Some More Notes On Leviticus

Leviticus 1:1-3:17

We may note the frequent recurrence of the phrase, ‘a soothing aroma to the Lord’ (1:9, 13, 17: 2:2, 9, 12; 3:5, 16). The presence of the Lord is ‘like a fragrance that fills the air.’ Not all people welcome the presence of the Lord. To some, it is ‘the aroma of Christ’, ‘a life-giving fragrance.’ To others, it is ‘a deadly fragrance’ (2 Corinthians 2:14-16). We are to pray that our life – in every part – will be pleasing to the Lord. We are to pray that our life will bring glory to Him. This will involve our worship in the holy place. It will also involve our living for the Lord in the many and varied situations of everyday life.

Leviticus 4:1-35

The word, ‘blood’, appears often here. We may note, in particular, the phrase – in verse 25 – ‘the blood of the offering for sin.’ In the final verse, we see why ‘the blood of the offering for sin’ was shed – ‘forgiveness’ and ‘peace with the Lord.’ Reading about this, our thoughts turn towards Jesus Christ, our Saviour, who died that we might be forgiven. Out of love for us, He gave Himself for our sins so that we might have peace with God (Romans 5:8, 1).

Leviticus 5:1-7:38

In the description of different offerings, we catch a glimpse of our need and Christ’s salvation. There is ‘the offering for sin’ (5:6), ‘the guilt offering’ (6:6), ‘the fellowship offering’ (6:12), ‘the fellowship offering’ (6:12), ‘the fellowship offering of thanksgiving’ (7:15), ‘the contribution offering’ (7:34) and ‘the ordination offering’ (7:37). There is teaching here which helps us to understand our Christian experience. Christ died for our sins to remove our guilt and bring us into fellowship with God. Grateful to Him, we give ourselves to Him, confident that He has ordained that we should bear fruit for Him (1 Peter 1:3:18; John 15:16). All of this arises from the Old Testament details – the burnt offering, the grain offering’ (7:37). We must always look beyond these Old Testament sacrifices to our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Leviticus 8:1-9:24
Aaron was anointed with ‘the anointing oil’, set apart or ‘dedicated’ to the Lord for ‘holy duties’ (8:12, 30). Anointed by the Lord and dedicated to the Lord, ‘Aaron and his sons did everything the Lord commanded through Moses’ (8:36). Concerning the Lord’s commands, Moses said, ‘the Lord has commanded you to offer these sacrifices so that you may see the Lord’s glory’ (9:6). Together with Moses, Aaron was obedient to God, bringing the blessing of God to the people – ‘Then the Lord’s glory appeared to all the people’ (9:23). The principles of God’s blessing are still the same. We need the anointing of the Holy Spirit. He calls us to obedience. This is the way of receiving God’s blessing. This is the way in which the glory of God comes down upon the people of God. We receive God’s blessing when the Holy Spirit comes down upon us in His mighty power.

Leviticus 10:1-11:47

It is vital that we know ‘the difference between what is holy and what is unholy’ (10:10). God calls us to ‘be holy’. He calls us to ‘live holy lives’ (11:44). This is the central point we must see in all the unfamiliar details of ancient Jewish worship. This is the ‘permanent law’ (10:9, 15). This is the teaching which must be passed on to ‘generations to come.’

Leviticus 12:1-13:59

Again and again, we read the word, ‘clean’. Looking beyond the teaching regarding health, we may recall that ‘the blood of Jesus Christ – God’s Son – cleanses us from all sin’ (1 John 1:7). This is the cleansing everyone needs. No matter how healthy we may be, in our bodies, we are spiritually diseased, because of sin, and we need Christ’s cleansing.

Leviticus 14:1-57

We read here of our need of cleansing and of the sacrifice of a lamb as a way of removing our guilt and bringing us into peace with God (v. 21). Spiritually, we are ‘poor.’ What we have to bring to God is not ‘that much.’ It is not enough to provide for our cleansing. What we need has been provided for us – ‘the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29). He has done for us what we could never do for ourselves. ‘There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin. He only could unlock the gate of heaven and let us in.’ ‘To God be the glory! Great things He has done.’

Leviticus 15:1-16:34

Each of us is unclean before God. Each of us needs Christ who gives Himself as ‘a sin offering’ to ‘make atonement’ for us (16:16). Christ is the perfect Saviour who ‘bears all our iniquities’ (16:22). Concerning His great Sacrifice for us, the Word of God says, ‘On this day shall atonement be made for you, to cleanse you; from all your sins you shall be clean before the Lord’ (16:30).

Leviticus 17:1-18:30

Through the shed blood of Christ, we have peace with God and eternal life (17:11; Romans 5:1-2, 8-10). Having received life through Christ, we are to live a new life. We are not to live in the way of the world. We are to live as those who belong to the Lord (18:1-5: Romans 6:12:14; 12:1-21).

Leviticus 19:1-37

Again and again, we read the words, ‘I am the Lord your God’, or more simply, ‘I am the Lord’ (vs. 3, 4, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 25, 28, 30, 31, 32, 34, 36, 37). The whole point of this is that our moral practice is grounded in our spiritual worship (Romans 12:1).

Leviticus 20:1-23:44

Our careful obedience to God’s Word is not to be a purely legalistic thing. We must never forget that God is the God of redemption. Our holiness is grounded in Him. He is holy, and He sets us apart as holy (22:31-33). Holy living involves both worship and service. We are to worship God (23:1-4). We must not forget the ‘poor people’ (23:22).

Leviticus 24:1-23

If our light is to be kept burning continually, we need pure oil (24:2). The emphasis here is on keeping close to God. It is only through closeness to God that our light will be kept burning. In verse 15, we read, ‘Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin.’ This is followed, in verse 16, by some words of explanation of what bearing his sin meant: ‘He who blasphemes the Name shall be put to death.’ As we read these words, our thoughts move to Another who was put to death – the sinless Saviour who bore the sins of many. ‘He died that we might be forgiven. He died to make us good, that we might go at last to heaven, saved by His precious blood.’ Through Him, we are brought close to God. Through Him, we are brought out of darkness and into light.

Leviticus 25:1-55

This chapter is full of the Lord’s instructions concerning the Jubilee to be celebrated by Israel. Why was it so important for Israel to hear and obey the Word of the Lord? – ‘The Israelites belong to Me as servants. They are My servants. I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God’ (v. 55). This is still the foundation of our call to obedience. The Lord, who calls us to obedience, has first called us to belong to Him through redemption. He has redeemed us. We belong to Him. We will serve Him.

Leviticus 26:1-46

There is blessing for those who learn to obey the Lord (vs. 3-13). There is judgment for those who persist in sinning against the Lord (vs. 14-33). The opportunity of blessing remains even

for those who are in despair and are wasting away because of sin (vs. 36, 39). God says, ‘I will remember My promise’ (v. 42).

Those who have sinned against the Lord ‘must accept their

guilt.’ This is the first step towards coming to know the

blessing of the Lord their God who says, ‘I will not reject them

or look at them with disgust’ (v. 43).

Leviticus 27:1-34

The underlying theme in this final chapter is giving ourselves to the Lord. We are to belong to Him. We are to be dedicated to Him. We are to be set apart for Him. We are to be holy. Such dedication to the Lord is to affect the whole of our life. We

learn this from the variety of details in this chapter. There can be no turning back from following the Lord. Those who turn back do themselves much harm. Through their disobedience to the Lord, they become spiritually dead. Keep up your dedication to the Lord.