“For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God, and you are to be holy because I am holy” (Leviticus 11:45).

Leviticus records the teaching of God through Moses at the foot of Mount Sinai during the month between God’s occupation of the tabernacle (Exodus 40:16, 34-38) and the taking of the census at Sinai (Numbers 1:1-3). The descendants of Jacob had learned that they were God’s special people (Genesis), and they had experienced the delivering power of their redeeming God (Exodus). Now, in an intense one-month course on holiness, God will teach the Exodus generation about His holy character and how to relate to their holy God. The account is selective according to Moses’ purpose to teach Israel how to fulfill the responsibility of the Mosaic Covenant by becoming a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6; Leviticus 26:5). (See Sailhamer, The Pentateuch as Narrative, p. 323)

Leviticus is God’s handbook for his newly redeemed people, instructing them how to worship and serve Him. Unlike the gods of Egypt or the gods of the pagan peoples they are set apart from, their God is holy. Relating to a holy God creates a problem—sin is a barrier to ongoing intimacy with a holy God. The chapters naturally divide into two sections. The first section (1-17) teaches how a sinful people are to approach a holy God—through the blood sacrifice that atones for their sin. The word atonement occurs 45 times in the book. The second section (18-27) shows them how to walk with a holy God—by trusting Him enough to do what He says. It’s called obedience.

The theme of Leviticus is holiness: “You are to be holy because I am holy (11:45; 19:2). The word holiness occurs 87 times in 27 chapters! The object lessons for God’s redeemed people of the church age are clear: Sin is horrible; God is holy. Those approaching a holy God need a sacrifice to cleanse them from sin (1 John 1:5-10). Those walking with a holy God need to worship Him through obedience (1 Peter 1:15- 16; Romans 12:1-2):

Leviticus may not apply to our lives in the particulars of God’s demands on Israel (Mosaic Covenant), but it is a great presentation of the character of our God and His desire to bless His obedient people.

I. APPROACHING A HOLY GOD: The redeemed must be holy when they approach God. Holiness means cleansing from every sin and requires sacrificial blood offerings through a mediating priesthood (1-17; key verse, 17:11).

1. SACRIFICIAL OFFERINGS: Five different offerings an Israelite could offer: three for those in fellowship with God (sweet savor—burnt, meal, peace) and two for those out of fellowship (non- sweet savor—sin, trespass) (1-7).

2. MEDIATING PRIESTHOOD: After the sacrifices come the divine requirements for the priests who offer them. Aaron and his four sons are instructed and consecrated for seven days. The disobedience and death of two of Aaron’s sons bring more restrictions on the priesthood (8-10).

Messiah: A type of Christ—the priest. The priest speaks to God for men. The Aaronic priest had to be a man chosen by God and qualified for his work to offer sacrifices for the people (Leviticus 21; Hebrews 5:1- 7). Though Christ was chosen by God and fully qualified to offer His once-for-all sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:23-26), being from the tribe of Judah disqualified Him from being an Aaronic priest. Christ is a Melchizedekan priest. Like Melchizedek He is a ruler who deserves our obedience. He blesses us. And as Melchizedek offered bread and wine to refresh and sustain Abraham after the battle, our Lord as Priest refreshes and sustains His people. We have a great High Priest standing and ready to come to the aid of those who are tested (Hebrews 2:18) and anxious to give grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

  Leviticus: God’s redeemed must relate to Him as their holy God.

C. NATIONAL PURIFYING: Being a holy people demands a holy lifestyle. Laws regarding uncleanness caused by animals, birth, leprosy, and discharges regulate every aspect of life to prevent uncleanness. The word “unclean” occurs over 100 times in these chapters! The people find that disobedience and defilement is no small matter with God (11-15).

D. NATIONAL CLEANSING: The great Day of Atonement observed each year was Israel’s most significant day of worship. On that day the nation gathered to watch expectantly as the high priest entered the Holy of Holies with the blood of atonement to cover the sins of the nation for another year (16-17).

Messiah: A type of Christ—atonement. The arrangements of the sacrificial system of the Old Testament included the necessity of the offerer laying his hands on the animal being offered as a sacrifice. The animal’s death took the place of the death due the one offering that animal. The animal suffered as a substitute for the sinner, instead of the sinner, resulting in the advantage to the sinner by paying for our sins. Clearly, according to His own teaching (Mark 10:45) and that of the rest of the New Testament, Christ’s death was a substitution for sinners (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18).

II. WALKING WITH A HOLY GOD: The redeemed must live a holy life if they are to enjoy and worship God. Holiness means avoiding sin and following God’s guidance (18-27; key verses, 20:7-8).

1. SANCTIFYING THE PEOPLE: God’s strict guidelines for living reflect His desire that His people be holy and uniquely His. Sexual and social sins must be punished promptly to promote obedience among the people (19-20).

2. SANCTIFYING THE PRIESTHOOD: Because of their high calling, the priests accepted more restrictions on their conduct and privileges. Attention to detail in their daily duties was demanded since these reflected God’s goodness in His dealings with His people (21-22).

3. SANCTIFYING THE WORSHIP: Seven annual feasts provided the people with a yearly opportunity to look back and look ahead: look back upon the great epochs in their national history, and look ahead to the time when Messiah would come to fulfill the events pictured in the feasts (23).

Messiah: A type of Christ—Israel’s Feasts speak of the glorious career of Christ.

1. SANCTIFYING THE PROMISED LAND: Conversation and conduct in the land must be holy. Profanity is dealt with severely. Periods of rest should never be neglected (Sabbath rest, Sabbath year, Year of Jubilee). And the conditions and requirements for blessings or discipline of the people is clearly delineated. Note: The prophets will refer back to the blessing/cursing chapter, Chapter 26 of Leviticus (see also Chapter 28 of Deuteronomy) (24-26).

2. SANCTIFYING THROUGH VOWS: Dedicating their lives and resources to the Lord, some Israelites would take special vows. Everyone was to vow one-tenth of the increase of the land to God (27).

III. Redeemed people must claim God’s provision for sin to approach Him and claim God’s power over sin to walk with Him.

1. God has never asked His people to “take care of their sin” to approach Him. But He does insist that His people admit their sin and trust in His provision for sin to approach Him (1 John 1:5-10).

2. God has never asked His people to “make themselves holy” but He has asked them to trust Him enough to obey Him as His set apart people (1 Peter 1:15-16; Romans 12:1-2).

3. Leviticus teaches the need for intense times of spiritual formation, especially for the newly redeemed.