Lord’s Day, Vol. 12 No. 14

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Lord’s Day, Vol. 12 No. 14

Opening the Book of Leviticus (2)

In the book of Exodus, the Word of God and Worship were God-ordained means by which 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 – Sweet Savour Sacrifice (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)

(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.

From Leviticus 1-7 is shown the five types of offerings brought by His people. The bullock, the ox, the lamb, and the turtle dove, different sacrifices, depending on the ability of the offeror.

God doesn’t despise the offeror whether rich or poor. He saves us by His grace when we humbly come before Him in consecration, confessing our sins.

Leviticus 8-9 gives the consecration of the High Priest, the priesthood, as Israel’s mediator before God. Leviticus 10 recorded the defilement of the priesthood by Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, and God’s judgment upon them for their sins in offering strange fire before the LORD.

(2) Holy Living – Separation from Sin (Lev. 11-22)

              a. Cleansed and Clean

Leviticus 11-15 delineates “cleanliness” distinguishing the “clean” from the “unclean” in the food they eat (Lev. 11), in childbirth (Lev. 12), in diseases (Lev. 13-14) and bodily cleanliness (Lev. 15).

Leviticus 16 delineates the yearly Day of Atonement where Israel’s sins were atoned for. It is the only time the high priest enters the Holy of Holies. Any missteps can mean instant death for the high priest as a result of God’s judgment. He enters the Holy of Holies three times to offer incense, with blood for his sins and with blood for the sins of the people.

Leviticus 17 delineates the designated acceptable locations where the sacrifices are made and the use of blood – Leviticus 17:14 (KJV) For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.

Leviticus 18 delineates sexual sins. Here is given the biblical basis for rejecting same sex relationships – Leviticus 18:22 (KJV) Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. Also, repeated in Leviticus 20:13 (KJV) If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

Leviticus 19 reiterates the call to holiness in every area of domestic and social life – Leviticus 19:2 (KJV) Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.

Leviticus 20 prohibits idolatry, wizardry, cursing of parents, sexual sins, reiterating to separate from the idolatrous practices of the people of Canaan. Leviticus 21 explains the laws of defilement in contacting with dead bodies for both the priest and the high priest. Leviticus 22 further delineates the unclean things that the priest is to avoid, that render that service unacceptable and to ensure the offerings brought before the LORD are not blemished.

  • Holy Nation – (Lev. 23-27)

Leviticus 23 delineates for the nation the observing of the weekly Sabbath and the seven annual feasts in the Hebrew calendar – (1) Passover (2) Unleavened Bread (3) First-fruits (4) Pentecost (5) Trumpets (6) Day of Atonement (7) Tabernacles.

Leviticus 24 gives the law for ensuring oil for the light in Holy Place of the Tabernacle as a continual testimony and also ensuring the shewbread is refreshed every Sabbath. The law was given to honour and sanctify the Name of God – Leviticus 24:16 (KJV) And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.

Leviticus 25 gives the observance of the law of the seventh year called the Sabbatical Year and after forty-nine years (seven times seven), called the Year of Jubilee.

Leviticus 26 reiterates God’s covenant with Israel. The blessings that come with obedience and the dire result of their disobedience. The blessings are given in Leviticus 26:3-9 (KJV) If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword. For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.

And the chastisement for forsaking the laws of holiness in Leviticus 26:23 (KJV) And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins.

Leviticus 27 closes the book with the exhortation to honour the vows made before God, delineating the law of consecration of animals for sacrifice, consecration of house and fields, firstborn animals, and tithes –  Leviticus 27:30 (KJV) And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD.

The Levitical laws points us to Jesus Christ, who is our High Priest ascended to heaven seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for His people, having Himself saved us by the offering of His body once for all for our sins.

Hebrews 10:8-10 (KJV) Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee