| Leviticus Chart |
Leviticus 1-3
The book of Leviticus was given to Moses at Mt. Sinai in the one month between Exodus and Numbers (Exodus 40:17; Numbers 1:1). You may have noticed the similarity between the words “Levites” and Leviticus for it was written primarily for the Levites to practice and preach to the people. The book of Leviticus is rich with imagery of Christ and of the Christian life, especially in our call to holiness (a word found 100 times in this book) (Leviticus 20:7).
In these first three chapters we have the Burnt Offering, the Grain Offering, and the Peace Offering. We have details given here on each of these offerings, and we will be provided with further details in Leviticus chapters 6 and 7.
All the offerings speak of what Jesus has done for us, but in some of them we also have aspects of how we can offer sacrifices to the LORD and even be living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1).
The Burnt Offering is symbolic of absolute surrender on our part – giving it ALL to God (they burnt everything but the skin). This sacrifice must be pure and of our own free will (Leviticus 1:3). It matters not the “amount” we give (cattle, sheep, goats, or birds), what matters most is that we give our ALL to God.
The Grain Offering is symbolic of service. Consider the grain that needed to be grown (work on our parts) and then given to the priests. You could offer the Grain offering raw or baked in various ways (it would be like pancakes). The priest would burn a pinch on the altar and was allowed to have the rest for himself and his sons to consume (Leviticus 1:2-3).
There was to be no leaven, or honey, with the offerings but there was to be salt and frankincense (Leviticus 2:11, 13, 16).
Warren Weirsbe, “Note that God never wants leaven (a picture of sin [1 Corinthians 5:6–8]) or honey (man’s glory and not God’s [Proverbs 25:27]). But He does want salt, which speaks of purity (Colossians 4:6), and frankincense, which is praise to God. What a privilege it is to build a Christian life that brings glory to God!”
The Peace Offerings is also known as the Fellowship Offering. A portion was to be burnt, a portion would be for the priests, and a portion could be eaten by the one who offered the sacrifice (as long as they were clean). It would be as if you were having a meal with the LORD, fellowship together after having made peace…with Him (Leviticus 7:11-21; Deuteronomy 12:5-12).
For a broad overview of the book of Leviticus, here is a helpful resource.
Leviticus 4-5
In this section of Leviticus we have laid out for us the specific sacrifices required under different circumstances for unintentional sin.
Sad to say, but today, most people make light of sin. We shouldn’t.
As we read through the Old Testament Law we see the sacrifices necessary for our sin to be forgiven, the price was paid by the innocent, their blood was shed to the point of death – ultimately symbolizing the eternal blood of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28; Revelation 1:5).
You may have noticed for the first time in the Bible the word “unintentionally” – found 5 times in this section.
Warren Wiersbe points out an important principle on this, “The sin offering was for unintentional sins of ignorance and not for deliberate sins of disobedience. For deliberate sins, God made no provision for a sacrifice (Numbers 15:30–31). All the offender could do was plead the mercy of God (Psalm 51:16–17).”
In other words there was no promised provision for sins committed volitionally, there was only a guarantee of grace for sins committed accidentally. It’s one thing to stumble into sin, it’s quite another thing to go in with eyes wide open. Although we now know, as New Testament Christians, that Jesus has made a way to wash away all of our sins, may we not take that grace lightly, but rather let it be used to keep us from presumptuous sins (Psalm 19:13).
If the anointed priest sinned, his offering was equivalent to the offering required for the whole congregation – both called for a young bull to be killed. To whom much is given, much more is required (Luke 12:48).
If a ruler sinned it was different than if a common person sinned, for leaders are to be examples, called us to be blameless (1 Timothy 3:1-13).
God is a holy God whose commandments are intended to protect His people from harmful behavior, so He lays down the Law. Leviticus 5:1 is an example of what we might call a “sin of silence.” Even the mere touch of something unclean was forbidden (Leviticus 5:2-3). Every thought and every idle word was to be holy (Leviticus 5:4).
Warren Wiersbe, “Sometimes we commit sin by keeping quiet (v. 1), or we may cover up (vv. 2–3) or speak out (v. 4). Our sins may be unintentional, and we may be ignorant of them; but once we know about them, we must come to God for cleansing. Sin is not “deliberate disobedience to a known law.” If we disobey God, we are guilty whether we realize it or not.”
God writes to us that we may not sin, but if we do, He provides a way to be forgiven (see 1 John 2:1). If a person was poor and couldn’t sacrifice a lamb or a kid of the goat, they could bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and if a person couldn’t afford that, God allowed them to bring two quarts of flour – that no one (rich or poor) would be excluded from fellowship with Him.
Leviticus 5:15 speaks to those who sin in ministry, “in regard to the holy things of the Lord.” This is sin under special circumstances – as we’ve seen, God holds such people to higher standards, especially in the practice of the “priesthood.” It’s heartbreaking and harmful when ministers fall – as we read in:
Leviticus 5:16a (NKJV) “And he shall make restitution for the harm that he has done in regard to the holy thing…”
We will later read in:
Leviticus 10:3a (NKJV) “And Moses said to Aaron, ‘This is what the LORD spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified.’’”
Leviticus 6:1-7:27
Moses begins this chapter with the specifics of the trespass offering; what to do in order to make things with right with God if one was guilty of theft or extortion. The difference between the trespass offering and the sin offering primarily consisted in the fact that the day the person brought the offering, they were also to give restitution to the one stolen from, which would be the full value and an additional 20% (Leviticus 6:4-5).
