Leviticus - Introduction

PLUS

Share

NEXT I. Approaching a Holy God through Sacrifice (Leviticus 1:1–7:38)

Introduction

Author

THE BOOK IS ANONYMOUS; NO AUTHOR’S name is included. However, evidence from the Bible (see Rom 10:5), as well as ancient Jewish and Christian traditions, points to Moses as the author of Leviticus—and of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament) in general. As the book demonstrates, Moses was the Lord’s intermediary, making his revelation known to the people of Israel (see 1:1; 4:1; 5:14; 6:1, 8). Clearly, the author was familiar with the events recorded in Leviticus, so there is no reason to doubt that this writer was Moses.

Historical Background

From the time the Israelites arrived at Mount Sinai (see Exod 19:1-2) until they departed (see Num 10:11-13) was about one year. In that time, Moses received the Lord’s covenant, constructed the tabernacle, and received all of the instructions recorded in Leviticus and in the early chapters of Numbers. The repeated expression found throughout the book, “The Lord spoke to Moses” (see 4:1; 5:14), leaves no doubt that Leviticus contains divine revelation—not the ideas of Moses. The title of the book derives from the attention it gives to the duties of the Levites who were charged with the ministry of the tabernacle.

Message and Purpose

Leviticus is one of the most neglected and yet powerful books in the Bible. It establishes the guidelines by which God is to be known and worshiped. It is far more relevant to us than many realize.

The book distinguishes between the profane, the common, and the holy. Here’s an illustration that may help to explain the differences between those concepts. When you have dirty dishes in your sink, they are profane. That is, they are unacceptable to use until they have been cleaned. Profane things in our lives are completely unacceptable to God because they bring dirt before him. The common dishes, by contrast, are those you use every day. There’s nothing wrong with them; they just aren’t special. And should we treat God as common, we don’t hold him in the high regard his holiness deserves and demands.

Think about what’s holy in relation to the china dishes secured behind the glass doors in the hutch in the dining room. These are the ones we only bring out on special occasions for honored guests. That picture gives insight into how Leviticus teaches us to treat God—the Holy One who is like no other. We are to relate to God and worship him as our unique, one-of-a-kind Lord, and King of his kingdom. He deserves only the best.

VIDEO INTRO

Outline

  1. Approaching a Holy God through Sacrifice (1:1–7:38)
    1. Regulations for the Burnt Offering (1:1-17)
    2. Regulations for the Grain Offering (2:1-16)
    3. Regulations for the Fellowship Offering (3:1-17)
    4. Regulations for the Sin Offering (4:1–5:13)
    5. Regulations for the Guilt Offering (5:14–6:7)
    6. Priestly Regulations for the Five Offerings (6:8–7:38)
  2. The Ordination and Service of Israel’s Priests (8:1–10:20)
    1. The Ordination Ceremony (8:1-36)
    2. The Beginning of the Priestly Ministry (9:1-24)
    3. The Tragic Sin of Nadab and Abihu (10:1-20)
  3. The Laws of Cleanness and Uncleanness (11:1–15:33)
    1. Laws of Clean and Unclean Animals (11:1-23)
    2. Avoiding Defilement from Unclean Animals (11:24-47)
    3. Laws Concerning Childbirth (12:1-8)
    4. Laws for Diagnosing Skin Diseases (13:1-46)
    5. Laws for Diagnosing Mildew (13:47-59)
    6. Laws for Cleansing Skin Diseases (14:1-32)
    7. Laws for Cleansing Mildew (14:33-57)
    8. Laws of Uncleanness Concerning the Body (15:1-33)
  4. The Day of Atonement (16:1-34)
  5. Israel’s Holiness Code: Living before a Holy God (17:1–26:46)
    1. Laws Concerning Eating Meat and Blood (17:1-16)
    2. Laws Regulating Sexual Relations (18:1-30)
    3. Laws Concerning Everyday Life (19:1-37)
    4. Laws for Offenses Requiring the Death Penalty (20:1-27)
    5. Laws Concerning the Priests and Their Sacrifices (21:1–22:33)
    6. Laws Concerning Festivals and Other Special Occasions (23:1–25:55)
    7. Laws Concerning Obedience and Disobedience (26:1-46)
  6. Regulations Concerning Vows and Tithes (27:1-34)
NEXT I. Approaching a Holy God through Sacrifice (Leviticus 1:1–7:38)