Lev 9:9

Christ’s blood on the “horns” of the cross, and then sprinkled round about (when his side was pierced by a spear).

Lev 3:1

Lev 3: “The beauty of the Mosaic Law is the lessons it teaches of God manifestation in flesh, for every ritual of the Law is designed to focus on the Messiah. That principle is clearly revealed in the Peace Offering (vv 1-5). The word is from the Hebrew ‘sheckhim’, to bring together as one, suggesting the idea of divine fellowship. Yahweh, the priestly Mediator and the worshipper ‘were united’ as one by a sacrificial feast (Lev 7:15). This was a cause of great rejoicing as the word suggests. Then Moses describes the lamb to be selected (Lev 3:6-11), or a goat (vv 12-16), with the fat (v 17). Every element in the record is important” (GEM).

The whole work of Christ in relation to the believer’s peace is here in type: he made peace (Col 1:20), proclaimed peace (Eph 2:17), and is our peace (Eph 2:14).

Lev 3:2

HE IS TO LAY HIS HAND ON THE HEAD OF HIS OFFERING: By laying his hand on the head of the sacrifice before killing it, the offerer was to establish a close, personal link between himself and the sacrifice. First of all, it was to be his property (Lev 1:2); and secondly, he was to touch it and handle it, thus identifying himself with it.

All this is figurative of our relationship with Christ, who is the true and complete and final sacrifice for all sins. First of all, Jesus is one of us: His Heavenly Father made him a man, born of woman, born under the law (Gal 4:4), and thus possessing our own sin-prone nature (Rom 8:3; Heb 2:14). The Father did this, so that the Son, in his perfect life and self-denying death, could overcome that nature that was subject to sin.

Secondly, we emphasize this relationship in baptism, when we identify ourselves with his death, burial, and resurrection (Rom 6:1-4). Thus we show that he belongs to us, and we belong to him. In this way, and this way only, his sacrifice will have meaning for us — figuratively, we lay hands on Jesus, and he becomes OUR offering!

And thirdly, we remember that great sacrifice, and renew our connection with it and our dedication to it, in the regular breaking of bread. Thus — in a spiritual sense, we lay hands on Christ as we partake of the bread and wine — and he becomes “that… which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched” (1Jo 1:1).

Lev 3:9

• THE ENTIRE FAT TAIL CUT OFF CLOSE TO THE BACKBONE: This was considered a delicacy, and the tendency would have been to keep a bit back for oneself. But the point of the sacrifice is to give 100%, not 99%!

Lev 3:17

See Lesson, Blood. Cp Lev 7:26,27; 17:11,14; Deu 12:23.

Lev 4:1

Lev 4: “The provisions of Lev 4 are based on an understanding that a knowledge of sin has been brought home to the sinner (v 24). So Moses set before the people he elements of the Sin Offering of Ignorance: vv 1,2. The sin offering legislated for sins done unwittingly, and in so doing taught that sin is related to nature. Behind all conscious acts of the will there are natural, or involuntary movements, or propensities of which we are hardly conscious, but for which, nevertheless, we are held responsible. Even thought must be controlled (2Co 10:3; Mat 5:2, 8; Pro 24:9). So the sacrifices were an important element in preparing a people for God, and ensuring that they understood His wisdom and principles” (GEM).

Lev 4:2

WHEN ANYONE SINS UNINTENTIONALLY: “The offerings not to be eaten but burnt, and whose blood was to be presented in the tabernacle, were those offered for sins of ignorance; while those to be eaten, were for sin in general. The bringing of the blood into the tabernacle and the burning of the bodies, would seem to express intenser repudiation than the eating of the flesh. And yet the intenser repudiation was for the class of sin that men are liable to consider the most venial — sins of ignorance. What is the explanation of this? Is it so that unconscious sin is more hateful to God than that which is known and confessed? It would not be difficult to think so. When a man knows his faults, disowns them and struggles against them, his friends bear with him more easily than if he offends regularly in a line of things of which he is not aware. In his ignorance, he supposes himself perfectly acceptable, while all the time it may be he is making it the hardest work in the world to endure him. We are probably not far wrong in supposing that this is how it is with our imperfect selves towards God, and that there is a special meaning in the declaration that He ‘hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities’ [Psa 103:10]” (LM 242).