The various offerings were covered previously, in chapters 2 and 3 of Leviticus, but we have more details in this section. You’ll find that in order to get the entire scope of any of the offerings you’ll have to harmonize many passages of Scripture, typically found in the Pentateuch.
Just as the fires never went out in the Tabernacle, may the fires never fade, or go out in our own personal lives.
Leviticus 6:13 (NKJV) “A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.”
2 Timothy 1:6 (AMP) “That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination].”
Am I “on fire” for God?
It’s hard to imagine living life under the Old Covenant but I must admit, the call to holiness as seen in the sacrificial system is overwhelming. Imagine going to church service, volunteering as a minister, or even enjoying a meal in that setting, with the realization that if I was “unclean” – and so much as touched the wrong thing – I could die! I would definitely walk, work, teach, and touch much more carefully.
Leviticus 6:18 (NKJV) “All the males among the children of Aaron may eat it. It shall be a statute forever in your generations concerning the offerings made by fire to the LORD. Everyone who touches them must be holy.’”
Leviticus 7:20 (NKJV) “But the person who eats the flesh of the sacrifice of the peace offering that belongs to the LORD, while he is unclean, that person shall be cut off from his people.”
(See also Leviticus 7:21, 25, 27 – there were many capital offenses)
It should no longer be out of duty, but now out of devotion. It should no longer be fear first, let it now be love – because we love the Lord. The call to holiness should be even stronger now – with more clarity about the cross and cleansing of Christ.
Leviticus 7:28-9:6
Aaron was to be the first High Priest of Israel, an office that would remain in his lineage (the High Priests would be appointed from the sons of Aaron). Leviticus 7:28-38 speaks of the portion of the sacrifice given to Aaron and his sons; here it mentions the breast and the right thigh.
In Leviticus 8 we read of Aaron and his sons set apart for the priesthood. Moses called Aaron and his sons, as well as the entire congregation to meet at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. Moses began by washing them with water (Leviticus 8:6; Ephesians 5:26). He then clothed Aaron with holy garments and gave him the Urim and the Thummim (literally “lights and perfections”). We’re not certain as to the details on the Urim and the Thummim, but we know for certain that they were used to determine the will of the Lord (see also Numbers 27:21; 1 Samuel 28:6; Ezra 2:3). (Got Questions Article)
Moses then anointed Aaron and his sons with the anointing oil; we read in:
Leviticus 8:12 (NKJV) “And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him, to consecrate him.”
Pastor Chuck Smith, “To consecrate something was to set it apart for God’s exclusive use. As priests of God, we too should be consecrated to Him (1 Peter 2:9).”
Warren Wiersbe, “In the Old Testament, God’s people had a priesthood, but in the New Testament, God’s people are a priesthood (1 Peter 2:5, 9). What made the priests acceptable to God? Water (Leviticus 8:6), oil (Leviticus 8:10–12), blood (Leviticus 8:14–29), and garments (Leviticus 8:7–9). We have been washed (Leviticus 1 Corinthians 6:11), anointed by the Spirit (Leviticus 1 John 2:20, 27), redeemed by Christ’s blood (1 Peter 1:18 ff.), and dressed in His righteousness (Isaiah 61:10).”
As Aaron was anointed I’m reminded of the visual description in Psalm 133 that presents Aaron as drenched – or at least dripping with oil:
Psalm 133:2 (NKJV) “It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.”
Moses next brought the sons of Aaron and clothed them in holy garments. He brought the bull, they all laid their hands on it (transferring sin) and it was killed as a sin offering on their behalf; after that there was the burnt offering, followed with the ram of consecration…we read in:
Leviticus 8:23–24 (NKJV) “…and Moses killed it. Also he took some of its blood and put it on the tip of Aaron’s right ear, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. 24 Then he brought Aaron’s sons. And Moses put some of the blood on the tips of their right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. And Moses sprinkled the blood all around on the altar.”
This is another visual of how we need to cleanse and consecrate ourselves in all areas of life – in all that we hear, all that we do, and everywhere we go (our ears, our hands, our feet) (Romans 12:1).
Ellicott, “To teach him that, as the mediator between God and His people, it was his bounden duty to hearken to the commandments of the Lord.”
Ellicott, “To remind him that henceforth he is to execute God’s will, and walk in the way of His commandments.”
Keil & Delitzch, “Before sprinkling the blood upon the altar, Moses put some of it upon the tip of the right ear, upon the right thumb, and upon the great toe of the right foot of Aaron and his sons. Thus he touched the extreme points, which represented the whole, of the ear, hand, and foot on the right, or more important and principal side: the ear, because the priest was always to hearken to the word and commandment of God; the hand, because he was to discharge the priestly functions properly; and the foot, because he was to walk correctly in the sanctuary.”
We get a glimpse of the great grace we need to serve the Lord, especially as His representatives; a high and holy calling. If Aaron and/or his sons took this lightly, they might die (Leviticus 8:35). This was a special day in the nation, and God in His grace was about to “appear” to them, He had made a way to be near them.
Leviticus 9:7-10:20
It’s now time for Aaron the newly appointed High Priest to offer sacrifices, both for himself and on behalf of the nation of Israel. The sin offering, the burnt offering, the grain offering, and the peace offering, were lifted up (as heave offerings) and waved before the LORD (as wave offerings). With the exception of the grain offering, they all included blood.
I’m reminded of the words of the writer of Hebrews:
Hebrews 9:22 (NKJV) “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.”
After that, the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people – what an awesome sight that must have been!
Leviticus 9:24 (NKJV) “…and fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.”
God was pleased – and the people witnessed His wonder.
