Panoramic Bible Study Lesson 4 - The Book of Leviticus

INTRODUCTION.

            The key word to Leviticus is holiness, occurring 87 times. Chapter 19:2 clearly states God’s desire for the walk of His redeemed people.  In Exodus, God spoke out of the mount to which approach was forbidden.  In Leviticus God is shown dwelling in the most holy place, in the midst of His people.  As the Epistles of the New Testament show God and His people in a close fellowship, in contrast to approaching Him more distantly in the Gospels, so Leviticus is in a like contrast with the book of Exodus.

            The Book of Leviticus has nine chief divisions:
                        1. The offerings: chapters 1 to 6:7.
                        2.  The Law of the Offerings: chapters 6:8 to 7:38.
                        3.  Consecration: chapters 8:1 to 9:24.
                        4.  A warning example: chapters 10 to 20.
                        5.  A Holy God must have a cleansed people: chapters 11 to 15.
                        6.  Atonement: chapters: 16 to 17.
                        7.  The relationships of God’s people: chapters 18 to 22.
                        8.  The feast of Jehovah:  chapter 23.
                        9.  Instructions and warnings: chapters 24 to 27.

THE OFFERINGS.

            There are five main offerings called for in the book of Leviticus.  The order in which they are given typifies Christ in the offering of Himself to God, obeying the prophetic forecast of Himself.  In Hebrews 10:5-7, we have a quotation of Psalm 40:6-8,  the heart of which is “Lo, I come...to do Thy will, O God.”  

            In order to fulfill such a prediction, we see the Lord Jesus offering Himself as a full Burnt Offering to God (chapter 1:3).  After such a step is taken, He is the Meat Offering (chapter 2:1), a type of the perfect servant.  As such He becomes the Peace Offering (chapter 3: 1), whereby He makes peace for us by the Blood of His Cross. This came about when He was made sin or became the Sin Offering(chapter 4: 3) for the entire race. Because sin brings forth fruit in many transgressions, Christ offered Himself as the Trespass Offering (chapter 5:6), so that our many sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake.

            When a sinner approaches God the order of the offerings is naturally reversed.  His trespasses must be forgiven, he must be cleansed from sin, and in obtaining peace with God through Jesus Christ, he then becomes a qualified servant who must offer himself as a burnt offering to do the whole will of God.

THE LAW OF THE OFFERINGS.

            Under this heading we have an enlargement of application connected with the five offerings, which gives more in detail how the one making the offer should proceed.

CONSECRATION.

            This phase of teaching concerned only the priesthood.  In order for them to labor in close contact with the tabernacle they must be explicit in their obedience lest a Holy God be offended.

A WARNING EXAMPLE.

            In chapter 10:1-2 we have an account of a very tragic occurrence.  Nadab and Abihu, two sons of Aaron, were careless in observing direction connected with their priestly ministry.  To warn of the seriousness of such transgression lest others err likewise, the fire of God broke forth and consumed the two men.  Aaron and his other two sons were told not to observe any mourning rites for them lest God break forth again.   How awed they must have been.   No wonder Paul said, “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.”

A HOLY GOD MUST HAVE A CLEANSED PEOPLE.

            In this section of the Book, we read of the regulation of diet; ceremonial cleansing in family life; the cleansing of the leper; and the cleansing of routine defilement. By all these things God would impress upon us that fellowship with Himself, while it is a thing to be cherished, must be accompanied with a sanctifying and cleansing by the Water of the Word.

ATONEMENT.

            In chapter16 we read of the Day of Atonement, which was to be observed annually. Because the blood of bulls and goats never took away sins, Aaron the high priest had to offer blood once a year both for himself and for the people.  He stands out in great contrast with our High Priest Jesus Christ who needs no offering for Himself but can offer His own pure blood for the rest of us.  

            Chapter 17:11 is one of the key verses to the whole Bible:  “For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for the soul.”  No animal slain elsewhere could be eaten with its blood.  That blood must be poured out upon the ground (verse 13), that the people might be impressed with the truth of the substitutionary death of their offered animals in order that the atoning death of Christ might be fully emphasized.