Lev 4:3

The offering for the High Priest typ Christ’s offering. In ct sin offering for others (which was eaten by priests: Lev 6:25,26), the body of this sacrifice was not eaten (Lev 6:30), but burned outside the camp (Lev 4:11,12). Thus, the antitypical Christ-sacrifice, which provided access into God’s presence (v 6), was burned outside the camp (Heb 13:10,11), that is, outside the Law of Moses (BS 13:15).

Lev 4:12

OUTSIDE THE CAMP: Cp Heb 13:11: to be observed by those who were outside — ie lepers, unclean, Gentiles.

Lev 4:21

OUTSIDE THE CAMP: “Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore” (Heb 13:13).

Lev 4:23

GOAT: Repr wayward human nature. But a “kid of the goats” (AV), not mature in his way, ie pliable.

Lev 5:1

A PUBLIC CHARGE TO TESTIFY: “A public adjuration to testify” (RSV), as did Christ (Mat 26:63).

Lev 6:2

SOMETHING ENTRUSTED TO HIM OR LEFT IN HIS CARE: “In a matter of deposit or security” (RSV).

Lev 6:12

EVERY MORNING: Manna given (Exo 16:21). Fire on the altar (here). Incense offered (Exo 30:7). Praise offered (1Ch 23:30). Service offered (1Ch 9:27). Sacrifice presented (2Ch 2:4; 13:11). God visits (Job 7:18). God is their arm (Isa 33:2). His compassions new (Lam 3:23). The Philistines present themselves (1Sa 17:16). God silences the wicked (Psa 101:8). Judgment (Zep 3:5). Administer justice (Jer 21:12).

AND ARRANGE THE BURNT OFFERING ON THE FIRE: “Lay the burnt offering in order upon it” (AV). Setting “in order” is a significant thing in the service of God: Gen 22:9; Exo 26:17; 39:37; 40:4,23; Lev 1:7,8,12; 6:12; 24:8; 1Ki 18:33; 2Ki 20:1; 2Ch 13:11; 29:35; Eze 41:6; Acts 18:23; 1Co 11:34; 14:40; Tit 1:5.

Lev 6:13

THE FIRE MUST BE KEPT BURNING ON THE ALTAR CONTINUOUSLY; IT MUST NOT GO OUT: The altar is the place where offerings are made to God, and since the only true offerings are those which are made in spirit and truth (Joh 4:24), therefore — in a sense — the only true “altar” is the human heart. This heart is a great altar indeed, and here — in my heart –the fire of divine love must be kept burning continuously.

God loves to see the hearts of His people glowing towards Himself. Let us give to God our hearts (Pro 23:26), all blazing with love, and seek His grace, that the fire may never be quenched; for it will not burn if the Lord does not keep it burning. Many foes and circumstances will contrive to extinguish it, so that its fire will grow cold (Rev 2:4); but if the unseen hand of the priest continues to replenish the fuel, and renew the sacrifices, it will blaze higher and higher. Let us use the Scriptures as fuel for our heart’s fire, so that our offerings will ascend to Yahweh as a sweet savour. May He touch our lips, and our heart, with burning coals — as He did with Isaiah (Isa 6:6,7).

Lev 6:27

Christ, the sin offering, was touched by unclean, yet remained holy. And, the unclean were thereby cleansed (WGos 127).

Lev 7:12

AN EXPRESSION OF THANKSGIVING: A concept found a number of times in the Bible: Psa 50:23; 107:8,22; Hos 14:2; 2Co 9:15; Eph 5:20; Phi 4:6; Col 1:12; 1Th 5:18; Heb 13:15; 1Pe 2:5.

Lev 7:13

MADE WITH YEAST: “Leavened” with sin, corruption: A humble recognition of sinfulness (Lev 23:17). Christ came in “flesh of sin”.

Lev 7:15

The essential idea of the peace/fellowship offering: Sharing a meal with God: Act 2:42,46; Exo 24:5,11; 1Co 10:16,20,21; Col 1:20-22.

Lev 7:17

ANY MEAT… LEFT OVER… MUST BE BURNED UP: So that no corruption be associated with peace/fellowship offering: cp Psa 16:10.

