LOOK | WHAT DOES IT SAY?
THINK | WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
The Structure of Leviticus. As we head into this book, it will be important to keep the structure of the book in mind. As we sometimes see in other parts of the Bible (ex. Micah, Isaiah 56-66), Leviticus has a structure that works from the outer edges of the book inwards, towards the middle. So on the outer edges in Leviticus 1-7 and 23-27, we see laws related to ritual ceremonies involving offerings, festivals, and things related to the sanctuary. These all point forward to Christ as the offering on our behalf who cleanses us from sin and restores fellowship between us and God; or as the fulfillment of the theme of each feast, or the ultimate fulfillment of all the promises and warnings given to God's people. A little further in, in Leviticus 8-10 and 21-22, we have chapters devoted to the work of the priests. Jesus is, of course, our great High Priest. Towards the middle in Leviticus 11-15 and 17-20 we have laws related to personal ceremonial cleanliness and holiness, with the first section mostly dedicated to ceremonial cleanliness which had to do with one's acceptability in relation to coming to the sanctuary. The second part of this near-middle section (Leviticus 17-20) is related mostly to ethical holiness, most of which still carries over to believers today. Then right in the middle there are the instructions for the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. This is the center, the crescendo, of the book of Leviticus, which prefigures Christ as the true sacrifice of all Israel. Just as all the offerings every year merely participate in the sacrifice of the Day of Atonement, so also the Day of Atonement leads up to a true and better sacrifice given once for all of time.
RESPOND | WHAT IS OUR PART?
The first three chapters of the book bring to mind that an offering needs to be made on our behalf. If you are part of a Christian background that says every Bible study or message has to have an application, you might run into trouble here. Unless you are raising goats, you will have a difficult time carrying out the instructions contained in these chapters (and still, you shouldn't try). That's why I talk about application in terms of action, attitude, and worship. There is no appropriate action here--"nothing in my hand I bring; simply to the Cross I cling." But could this bring out an attitude of peace and calm in us? Absolutely. The sacrifice that takes away our shame and our guilt has come; we no longer carry these things with us. Could these chapters bring us to worship? Also yes. Look at the holiness and majesty of God that comes through in the incredible detail of the offerings of the Tabernacle. Look at the mercy of God in providing a way for sins to be covered--so that God could be just, requiring restitution for wrongdoing and not allowing evil to go unpunished, and yet merciful, making a way for us to be freed from the weight of sin and shame. There's nothing for us to do here. And yet, we can't truly interact with these chapters without coming away fundamentally changed.
PRAY | HOW DOES THIS BRING US CLOSER TO GOD?
Here is a suggested prayer prompt: "Father, I come before you with a heart of gratitude. You have given me the gift of your son, Jesus Christ. He offered himself as the perfect burnt offering, consumed by your holiness so that my sin could be atoned for. He is the perfect grain offering -the bread of life!- who satisfies the deepest hunger of my soul. He is the perfect peace offering, who reconciles me to you, and to other believers who are also united to you, uniting us in love and harmony. There is nothing that I can add to this offering, and so with deep appreciation I simply say thank you."
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