The Five Offerings

God gives instructions to Moses for five different offering procedures. Two of the offerings express thanksgiving to the Lord, while three of them cover sin.

First Priesthood

Aaron and his family are ordained as Israel's first priests, though Aaron's two sons die after disobeying the Lord's directions. Qualifications for priesthood are established.

Rituals & Festivals

God provides further instructions for the Israelites in choice of food, ritual purity, moral conduct, and holy festivals to be set apart as His representatives.

Day of Atonement

God places special emphasis on The Day of Atonement, a sacrifice that covers any sins unaddressed after the other offerings. Christ's foreshadowing is included here.

Moses Enters the Tent

When God finished stating the laws of the Covenant, Moses is able to enter the Tent of Meeting again, signifying the completion of these laws.

OT/NT: Old Testament

SECTION: The Law

TRADITIONAL AUTHOR: Moses

KEY PEOPLE: Aaron, Abihu Eleazar, Ithamar, Moses and Nadab.

SUMMARY:  Canonically, Leviticus is the third book of the Holy Bible (1), the third book of the Old Testament (2) and the central book of the Law. The Israelites remain encamped at Mount Sinai throughout the entire book. This is where things get ironed out between God (3) and His children (4), as a plethora of Instructions, Regulations and Ordinances are handed down directly from the Most High to Moses (5). Above all else in Leviticus, God's chosen people are taught - by I AM Himself- exactly how He expects them to worship, serve and obey Him. Leviticus hammers home God's desire for us to be holy - to live according to His precepts (Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:2, 20:7).

Along with all the rules God is passing on to Moses for His people to follow, the Creator is also sharing His unconditional love (6) as well. It is crucial for today's followers (7) of Jesus Christ (8) to embrace that the words of I AM laid out in Leviticus 26 thousands of years ago are still applicable to us present day. Here, God promises that obedience (9) to Him (and Him alone) will be rewarded. He gives us His blessed assurance that He will be walking amongst us and that we are, indeed, His people. He reminds us that we are no longer slaves (in any capacity– spiritual, physical, emotional, psychological or otherwise), as He broke the bars of our yoke, enabling us to walk with our heads held high. However, there is a word that prefaces His unmatched favor being poured out upon us… Leviticus 26 starts with "IF you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands"…the translation here is clear. God is expecting us to render unswerving obedience to Him. In return, we're promised His agape love, His unfailing mercy (10), His limitless grace (11), His peace (12) which surpasses all understanding and so much more. We're definitely getting the better end of the deal!But, because He's God and knows everything in advance, He also laid out what the repercussions would be for our disobedience (13) as well. We get to choose our path.

Although He is a God of Order and Balance, He rarely interferes with our Free Will.  In  Leviticus 26:40-45, He reminds us that He is our Father and offers us a way back after we stray from Him - and that His Door to Holiness is always accessible. It’s up to us to knock and His door will be opened to us (Matthew 7:7-8). In the final analysis, as was then and remains present day, God has an overwhelming desire for us to partake in ongoing fellowship with Him. It's why He created (14) us.

COMING UP:  Next up is the Book of Numbers (15)!

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Footnotes appear below. Consider printing and sharing the offered PDF narrative and other listed resources with family, friends and strangers alike for use in Bible Studies (16), Home and/or Church Faith Sharing Groups (17), Discipleship Encounters (18) and/or Personal Faith Enrichment!

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Modifications are welcome at goodnews@marionmannaproject.com.

FOOTNOTES:
 

  (1) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-good-news

  (2) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/old-testament

  (3) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/god-of-the-bible

  (4) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/twelve-tribes-of-israel

  (5) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/moses

  (6) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/love

  (7) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/discipleship

  (8) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/jesus-christ

  (9) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/obedience

(10) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/mercy

(11) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/grace

(12) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/peace

(13) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/disobedience

(14) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/creation-account

(15) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/numbers

(16) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-studies

(17) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/christian-education

(18) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/discipleship