Moses and Aaron did well in the initial stages of Tabernacle ministry, but it didn’t take long for carelessness to creep in. God was then forced to make an example of Nadab and Abihu. If you put it all together I believe it’s safe to say that Nadab and Abihu had been drinking – this dulled their senses and they were not able to distinguish between what was holy and what was unclean; they therefore offered profane fire before the LORD (Leviticus 10:1, 8-10). I thought it was interesting that the LORD spoke directly to Aaron on this one (Leviticus 10:8). We read the result of Nadab and Abihu’s carelessness:
Leviticus 10:2 (NKJV) “So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.”
Some would liken this to the death of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11 and say that at the onset of these Covenants (Old and New), God had to establish His holiness. God doesn’t usually strike people dead when they sin in such ways, but He does at times, and we need to know how He sees any form of disobedience (worthy of death). A few things to consider: the theme of Leviticus is holiness – – that what we’re studying is the Holy Bible – – and God’s overriding attribute is holiness (Isaiah 6:3).
May I never forget.
Leviticus 10:3 (NKJV) “And Moses said to Aaron, ‘This is what the LORD spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified.’’ So Aaron held his peace.”
I can’t even begin to imagine how difficult it must have been for Aaron, but he was not allowed to outwardly grieve for the death of his sons. He was forced to see and agree with the severity of the sentence. It didn’t mean he did everything with perfection. Apparently he and his other sons didn’t have an appetite that day, and they burnt the offering rather than eat the offering (Leviticus 10:16-20), but God extended grace.
Leviticus 11:1-12:8
There are some who believe that these dietary laws were for the health benefit of the children Israel, and there are even some who still hold to these dietary laws today. But these dietary laws were temporary (Mark 7:14-23; Acts 10:19-18; 1 Timothy 4:1-5), and the civil laws of Israel were not binding for other nations.
Eating or touching the carcass of a dead or unclean animal may indeed spread germs or worse (especially if an animal died from a disease), so concepts of sanitation and protection were intended by God
But…there’s no doubt that there was more to it. Israel was to be holy, they were to be different. Could they surrender every area of their lives to God, even the very food they consumed? Would they be willing to learn God’s Word and distinguish the difference between what is clean and unclean?
Warren Wiersbe said this about this section of Leviticus, “Chapters 11–15 focus on the concept of “clean” and “unclean” in the areas of food (11), birth (12), disease (13–14), and normal bodily functions (15). Although the laws certainly served a practical hygienic purpose, there was also a spiritual principle involved. As God’s people, Israel had to be separated from everything that God called unclean. Other nations might be able to do those things, but the Jews could not (vv. 44–45). Defilement spreads, and one person’s carelessness could affect many people.”
In chapter 12 of Leviticus we have the laws of childbirth – just as the customary flow of blood would make a woman unclean, the blood of childbirth would as well.
I don’t think I can word it any better than Warren Wiersbe as to why there was a 66 day purification period, and 14 days of uncleanness after a daughter was born, as opposed to the 33 and 7 days after a son was born:
Warren Wiersbe, “Is a female child twice as unclean as a male child? Of course not, for there were no degrees of uncleanness. God was giving the mother extra time to care for a daughter in a masculine society that preferred sons. He was also giving her time to recuperate before the next pregnancy. A husband to whom she bore a daughter might be anxious to try again for son.”
When Jesus was born, Joseph and Mary brought two turtledoves, revealing their poverty in the fact that they were not able to bring a more expensive offering (Luke 2:22-24). Yes, Jesus was humble, simple, and poor financially (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Today we are no longer under the Old Covenant, but the call to holiness remains. May we study God’s Word as revealed through His Apostles and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit who gives us all our personal convictions. The call to holiness will never change.
Leviticus 11:44a (NKJV) “For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy.”
Leviticus 11:45 (NKJV) “For I am the LORD who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”
Leviticus 13
Leprosy was a common and extremely feared disease in Bible times, so God gave Israel the guidelines on how to diagnose leprosy and how to ensure it didn’t spread through people or objects.
Halley’s Bible Handbook, “These regulations were for the purpose of controlling the spread of infectious skin diseases, of which the most loathsome and dreaded was leprosy. The word translated “leprosy” in the KJV has a range of meanings, including leprosy, skin disease, and even mildew. Primitive as this approach may seem to us, these simple measures undoubtedly saved many lives.”
It’s interesting that the responsibility regarding leprosy was given to the priest, for over time, leprosy became symbolic of sin (see Isaiah 1:4-6). Not that sin caused leprosy, but it has many parallels, especially the fact that leprosy would often begin by dulling the senses. Sin, like leprosy, makes one unclean, sin is deeper than the skin, and sin spreads in our own lives and often into lives of others. Sin also isolates – it breaks our heart to read the command given to the leper:
Leviticus 13:45–46 (NKJV) “Now the leper on whom the sore is, his clothes shall be torn and his head bare; and he shall cover his mustache, and cry, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ 46 He shall be unclean. All the days he has the sore he shall be unclean. He is unclean, and he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.”
Imagine the horrible life of isolation, forced into a leper colony, outside the city! The leper’s clothes were required to be torn as identification and a constant expression of grief, and if anyone clean came anywhere near the leper, he was required to cry out “unclean, unclean,” while making sure his germs were not spread to others with his hand cuffed over his mouth.
How beautiful the day must have been, when the Messiah arrived, who not only healed the lepers, but touched them compassionately (Matthew 10:8; Mark 1:40-45). Sin ravages, but Jesus is able to heal and cleanse any and all of us from all forms of “leprosy.”
Leviticus 14
Although there was no cure for leprosy, the law gave the procedures to be followed whenever a leper was cleansed/healed. It would be an extremely laborious process.
It required two living and clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop. The priest was to kill one bird in an earthen vessel, rinse it in poured out water (or running water). The priest would then take the other items, including the living bird, and dip them in the blood. He was to sprinkle the blood seven times (the number of completion) on him who was cleansed. The living bird would then be set free. The cleansed man would then wash his clothes, shave off all his hair (including beard and eyebrows), and wash in water. The former leper would then be allowed back into the camp, but not in his tent, quite yet. For after seven days he would do it all again. On the eighth day (number of new beginnings) he would offer a trespass offering, a sin offering, a burnt offering, and a grain offering. The blood of the trespass offering would be used to cleanse the ear, the hand, and the foot of the former leper (cleansing us from those sinful things they’d heard, and done, and places they’d gone). After that, each of these areas of life would be anointed with holy oil.
We all need to be forgiven by God (symbolized by the blood) – and – we all need to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit (symbolized by the oil).
As always, there was consideration and alteration of the laws for the poor (Leviticus 14:21).
For close to 1400 years this portion of the law would never be used. But it wasn’t in vain, for this law was issued with foresight that one day the Messiah would come and heal the lepers.
After one instance of Jesus healing a leper, we read His words to them in:
Matthew 8:4 (NKJV) “And Jesus said to him, ‘See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’”
It would be a testimony to them (the priests). How accountable they were! As the priests followed every intricate step of this lengthy process they would/should be in awe…for who can heal the lepers?
Similar responsibilities were given to the priests to detect mold in homes, which can be extremely hazardous. I can’t help but think of the many homes of families today who need the cleansing power of God, lest they also be destroyed. How’s your home today? I hope you know that Jesus can heal our hearts, as well as our homes (our families).
Leviticus 15:1-16:24
Most teachers believe that verses 1-15 refer to discharges from infections, or perhaps sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, while the other discharges covered in Leviticus 15 are flows from the natural functions of the body.
No doubt sanitation and personal hygiene were factors for these laws, and a woman on her menstrual cycle was protected and granted much needed rest during what would be some difficult days.
All in all, God was setting His people apart with constant reminders of their call to be holy…it would consume their lives. They didn’t have showers or washing machines, and most did not have multiple changes of clothing back then. Imagine the inconvenience of having to wash both body and clothes, and then the requirements of the law in taking your sacrifice to the Tabernacle and the necessity of going through all the meticulous details in order to restore your fellowship with God!
Imagine the heartache of the woman with a flow of blood and therefore unclean for 12 years! No one could touch her or even sit on the same couch as her! With greater appreciation we then read that after all those years, Jesus healed her (Matthew 9:20; Mark 5:25).
O how grateful I am for Jesus who fulfilled the requirements of the Law on our behalf (Matthew 5:17; Colossians 2:14).
Again, we must constantly be reminded in covering these civil laws of Israel, that this type of specific legislation does not apply to us under the New Covenant – but there are principles to glean. How many times have we “touched” or gotten too close to sin? I’m reminded of Paul’s words to the Corinthians:
2 Corinthians 6:17 (NKJV) “Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.’”
Don’t even touch it!
Leviticus 16 covers Yom Kippur, also know as the Day of Atonement. Moses reminded Aaron, who was to relay the message to his sons, that entrance into the Most Holy Place was only allowed once a year and that had to be done right, lest he die.
The Most Holy Place was considered the very presence of God (at times the Ark of the Covenant is spoken of as God’s throne). Only the High Priest could enter into the Most Holy place, only on the Day of Atonement (once a year), and only with the sacrificial blood applied in the proper way. This would cover the sins of the nation for another year.
The Old Testament High Priests were only shadows of the substance – shedding light on the fact that one day Jesus would go before us as the true and eternal High Priest, with His own blood, and make a way for all of us to enter in to the Most Holy Place, by washing away all our sins. We read those words in:
Hebrews 9:11–12 (NKJV) “But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
Jesus’ blood is so strong to forgive, that now you and I who are Christians can actually enter in to the Most Holy Place with boldness! A simple study of the book of Hebrews makes all this completely clear.
Hebrews 4:14–16 (NKJV) “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Leviticus 16:29-18:30
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was the only holy day of Israel in which the people fasted rather than feasted. They were to confess their sins and mourn over them (Leviticus 16:29). They were also commanded not to work on this holy day, but to recognize it as a Sabbath. What an epic day it was!
Leviticus 16:34 (NKJV) “This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the children of Israel, for all their sins, once a year.” And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.”
While the children of Israel were in the wilderness they had a staple diet of Manna, therefore the eating of the meat of animals was not as common. When they DID slaughter an animal for food, the commandment at this point is to bring a portion to the LORD, it was to take place at the Tabernacle and would be a Peace Offering, also known as a Fellowship Offering, where the Lord had a portion, the Priests had a portion, and the person/family offering the sacrifice had a portion.
God also prohibited the offerings of sacrifices anywhere other than the Tabernacle. This was intended to keep all sacrifices pure and in accordance with the Levitical laws, otherwise altars would be built everywhere there were high places and those altars might be used to offer sacrifices to pagan gods (which tragically did eventually happen in Israel).
The diet of Jews (even today in the orthodox community) was to be kosher, they were not allowed to eat/drink the blood. The reasoning is found in:
Leviticus 17:11 (NKJV) “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”
Animals that died “naturally” may have died from disease, so the Lord declared them to be unclean; in Leviticus 22:8 God prohibited its consumption.
In Leviticus 18 the LORD addresses the perverse practices of the Canaanites and commands His people NOT to do what they did – just as God commands Christians not to be conformed to this world (Romans 12:2). May we never forget that right and wrong are not determined by the world’s legislation or cultural relativism – right and wrong is determined by God, our Designer, Maker, and Maintainer who alone knows what is good for us individually and as a society.
God prohibits all forms of incest and sets boundaries in sexual intimacy. If this area of our lives is not surrendered to the Lord, than the depravity of man will lead to a society of corruption. For that reason we see the digression that took place in Canaan. In Leviticus 18:21 we have the prohibition of sacrificing our children to Molech (the abortion of their day).
Got Questions, “In addition to sexual rituals, Moloch worship included child sacrifice, or “passing children through the fire.” It is believed that idols of Moloch were giant metal statues of a man with a bull’s head. Each image had a hole in the abdomen and possibly outstretched forearms that made a kind of ramp to the hole. A fire was lit in or around the statue. Babies were placed in the statue’s arms or in the hole. When a couple sacrificed their firstborn, they believed that Moloch would ensure financial prosperity for the family and future children.” (click HERE for the full article)
After abortion the issue of homosexuality is addressed.
Leviticus 18:22 (NKJV) “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.”
This is not simply an Old Testament prohibition, it is a command repeated in the New Testament and is binding for all today (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Romans 1:26-32). I pray that Christians and especially young people would not buy the lie propagated by the culture that such behavior is acceptable to God. I also pray for anyone reading this who might be struggling in this area. I pray you would know that God loves you, and is able to help you overcome. If you’re considering the Christian life, please know that we ALL are called to deny ourselves, and take up our cross in order to follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). And if you’re interested, here’s a YouTube link that may be helpful for you, from someone who’s been there and was able to overcome.
Sexual immorality. Incest. Abortion. Homosexuality. What’s next? Beastiality (Leviticus 18:23). If we don’t allow God to be the one determining what’s right and wrong, then everyone will do what is right in his or her own eyes…and that’s exactly what happened in Canaan (Leviticus 18:23). For that reason God was forced to judge this land.
Leviticus 18:24–25 (NKJV) “Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you. 25 For the land is defiled; therefore I visit the punishment of its iniquity upon it, and the land vomits out its inhabitants.”
Leviticus 20:22-22:16
Again, the reason the Canaanites were being expelled from the land was that they were guilty of the atrocities mentioned in previous chapters – sins which included incest, homosexuality, abortion, bestiality, sorcery and the like. To make matters worse, these things were done unashamedly. God reminds the Israelites of this, and warns them that if they practiced such things, they too would be vomited from the land.
Leviticus 20:22–23 (NKJV) “You shall therefore keep all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them, that the land where I am bringing you to dwell may not vomit you out. 23 And you shall not walk in the statutes of the nation which I am casting out before you; for they commit all these things, and therefore I abhor them.”
God calls His people to be holy, set apart for Him:
Leviticus 20:26 (NKJV) “And you shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.”
Warren Wiersbe, “Privilege always brings responsibility. If the nation was to be sanctified, the spiritual leaders had to set the example. God had a word for the priests (1–9), the high priest (10–15), and those who could not be priests (16–24).”
The LORD required more from the priests, the sons of Levi – they were to remain clean and undefiled, as they represented God to the people, and the people to God. God was meticulous in His mandates to them, from the bodies they touched, their hair, beards, and brides. Their families were to be holy as well. (Leviticus 21:1-9)
The High Priest was called even “higher.” (Leviticus 21:10-15) The High Priest was not allowed to tear his clothes in grief or touch the bodies of his parents if they passed (this was not the case for the Levites/other priests – Leviticus 21:1-3).
Leviticus 21:16-24 reveals the fact that no man was allowed to serve as High Priest of Israel who had any defects – whatsoever.
Although there are qualifications in the New Covenant for Pastors and Elders, those qualifications deal primarily in character, with the only exception being the Pastor’s gift of teaching (1 Timothy 3:1-12). I thank God for His grace in my life. I happen to be a man with many defects, flaws, and failures, and yet the Lord allows me to be involved in the ministry. (1 Corinthians 15:10)
As an overall summary of the Levitical laws, Halley’s Bible Handbook offers the following:
“These Laws Were the Laws of God – Some of the laws in the Pentateuch are similar to the laws of Hammurabi (from the time of the Patriarchs), with which Moses no doubt was well-acquainted. And though Moses may have been influenced by his Egyptian training and by Babylonian tradition, yet over and over he repeats, “This is what the Lord says!” These laws were not dreamed up by Moses or by a legal think-tank, or arrived at democratically—they were given to Israel by God Himself.
Some of these laws may seem severe to us. But if we could transport ourselves back to Moses’ world and time, they most likely would not seem severe enough. On the whole, the “Law of Moses,” in its insistence on personal morality and personal equality, and in its consideration for old and young, for slave and enemy, for animals and health and food, was far purer, more rational, humane, and democratic than anything else in ancient legislation.
Moses’ Law was designed by God as a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24 KJV), since it showed that no one was able to fully keep the Law. And some of the provisions of the Law were accommodations, “because your hearts were hard” (Matthew 19:8).”
Leviticus 22:1-16 once again emphasizes God’s holiness and His call for leaders in ministry to be holy – and then, with that as a backdrop, He deals with exactly who was allowed to eat of the offerings. You might remember that whenever a person brought an offering to the LORD, a portion of most of those offerings was to be given to the priest, who was allowed to share it with his family, but not with anyone who was unclean or an “outsider.” Anyone who was ineligible or unclean and ate of these offerings was to be put to death.
Leviticus 22:9 (NKJV) “They shall therefore keep My ordinance, lest they bear sin for it and die thereby, if they profane it: I the LORD sanctify them.”
Leviticus 19:1-20:21
We now enter into a variety of laws issued to Israel, knit together with the common thread of theology, that the LORD is their God.
Leviticus 19:2 (NKJV) “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.’”
We repeatedly see throughout this section, God’s clear commands followed by such phrases as, “I am the LORD your God,” (Leviticus 19:10, 25, 34, 36; 20:7 and “I am the LORD,” (Leviticus 19:13, 16, 18, 28, 30, 37).
God’s people are called to consecration, we’re to go against the flow of the world. There is to be an aggressive cooperation between us and the LORD. We consecrate ourselves to God and He sanctifies us to Himself.
Leviticus 20:7–8 (NKJV) “Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God. 8 And you shall keep My statutes, and perform them: I am the LORD who sanctifies you.”
Many of the commandments here are duplicates, and/or give more details to initial demands, while there are some that are new. It doesn’t take a theologian to be able to study these laws and determine which are timeless principles for all, and which are precepts for that day.
In this legislation, God perfectly provided for certain segments of the poor by commanding the reapers not to glean all of the harvest, but to allow the poor to follow after them (Leviticus 19:9-10). This makes a respectable way for the poor to be fed, but it wasn’t just handouts. There’s a difference between the poor who can’t work due to disability and the poor who won’t work due to laziness.
Isn’t it interesting the way God sees the value of correction? We read in:
Leviticus 19:17 (NKJV) “You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.”
We are to love the LORD and love our neighbor:
Leviticus 19:18 (NKJV) “…you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.”
We are to revere our parents (Leviticus 19:3) and give honor to the elderly (Leviticus 19:32)
There are many warnings and commandments against any type of divination, soothsayings, sorcery, or mediums (Leviticus 19:26, 31) in the Scriptures. God knows the damage this does, how this type of activity opens doors to demons. Over the years I’ve seen many people oppressed by darkness due to drugs, fortune tellers, mediums, santeria, or astrology.
People often ask me about tattoos and I usually respond by saying it’s not a full-on green light, or a never, ever red-light…it’s more of a yellow light – caution. Sure, the prohibition is not repeated in the New Testament, but such a decision should be bathed in prayer over time. What do you want to permanently put on your body (which is God’s body)? Why? If a young person is still living under their parent’s roof, they must abide by their parents personal conviction. To be honest, I may have gotten a tattoo by now, but my wife doesn’t have a peace about it, and I completely understand. Over the years I’ve seen godly people who love the Lord, get tattoos that honor the Lord, and I’ve seen godly people respectfully disagree on this issue. Let’s make sure not to judge others on this (Romans 14:4) for we all know, that God doesn’t focus on the outside, He’s much more concerned with the inside.
Leviticus 20:22-22:16
Again, the reason the Canaanites were being expelled from the land was that they were guilty of the atrocities mentioned in previous chapters – sins which included incest, homosexuality, abortion, bestiality, sorcery and the like. To make matters worse, these things were done unashamedly. God reminds the Israelites of this, and warns them that if they practiced such things, they too would be vomited from the land.
Leviticus 20:22–23 (NKJV) “You shall therefore keep all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them, that the land where I am bringing you to dwell may not vomit you out. 23 And you shall not walk in the statutes of the nation which I am casting out before you; for they commit all these things, and therefore I abhor them.”
God calls His people to be holy, set apart for Him:
Leviticus 20:26 (NKJV) “And you shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.”
Warren Wiersbe, “Privilege always brings responsibility. If the nation was to be sanctified, the spiritual leaders had to set the example. God had a word for the priests (1–9), the high priest (10–15), and those who could not be priests (16–24).”
The LORD required more from the priests, the sons of Levi – they were to remain clean and undefiled, as they represented God to the people, and the people to God. God was meticulous in His mandates to them, from the bodies they touched, their hair, beards, and brides. Their families were to be holy as well. (Leviticus 21:1-9)
The High Priest was called even “higher.” (Leviticus 21:10-15) The High Priest was not allowed to tear his clothes in grief or touch the bodies of his parents if they passed (this was not the case for the Levites/other priests – Leviticus 21:1-3).
Leviticus 21:16-24 reveals the fact that no man was allowed to serve as High Priest of Israel who had any defects – whatsoever.
Although there are qualifications in the New Covenant for Pastors and Elders, those qualifications deal primarily in character, with the only exception being the Pastor’s gift of teaching (1 Timothy 3:1-12). I thank God for His grace in my life. I happen to be a man with many defects, flaws, and failures, and yet the Lord allows me to be involved in the ministry. (1 Corinthians 15:10)
As an overall summary of the Levitical laws, Halley’s Bible Handbook offers the following:
“These Laws Were the Laws of God – Some of the laws in the Pentateuch are similar to the laws of Hammurabi (from the time of the Patriarchs), with which Moses no doubt was well-acquainted. And though Moses may have been influenced by his Egyptian training and by Babylonian tradition, yet over and over he repeats, “This is what the Lord says!” These laws were not dreamed up by Moses or by a legal think-tank, or arrived at democratically—they were given to Israel by God Himself.
Some of these laws may seem severe to us. But if we could transport ourselves back to Moses’ world and time, they most likely would not seem severe enough. On the whole, the “Law of Moses,” in its insistence on personal morality and personal equality, and in its consideration for old and young, for slave and enemy, for animals and health and food, was far purer, more rational, humane, and democratic than anything else in ancient legislation.
Moses’ Law was designed by God as a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24 KJV), since it showed that no one was able to fully keep the Law. And some of the provisions of the Law were accommodations, “because your hearts were hard” (Matthew 19:8).”
