The Fellowship Residency Program has introduced me to the idea of reading commentaries alongside scripture. By next August, I will have read through the entire Bible as well as The King in His Beauty, our selected commentary.
As I am reading, I am writing a little bit about each of the books of the Bible so you and I can have a more thorough understanding of the scriptures. I invite you to follow along with me as we learn the Bible in its entirety from Genesis to Revelation. This does NOT encompass the entire book, but it is a good place to start. I encourage you to read for yourself and begin your own Biblical journal along the way. To read some of my other related posts, click here.
Introduction – Leviticus describes how Israel is to live in the Lord’s presence with emphasis on holiness and purity so that the Holy One can continue to dwell with his people. The importance of fellowship with God is explicitly communicated by using “tent of meeting” 41 times within the book. God is to be feared in his holiness and is intense and dangerous to sinful humans. We are called to respond in worship and awe.
Sacrifices – 5 different kinds of sacrifices are present in the book (burnt offerings, grain, peace or fellowship, sin/purification, and guilt/repentance offerings). Their fundamental purpose is to atone for their sins before God so fellowship can be maintained for the blood makes the atonement. The sacrifices are representative and substitutionary. They represent the need for atonement such that the blood covers the sins. They are substitutionary so that the worshiper is not killed himself in God’s wrath. As a result, favor is restored to His people through the sacrifice and the worshiper is spared. Deviation from the law induces God’s wrath. The limits of the tabernacle highlight that one cannot enter into his presence casually, but they must be obedient to his directives. The second goat sent off into the wilderness causes confusion for many. However, it is clear that it too was penalized through eviction into the wild to die. Burnt offerings can work for atonement, but are primarily utilized for thanksgiving and consecration (declaring sacred) to God. Grain offerings fundamentally expressed thanksgiving and praise and were pleasing if offered appropriately. Peace Offerings were to enjoy fellowship and renewed relationship with God. The fundamental purpose of sin/purification and guilt/reparation offerings was to obtain forgiveness. Acceptance and restoration to right relationship was another function of the guilt/reparation offering. It is important to note that the sacrifices must not come from a mechanical, external, superficial, or magical stance as the act is still about the heart. These sacrifices were inferior as they did not cleanse the worshiper of their conscience or offer complete and permanent forgiveness. We are no longer limited to once a day in God’s presence as a result of Jesus’s atonement.
***Note: I wouldn’t want to follow this God alone without also knowing the story of deliverance from Egypt. This is why the Bible should be read in its entirety. A piece here and there does not paint the entire picture. The laws are because God is HOLY
Cleanness – Descriptions regarding priesthood, food, skin diseases, and bodily discharges are also found in the book. To serve before the Lord, the priests must be cleansed and wear holy garments. Both purification and atonement are necessary in the eyes of the Lord. We see fire come from Heaven out of gracious appreciation of offerings as well as out of destruction due to Nadab and Abihu’s improper offering. The best explanation for the regulations is emphasis on cleanness. The laws separated them from the Gentiles and allowed them to avoid being contaminated by the Gentile’s idolatry and evil as it was God’s intention to keep the two people separate. It is also likely the laws were established to demonstrate the Lord’s authority over his people. By following His laws and living a life set apart from the world, they are calling attention to the holiness of their God. This still rings true today. Sin is our uncleanliness and we are to sanctify and cleanse our hearts, minds, and consciences from the filth of sin.
Laws – The call to obedience is not a list of duties or ethics. However, failure to follow his law results in a failure to honor God and defiles his sanctuary. A holy life is reflective of the characteristics of the God who delivered them from the bond of Egypt and a response to their covenant relationship with the Lord. Their call to obedience is not an oppressive obligation but a response of gratitude for the Lord’s saving love. Israel is promised blessings if they obey and curses if they do not. If they obey or repent when they disobey, God will remember His covenant with Abraham and forgive them. The laws are committed to justice, righteousness, love, sexual holiness, and obedience out of love for God. Ultimately, the land belongs to God not to the people, so they must follow his rules.
Conclusion – The theme is that Yahweh cannot dwell in the midst of sin without atonement for His people’s sins. It is also made clear that the people must be clean and pure to sit in the presence of God and live a holy life under his lordship. In today’s word, believers receive the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live holy lives that pleases God and marks them as God’s people and redeemed.
Themes -- God is Holy. God desires us to be in his presence. (He wants to make a way which eventually will become the way). Points toward the Messiah: If you walk with Christ, then you will be in the presence of God.