Leviticus 16
The Day of Atonement was once a year in which Aaron (the high
priest) would offer a sacrifice for himself and all of Israel for
their sins 6,34. We are told of the two goats (the sacrifice &
the scapegoat) 8-9,15-16,20-22. This is a type and picture of the
Lord Jesus Christ who was the sacrifice for our sins, as well as,
our sin-bearer (Hebrews 9:11-28). Unlike the OT sacrificial system
Christ died once for all putting and end to and fulfilling the
entire OT economy (Hebrews 10:1-10). Note:
Reading Hebrews 7-10 at this point gives us great insight into the
meaning of all God commanded Israel in Leviticus 16.
Leviticus 17
God commands all the Israelites to only sacrifice to the Lord at
the Tabernacle 1-9. To this point they were sacrificing in the open
fields 5, some were even doing so to idols 7. God restates the
prohibition of eating blood 11-16. Blood represents life 11,14. For
this reason they were not to eat eat. Disobedience resulted in
being cut off. Note: How precious is the blood of Christ which He
poured out for us and for our salvation (see: Matthew 26:28 & 1
Peter 1:18-19) Hallelujah what a Savior !
Leviticus 18
The prelude to the commands God is about to give includes the
repeated phrase "I am the LORD your God" 1,4,30. This should
silence those who would suggest that there are some 'areas of life'
that are 'off limits' for God to regulate or restrict. God says the
following sexual relations are detestable (an abomination -KJV) and
should not be practiced nor tolerated by His people. Violation
resulted in individuals (those guilty) being cut off from the
people 29 as well as punishment from the Lord 24-25. Note: The land
became defiled by such things 25-27. How does the land 'vomit out'
its inhabitants ?
Leviticus 19
The call to be holy is because the Lord is holy 1-2. The
various commands which follow show how holiness looks in real life
(ie. by the right conduct of His people; obeying what God says).
The moral and ethical standards set by God are the highest because
they reflect His own nature and character. Throughout we are told
'I am the LORD' 3,4,10,12,14,16,18,25,28,31,34,36,37. These are not
laws invented by man but come as a revelation from God ! We spend
much time considering how each of these apply. Note: can you
imagine waiting 5 years to eat from a tree you plant 23-25 ? Was
God teaching patience or obedience or both ? Believers today would
do well to consider the moral imperatives God gave in these
passages and seek by His grace and the power of the Holy Spirit to
obey them. If we did we would truly be a distinct (holy) people
unto the Lord and before others.
Leviticus 20
Here God spells out the penalty and punishment for disobeying His
stated commands. Child Sacrifice (which is the idea behind 'giving
to Molech') is severely judged by God and is to be taken seriously
by His people 1-6. Note: The people are to give themselves to the
Lord who makes them Holy 7-8. Most of the penalties stated here end
in 'death' for the guilty, though some are cut off 18, held
responsible ? 17,19 or go childless 20-21. Another punishment would
be the Lord driving then from the land 22-23.
God's people are set apart by Him to be different and distinct
24-26 which means they are to by holy as in verse 26. Note: Are you
different from the world because you believe in Jesus and follow
Him? Note: Don't consult a medium or spiritist 27 !
Leviticus 21
God gives specific rules concerning the priests. They were to be
holy 6 - they were to be regarded as holy 8; the Lord makes him
(individually) holy 15 and makes them holy 23. Those with defects
were not permitted to come near and make offerings 16-23.These
commands were given through Moses to the priests and to all the
people. Note: Symbolically the high priest and the priests
represent Christ, the perfect high priest. Praise the Lord that
through His sacrifice we who could not come near because of our
imperfections (sins) are brought near by the blood of Christ
(Ephesians 2:14-18).
Leviticus 22
The Lord restricts those who may eat of the sacred offerings. The
priests had to exercise great care concerning themselves and others
1-16. Note: In time the priests did show contempt for the Lord and
His sacrifices. I wonder if the priest who gave David and his men
the sacred bread was held guilty before the Lord according to
verses 15-16. (see: 1 Samuel 21:1-6 & Matthew 12:1-8). The
offerings brought to the Lord were to be without defects 16-30.
Note: We are to always give God what is the best. Can we possibly
give Him any less ? The Lord again declares He is Holy ! 31-33.
