The Book Of | Leviticus

  Leviticus points to the Israelites as being the original readers. God says a number of times, "Give the following instructions to the people of Israel." (Lev.11:2) In fact, in about fifteen of the twenty-seven chapters, in verse 2, God names the Israelites as the recipients of the instructions. In Leviticus 27:34, the last verse of the book, it says, "These are the commands that the Lord gave through Moses on Mount Sinai for the Israelites." Thus a very obvious clue to whom the book was intended for. 

  There is a lot of evidence supporting Moses as the author of this book. It says in Nelson's Maps and Charts that, "Fifty-six times in the twenty-seven chapters of Leviticus," we are told that God passed on to Moses the laws. (Ex. Lev.24:1)

  One of the repeated ideas in this book is Holiness. God is constantly bringing up His holiness and that the people of Israel must also be holy. (Lev.11:45,19:2, 20:7,8,26) A main theme, is sanctification, and you can see throughout the text how important it is that the Israelites bring offerings, (Lev.9:7) and that they follow Gods instructions precisely or they will die. (Lev.20:11) This book, put into one sentence: 'Leviticus is about God making His people holy.'

  In my opinion, the primary reason this book was written is to show the people of Israel how to live. To show them what God requires and how it is to be done. (Lev.7:37,38) And in Lev.18:1-5, God reminds them of the way the people lived in Egypt and how the Canaanites live. He tells them that they must "obey all" of His "regulations" and "decrees." I love that He says, "You will find life through them." So often, when we are faced with rules, we see them as restrictive but God's plan for us is so full of freedom and "life." It is important for the Israelites to know that. 

  The nature of God is seen in Lev.21:23. God says that even a person with a deformity cannot even come near the altar or "enter the room behind the inner curtain" for this would "defile my holy places." He's holy, so holy that even if they are of His chosen people, but deformed, He won't accept their presence near His holiness. That seemed a bit harsh the first time i read it through but then I realized that holiness is central to who God is. (Lev.22:31-33)
  In Lev.9:23&24, its says, "Fire blazed forth from the Lord's presence and consumed the burnt offering...When the people saw this...and fell face down on the ground." The holiness of God was so powerful and glorious that the people were brought to their faces. Their reaction was automatic and instant; as ours should be.
  God reveals His character in Leviticus through His justness. He doesn't let them slip into sin and get away with it. (Lev.24:14-16)

  In Leviticus 23:5, it quickly mentions the Lord's Passover, which has "prophetic significance" according to Nelson's Maps and Charts. It points to the final passover Lamb that will atone for our sins once and for all. In Lev.17:11, it talks about blood and I think, gives us a image of what Jesus would do for humanity, when it says, "It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible."
  A beautiful word image with prophetic significance is Leviticus 1:4, "Lay your hand on the animal's head, and the Lord will accept its death in your place to purify you, making you right with him."
  I find it interesting that sins which warranted capital offence could not be atoned for. If that's correct, then not until Jesus died on the cross, were the Israelites free from the death penalty. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), one of Israel's sacred times, nods to Jesus' sacrifice, "more adequately than any other O.T. type." (Nelson's Book Of Maps & Charts)

  I have been struck by God's holiness over and over again, and at the same time, my inadequacy. I thought of John 3:16 today and how much those words have faded in meaning for me. This book, this history, is so important for me now. It shows me that popular passage in a whole new light, because I now understand more where God's people have come from; what Jesus had to do to take away the need for constant atonement. (Lev.25:55) I have such freedom and I am not unclean, God wants us to be holy, as He is holy and there is so much love in that and so much life. 

  In Exodus the tabernacle is built but now the priests are being instructed in how to worship God there. In Leviticus 23:1-44, it talks about the different festivals, assemblies and that a "holy assembly" is to be a day "commemorated with loud blasts of a trumpet" and to "celebrate with joy." In Lev.24:1-9, it talks about a law that involves, "lamps burning in the Lord's presence all night" with pure frankincense and bread. It describes celebration with many and intimacy in God's presence; which is exactly what worship is now. The tabernacle that was once a physical tent, is now inside of us. Wherever we go we can worship, give glory and honour to our Father. What a blessing! What a miracle!