Overview
Leviticus details how the Israelites, after rebelling against God, can be reconciled and live in His holy presence through rituals, priesthood, and laws focused on holiness, purity, and atonement.
Context and Problem
- God wished to dwell among Israel at the Tabernacle, but their sin damaged the relationship.
- Moses could not enter God's presence due to this broken relationship.
- The book addresses how sinful people can live with a holy God.
The Concept of Holiness
- "Holy" means set apart or unique; God is uniquely set apart as the Creator and author of life.
- God's space is holy, full of goodness, life, purity, and justice.
- Israelites must become holy to live in God's presence by dealing with their sin.
Structure and Main Themes
- The book is symmetrically structured around rituals, priesthood, purity, and the central Day of Atonement.
- Rituals, priests, and purity laws are three main ways God makes living in His presence possible.
Ritual Sacrifices and Feasts
- Five main sacrifices: two for thanksgiving to God, three for atoning for sin.
- Sacrifices remind Israelites of God's grace, justice, and the seriousness of sin.
- Seven annual feasts recall God's deliverance from Egypt and reinforce Israel's identity.
Priests and Holiness
- Aaron and his sons are ordained as priests to mediate between God and the people.
- Priests require the highest moral and ritual standards.
- Violations by priests, such as Aaron's sons, show the danger of disrespecting God's holiness.
Purity: Ritual and Moral
- Ritual purity: Israelites become impure by contact with death-related things; impurity is temporary and not sinful unless entering God's presence.
- Dietary laws serve as cultural symbols of God's holiness in all areas of life.
- Moral purity: Israelites are to be just, care for the vulnerable, practice sexual integrity, and be distinct from surrounding cultures.
Clean and Unclean
- Clean (Pure): Being in a state of holiness required to enter God's presence.
- Unclean (Impure): A temporary state that makes a person unable to approach God.
- Causes of impurity: Contact with things associated with death, such as:
- Reproductive body fluids
- Skin diseases
- Mold or fungus
- Dead bodies
- Impurity is not sinful: It is a normal, temporary condition lasting about a week or two.
- Sin occurs if: Someone tries to enter God's presence while still carrying symbols of death and impurity.
- Purpose: Israelites needed to maintain ritual purity to live in God's holy presence.
The Day of Atonement
- Central ritual where the high priest offers sacrifices and sends a scapegoat into the wilderness, symbolizing the removal of Israel’s sin.
- Allows God to continue dwelling among His people.
Closing Exhortations and Outcome
- Moses urges Israel to remain faithful to the covenant for promised blessings.
- Warns of disaster and exile if the covenant is broken.
- The next book, Numbers, confirms Moses can now enter God’s presence, showing Leviticus’ system works.