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LEVITICUS – LESSON ONE INTRODUCTION

I. The Name of the Book:

A. The custom of the Jews was to call each book of their Scriptures by the first word in the beginning of each Hebrew text.  Thus, Leviticus was known as “And He Called” from the first verse.

B. This “calling” logically connects it with the end of the Book of Exodus which has the furniture in place in the Holy Place with the glorious presence of the Lord filling the tabernacle (Exodus 40:26-33).  Now, from the tent of Meeting, God speaks in the beginning of Leviticus to Moses.

C. “Leviticus” as the name of the Book derived from the Latin Vulgate’s title of the Book based upon the LXX’s (Septuagint Translation) of “leuitikon” meaning, “that which pertains to the Levites.”  

D. The title is appropriate because of the emphasis upon the Priest, who is of the tribe of “Levi,” and the laws regulating the sacrifices they offered.

II. The Author of the Book

A. Moses wrote the first five Books of the Old Testament known as the Pentateuch.  Leviticus is the third Book of the five.

B. 56 times the Lord give the Laws for His people through Moses. The Lord speaks to Moses and Moses is to speak these laws to the people (Lev. 1:1-2, 4:1-2, 12:1-2, Lev. 18:1-2, etc.)

C. Jesus attributed the laws regarding leprosy to Moses which were given in Leviticus (Matt. 8:2-4; Lev. 14:1-4).

III. Date of the Book

A. Book deals with events beginning in the first month of the second year after the Exodus (Exodus 40:17, Num. 1:1).

B. Probably written before the beginning of the wilderness journey – middle of the fifteenth Century B.C.

IV. The Two-Fold Structure of the Book

            A. The Book with all its laws divides into two main sections:

1. Chapters 1-17 – The basis of Israel’s walk with God – Sacrifices, Priest.  

2. Chapters 18-27 – The holy walk with God – Be holy as I am holy (Lev. 19:2; 20:7, 26; 18:5).

B. Such a structure reminds us of our fellowship with the Lord today as Christians     (Gal. 3:12, I Pet. 1:16, I Jn.1:8).

V. Prominent Subjects

A. The five offerings (1:1-7:38) – freewill (in communion with God) and sin (for communion with God)

1. Burnt (1:3-17, 6:8-13)

2. Meal (2:1-16; 6:14-23)

3. Peace (3:1-17; 7:11-34)

4. Sin (4:1-5:13; 6:24-30)

5. Trespass (5:14 – 6:7; 7:1-10)

B. The priesthood (Chapters 8-10, 21-22) – Mediator for the people

1. Consecrated with sacrifice and blood.

2. Keeping pure is essential.

C. Day of Atonement (Chapter 16)

1. Sin and burnt offerings were part of the days ritual as Israel remembered their sins and appreciated the concept of atonement for sin.

2. The only day of the year for which fasting is required – sorrow for sin.  

3. The only day of the year when the high priest entered into the most holy place of the tabernacle with blood for his sins and the sins of the people.

4. Seventh month, tenth day of the month.

D. Holy Times – Feast Days

            1. Weekly observance of Sabbath – seventh day of rest (Lev. 23:3)

            2. Passover connected with unleavened bread (Lev. 23:5-8)

            3. First fruits (Lev. 23:9-14)

            4. Harvest – Weeks- Pentecost (Lev. 23:15-22)

            5. Trumpets (Lev. 23:23-25)

            6. Day of Atonement (Lev. 23:26-32)

            7. Tabernacles (Lev. 23:33-44)

            8. Sabbatical Year – every 7th. year (Lev. 25:1-2)

            9. Jubilee – every 50th. year (Lev. 25:8-55)

VI. Survey Outline of the Book (Adapted from J. Sidlow Baxter – Explore the Book)

I. THE GROUND OF FELLOWSHIP – SACRIFICE (1-18)

A. The offerings (1-7)

B. The priesthood (8-10)

C. The People (11-16)

D. The Altar (17)

II. THE WALK OF FELLOWSHIP – SEPARATION (18-27)

            A. Regulations concerning the people (18-20)

            B. Regulations concerning the priests (21-22)

            C. Regulations concerning feasts, etc. (23-24)

            D. Regulations concerning Canaan (25-27)