Leviticus 17 "Life In The Blood"

“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.” (v.11)

God agreed here that there was spiritual significance in the blood of an animal or person. The difference was that among pagans, they said: “The life is in the blood; I must eat or drink it and take that life for myself.” The godly Israelite said, “The life of the flesh is in the blood, and it therefore belongs to God and not to me.” This emphasized a powerful idea: life belongs to God. God sets His face against that person who takes authority over life for themselves. Life depends on blood, is preserved by blood, and is nourished by blood. When enough blood leaves a body, life leaves a body. 

Additionally blood was the means by which atonement was made, and God stipulated that the blood of an innocent lamb could atone for sin. When Jesus Christ began his ministry, He was introduced (by John the Baptist) not as the Prince of Peace or the Messiah of Old, but as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world."

The Passover Lamb of Exodus 12 was a prophetic, divinely-appointed foreshadowing - a type of the coming Christ. And when Jesus Christ died, the life-giving blood drained from his body, providing forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe. Thus making atonement possible for all mankind with one sacrifice. 

The Truth: “Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” (1 Peter 1:18-19)

Leviticus 16 “The Day of Atonement”

"This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the children of Israel, for all their sins, once a year" (v.34)

This chapter contains the instructions given concerning the observance of the Day of Atonement. This was in many ways the greatest day in the religious year of the Hebrew people, for this was the most important religious rite in the whole economy. 

On that day, the High Priest entered into the Holy of Holies and made atonement (blood of a bullock) for himself and his family before that of the people. Once he was cleansed, the Sin offering for the people was made consisting of two goats. The goat on which the lot of the Lord fell was slain as a Sin offering, and the High Priest entered into the Holy of Holies, sprinkling its blood on the Mercy-Seat and before the Mercy-Seat seven times, as he had done with the blood of the bullock. The other goat was the scapegoat, and over its head Aaron confessed the sins of all the people, putting them upon the head of the goat, and sent it away by the hand of a ''fit man'' into the wilderness. 

Jesus Christ became our sacrificial lamb that we (the scapegoat) might be set free from our sin. His death is the new covenant's answer to the Day of Atonement under the old covenant. 

The Truth: “All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)

Leviticus 15 “Hidden Uncleanliness”

One of the issues this chapter addresses is hidden uncleanness. This speaks of the sins we are able to camouflage or hide from others.

It discusses abnormal male and female conditions, possibly the result of an illness or sexually transmitted disease and the appropriate procedures for hygiene under normal circumstances in that time period. While these conditions are dealt with medically today, the reasons for contacting them have not changed. 

The laws given to Moses here were meant for the protection of the people, the tabernacle, and future generations. The general principle was that when the unclean comes into contact with the clean, it is the clean that is made unclean. This principle was completely reversed in the person and work of Jesus the Messiah. When Jesus – who was “clean” in every sense – touched an unclean person, He made them clean. They never made Him unclean. It was the individual's faith in Him that cleansed both their body and their soul. 

How shall a young man cleanse his way David asked. By taking heed to the Word.” (Psalm 119:9) Paul reminds us, “We are washed by the water which is the Word.” (Ephesians 5) Jesus declared in John 15:3, “Now ye are clean by the Word I have spoken unto you.” There is a washing, a cleansing from spiritual disease as we drink of the Scriptures. His word will protect us from the infection of lustful thoughts and a host of other diseases, which we think no one sees. Like the woman in Mark 5, all one needs to be healed is the faith to reach out and touch the Lord in prayer. For those who do, the refreshing news is: "Your faith has made you well." 

If you would like to be cleansed, made clean from your sin, simply believe in your heart that Jesus can make you clean, and pray the prayer found to the right on this page "Connect With God," and He will make you clean. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." (Isaiah 1:18)

God Bless you all. 

The Truth: Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed." (Mark 1:40-42) 

Leviticus 14 "Leprosy" (Pt.2)

 In chapter 13 we looked at the leper and the characteristics of leprosy. Now in chapter 14 the focus changes to rituals on the "cleansing" of the leper. The examination by the priest (vv.1-3), the sacrifice required (vv.4-7), the instructions on the seven days of cleansing of the lepers body (vv.8-9), and finally  the eighth day rituals (vv.10-32). 