Lev 7:26

“The life is in the blood”: Lev 3:17; 7:26,27; 17:11,14; Deu 12:23. Blood is the source of life — its red blood cells supply oxygen and nutrients to every cell in the human body.

A very instructive contrast is intended here: Christ’s blood is a “transfusion” of life to us: “Drink my blood” (Joh 6:53-57; 1Co 11:25-27; Mat 26:27,28). What was FORBIDDEN — that is, the partaking of the natural blood, of other sacrifices — is COMMANDED of us, on a spiritual level — in the symbolic partaking of Christ’s “blood”. It is only through Christ and his shed blood that we may have life.

And so, as the Letter to the Hebrews emphasizes time and again, all the offerings and sacrifices of the Law of Moses could never take away sin… BUT the one perfect sacrifice of God’ Son could and did and has taken away sin — once and for all time, and — prospectively, and on the basis of faith — for all men! (See Lesson, Blood. Cp Lev 3:17; 17:11,14; Deu 12:23.)

Lev 7:30

WITH HIS OWN HANDS: The sacrifice cannot be offered by proxy; every person is responsible for his or her own sin, and his or her own offering.

Lev 7:31

THE BREAST: The “heart” belongs to all priests, but… the strength (v 32: right shoulder) belongs to the priest who offered it only (Christ only had strength to offer). This was offered once only: one “heave”, or lifting up.

Lev 7:34

THE BREAST THAT IS WAVED: A continuous back-and-forth motion. “Breast” = heart.

THE THIGH THAT IS PRESENTED: “The heave shoulder”. One lifting motion. “Shoulder” = strength.

Lev 1:1

Heb title: “Vayikkra” = “he called” (first word in Heb text). See Lesson, Pentateuch, Hebrew titles.

See Lesson, Lev, overview.

See Lesson, P source, problems.

Lev 1:2

The offering was to be taken from the property of the individual. This was to be a fundamental principle: from his ordinary possessions, and out of his daily life, the worshiper was to find the means to give sacrifice and service to his God. God’s worship was not to be an extraordinary thing, something done by an elite few for the benefit of others, or something performed by an entertainer — for the amusement of onlookers. It was to be the regular devotion of the common man and woman — their God was with them every day, a presence in all aspects of their lives. So out of the common furnishings, the common threads and tools, of that day-to-day existence, they were to set aside a portion to be given to Him.

Lev 1:3

WITHOUT DEFECT: Cp Christ: Though by nature like others, yet with no personal sin. The only blemish was internal: ie sinful nature.

Lev 1:4

See Lesson, Laying on of hands.

Lev 1:7

Setting “in order” is a significant thing in the service of God: Gen 22:9; Exo 26:17; 39:37; 40:4,23; Lev 1:7,8,12; 6:12; 24:8; 1Ki 18:33; 2Ki 20:1; 2Ch 13:11; 29:35; Eze 41:6; Acts 18:23; 1Co 11:34; 14:40; Tit 1:5.

Lev 2:1

GRAIN OFFERING: “Meat” offering (AV); “cereal” offering (RSV).

Lev 2:11

HONEY: Produces fermentation; sym pride, self-glory, a corrupting influence: Pro 25:27.

Lev 2:14

FIRSTFRUITS: The body of Christ — derived from Christ (the true firstfruits) — passing through the fire of affliction.

Author: Moses (date of writing: c 1440-1400 BC).

Period: c 1440-1400 BC.

Title: “Leviticus” is the Latin form of the Greek word meaning “pertaining to the Levites.” The Hebrew title is taken from the first word of the book: “vayyiqra’ ” (“And he [the LORD] called . . .”).

Having brought His people out of bondage in Egypt, God gave them laws which had two functions: (1) to provide a code of behavior which would enable them to worship Him, and indeed, be His holy people (Lev 20:26), and (2) to enable them to have a practical law to assist in their daily living.

The Hebrew title (“and He called”) may be said to apply to the whole of Israel: as a nation called by God for a special purpose (Exo 19:6). The words also apply to the specific priests, the sons of Levi, whose task it was to oversee the spiritual (and secular) life of the people.

Summary: The third book of the Pentateuch takes its name from one of the twelve sons of Jacob, Levi, whose family was ordained by God to minister to Him as priests. The book covers the laws of the Israelites regarding worship and religious activities, both personal and national, including the Day of Atonement and sacrificial offerings. It contains laws regarding cleanliness, morality, ethics and hygiene that pertained to the people of Israel on a day-to-day basis. Animal sacrifice was introduced as an atonement for the individual and national sins of the people.

In modern terms Leviticus is significant in that it shows the way in which followers of Christ should endeavor to live their lives. Leviticus contains details of the sacrifices and offerings, required to be made by the people in recognizing their complete dependence on God and the necessity always to honor Him. Lev describes sacrifices and offerings to be made for a wide variety of reasons: some as a recognition of sin; some as “free- will” offerings, of voluntary devotion.

The most important offering was made to honor the day of Atonement (Lev 16:1-34), when a lamb without any blemish was offered as a sacrifice to “atone” for the sins of the nation. This pointed forward to Jesus who, as the lamb without blemish, offered himself as a sacrifice once and for all, an atonement for the sins of many (Heb 9:28). Through identifying with Jesus we can obtain the forgiveness which is promised (Mat 26:28).

We are not required, under the new covenant, to offer sacrifices in the way the children of Israel were required. We do need to offer ourselves as a “living sacrifice” (Rom 12:1) to the service of God. Our whole life should the of continual service to Him.

OUTLINE

Lev 1:1 – 7:38 Sacrifices and offerings * Lev 1:1-17 Burnt offering * Lev 2:1-16 Meal and fruit offerings * Lev 3:1-17 Peace offering * Lev 4:1-35 Sin offering * Lev 5:1-19 Trespass offering * Lev 6:1 – 7:38 Further explanations of the law concerning offerings.

Lev 8:1 — 10:20 Consecration of priests

Lev 11:1 — 15:33 Laws discerning cleanness and uncleanness

Lev 16:1-34 The Day of Atonement

Lev 17:1 — 20:27 Miscellaneous laws

Lev 21:1 — 22:33 Responsibilities of the priests

Lev 23:1-44 The Feasts * Lev 23:4-8 Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread

* Lev 23:9-14 The Firstfruits * Lev 23:15-22 The Feast of Pentecost * Lev 23:23-32 The Feast of Trumpets * Lev 23:33-44 The Feast of Tabernacles

Lev 24:1 — 27:34 Further miscellaneous laws including reference to:

Lev 25:1-55 The year of the Sabbath and the year of Jubilee

Lev 26:1-13 Promise of blessing

Lev 26:14-46 Promise of punishment

Lev 27:1-34 Vows and tithes

Exo 39:34

SEA COWS: Heb “tachashim”. Translated, variously, “sea cows” (NIV; WEB); “dugongs” (mg); “porpoises” (NASB); “seals” (JPS); or “badgers” (KJV; Roth). The general scholarly consensus on the word is that it is Egyptian in origin. The Arabic word “duhas” refers to a dolphin. They are common in the Red Sea; their skins are used for clothing by the Bedouin. The word has also been connected to an Egyptian word for “leather” (BDB). This is followed by NRSV and NET (“fine leather”).

Exo 39:36

THE BREAD OF THE PRESENCE: “The bread of the face(s)” or “shewbread” (AV). Called also “perpetual bread” (Num 4:7).

Exo 39:37

Setting “in order” is a significant thing in the service of God: Gen 22:9; Exo 26:17; 39:37; 40:4,23; Lev 1:7,8,12; 6:12; 24:8; 1Ki 18:33; 2Ki 20:1; 2Ch 13:11; 29:35; Eze 41:6; Acts 18:23; 1Co 11:34; 14:40; Tit 1:5.

Exo 39:43

MOSES INSPECTED THE WORK: Moses inspected the finished work, and saw that it was all very good — it had been completed just as the LORD had commanded. This language echoes Gen 1:31: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” In this correspondence of language, it may be seen that the building and furnishing of the tabernacle parallels the creation and peopling of the earth… because this was a “recreation” of God’s world.

SO MOSES BLESSED THEM: So Moses blessed the workmen in their work, just as God had blessed the man and woman in the beginning, as well as the seventh day (Gen 1:28; 2:2).