As Leviticus comes to a close, God sets forth great promises for obedience, along with great judgements for disobedience. Will Israel heed God’s word, or disregard it?

God gave his people sacred events through their calendar year - rhythms to remember His generosity and provision for them. Jesus now offers us ultimate rest in his grace and provision, but how do we enjoy what he’s offered to the full extent? 

God made a way for His people’s lingering sins and impurities to be dealt with so that God would remain among them and continue in fellowship with them. 

God set laws for Israel to understand not only their immoral state before him, but their unacceptable, unsatisfactory bodily state before him, which was a reminder of their sin. They were reminded of their continual death, and unworthiness, and therefore their need for atonement. In Jesus we are now cleansed and made holy, able to be used in our broken state for God’s glory. 

As Christians how should we think about this topic? How does God speak about this this topic?

Mal explores this topic from the neglected book of Song of Songs as we explore God's wisdom on this important area of life.

God gave his people food laws to set them apart from the nations as a distinct holy nation. This protected them from sin and idolatry, and redirected their worship back to God alone. Jesus has fulfiled the law and declared all foods clean, but still sends us out to be a distinctive people, in His name, as Holy. 

In Leviticus 8–10 we have the inauguration of God’s initiated worship structure. The opening of the tabernacle was a momentous moment in the history of God’s people. More than just a big day, however, the worship structure is designed to reveal something about the character of God, as well as highlight our need for a mediator, a priest, to stand on our behalf before a holy God.

All people stand guilty before God, with a debt we are unable to pay. Leviticus 4-7 foreshadows the great offering God would give us in Jesus, to completely remove our guilt and make a way for us to be justified before Him.

God gave His people a way to approach and be in relationship with Him, but it took a wholehearted devotion and sacrifice on God’s terms. God is gracious but sin must be dealt with.