Leviticus continues exactly where Exodus ends. After God had led the Israelites out of Egypt, they came and camped at Mount Sinai. It is here that these laws takes effect, during the first month of the second year after they left Egypt. The book of Leviticus is all about laws, sacrifices, and ceremonies. For the Israelites, these laws instruct them to be different than the surrounding nations, showing that God values all life. The true message of these laws is to be holy because God is Holy.
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Important Themes
The first half of Leviticus is about proper worship while the second half is about walking with God.
Leviticus starts off by giving a description of the sacrifices the Israelites were to give. These sacrifices point to Jesus and our need for a savior. The Israelites had to make sacrifices day after day to atone for their sins, but we have Jesus who offered Himself one time to take away the sins of the world (Hebrews 10:11-12).
We are then shown how Arron and his sons were to be set apart so that they could serve God as priests, having to first be cleansed with water, make sacrifices to atone for their sins, stay in the tabernacle for seven days to be consecrated to God, and make additional sacrifices to again atone for their sins and the sins of the people.
Why is the Law so confusing?
The Israelites had just left the Egyptian culture after being held in slavery for 400 years, and now they were on their way to the promised land, residing near Canaanites. In giving the law, God was giving the Israelites a set of guidelines on how to live. This was to protect them from falling into pagan rituals and beliefs, but also to help them live in community with one another.
When reading Leviticus, it is important to remember that although the law is no longer written for us to follow {because we are under the New Covenant given by Jesus} the law is still God’s written word given to us. In the law we can clearly see God’s love for His people as He sets them apart and calls them to be holy.
The 5 W’s of Leviticus
Who wrote Leviticus
The book of Leviticus was written by Moses, who wrote the first five books of the Bible, known as the Torah.
What it’s about
Leviticus gives laws on proper worship and how to be holy before God.
When it was written
The Book of Leviticus was written in the 15th Century BC, and took place in the first month of the second year after the Exodus.
Where the story takes place
The book of Leviticus takes place in the wilderness at the foot of Mount Sinai, where the Israelites were camped while waiting to enter the promised land.
Why Leviticus is important to study
God provided a way for the Israelites to be cleansed through the shedding of blood. This was to be a shadow of what was to come in Jesus.
How God demonstrates His character to us through Leviticus
God gave the Israelites many specifics regarding sacrifice and proper worship. In following these examples, the Israelites were showing God that they had truly repentant hearts and wanted to have a relationship with Him.
In Leviticus you will find:
The five offerings the Israelites were to give {Leviticus 1-7}
Rules for the Priests {Leviticus 8-10}
Cleanliness and purification {Leviticus 11-15}
Atonement and righteous living {Leviticus 16-20}
Rules for Priests {Leviticus 21-22}
The appointed festivals {Leviticus 23}
Other laws for walking with God {Leviticus 24-27}
In case you missed the beginning of the story, you can read all about an introduction to Exodus here!
