The central theme of the book of Leviticus is the holiness of God and of man. On Mount Sinai, the Lord spoke instructions to Moses, who then explained these rules to the Israelites. A key verse is when the Lord commanded in Leviticus 11:45, "Be holy because I am holy." In the first paragraph, it says, "The Lord spoke to Moses," and this same reference is used more than 50 times in Leviticus. The date of the book is about 1446-1406 B.C.
The Israelites were given laws and regulations for worship at the tabernacle, instructions on ceremonial cleanliness, moral laws, holy days, the Sabbath year, and the Year of Jubilee.
The Lord required offerings to be given as a way to receive atonement, or forgiveness, for sins. The individual could bring the offering, but only an anointed priest could approach the altar. It was Aaron and his sons who were authorized by the Lord to be priests.
My textbook explains that many ancient near east religions sought to appease the numerous gods they worshiped by offering sacrifices. But the Israelites were told to be specific in offering their sacrifices and to always approach the Lord with reverence, humility, and obedience. The offerings had different purposes:
Old Testament Offerings (Lev. 1 - 16)
The Fellowship (Peace) Offering (Lev. 3, 7, 19, 22) was a celebration of God's blessings in praise, thanks and devotion. God received the fatty parts of the animal sacrifice, and the worshiper and family and priest ate the meat.
The Whole Burnt Offering (Lev. 1) was symbolic of a judicial substitution for sin and it was offered as a general repentance for sin, worship and total dedication to the Lord. The sacrifice had to to burned entirely to the Lord.
The Sin Offering (Lev. 4-5:13) expressed purification from unintentional sins against God. If this was offered on behalf of the priest or community, the sacrifice was totally burned and the blood was sprinkled in the Holy Place. For lay persons, the priest received the meat, and the blood was poured out at the altar.
The Guilt Offering (Lev. 5:14-6:13) was used for paying a debt, penalty, and compensation for damages against a person or the holiness of God. The priest received the meat.
The Lamb of God
The study of offerings and sacrifice in the Old Testament deserves a greater explanation than mine here. Furthermore, the significance of the role of the priest, the worshiper, and the act of atonement and reconciliation with God is seen throughout the Old Testament and again in the New Testament.
In the New Testament, John said about Jesus, "Look, the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). And when Jesus was instructing his disciples on being servants, he said "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).
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| Jesus washed his disciples' feet. (John 13) |
Ordination of Aaron and His Sons
In Leviticus 8-10, Aaron and his sons were given instructions on priesthood. They were authorized to wear priestly garments and follow holy rituals when approaching the Lord to minister on behalf of the people. Eventually, Aaron's sons (Nadab and Abihu) became careless in their priestly duties and offered "unauthorized fire before the Lord." The fire consumed them. Moses then said, in Lev. 10:3,
From these readings, this is my understanding of holiness (so far): to be set apart for God, willing to acknowledge his presence, his provision, and his power and to live at peace with him. This requires faith.
"Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).
"This is what the Lord spoke of when he said,
'Among those who approach me
I will show myself holy;
in the sight of all the people
I will be honored.'"
The theme of obedience and holiness is central to the Bible's explanation of how to please God. It was not that man was able to be perfect, but that his heart should be humble before God. His actions reflected his obedience or disobedience to God's laws and commandments.
From these readings, this is my understanding of holiness (so far): to be set apart for God, willing to acknowledge his presence, his provision, and his power and to live at peace with him. This requires faith.
"Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).
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