Leviticus 23
The Feasts of the Lord are declared and described. The people were
to keep these feasts as unto the Lord 1-2. The feasts are as
follows: The Sabbath 3, Passover 4-5, Unleavened Bread 6-8, First
Fruits 9-14, Weeks (Pentecost) 15-21, Trumpets
23-25, Atonement 26-32, Tabernacles (Booths) 33-44. This last feast
was to last seven days and was marked by rejoicing. Each of these
feasts finds its fulfillment in the person and work of Christ in
either His first coming or in His Second coming. Thus, some await a
future day for Christ to complete their meaning.
Leviticus 24
The Lamps for light and Bread of His Presence (for food) were to be
tended and made continually 1-9. The one who blasphemes the Name of
the Lord was to be put to death by stoning as this account
indicates 10-16,23. The call for 'the death penalty' by God
up-holds the fact that human life is sacred. This is seen by
contrasting the penalties for the taking of a human life vs the
killing of an animal. If a human is murdered God says this merits
death 17,21. If an animal is killed, only restitution is to be made
18,21. Mankind uniquely bears the image of God and thus has
intrinsic value (Genesis 1:22, 9:6 and Psalm 8:4-8). Note: Some in
our day have twisted this to make animals more valuable and
important than human life. Be careful not to buy into this lie.
Embrace God's truth and believe Him !
Leviticus 25
The Sabbath Year occurred every 7th year. During this year the
Israelites were to not plant their fields or trim the vineyards.
They were to eat whatever the land produced 1-7. This would not
only require obedience but also faith in the Lord to provide 18-22.
Every 50th year (7 yrs x 7 = 49 + 1 = 50) was the Year of Jubilee.
During this special year property was returned to the original
owner, debts were canceled, and those who were in servitude were
set free 8-17. Note: Ultimately the land is always the Lord's 23.
The value of one's land or the value of one's service was based on
the number of years until Jubilee 14-17, 50-53. Note: God calls
Israel 'my servants' 42,55. I wonder if in the history of
Israel the people ever followed these commands ? One reason
God eventually sent them into Babylonian Captivity was because they
failed to give the land its sabbath rests (2 Chronicles
36:20-21).
Note: Spiritually; the Lord Jesus Christ came proclaiming 'the
favorable year of the Lord' (Luke 4:19). Jesus is Our Jubilee
through whom the believer is set free, redeemed, and has all
restored that was lost due to our sin. I am sure there is more here
than this one thought.
Leviticus 26
God spells out the various ways He would bless His people for their
obedience 1-13. Though there are physical and material
blessings promised, I think the greatest blessing was the very
presence of God Himself being in their midst 11-12. If all you have
is God, you have enough. God also enumerates the various ways He
would punish His people for their disobedience. 14-39. Note: God
who blesses also judges - and this He does in perfection according
to His holiness. Throughout this list God indicates that these
judgments should bring about repentance on the part of His people
18,21,23,27. God allows for a place of repentance 40-43. He also
makes sure His law is satisfied (in relation to the sabbath rests
for the land) 34-35. God, in His grace, will not reject them, nor
break His covenant with them. He continues to be their God 44. For
their sake He remembers His covenant 45. Note: God is always
faithful even when we are faithless (2 Timothy 2:11-13).
Note: How great is God in that He loves us and disciplines us so
that we would repent and turn to Him in faith; thus we would not be
condemned along with the world (1 Corinthians 11:32 &
Hebrews 12:4-11).
Leviticus 27
God gives instructions concerning vows 1-13 and that which is
dedicated to the Lord (whether that is people, animals, or things)
14-29. These were voluntary in nature 2 and could be redeemed by
paying the price or value that was determined by the Lord or the
priest. In other words, when one could redeem or 'exchange' the
person, animal, or property by paying the price. It usually
included the addition of a specific percentage added to the valued
amount. In this way the person would not have to give up what was
vowed or dedicated, yet still gave to the Lord. These commands also
included a section on tithes that the Israelites were to bring to
the Lord 30-33. This is a difficult chapter to interpret and apply.
Let me suggest this thought: God gave these commands so that His
people would take seriously their own words and vows spoken to the
Lord. (see: Ecclesiastes 5:4-6). He holds us accountable to what we
say we will do. If we can not give what we vow, we must still give;
and God says 'add to it'. -- God's people are to keep their
word,especially in their relationship with Him.
(Psalm 15:4b)