The book of Leviticus is Israel's worship manual. It showed the people how to approach God, obey him and serve him. The first part of the book focuses on sacrifices as the way to God. The New Testament explains that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." The second part of Leviticus emphasizes sanctification, the need for the people to be set apart in order to serve God. This section describes sanctified people as those who hate sin and love obedience, and who celebrate God's goodness and salvation.
Leviticus centers around God's holiness. That concept occurs over 80 times in the book. Because God is holy, he wants his people to be holy. Because God is holy, he deserves our worship.
What does it say?
Leviticus records God's instructions concerning Israel's worship. At the end of the previous book (Exodus), the people of Israel were constructing the Tabernacle in which God would take up residence. With such a holy God in their midst, they needed to know how to worship, serve, and obey him. Leviticus lays out the various sacrifices, purification procedures, and holy days and feasts for the people. Also included are the qualifications and guidelines for the priests who would mediate between the people and their God.
The book of Leviticus points us to the holiness of God. Chapters 1-17 focus on sacrifice as the only way to approach God. Chapters 18-27 concentrate on sanctification, being set apart for God and his purposes.
Faces & Places
Being a book that focuses more on instruction than stories, Leviticus has few characters. Moses remains center stage as the recipient of God's instructions. Aaron and other priests are naturally prominent in this book of worship. Two of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, meet with death after offering unauthorized fire.
In the same way, Leviticus has little focus on geographical places. The only specific location mentioned is Mount Sinai, where Israel is camped. The book does, however, look ahead to when they will be in "the land."
Key Verses & Themes
Sacrifice:
Leviticus 1-7 specifies the various sacrifices that were acceptable to God. The following chapters (8-17) detail some of the specifics (when, how, why, etc.) regarding those offerings.
Holiness:
Leviticus 11:44 "I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy."
Leviticus 20:7-8 "Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy."
Day of Atonement:
Leviticus 16 describes the sacred Day of Atonement when "Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites." (v. 34)
So what?
The book of Leviticus emphasizes God's demand for holiness. He requires absolute perfection. Does God's holy character draw me closer to him? Or, does it repel me away? Does his holiness draw me toward deeper worship?
When we fail to achieve God's holy standards, however, we are not left without hope. We can still gain access to him, but as Leviticus makes clear, only through sacrifice. Amazingly, God accepts the death of a substitute as payment for the penalty of sin. What am I presenting to God in order to be accepted? My activities? My "good deeds"? Attempts to do better next time? Or, as Leviticus notes, the death of another as my substitute?