Leviticus 22:1-16 once again emphasizes God’s holiness and His call for leaders in ministry to be holy – and then, with that as a backdrop, He deals with exactly who was allowed to eat of the offerings. You might remember that whenever a person brought an offering to the LORD, a portion of most of those offerings was to be given to the priest, who was allowed to share it with his family, but not with anyone who was unclean or an “outsider.” Anyone who was ineligible or unclean and ate of these offerings was to be put to death.
Leviticus 22:9 (NKJV) “They shall therefore keep My ordinance, lest they bear sin for it and die thereby, if they profane it: I the LORD sanctify them.”
Leviticus 22:17-23:44
This section begins with God communicating to the children of Israel that they were not to offer to God their “leftovers.” Their sacrifices were to be without blemish and without defect. We read in:
Leviticus 22:20–21 (NKJV) “Whatever has a defect, you shall not offer, for it shall not be acceptable on your behalf. 21 And whoever offers a sacrifice…it must be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no defect in it.”
The children of Israel were commanded not to offer the bruised, or crushed, or torn, or cut (Leviticus 22:24). Imagine you had a lamb that was on it’s last leg, on the verge of dying, so when it’s time for a sin offering you figure, “Well that one’s almost gone anyways…” and you give it to God lackadaisically instead of sacrificially. We can digress into that kind of giving to God – instead of donating a new couch to the church, we donate the used couch. Instead of giving to God first, we give to God the leftovers. Let’s resolve to give to God the “fat of the firstborn,” and the “best of the best.”
When the children of Israel fell far away from God, He rebuked the leaders for this very thing, something addressed in Malachi 1:6-14. We read some specifics:
Malachi 1:8 (NKJV) “‘And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?’ Says the LORD of hosts.”
Malachi 1:13–14 (NKJV) “You also say, ‘Oh, what a weariness!’ And you sneer at it,” says the LORD of hosts. “And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?” says the LORD. 14 “But cursed be the deceiver who has in his flock a male, and takes a vow, but sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished—for I am a great King,” says the LORD of hosts, ‘And My name is to be feared among the nations.’”
Leviticus 23 covers the 7 Holy Days of Israel (Feast Days)
Warren Wiersbe has a simple breakdown of the 7 Holy Days and their symbolism:
1. Passover – Christ, the Lamb, who died for us. John 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7
2. Unleavened Bread – The Christian life of fellowship, separation from sin, and feeding on Christ. 1 Cor. 5:6–8
3. Firstfruits – The Resurrection of Christ. 1 Cor. 15:20–23
4. Pentecost – The Coming of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:1ff.
5. Trumpets – The Gathering together of God’s people. Isa. 27:12–13; Matt. 24:29–31; 1 Thess. 4:13–18
6. Day of Atonement – The future cleansing of God’s people. Zech. 13:1–2; Rom. 14:10
7. Tabernacles – The future joy of God’s people in His kingdom. Zech. 14:16–21
If you’d like an inexpensive but solid resource on this I would highly recommend Rose Publishing’s, “Feast of the Bible” laminated handout.
Here’s a link to the item on Amazon:
And here’s a chart that I’ve previously share with you that I’ve found to be very helpful:
Leviticus 24:1-25:46
The LORD spoke to Moses, instructing him to command the children of Israel to bring pure oil of pressed olives to keep the light in the lampstand of the tabernacle burning perpetually. Although this was a very specific and practical contribution, I’ve also seen it symbolically as the prayers of the people. I like to connect it to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Gethsemane means “olive press”) and it was there where Jesus frequently prayed. I believe that as God’s people faithfully pray, the light keeps shining and the anointing remains on the congregation – the lampstand burns continually.
Then there’s the showbread, symbolizing the 12 Tribes of Israel…always in the presence of God. It’s good to know that although there may be times when God seems silent, He is never, ever absent. We are ALWAYS in His presence!
It’s hard for us to imagine the death penalty for someone who blasphemed the name of God with his lips in a moment of anger, but that’s only because we’ve drifted so far from the utmost honor God deserves. Today we no longer have this law, but we should have the utmost reverence for God’s holy name. It should break our hearts when we hear people take God’s name in vain. Jesus taught us to pray in:
Matthew 6:9 (NKJV) ”In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.”
The legislation of Leviticus 24:17-21 are laws of pure justice. Jesus taught us that although it may be practiced and legislated in a society, it’s not to be practiced personally (Matthew 5:38-42).
In Leviticus 25 we have the laws of the Sabbath for the land. God commanded the children of Israel to work the land agriculturally for 6 years, but then to take the 7th year off. This would be good, not only for their own rest, but also for the soil, and even the animals. God promised to provide for the people – if only they trusted Him.
Unfortunately when the children of Israel were given the land they never practiced this commandment to give the land rest (they were greedy and refused to trust God). This was one of the reasons they were taken away into captivity, we read in:
2 Chronicles 36:20–21 (NKJV) “And those who escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon, where they became servants to him and his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia, 21 to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths. As long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years.
They had been clearly warned (see Leviticus 26:33-35).
God’s commands are to be obeyed; rest and trust are important to Him because He loves us. God help us to be hard workers, yes, but not disobedient workaholics.
Then there’s the Year of Jubilee, which was to be celebrated every 50th year. In that year, not only was the land to rest, but any land that had been sold was to be returned to the original owners.
When the children of Israel were given the land, each tribe inherited property that was to remain in the “family.” If a family experienced financial difficulties they were allowed to sell the land, but in order to make sure it didn’t get too far and over time create an economic imbalance in the nation, it was to be returned to the tribe of its original inheritance. (exceptions were made for “city property” – land within walled cities).
