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lesson 3 LEVITICUS I. BACKGROUND 1. Author - Moses, the author of the previous books and all of the books of the Law (Exodus 24:1-8; Deuteronomy 31: 24-26; Luke 16:29-31) 2. Date of Action - In the first month of the second year after Israel had been delivered from Egyptian bondage by the mighty arm of God. 3. Setting - The tent of meeting or tabernacle had just been completed according to Jehovah's directions (Exodus 40:16-33) and Jehovah's glory had filled it. The children of Israel were still camped near Mount Sinai where Moses had received Law and the two tables of stone (Exodus 31:18; and 34:4) and where God had spoken to all the people (Ex. 19:1; --20:21) II. PURPOSE OF THE BOOK 1. Key Verses: 10:3; 11:44-45; 18:5; 24-30; 20:22-26; 22:32; 2. Key Phrases: "I am Yahweh your God": "You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy" 3. Theme: God is to be glorified in His people. This was to be accomplished through a people who first of all were fully aware that "Yahweh is God" (see also Exodus 34:5-7), and who then lived like they understood and believed that. They were to be set apart from all other people in their offerings and their calling upon God, their priesthood, their eating, and in every action so they wouldn't defile their land, their relationship with one another or their relationship with Yahweh their God. The need for cleansing and for atonement for sins was a major element in being set apart as holy people of a holy God. God called Israel to holiness (with constant reminders that "I am Yahweh"): 1) By many instructions - ch. 1-7; 11-20; 23-25; 27 2) Through priests who set the example of holiness and work as servants of both God and His people - ch. 8-10; 13-14; 16-17; 21-22 3) By illustrations - ch. 8-10; and 24:10-23 4) Through promise and warning - ch. 26 III. ABOUT THE MESSIAH 1. Much is learned about the work. Qualifications and holiness of the priests and high priest: Jesus is our priest - Hebrews 2-10 2. Sacrifices and offering are to be compared to the one, eternal sacrifice of Jesus - Hebrews 9:11-10:31 3. "Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness to every one that believes": - Romans 10:4-5 4. "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law" - Galatians 3:11-14; Leviticus 18:5 5. Jesus fulfilled the law - Matthew 5:17 IV. APPLICATION - LESSONS 1. God is still to be glorified in His people: Titus 2:11-14; 1Peter 1:13-16; 1John 3:3; 1Thessalonians 4:7-8; Philippians 1:27 2. The law didn't save, but caused trespass to abound (Romans 5:20-21) and bound all things under sin (Galatians 3:22) so all could recognize and appreciate the grace of God and work of God for our salvation through Christ (Romans and Galatians). 3. Somehow, it became possible to lose sight of "I am Jehovah" in the midst of "keep my ordinances and statutes: which if a man do, he shall live in them." We can cause the same thing to happen today. So, Hebrews 12:1-2. 4. The high priesthood of Jesus should be very significant to us as we begin to understand the role of priests and high priest under the law. LEVITICUS QUESTIONS 1. Would you rather live under the requirements of the Law of Moses or "in Christ"? 2. What are some ways Christ fulfilled the law given in Leviticus? 3. Was God severe with Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-3)? Was He just as severe with Eleazar and Ithamar (Lev. 10:16-20)? 4. Did God want His people to be pure, or would it be fine with Him if they were just like the people all around them? 5. Did the laws of God found in Leviticus have anything to do with the daily, practical lives of His people? 6. Did/do the lives of God's people reflect upon the character of their God? 7. What class of people were the Levitical priests to be? (Masters or servants?) 8. Mark the correct answers in the sentence. In chapter 26 God promised to bless the (disobedient and unfaithful) (obedient and faithful) and to punish the (disobedient and unfaithful) (obedient and faithful). 9. Were all sins covered by sacrifice or were there some sins that God said demanded the death of the sinner? |