On the eighth day from the start of the rituals upon the cleansing of a leper, the leper brought three lambs (two male and one female), along with flour and oil for sacrifice. This was a considerable expense, and since most lepers were not prosperous (the disease was isolating from the community and normally lasted a long time), a provision was made for the poor leper (vv.21-32).

As we saw back in chapter 13, it was the priest who declared a leper clean or unclean (13:3, 13:6, 13:8, 13:11, 13:13, 13:17, 13:20). It is in this sense that the priest “made” a leper clean; by judging his condition in light of God’s revealed instructions (His Word). Even though this leper had been declared physically clean, there was still cleansing to be done. Lepers still had to follow the sacrifices and rituals (which pointed to the perfect work of the Messiah to come) before they would be declared spiritually clean by the priest through the blood of the sin offering (a foreshadowing of Jesus' sacrificial death for all).

Since leprosy is a picture of sin, we see how this ritual has spiritual application to every sinner that Jesus cleanses, restores, and sets free. As the Apostle wrote, "We are bought with the price of His precious blood, and should therefore glorify God with our bodies." (1 Corinthians 6:20). And later in the Book of Ephesians chapter 2 Paul writes, "we were all dead in our transgressions and sins, but God who is rich in mercy made us alive in Christ." Hallelujah! 

The Truth: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our LORD." (Romans 6:23)

 

Leviticus 13 "LEPROSY"

In chapter 11 we looked at the laws of purity regarding the eating of animals. In chapter 12, the laws of purity regarding childbirth were given. Now here in chapters 13 and also 14, we have laws regarding growths and sores on the skin, walls, and fabrics which were investigated for the presence of leprosy. Here in chapter 13 the focus is on the leper and the characteristics of leprosy. In ancient times, this disease was very contagious and incurable. Because of this, Leprosy was dealt with very seriously. It was also a dramatic picture of sin and its spiritual operation in human beings.

When leprosy first appears on a victim’s skin, it begins as small, red spots. Before too long they get bigger, start to turn white, having a shiny or scaly appearance. Soon the spots spread over the entire body and the hair begins to fall out – first from the head, then even from the eyebrows. As things get worse, the fingernails and toenails become loose; they start to rot and eventually fall off. Then the joints of fingers and toes begin to rot and start to fall off piece by piece. In the mouth, the gums start shrinking and are unable to hold teeth, so several teeth are often lost. Leprosy keeps eating away at the face until the nose is literally gone, and the palate and even eyes rot – and the victim wastes away until death.

Leprosy is like sin in many ways. It begins as nothing, and is painless in its first stages while growing slowly. It often remits for a while and then returns to eventually numb the senses until one cannot feel its effects. Leprosy, like sin, causes decay and deformity in our lives until it eventually gives a person a marked appearance. Spurgeon wrote that, “Every man by nature is like a leper, loathsome in his person, infected in all his actions and in all that he does; he is incapable of fellowship with God’s people, and he is shut out utterly and entirely by his sin from the presence and acceptance of God.” 

Today, we can get leprosy of the soul if we are not careful. It can start as a secrete unseen thing and grows to the point where it takes over our lives – leaving us feeling separated, cut off from God’s presents, unclean. Therefore, protect yourself from the slow moving, numbness found in leprosy of the soul. Look to the Lord. He can heal you completely. 

"There came in the fulness of time One Who could not only look at, but touch the leper – One Who could cure (Mark 1:40-45). That is also the story of His dealing with sin.” (Morgan)

The Truth: "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7)

Leviticus 12 "Cerrimonial Purification"

 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘If a woman has conceived, and borne a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days; as in the days of her customary impurity she shall be unclean. And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. She shall then continue in the blood of her purification thirty-three days. She shall not touch any hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary until the days of her purification are fulfilled." (vv.1-4)

After the laws concerning clean and unclean food in Ch.11, we come to the laws concerning clean and unclean persons. Chapter 12 speaks of the ceremonial purification of women, after childbirth.

The mother of a boy was ceremonially unclean for a seven days, at the end of which the child was circumcised as God commanded Abraham that his male covenant descendants (through Isaac and Jacob) should be circumcised when eight days old (Genesis 17:12). This was a sign of the covenant God made with Abraham and his covenant descendants (Genesis 17:11). The mother would then continue her purification for an additional thirty three days for a total of 40 days of ceremonial impurity after giving birth to a male child.

