Life in the Desert - Leviticus 1-10: Sacrifices and Priestly Ordination

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Leviticus: A Holy God, Therefore a Holy People

Lev 11:45 For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.

Leviticus: Facts

Name = “pertaining to the Levites.” But …

Moses as inspired human author. Noted 56 times.

Time duration: roughly a month between the erection of the tabernacle (Ex 40:17) and the departure from Sinai (Num 10:11).

“Holy” (adj., noun, and verb forms) – 152 times.

Sacrifice – the price of sin and atonement.

Substitution – the innocent in place of the guilty.

Sabbath Rest and Year – order, rest, and health.

Sanctification – set apart for Him from the world.

Leviticus: Principles

Ritual regulations (Lev 1-16) and moral/ethical commands (Lev 17-27) are not to be separated. Acts of worship and acts of conduct fit together. The rituals reflect and express the morals.

Leviticus (OT) parallel to Hebrews (NT).

The sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ, yet illustrates many aspects of His sacrifice. (cf. Heb 9:1–14, 24–28; 10:1–14).

OT/NT: High priest, altar, lamb without blemish, blood, sacrifice, atonement, scapegoat.

Leviticus: Broad Outline

1-10 - Offerings

11-15 - Ritual Cleanness

16-17 - Day of Atonement

18-22 - Moral Holiness

23-25 - Worship Calendar

26-27 - Additional Instructions

Leviticus 1-10: Sacrifices and Priestly Ordination

Leviticus 1-7: Five Major Offerings

First the offering itself, then the priest’s role.

1:1-17; 6:8-13 – The Burnt Offering

Purpose not specified. Used for thanksgiving, penitence, vows, and self-dedication.

Most costly, 100% whole. Male without blemish.

Hand on the head.

Atonement: removing of sin, appeasing wrath.

Sheep / goat: Kill, throw blood, flay, cut, burn.

Birds: wring head, tear wings, but not sever.

A pleasing aroma. Eph 5:2; Phil 4:18

2:1-16; 6:14-23 – The Grain Offering

Purpose not specified. Honor God, owner of all?

Fine flour, oil, costly frankincense, and salt.

Uncooked (2:1-3) or cooked (2:4-10).

Only a handful was actually burned.

Memorial portion, asking God to remember them.

Bread: from oven, griddle, or pan.

Remaining part given to the priests.

Leaven or honey - no. Salt - yes. Mk 9:49-50

3:1-17; 7:11-36 – The Peace Offering

Purpose: to achieve, express fellowship with God.

Bull. Only fatty parts burned, not “whole.”

Like filet mignon, most succulent and savory.

Offerer not allowed to eat the fat or the blood.

Fat: given to the LORD. Blood: for atonement.

Goat: process very similar.

4:1-5:13; 6:24-30 – The Sin Offering

For unintentional, careless, negligent sin.

4:1-12 If the anointed priest sins.

Bull’s blood sprinkled 7 times in front of the veil.

Remaining blood poured out at base of altar.

Some parts burned, the rest taken out of camp.

4:13-21 If the whole congregation sins.

Elders lay hands on bull; then it is killed.

4:22-35 If a tribal leader sins.

Male goat w/o blemish. Blood applied, poured.

“He shall be forgiven.”

4:1-5:13; 6:24-30 – The Sin Offering

4:27-35 If anyone else sins.

Female goat or lamb without blemish. Blood applied, poured. He shall be forgiven.

5:1-6 Specific reasons: not giving testimony; becoming ritually unclean; rash oaths.

Realize guilt, confess sin, bring sin offering.

5:7-13 Allowance for lower economic levels: two turtledoves or pigeons, or 1/10 of an ephah of fine flour. (Ephah = about 6 gallons).

5:14-6:7; 7:1-10 – The Guilt Offering

Possible distinctions from sin offering:

Guilt offering involved a breach of faith.

Guilt offering involved restitution and reparation.

6:8-7:38 – Priest’s Role, Handling Offerings

7:37-38 – Summary

“The law … which the LORD commanded Moses on Mount Sinai.”

Sacrifices Christians are to Offer

Rom 12:1-2 Your bodies a living sacrifice.

Rom 15:16 Paul’s “offering” of the Gentiles.

Phil 2:17 Poured out as a drink offering.

Phil 4:18 Gift = fragrant aroma, accept’ sacrifice.

2 Tim 4:6 Poured out as a drink offering.

Heb 13:15-16 Praise, thanks, deeds, sharing.

1 Pet 2:5 Holy priesthood, spiritual sacrifices.

Rev 5:8; 8:3-4 Prayers as incense rising.

Leviticus 8-10: The Priesthood

8:1-36 – Ordination of Aaron and His Sons

7 parts, marked by “as the LORD commanded.”

8:1-4 Preparation: items, entire assembly.

8:5-9 Washing and clothing: glorious attire.

8:10-13 Anointing: oil on tabernacles, altar, etc.

8:14-17 Sin offering to purify priesthood, altar.

8:18-21 Burnt offering: ram for Aaron and sons.

8:22-29 Peace offering: 2nd ram for installation.

8:30 2nd anointing: sprinkling oil on Aaron, etc.

8:31-36 Meal of covenant ratification.

Leviticus 8-10: The Priesthood

9:1-24 – First Tabernacle Service

After 7 days of ordination, daily sacrifices begin.

9:7-14 First, atonement for the priests.

9:15-21 Then, atonement for the people.

From removing sinfulness (by the sin offering), to underscoring their petitions and praises (by the burnt offering), to fellowship (peace offering).

9:22-24 Aaron as the new mediator with Moses.

The LORD miraculously sends fire to consume the animals, showing His approval of all.

Leviticus 8-10: The Priesthood

10:1-20 – Nadab’s and Abihu’s Sin, Death

10:1-3 Aaron’s oldest sons. Sin of presumption. “Strange” fire, not as prescribed. Unauthorized worship violates God’s holiness and glory.

10:4-7 Moses says, in effect: “You represent the LORD and must uphold His standards.”

10:8-11 No alcohol. Distinguish. Teach.

10:12-15 Priests to eat food after it was offered.

10:16-20 Aaron’s remaining two sons failed to eat it! Aaron: “Would the LORD have approved?”