are the distinguishing marks of the real followers of Christ and will always be seen in true-believing Christians. Though our knowledge of God may be very small, very weak, our love very dim, when we first believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God enables us though weak, though feeble, to do what Christ commands us.

In the book of Exodus, the Word of God and Worship were God-ordained means His people are sanctified to approach and fellowship with Him. And now in the book of Leviticus, God shows us with great amplification what are His holy laws. God is going to judge His people, to judge the world, by the exactness of His law, by His word. Therefore, God’s people must live by His holy laws for their protection and spiritual prosperity.

The three thoughts gleaned:

  • Holiness – Acceptable Sacrifice Before God (Lev. 1-10 cf. 1:1-17)
    • Consecration and Confession
  • Holy Living – Separation from Sin (Lev. 11-22)
    • Cleansed and Clean
  • Holy Nation – (Lev. 23-27 cf. 1 Peter 2:9)

1 Peter 2:9 (KJV) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

(1) Holiness – Acceptable Sacrifice Before God (Lev. 1-10 cf. 1:1-17)

From Leviticus 1 to 10, God shows us how we can draw near to Him, by bringing an acceptable sacrifice before God. Symbolic of the sacrifice is a contrite heart in grateful acknowledgement of the mercies of God in saving us, undeserved sinners. The sacrifices or offerings brought before God point to the sacrifice of Christ in the fullness of time at Calvary.

Leviticus 1:3-4 (KJV) If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD. And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.

The offeror puts his hands on the head of the animal sacrifice symbolic of the transfer of sins from the offeror to the sacrifice – to make atonement for him. It helps us to understand Christ’s sacrifice as a substitutional atonement, that is, Christ, dying on our behalf for the sins that we have committed.

The provision of God is that a substitute should bear a similar chastisement which should have fallen upon the sinner. [Spurgeon]

The five types of offerings in Leviticus 1-10 show forth the Person and work of Christ. The burnt offering depicts Christ’s complete offering of Himself in submission to the Father’s will. Giving all to God. The burnt offerings are of three categories, bullock, sheep or goat, doves or pigeon. The offeror brings his offering to God according to what he could afford to give. The criteria – to be unblemished, male and a willing offering.

Leviticus 1:9 (KJV) But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Ephesians 5:2 (KJV) And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Accompanying the burnt offering is the meat offering in Leviticus 2, a thanksgiving offering given in homage and commitment to the LORD. The word “meat” here means “meal” because there is no blood, flesh or animal sacrifice involved in the offering.  It depicts Christ’s sinless service. Like the burnt offering, the meat offering is a sweet savour offering of thanksgiving to God.

Thank God for the life that Christ imparts in the hearts of God’s people. This effervescing life causes His people to live triumphantly for God’s honour and glory. Indeed, the knowledge that comes from God imparts life. It behoves us to take time to know Christ so that He may be formed in us and that we may manifest the fragrance of His life to the people we come to meet. It is indeed a great blessing.

The peace offering depicts the fellowship of God’s people with Him through the finished work of Christ, bringing reconciliation between God and man. The believer is at peace with God and in communion with God. The peace offering is an offering given in praise, thanksgiving unto the LORD as a sweet savour unto the LORD (Leviticus 3:5, 16) – Hebrews 13:15-16 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

The sin offering and trespass offering signify Christ dealing with the sins of His people. The first three offerings – Burnt, Meat, Peace offerings were voluntary while the fifth (trespass offering) and sixth (sin offering) were compulsory. Here is taught to us the way by which sin can be expiated. The guilty conscience is taken away by the shed blood of the animal that was sacrificed on behalf of man. What a salvation!

The trespass offering presents not only Christ restoring for the sinner but also the sinner making some restitution for the sin – Leviticus 5:16 (KJV) And he shall make amends for the harm that he hath done in the holy thing, and shall add the fifth part thereto, and give it unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering, and it shall be forgiven him. [To be continued…]

Yours livingly

Pastor Lek Aik Wee