Leviticus

The Book of Leviticus

Set apart for intimacy

SVB: Source view Bible

NB: Nelson´s Complete Book of Bible Maps and charts

First impression:                                                              

1.What do I see in this book that’s tells me about the Original Reader

Maybe if you ask them in this book  - they would now start to call themselves Hebrew by this time?

They had been in transition for some years. In NB (p.37) it says the book is probably written in the latter period of Israel’s time in Sinai, and maybe covers only a period of a month. Hopefully they knew their story now – but needed to be instructed in the area to focus on the way of living, in relationship with the Lord that calls himself:“ you must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am Holy” (ch.19.2)

Different from the pagan gods they may have heard of before and were around them, God now wanted to react with His people to make them holy as himself.

The priest (the Levi) had to get to know their tasks – and the whole book is named after them. No wonder – one of my main reaction after reading the book was – the priest must have been / are quite busy!

                                                                                                 

2. What do I see in this book that tells me about the author

Moses wrote it around 1440 BC. SVB 131. He had been their leader for almost 40 years.  Most of the book is about giving Gods word to the people: “ what the

Lord has commanded” Ch 7.5 is one of the many verses quoting this.

His intend is described in the introduction to Leviticus P.131:

“To purify you” ch 8.34

To make you right with God ch.9.7

So that the glory of the Lord may appear to you. Ch.9.6

·      To

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He is, as in the other books writing impressingly detailed – amazes me how detailed the stories are about some thing – and other subject are not mentioned or described.

3. What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what else is a one sentence summery of the “main idea”?

One of the main themes is  “Don´t be like the people you fled from or the people around you”

It gives directions on how to become holy and clean, sin and sacrifices. What the people must bring, do and the responsibilities of the leaders and the Priests (the most of the chapters from 11 – 27 covers this.

As we have heard during these week in school Moses is presenting a radically different lifestyle in response to God´s holiness.

One sentence: Be holy as I am holy. The laws about what, when and how to scarify to keep clean both hygienic, sermoniell and after sinning.

4. What is the primary reason for this book was written

First part is telling about Gods way in the sacrificial system. (ch 1-17)

The second part we read the most about sanctification and the people through ceremonial and moral holiness (ch, 18.27) NB p. 38. 

ch, 1.2:”Give the following instruction to the people of Israel”

Ch.27: 34 “these are the command that the Lord gave through Moses on mount Sinai for the Israelites

How to worship.

Much of the book is to different their pagans traditions. Le 18.3, 18.24 –

Preparing them for the promises Land  - 20.22

To know what to do, like festivals to remind each generation  ch. 23-43

Theme tracing:                                                                                                                                                                                               

5.What does the book show about the character and nature of God?

I am the Lord CH 18

His is holy (perfect, separated, different, pure, be whole, be complete, be accepted, be refined, without sin) Holy def. in NB: Le. 22.31-33.

He remembers His Covenant ch.26.42 -45

He smells and recognizes   ch 1- 6 ex

He is angry: ch 8.35 – if you fall.

Over all: His desire to see man forgiven– all the sanctification laws as mentioned above.

He desire our heart not just action (ps.4.5, ps.40.6, 51.16,52.27,ps.54.6, ps141.2)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

6.What does this book show about God´s redemptive plan for mankind?                                                                                                            

Blood has to be shed – foreshadowing the sacrifices Jesus gave and the shedding of His blood. Hebr.9.20, Le17.11                                            

All the mentioning about a pleasant aroma ch 1-7 made me think of the Christ like aroma our life should have in 2.cor 2.15

The animal that was offered needed to be a perfect animal  -like the perfect Jesus being offered.

The people of Israel had to show Faith: hebr11.1 – like we in Christ, Rom.3.21

·      Study NMC on the offering and festivals, especially the Prophetic Significance (NT fulfillment – write an essay

I found the tables ( NB.p. 41) about offerings and festivals quite hard to grasp – but I will try  to write my essence :

 I saw this week the different in the voluntary (to become and stay clean, and as a symbol) and the compulsory offerings (after sin has been committed.

1.     The voluntary – with a sweet aroma for God:  is for sin in general, thanksgiving and to express peace and fellowship between the offered and God  - which in order represent the complete dedication of life to God, the humanity of Christ, His sinlessness and the oil points forward to the holy spirit, and foreshadows the peace we have with God through Jesus Christ.

2.     The compulsory- with a non-sweet aroma for God: for sins committed were no restitution was possible or unknowingly where restitution was possible. These foreshadow Christ made sin for us and suffered outside the gates and he is also our trespass offering (– Amen!)

I liked the way God shows His interest in celebration and parties (Festivals). In one sentence I see more clearly now, how these festivals has a bigger symbolic meaning in the NT – many of the fulfillments of Gods plan are happening while the Jews at the time of Jesus was celebrating these festivals  - but now came Jesus as the solution and the fulfillment– like the day of Atonement, foreshadows the crucifixion of Christ (Heb.9)

I really liked this tables and wish I had more time to study them. But I have the book!

Application questions                                                                                                                                                                                 

7.Personal application:

This time of reading we have last week focused on the two first books on Gods electing and delivering his people –this week we started with God desperately trying to show and teach His people to become and stay holy. His holiness is so clean, so perfect, so different, so whole, so refined and without sin – that a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe. I find it hard to capture it in my head – and I don’t think I ever can. It is also hard to explain in English. Actually I just the last weeks at home had a talk in my small group about the Holiness and God  - and how we often forget or not focus on this Holiness that hates sin. I remember learning the meaning of reverence in English – fear with admiration! I liked that way of saying it. This matter of holiness has really been working in me and I am praying that it may sink deep deep in my inner being!

 We are really being challenged this week with the long ours of work – I would be glad to have some comments about this – because I find it hard to find the good way using our time with the children/ wanting to study and do homework….

Specific point: “Make a sacrifice to God this week” -it´s hard to find a specific area that God has showed me this week. I had a time in prayer about it, and I got no specific thoughts. But we agreed in the sacrify Hans felt we should do as he has written about.

8.Point of passion:

Fear of the Lord. There is something in God worldview, which is right and wrong. Do I dear to be different – set apart (become more holy)  - transformed to the image of Jesus? Do I live as if people will ask question? Am I having a God standard .Do I fight for the life of the unborn, the life as holy – a child’s right to have a mom and dad?

Just today in the news it was written in the news in Norway about a Dutch woman being helped to die because she was blind.           

God is Holy – he hates sin and us “playing” God with us fumbeling with His creation.

It’s a challenge to me to really dig into this, give myself into this, in fear of the reaction from my college about being “condemning or old fashion.