The Strand Study Bible

LEVITICUS

Author : Moses (Ezra 6:18, Mt 8:4 and Rom 10:5) Theme : How to Stay Right with God (via scheduling spiritual activity in your life) Book’s Main Character : Moses (Moses is referred to 101 times in the New Testament)

About the Author : Moses, whose name means “to draw out,” was born into slavery in Egypt c. 1568 BC. He was born approxi- mately 64 years after Joseph’s death (1632 BC). Moses’ first forty years were spent training in Pharaoh’s Court. His second forty years were spent tending sheep in the wilderness of Midian. And his third and last forty years were spent teaching God’s people His ways on the way to Canaan (called the Promised Land). Moses died before the children of Israel entered Canaan (1448 BC - Deut 34:5). About the Book : The name of the book Leviticus comes from the name Levi, who was one of the twelve sons of Jacob and who constitutes one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Levi is the priestly tribe and the book of Leviticus outlines the duties of their priesthood. According to Numbers 3:12,41,45, the Levites were set apart in lieu of the First Born sons and were to be supported by the tithes of God’s people (Num 18:21-24). They were given no inheritance, only 48 cities in which they were to live (Num 35:7). Aaron and his sons were set apart within the tribe of Levi to be the priests. The rest of the Levites were to be the assistants to those priests (Num 4 and I Chro 23). The children of Israel had been at Sinai for 9½ months (from June 15, 1487 BC to April 1, 1486 BC, i.e., from Exo 19-40) when the LORD instructed Moses to write Leviticus. This took place the day the Tabernacle was reared up (Exo 40:16-38). For 9½ months the LORD had instructed Moses concerning the Law (Exo 20-24) and the Tabernacle (Exo 25-40). Now it was time to provide legislation as to what type of offerings the people were to sacrifice (Lev 1-7). The purpose of Leviticus was to teach the people of God how to stay holy for God. Whereas “getting right” with God meant offering a sacrifice ( Lev 1:2 ), “staying right” with God meant keeping the seven feasts ( Lev 23:2 ). The book of Leviticus covers less than one month (from the end of March 1487 BC to the end of April 1486 BC). Notes of Interest : 1. Leviticus is quoted in the NT 23 times.

2. Prophecies are referred to 1 time in Leviticus (Lev 20:24). 3. There are no inset maps used in the book of Leviticus . 1. The five ceremonial offerings (Lev 1-7) 2. The consecration of Aaron and his sons (Lev 8-10) 3. Governing laws (Lev 11-22) 4. The seven ceremonial Feasts (Lev 23) 5. More governing laws (Lev 24-27) Leviticus 1 The burnt offering (Picturing CHRIST as our “dedicated” sin

Outline of Leviticus :

2 Speak unto the children of Israel , and say unto them , If 3 any man of you bring an OFFERING unto the LORD , ye shall bring your offering of the cattle , even of the herd , and of the flock . 3 If his offering be a BURNTSACRIFICE of the herd , let him offer a 4 male 5 without blemish : he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD .

1. Exo 3:4 & 19:3,20 2. Exo 40:17,34-35 3. that is, “ any man who is rich enough to offer cattle” 4. Phil 2:7-8

bearer and sufferer - Heb 10:5-14) Date - Apr 1st, 1486 BC/AM 2514

1 And the LORD 1 called unto Moses, and spake unto him 2 out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, Upper class offering (Herd – cattle, bullock, ox)

5. I Pet 1:18 & II Cor 5:21 & Heb 9:14

1:2 All Old Testament “offerings” point forward to and are a type of the sacrifice of CHRIST ( Gen 3:21 and Heb 9:6-15). Offerings were of two kinds: (1) animal (Lev 1,3-5); and (2) vegetable (Lev 2 and Num 6). And the giving of offerings was required of God’s people for two reasons. God was hoping to teach His people to be: 1. grateful enough to retain daily fellowship (voluntary offerings: burnt, meal, peace offerings - Lev 1-3) 2. thankful enough to restore damaged fellowship (mandatory offerings: sin and trespass offerings - Lev 4-5) The key to a healthy and productive Christian life is a clear understanding of CHRIST’S sacrifice. God knew that seeing JESUS in accordance to His sacrifice would change a Christian’s perspective on life for the rest of his life (Lk 24:13-27). Hebrews 12:2 says: Seeing CHRIST , as both the AUTHOR and FINISHER of our faith (via the offerings), will change the way we view walk with God forever. According to the book of Leviticus, there were five different offerings that God’s people were asked to offer. Three were voluntary (burnt, meal, and peace) and two were mandatory (sin and trespass). NOTE – Whereas the voluntary offerings (he burnt, meal, and peace offerings - Lev 1-3) were offered to God out of appreciation (gratefulness) for what the Lord had done for them when He saved them out of Egypt (Exo 13:21-22) and were used to 244 Looking unto Jesus the AUTHOR and FINISHER of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.