There were several reasons for this, but one important reason was to give an Israelite mother an ancient equivalent to the modern maternity leave. Here ceremonial uncleanness relieved her of many social obligations. Mothers welcomed these days of rest, seclusion, and bonding with the newborn. Mary, the mother of Jesus, also fulfilled these days of purification (Luke 2:22-24). It was on this occasion that Simeon (Luke 2:25-35) and Anna (Luke 2:36-38) met Jesus and His family and spoke their words of blessing and thanks. When Mary gave birth to Jesus, she was not responsible for bringing a sinner into the world. Nevertheless, Jesus identified with sinful humanity – even as an infant.

Our text goes on to say that, if she (a mother) bears a female child, then she shall be unclean two weeks (v.5): The time period for each phase was double what was required when giving birth to a son. For the birth of a daughter, a woman was unclean for 14 days followed by 66 days. A mother of a female child then received double of the ancient equivalent of maternity leave.

Finally, when the days of her purification were fulfilled, whether for a son or a daughter, the mother shall bring to the priest a lamb of the first year as a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove as a sin offering, to the door of the tabernacle of meeting (vv.6-7). Then the priest shall offer it before the LORD, and make atonement for her. And she shall be clean from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who has borne a male or a female.

God knew that not every family in Israel could afford to bring a lamb for sacrifice at the birth of a child. Therefore, He also allowed the lesser sacrifices of two turtledoves or two young pigeons. When the Lord Jesus was born, Mary (and Joseph) brought a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons” (Luke 2:22-24). This not only emphasizes the poverty of Mary and Joseph, but it also shows that Mary did not consider herself to be sinless.

Today, we are still all born in sin (Psalm 51:5), but no longer is there a need for a ceremonial purification of sacrifice, because Jesus paid it all through His sacrificial death on the cross. His blood covers our sin, His blood cleanses our impurities. 

The Truth: “You were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” (1 Peter 1:18-19)

Leviticus 11 "The Purpose Of God's Dietary Laws"

For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth. 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. “This is the law of the animals and the birds and every living creature that moves in the waters, and of every creature that creeps on the earth, to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, and between the animal that may be eaten and the animal that may not be eaten.’” (vv.44-47)

Some Christians believe we are under obligation to observe these dietary laws of clean and unclean animals today. This is not true. First, these laws were specifically given to the children of Israel (verse 2). Second, this issue was settled once and for all at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15. There, it was determined that obedience to the laws of Moses was not required of the followers of Jesus. So, as Paul wrote in Colossians 2:16: So let no one judge you in food or in drink.

Paul also explained that for Christians, there is danger in legalistically declaring some foods forbidden for others: Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrine of demons…commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:1, 3-5)

Some people live under bondage when it comes to food; they are addicted to eating certain foods that aren’t helpful for them. The principle of 1 Corinthians 6:12 teaches us that it is wise to eat what is helpful to us, and we should not be under the power of what we eat: All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Certainly, many would benefit from the attitude of self-denial and bodily discipline Paul spoke of in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

Yet, apart from these considerations, Christians are free to eat or not eat whatever they please – and no one should think themselves more right with God because they eat or don’t eat certain things. As Romans 14:14 says: I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

The Truth: "Whatever therefore you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Leviticus 10 “Consuming Fire”

“And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.” (vv.1-2)

Exactly what the "strange fire" offered by Nadab and Abihu may have been is not explained. This sudden judgment upon Aaron's sons, however, stresses the critical importance of adherence to God's Word, especially by those called to special service on behalf of the LORD. 

In some way, they had failed to obey God's commands in connection with their priestly service. Therefore, God judged them as an example and warning against spiritual presumption on the part of any of His people.

One lesson for all of us who are "priests" (every believer) in the modern church is that we dare not draw near to God with a casual or careless attitude! Scripture reminds us that, “the LORD our God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” (Deut.4:24) Yahweh is a holy and jealous God, and has the righteous right to consume those who profane His glory. 

The Truth: Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a “consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29)

Leviticus 9 “The Priestly Ministry Begins”

“And he (Moses) said to Aaron, Take you a young calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before the LORD." (v.2)

The seven days of consecration being now over, Aaron for the first time offers a sin offering and burnt offering for himself, and a sin offering, a burnt offering, a peace offering, and a meat offering, for the congregation. 

As the sacrifices were carried out by Aaron in the manner prescribed by God and given to Moses, fire comes down from heaven and consumes the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar. When the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces and worshiped God (v.24). This was a clear signal that God had accepted the offerings that had been made.

The application here is for ministry (both then and now). If our ministry doesn’t glorify God, then God can’t bless it and use it to help others and win the lost.

Therefore, make sure before ministering to others that your motivation is pure and your heart is open and cleansed before God. 

The Truth: “Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” (Psalm 2:11)

Leviticus 8 "The Ordination Ceremony"

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: “Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, the anointing oil, a bull as the sin offering, two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread; and gather all the congregation together at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.” (vv.1-3)

Here in chapter 8 we’ve come to the moment when Aaron and his sons are consecrated for their priestly work. As they would be charged with maintaining the tabernacle, offering the sacrifices brought by the people for expressions of atonement, thanksgiving, obedience, and worship – they themselves must be cleansed, consecrated before the LORD. 

Moses presented the offerings on their behalf, as blood must be spilled for the sins they had committed and would yet commit, for the good they had already failed to do and would yet neglect. For seven days Aaron and his sons, newly consecrated by the blood and oil, waited together in the Holy Place. They were prohibited from going beyond the door, but fed on the consecrated food till the eighth day summoned them to begin their priestly duties. Wiersbe writes concerning the seven days: "Had they disobeyed and left the tabernacle, they would have died. It was a serious thing to be one of God’s priests. Disobedience put the priests in danger of death.”

That Aaron should be appointed High Priest is a clear example of God's amazing grace. For it was Aaron who was a central player in the making of a golden calf in Exodus 32:1-5, even building an altar to worship the idol! The application here is, God's grace and forgiveness are such that even a sinner like Aaron may be used in His service and for His Church. However, obedience to His Word is paramount. 

The Truth: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1Peter 2:9)

Leviticus 7 "God's Provision For The Priests"

"Every male among the priests may eat it. It shall be eaten in a holy place. It is most holy. The trespass offering is like the sin offering; there is one law for them both: the priest who makes atonement with it shall have it. And the priest who offers anyone’s burnt offering, that priest shall have for himself the skin of the burnt offering which he has offered. Also every grain offering that is baked in the oven and all that is prepared in the covered pan, or in a pan, shall be the priest’s who offers it. Every grain offering, whether mixed with oil, or dry, shall belong to all the sons of Aaron, to one as much as the other." (vv.6-10)

When the trespass offering is described in chapter 5, the focus is on the reasons why it would be necessary to make the offering. It said nothing of what to do with the blood or the fat of the sacrificial animal. 

Here in chapter 7 the priest is now instructed to follow a similar pattern of previous sacrifices. The blood and the fat belonged to God and the meat portions could be shared among the priests, with its distribution determined by the priest who actually performed the trespass offering or the sin offering (the priest who makes atonement shall have it.)

Provision was and is made by the Lord for those who heed His call and enter His service. If He calls you, follow Him and He will care for you. God has our provision in mind at all times, even when we seem to have little. The Lord rewards His faithful ones, not only in this world, as it was for the Levitical priests, but forever, as it is for all who have faith in the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

He is our Living Bread. 

The Truth: “And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Leviticus 6 "Reparation Offering"

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: “If a person sins and commits a trespass against the LORD by lying to his neighbor about what was delivered to him for safekeeping, or about a pledge, or about a robbery, or if he has extorted from his neighbor, or if he has found what was lost and lies concerning it, and swears falsely—in any one of these things that a man may do in which he sins: Then it shall be, because he has sinned and is guilty, that he shall restore what he has stolen, or the thing which he has extorted, or what was delivered to him for safekeeping, or the lost thing which he found, or all that about which he has sworn falsely. He shall restore its full value, add one-fifth more to it, and give it to whomever it belongs, on the day of his trespass offering. And he shall bring his trespass offering to the LORD, a ram without blemish from the flock, with your valuation as a trespass offering to the priest. So the priest shall make atonement for him before the LORD, and he shall be forgiven for any one of these things that he may have done in which he trespasses.” (vv.1-7) 

In this passage, a person must bear full responsibility for personal acts of unfaithfulness. The sinful act against another person is a sin against God. Such a sin demands renewing the relationship with the other person as well as renewing the relationship with God – reparation. People may steal through simple robbery, or use deception to take what does not belong to them (lying to his neighbor about what was delivered to him for safekeeping, or about a pledge). There are many ways to steal but all of them are sins. 

All this is founded on a basic idea clearly stated in Exodus 20:15: You shall not steal. Every command against stealing in the Bible is a recognition of the right to personal property; that God trusts people to manage property as delegated “owners” of that property. Since ultimately all things belong to God (Psalm 24:1), men only “own” things that are delegated to them by God. Yet, God expects humanity to respect His delegation of property, and other people or states are not permitted to take that property without due process of law. Therefore, economic or political systems that reject the principle of the private ownership of property – such as communist or socialist systems, which claim that all property belongs to the state or the collective – those systems by rejecting God’s wisdom are destined for failure.

Yet, under the law, atonement for deliberate sins was possible if; there was full restitution (v.5), a blood offering (v.6) and confession of sin (Numbers 5:6-8). However, it wasn’t enough to just return what was stolen. The thief also had to add 20% (one-fifth) to what was stolen as a penalty. In the New Testament, Ephesians 4:28 expresses another aspect of restitution when the thief repents of being a taker and becomes a giver: "Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need." Additionally, restitution (and the penalty that went with it) had to be made the same day of his trespass offering. This powerfully demonstrated that one could not get right with God without also making the wrong right with man. (See Matthew 5:23-24).

Unlike the days of Moses, Christians today can go directly to God through Christ, and simply ask for forgiveness. However, we need to remember that dealing with our sins may involve dealing with the person(s) against whom we have sinned as well. Making reparation is a healing thing to do, though desperately hard to begin. Failing to make reparation brings the body of Christ into disrepute and invites divine discipline. The true believer (through the Spirit) knows when he/she has wronged God and others and cannot honestly enter worship and service without trying to make things right. 

Therefore, check your heart today for guidance through His Spirit for any reparation that you may need to make in your life.   

The Truth: “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” (Matthew 5:23-24) 

Leviticus 5 "The Trespass Offering"

"And he shall bring his trespass offering to the LORD for his sin which he has committed, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats as a sin offering. So the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin. ‘If he is not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring to the LORD, for his trespass which he has committed, two turtledoves or two young pigeons: one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering." (vv.6-7)

A trespass is a different type of sin. To sin means "to miss the mark." It's an archery term used to describe an archer who missed his mark. He aimed for the target, the goal, but missed the mark, he sinned. The Bible tells us that "all have sinned (missed the mark of perfection) and fallen short of the glory of God." And thus though we try we sometimes fail - not for the lack of trying, but we fail (missed the mark) nonetheless. 

Trespassing is the unlawful crossing of a boundary. Meaning we know in our hearts what we are about to do is wrong, but we go ahead and do it anyway. God has certain boundaries for humanity in general and for His people specifically, and when they cross those boundaries it is a sin of trespass. So, is a trespasses a forgivable offense? The answer is "Yes." It’s important to remember though that according to verse 5, this had to be preceded by confession of sin. To confess meant one would agree with God that the sin was wrong. If there was not confession of sin before the sacrifice, then the sacrifice would do no good. 

Confession of crossing God’s boundary is still an important principle for clearing away sin that hinders our fellowship with Him today. The New Testament bears witness to this in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleans us from all unrighteousness." This applies whether we willfully sin or just miss the mark. With confession comes forgiveness. 

Yet, it is important and necessary to remember that one may be guilty of sin without feeling it or thinking it so. Spurgeon put it this way, “If, again, the guilt of an action depended entirely upon a man’s knowledge, we should have no fixed standard at all by which to judge right and wrong: it would be variable according to the enlightenment of each man, and there would be no ultimate and infallible court of appeal…. The art of forgetting would be diligently studied, and ignorance would become an enviable inheritance.” Therefore, ignorance is no excuse. “Ignorance of the law of God is itself a breach of the law, since we are bidden to know and remember it.” (Spurgeon) 

The bottom line for the Christian is not the type of sin we commit, but how we deal with commission of our sins. Being sorry for crossing one of God's boundaries is not enough, we must repent of our actions. Pastor Chuck Smith use to say, "The jails are full of people who are sorry for breaking a law....sorry they got caught." A true confession then must come from a repetitive heart, verbalizing our sin to the One who is able to forgive us of our sin, and to cleanse us from it.      

The Truth: "In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31)

"The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good." (Psalm 14:1)  

 

Leviticus 4 "The Sin Offering"

‘If anyone of the common people sins unintentionally by doing something against any of the commandments of the LORD in anything which ought not to be done, and is guilty, or if his sin which he has committed comes to his knowledge, then he shall bring as his offering a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he has committed. And he shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering, and kill the sin offering at the place of the burnt offering. Then the priest shall take some of its blood with his finger, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and pour all the remaining blood at the base of the altar. He shall remove all its fat, as fat is removed from the sacrifice of the peace offering; and the priest shall burn it on the altar for a sweet aroma to the LORD. So the priest shall make atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.' (vv.27-35) 

Here in chapter 4 we see the purpose and the procedures for, "the sin offering." In it God speaks to Moses concerning the sin offerings for: a priest, a ruler of the people, the nation itself, and the common man or woman. Most commentators regard this sacrifice (the sin offering) as the principal expiatory offering in ancient Israel. It made the offender against the holiness of God fit to receive the Divine forgiveness. Sin-offerings were instituted for the purpose of putting an end to the separation between man and God that had been created by sin and of restoring them again to the benefits of God's covenant of mercy and salvation. One can only imagine what all that must have looked like on a daily basis. 

Christians today are under the “new covenant,” where there is no longer a blood sacrifice needed for sin (Heb.10:18). Priests no longer stand making repeated sacrifices for themselves and then people to restore fellowship with God. For Jesus offered Himself once for the sacrifice of all sins forever, and is seated at the right hand of God making intercession for us (Heb.10:11-14).

Therefore, all we need to do is come to Him, confess our sin, and ask for His forgiveness. For Jesus, our great High Priest, has already offered a pure, unblemished, blood sacrifice for us on the cross at Calvary.

The Truth: “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:19-22)

Leviticus 3 "The Peace Offering"

‘When his offering is a sacrifice of a peace offering, if he offers it of the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD. And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of meeting; and Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall sprinkle the blood all around on the altar. (vv.1-3)

In contrast to the burnt offering (Leviticus 1:3), the sacrifice of a peace offering could be either a male or female animal. However, the animal still had to be without blemish. Of all the offerings, the most joyous and most flexible was the “peace” or “fellowship” offering. It was a voluntary sacrifice, except on a few very special occasions, where God wanted the people of Israel to use every expression of worship. 

The peace offering was used to; 1) show the worshiper's devotion and commitment to the Lord in a vow, 2) to freely offer praise and thanksgiving, or 3) to express gratefulness for His goodness and answered prayer. The emphasis in this offering is primarily on the communion. Thus, it rejoiced in the peace that comes from God and celebrated that wonderful fellowship with God.

An important part of this celebration was a fellowship meal. This is where the worshiper ate with other family members (after offering the prescribed portion to God) the rest of the sacrifice. Thus some call this a "fellowship offering," as it was the only offering from which the worshiper could eat. 

The Lord’s Table or Communion, is in large measure the New Testament version of the Peace Offering festive meal. In the communion service we are joined as a body in the fellowship of His great sacrifice for us. We are reminded of our unity with others, as well as our unity with God. And we say Amen, and rejoice for He is our Peace.

The Truth: “Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread, which we break, a sharing in the body of Christ? Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread”. ( 1 Cor.10:16-17) 

Leviticus 2 "The Grain Offering"

“No grain offering, which you bring to the Lord, shall be made with leaven, for you shall not offer up in smoke any leaven or any honey as an offering by fire to the Lord.” (v.11)

Just as the burnt offering we looked at in chapter 1 was to be "without blemish," so the meal offering here in chapter 2 was to be without leaven. Yeast (leaven) was not allowed because it was a picture or representation of sin and the effects of sin. The ancient Israelites sewed leaven into their dough by a pinch of dough left over from the previous batch. A little pinch of the old dough made the whole new lump of dough rise and puff up, spreading through the entire new batch souring the dough. 

Therefore, the work of leaven was considered an illustration of the work of sin and pride. The presence of a little can corrupt everything. Almost without exception, leaven in the Bible signifies evil and the active energy of sin, so it could not be mixed in with the grain as an offering or it would overtake it. Honey was not allowed because it was a favorite thing to sacrifice to pagan deities. God did not want to be worshipped in the same way that false, pagan gods were worshipped.

Interestingly leaven can make things artificially sour and honey can make things artificially sweet. God did not want either of these in sacrifice. When we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2) He wants us to come just as we are, without artificially making ourselves more sour or sweet.

The grain offering was a gift to the Lord that honored Him as the source of life and of the fertility of the land. It represented the dedication to God of the fruit of one’s labor. Here the worshiper offered the best of the kernels of wheat to indicate that he was offering his best to God. This became the consecration of one’s service to Him.

The application for us is, when bringing our service to God, don’t give Him our left overs, our begrudging time slot, or our so-so commitment, we go all in. We give Him our best, for He has certainly given us His.

The Truth: “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38) 

Leviticus 1"Sacrifice And Obedience"

Now the LORD called to Moses, and spoke to him from the tabernacle of meeting, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When any one of you brings an offering to the LORD, you shall bring your offering of the livestock—of the herd and of the flock. If his offering is a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish; he shall offer it of his own free will at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the LORD.' (vv.1-3)

The story of Leviticus picks up where Exodus left off. The people of Israel (the covenant descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), were still camped at the foot of Mount Sinai. They remained there throughout the time period covered by the book of Leviticus. Here in our text God now called Moses and spoke to him from the tabernacle of meeting. This indicates that the tabernacle was now completed and that the sacrificial system could now be put into operation in a designated place. Before the tabernacle of meeting was built, there was no one place of sacrifice, and the procedures for sacrifice couldn’t really be settled and regulated. But now with the completion of the tabernacle, Israel could bring their sacrifice to one place and follow the same procedures for each sacrifice.

In the covenant God made with Israel at Mount Sinai, there were three major parts. The covenant included the law Israel had to obey, sacrifice to provide for breaking the law, and the choice of blessing or curse that would become Israel’s destiny throughout history. The sacrificial system was an essential element of the Mosaic covenant because it was impossible to live up to the requirements of the law. No one could perfectly obey the law, and sin had to be dealt with through sacrifice. Each commanded sacrifice was significant, and they all pointed toward the perfect sacrifice Jesus would offer by His crucifixion (Hebrews 7:27, 9:11-28).

Leviticus begins with the laws concerning sacrifices. There are five classes of sacrifice in the first seven chapters: the burnt offering, followed by the grain, peace, sin, and trespass offerings, each a descriptive parable of the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ for our sins. The most ancient being the burnt-offerings. 

What spoke to me was; not the sacrifice itself, nor the condition of the sacrifice, nor where it was to occur (although all of those requirements were to be followed to the letter). It was the attitude of the heart from which the owner must give-up his offering. Not forced or compelled, not reluctant, but out of pure freewill. A foreshadowing of how God gave His Son, Jesus Christ, who in-turn laid down His life freely, becoming an offering and a sacrifice for us, obedient unto death of His own free will. Thus becoming the one perfect sacrifice for all, replacing the need for a sacrificial system. 

Thank you LORD.

The Truth: “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” (Ephesians 5:2)

Mark 16 "He Is Risen"

“And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him.” (v.6)

Here in our text an angel is announcing to the women who arrived at the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus, that His body was no longer in the tomb because He had risen from the grave. He then commanded the women to bring this good news to the other disciples, and to tell them that Jesus had already gone before them into Galilee (v.7).

In short, Jesus had fulfilled His purpose on earth, God had raised Him from the dead, His resurrection (like His birth) was announced by an angel, and later He met with and commissioned His disciples (then and now) to bring this good news to others (v.15). The phrase “go into all the world” literally means, “as you are going.” So it doesn’t just mean, go to a foreign land and be a witness, but everyday, as you go about your life, be a witness for the Lord.

The Truth: Then he told them, "As you go into all the world, proclaim the gospel to everyone.” (Mark 16:15 - ISV)