Warren Wiersbe, “There was an economic purpose, for God had a concern for the poor and afflicted (vv. 25, 35, 39, 47). Had Israel obeyed the law of the Year of Jubilee, it would have helped to balance the economy, and the rich would have had difficulty exploiting the poor.”
And then there’s slavery. Got Questions answers a common misunderstanding about Biblical slavery:
“The Bible does not specifically condemn the practice of slavery. It gives instructions on how slaves should be treated (Deuteronomy 15:12-15; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 4:1), but does not outlaw slavery altogether. Many see this as the Bible condoning all forms of slavery. What many fail to understand is that slavery in biblical times was very different from the slavery that was practiced in the past few centuries in many parts of the world. The slavery in the Bible was not based exclusively on race. People were not enslaved because of their nationality or the color of their skin. In Bible times, slavery was based more on economics; it was a matter of social status. People sold themselves as slaves when they could not pay their debts or provide for their families. In New Testament times, sometimes doctors, lawyers, and even politicians were slaves of someone else. Some people actually chose to be slaves so as to have all their needs provided for by their masters.”
Leviticus 25:47-27:13
The law of the Kinsman Redeemer meant that anyone in the family (a kinsman, relative) could redeem land or even a loved one. This is pictured beautifully in the book of Ruth which depicts a glorious prophecy of the way Jesus redeemed the church.
The laws of blessing and cursing are given in Leviticus 26 – the Israelites couldn’t say that God didn’t make it perfectly clear, He would bless obedience, and He would punish disobedience.
Leviticus 26:3-4a (NKJV) “‘If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them, 4 then I will…”
…give you rain, fruit, peace in the land; I will rid the land of evil beasts, chase your enemies, look on you favorably, multiply you, set my Tabernacle among you…and ultimately the beautiful promise of v. 12:
Leviticus 26:12 (NKJV) “I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.”
But then there’s the other “promise”:
Leviticus 26:14–16a (NKJV) “But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, 15 and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant, 16 I also will do this to you…”
The list of chastening is vast, leading ultimately to expulsion from the land if the Jews persisted in defiant disobedience – but by the grace of God and His covenant relationship, they would not be utterly cast away.
It’s important for us to keep in mind that this is the Old Covenant and not the New. Although God still promises to bless obedience today, the blessings are not ultimately of this world, the health, wealth, and prosperity are primarily in the world to come (in heaven) they are eternal.
Of course, God is always ready to pardon and restore (Leviticus 26:40-43)
Warren Wiersbe summarized the chapter as follows:
Covenant (1–13). God used the word covenant eight times in this chapter. It reminded the people of their special relationship with Him and the responsibilities belonging to that relationship. If they obeyed the terms of the covenant, they would remain in the Promised Land and enjoy His blessings. God does not promise material success to His new covenant people today, but He does promise to be with us and meet our every need.
Chastening (14–39). God’s covenant included both blessing and chastening, for God will not share His goodness with rebellious children. Enjoying the gifts while insulting the Giver is both selfish and idolatrous. We should obey God, not to “deserve” His blessings or even to avoid His chastenings, but to show our love to Him and our desire to please His heart.
Confession (40–46). A gracious God always leaves the door open for restoration. That is one loving purpose of His chastening hand (Heb. 12:1–13). The people may break their promises to God (v. 15), but God will never break His promises to His people (v. 44). God forgets our sins but remembers His covenant! This is not an excuse for sin, but it is an encouragement for sinners to repent and return to the Lord.
Leviticus 27 begins with the valuation of vows, a bit easier for me to understand in the New Living Translation:
Leviticus 27:1–2 (NLT) “The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. If anyone makes a special vow to dedicate someone to the LORD by paying the value of that person.”
Leviticus 27:14-34
Warren Wiersbe explains this chapter in context, “If you have ever found it difficult or impossible to fulfill a promise, the message of this chapter is for you. In a moment of extreme joy or trial, a Jew might make a vow to God, offering to give Him something valuable in return for His blessing. (See Judges 11:29–40; Jonah 2:9.) The vow might involve people (vv. 1–8), animals (vv. 9–13, 26–27), property (vv. 14–25), or produce (vv. 30–33).
If the person could not fulfill the vow, he was not permitted to back out, nor could he offer a cheaper substitute. He had to give the priest the equivalent in money, plus one-fifth more. This chapter tells the priest how to evaluate the gift so that the Lord would receive the right amount, for the money was used for the work of the sanctuary. The word valuation is used nineteen times.”
Even today, when a congregant offers non-monetary donations to the Lord through the church, our administration team is required to give an approximate valuation for tax purposes. Leviticus continues with laws in this area, although this wasn’t for tax credit, the value was to be determined, the valuation of a house, or a field, etc., and what to do if the person wanted to purchase it back, or revoke their vow (add 20%). There was even specifics on how to navigate through all of this considering the Year of Jubilee.
It was possible for a person to donate their land permanently to the Lord – to be used by the priests, but if it was a property purchased outside of the family Tribe and then donated…in the Year of Jubilee the land would be returned to the original family.
The firstborn was to be dedicated to the Lord or redeemed, after all, the Jews were spared their firstborn in their redemption from Egypt, and the day would come when God would give His Firstborn, His only Son in redemption for us. (Colossians 1:15 – not that Jesus was created or born, but Jesus functioned with the right of the Firstborn).
The book of Leviticus ends aptly:
Leviticus 27:34 (NKJV) “These are the commandments which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel on Mount Sinai.”