Bible

Moving on with another installment in our “Getting Started Bible”, today we will read the summary of the Book of Leviticus.

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Leviticus

Introduction to Leviticus:

Writer: As with the other books of the Pentateuch, most evidence points to Moses as the primary writer, with a few other possible contributors. The book’s name derives from the tribe of Levi, relatives of Moses who rally in support of him at the Sinai rebellion, and become the tribe of Levitical Priests before the Lord.

Scope: The book is essentially a continuation of Exodus with further details of God’s Law as given to Moses at Mt. Sinai.

In addition to the Ten Commandants, explicit requirements are given for the everlasting Covenant (Agreement) God would make with his chosen people. All aspects of Israel’s behavior, including worship forms, animal and other sacrifices, matters of legal, civil, moral, and societal relationships and practices are covered.  (Note: All of God’s Law encompasses over 600 requirements, or Laws, listed in the Pentateuch.)    

Chapter 1.  Animals

First requirement: All animals to be offered as burnt sacrifices are to be perfect, without defect of any kind:

• Burnt offerings are made for atonement from sin, may be bulls, goats, sheep, birds;
• The person seeking atonement for their sin places a hand on the head of the animal, signifying the transfer of their sin to the animal which is then sacrificed to the Lord.

Chapter 2.  Grain

Grain offerings must be ground into fine flour:

• If baked into bread, must be made without yeast;
• A portion is to be given to the priests for their support.

Chapter 3.  Peace

A burnt offering sends up an aroma pleasing to the Lord:

• Peace offerings may be a male or female animal, most other offerings must be male animals.

Chapter 4.  Sin

Anyone who sins unintentionally must bring a sin offering:

• A sin is breaking any provision of God’s Law as given;
• A priest, a leader, a member, or entire community who sins must offer the appropriate sacrifice.

Chapter 5.  Confession

Anyone who sins must confess and offer a sacrifice:    

• Accidentally breaching any law is a sin, must be atoned.

Chapter 6.  Offerings

These regulations cover several types of required offerings: Guilt offering, burnt offering, grain offering, sin offering.

Chapter 7.  Regulations

Regulations for the burnt offering, the grain offering, the sin offering, the guilt offering, the ordination offering, the peace offering:

• A portion of all offerings is designated for the priests.

Chapter 8.  Ordination

Moses conducts the ordination ceremony for Aaron and his sons as Priests of the Lord:

• The garments are anointed, the sin offerings, and the ordination offering is made.

Chapter 9.  Ministry

          The Levitical priesthood ministry is begun:

• Aaron conducts the sacrificial offerings for himself, his sons, and the people;
• Aaron and Moses enter the Holy Place, the Lord sends fire to consume the last offering, blesses everyone. 

Chapter 10.  Disobedience

Nadab and Abihu, both priests, sons of Aaron are guilty:

• They bring unauthorized fire into the Holy Place;
• They are consumed by fire from God;
• Aaron conducts sacrifices of repentance, atonement.

Chapter 11.  Diet

Moses and Aaron present the word of the Lord to the people concerning foods allowed in the diet of his people:

• Only those animals that chew the cud and have a split hoof;
• Fish that have fins and scales; birds of prey not allowed.

Chapter 12.  Childbirth

Regulations concerning purification after childbirth.

Chapter 13.  Infections

Identifying skin infections, mildew in clothing.

Chapter 14.  Remedies

Treatments and remedies for diseases, infections, mildew.

Chapter 15.  Discharges

Identified and cleansing procedures for bodily discharges.

Chapter 16.  Atonement

After the death of Aaron’s sons, God requires a day of Atonement in a special ceremony, to be made once a year:

• Aaron places his hands on the head of a live goat, transferring sins to the goat which is released into the desert: He is the scapegoat; Atonement is made.

Chapter 17.  Forbidden

It is forbidden to bring a sacrifice to the Altar and take any portion back home.

• Eating or drinking blood is forbidden.

Chapter 18.  Sex

Having sexual relations with any near relative is prohibited.

Chapter 19.  Holiness

Moses is instructed by the Lord to deliver a sermon:

• v. 2: “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am Holy.” (NKJV)
• Complete obedience to God’s Law yields holiness.

Chapter 20.  Penalties

The sermon continues:

• v.7: “Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord who makes you holy.” (NIV)
• v.3: “If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.” (NIV)
• Penalties for disobedience can range from permanent expulsion from the clan to death by stoning.

Chapter 21.  Priests

Moses is to deliver God’s word to the Priests:

• As Priests, Aaron and his sons are subject to their own set of God’s laws, as given by Moses.

Chapter 22.  Unacceptable

Moses delivers additional instructions to Aaron and his sons:

• Priests must keep God’s laws and decrees like everyone;
• Certain sacrifices are unacceptable as listed.

Chapter 23.  Feasts

Moses delivers the Lord’s instructions concerning feasts:

• The Passover Feast; Feast of Unleavened Bread; Feast of First Fruits; Feast of Weeks; Feast of Trumpets; Feast of Tabernacles;
• Day of Atonement, a sabbath, day of rest.

Chapter 24.  Blasphemy

Cursing the name of God is blasphemy:

• A man blasphemes God’s name: Penalty is death by stoning;
• Olive oil and bread are to be kept in the Tabernacle at all times for the Priests.

Chapter 25.  Jubilee

Every seventh year is a sabbath year; every fifty years is to be a year of Jubilee:

• At sabbath year the land is to rest – no harvest;
• At Jubilee all purchased land reverts back to original owner: Land is not sold permanently;
• The price (value) of land is determined by how many harvests remain until Jubilee.

Chapter 26.  Rewards

Obedience brings rewards:

• Follow God’s ordinances, decrees and commands, receive better harvests, peace in the land, more children, favor;

Disobedience brings God’s punishment: 

• Failing crops, diseases, wild animals, fear;

Confession and repentance bring God’s favor:

• Restoration, prosperity.

Chapter 27.  Tithing

The tithe belongs to the Lord:

• One tenth of everything harvested, every tenth animal is holy, must be perfect, given to the Lord;
• Anything dedicated to the Lord, whether person or animal, may be redeemed for a set price as listed.

END OF THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS