A STUDY OF LEVITICUS AND NUMBERS MARCH 1, 2015 Leviticus: Description of Sacrificial System- 1:1-7:38; Service of the priests in the sanctuary - 8:1-10:29; Laws of impurities- 11:1-16:34; Holiness Code- 17:1-26:46; Gifts to the sanctuary- 27:1-34 Numbers: 1-4 Census numbers and compliance with the command; 5-6 Ritual uncleanness, marital unfaithfulness and Nazarites; 7 Tabernacle offerings; 8 Consecration of the Levites; 9 Passover, cloud and fire; 10 Trumpet signals; 10-25 Rebellions recounted; 26-36 Preparation of the second generation for entry into the Promised Land.
1 A STUDY OF LEVITICUS AND NUMBERS 1. Description of Sacrificial System- 1:1-7:38 Burnt offering- 1:1-17 Grain offering- 2:1-16 Peace offering- 3:1-17 Sin offering- 4:1-5:13 Trespass offering- 5:14-6:7 Other instructions- 6:8-7:38 2. Service of the priests in the sanctuary - 8:1-10:29 Ordination of Aaron and his sons- 8:1-36 Priests take office- 9:1-24 Sin of Nadab and Abihu- 10:1-11 Sin of Eleazar and Ithamar- 10:12-20 3. Laws of impurities- 11:1-16:34 Animal impurities Childbirth Skin Discharge Moral impurities 4. Holiness Code- 17:1-26:46 Killing for food On being holy Laws for priests and sacrifices Holy days and religious feasts Law s for holy elements of worship Punishment for blasphemy Sabbath and Jubilee years Blessing for obedience and punishment for disobedience 5. Gifts to the sanctuary- 27:1-34
2 STUDY OF THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS Third Book of Moses In 1:1, it says that the word of the Lord was spoken to Moses from the tabernacle of meeting; this forms the basis for this entire book of scripture. Written around 1,400 BC its theme is the sanctity of God and Holiness in everyday life. Key Words- Holiness, Offering, Sacrifice Leviticus describes the sacrificial system and worship that precedes the time of Ezra and recalls the institution of the sacrificial system. BACKGROUND It s all about linking the idea of holiness to everyday life and how holiness is central to all relationships both with God and with other people. The work of the priests is explained with great care. The code of holiness permeates the work because each individual must be pure even as God Himself is pure and because the purity of each individual is the foundation of the holiness of the entire covenant community. The teaching of Jesus Christ (Matt 7:12), reflects the text of Leviticus 19:18, Love you neighbor as yourself. CONTENT In Hebrews it was called Vayikra, which means And He called. The English title Leviticus means Matters pertaining to the Levites which is misleading since the content deals with purity and holiness in the entire community. The word holy appears more than 80 times in the book. While we consider this book to be complicated, in early Jewish education it was the first book to be read and learned by children. It deals with God s character and will, especially in the matters of holiness which the Jewish sages considered to be of primary importance. They felt that before proceeding to the other biblical texts, children should first be educated concerning the sanctity of God and the responsibility of each individual to live a holy life. Holiness (Kedushah) is a key word, describing the sanctity of the divine presence. Holiness is being set apart from the profane, and holy is the opposite of the common or secular. SACRIFICIAL SYSTEM Burnt sacrifice- only one that is entirely consumed on the altar also called the whole offering Grain offering (Minchah) - a tribute offering made in order to secure or maintain the divine favor indicating that the fruits of a person s labor should be dedicated to God Peace offering (Shelamin)- permits the one to eat the meat of the sacrifice; often given on a joyous occasion Sin offering (Chatta t)- Removed impurity from the sanctuary Trespass offering (asham)- the guilt offering or offering of reparation prepared for violation of the sanctity of the property of God or another person, usually by use of a false oath LITURGICAL CALENDAR Sabbath year refers to the emancipation of Israelite slaves, and people in debt, redemption of the land (Ex 21:2-6, 23:10, 11; Deut. 15:1-11, 12-18)
3 Jubilee year refers to the fact that the land of Israel, as well as of the people, belongs to God and no individual. The land therefore must have rest after each period of 49 years, (Lev 25:8-17) which teaches God s ownership. PERSONAL The sanctity of God and His great desire for fellowship with His people are clearly seen in the descriptions of the sacrificial system. Holiness, being set apart for a life in fellowship with God was the primary issue for Israel of old and for us today. CHRIST REVEALED Christ isn t specifically mentioned but the sacrificial system and high priest in the book are types and picture the work of Christ. The book of Hebrews describes Christ as the High Priest and uses the text of Leviticus as a basis for illustrating His work. While the revelation of Christ in the book is awesome, one must remember that Leviticus focuses on the life and worship of ancient Israel. HOLY SPIRIT AT WORK God s omnipresence is felt throughout the book. The holiness of God s character is constantly referred to in the designation of holiness to the people s actions and worship. He is not seen as the pagan cults of the period where idols were venerated, but He is in the midst of the people as they worship Him. We must be holy even as He is holy. BOOK OF NUMBERS Written by Moses in 1,400 BC with the main theme being Yahweh s guiding presence for the journey from Sinai to the Jordan. The book covers about 40 years. In the Hebrew text, the name of the book is In the Wilderness, taken from the opening line, The Lord spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai. CONTENT The book of Numbers continues to cover the Mosaic period. Numbers has two major divisionsinstructions at Sinai (1:1-10:10) and the wilderness journey (10:11-36:13) to the edge of the Promised Land. The instructions at Sinai deal with the preparation for the journey, and the rest of the book tells of the journey itself. Here is the chapter breakdown: 1-4 Census numbers and reports of compliance with the command 5-6 Ritual uncleanness, marital unfaithfulness and Nazarites 7 Leaders bring offerings to the tabernacle 8 Consecration of the Levites 9 Passover, cloud and fire 10 Trumpet signals
4 10-25 The people who left Egypt die off due to their disobedience...rebellions recounted 26-36 Preparation of the second generation for entry into the Promised Land. A new census is taken and land is apportioned to each tribe at the close of the book. PERSONAL APPLICATION It s in this book that the 10 spies bring back the bad report and all that would lead to later - nearly 40 more years of wandering and ultimately death. We learn from Joshua, Caleb and Moses that obedience due to belief in the promises of God brings about His abundance. Numbers also shows us how slow God is to reveal His anger (14:20-38). When His children get off track it s not out of anger that He responds, but the chastisement of a Father (Hebrews 12:3-11). CHRIST REVEALED Jesus Christ is revealed as the Provider. The apostle Paul writes that Christ was the spiritual Rock that followed the Israelites in the wilderness and gave them spiritual drink (1 Cor. 10:4). Paul emphasizes the provision of Christ for the needs of His people whom He has delivered from bondage. Check this out! The messianic figure of Israel s king is prophesied by Balaam in 24:17: I see Him but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise up out of Israel. Jewish tradition interpreted this verse messianically, as attested by the Qumran texts. Jesus Christ is the messiah, according to the uniform witness of the New Testament, and the true King about whom Balaam speaks. THE HOLY SPIRIT AT WORK The Holy Spirit is spoken of directly in chapter 11. There the Spirit is described as performing two functions- anointing the leadership and inspiring prophecy. In verse 16, Moses is asking the Lord for help in his leadership duties. The response is that Yahweh will take the Spirit that is on Moses (v 29 as the Lord s Spirit) and pass it to his leaders. Even Moses needed Spirit gifted leaders to help carry out the duties. When the Spirit is given to the elders, He causes prophesying (v 25). The 70 appointed elders are doing just that when Joshua learns of two other elders in the camp who are also prophesying. He tries to put a stop to it. What a good Christian! Moses instead expresses the wish that all God s people would receive His Spirit and prophesy. This hope of Moses is picked up in Joel 2:28-33 and is ultimately fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:16-21) when the Spirit was poured out and made available to all.