THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS
By Frank Eiklor and Cecilia Contreras
LESSON 21
INTRODUCTION
When Jesus and the apostles pointed out the Scriptures, they were referring to the 39 books of the Hebrew Scriptures that we refer to as the Old Testament. As the New Testament was being written, its writers affirmed the importance of the Old Testament examples—good and bad—and the wisdom in learning from them. Twice Paul repeats God’s warning to pay attention to those examples. (I Corinthians 10:6, 11)
The first five books of Moses lay the foundation for God’s call to Israel to be a light to the nations. Now we believers in Jesus are called to be His light and salt in a dark world. This lesson will be in the third book of the Bible—Leviticus—as we study what makes a winner—or a loser.
LEVITICUS
5:17—Example of ignorance being no excuse for breaking God’s commandments and why this should give me fresh appreciation for the blood of God’s Lamb, Jesus Christ.
8:1-3,12,23,33-35—Example—Those who minister in the Lord must deal with their own sins before daring to deal with the sins of the congregation.
9:5,6—Example—God reserves His glory for the congregation that is obedient to Him.
10:1-3—Nadab and Abihu an example that I dare not grow familiar or careless with the Lord.
IN THE WORLD—NOT OF IT
11:44-47—Example of a holy God teaching His people to be separate from the world and not to choose the path of least resistance.
13:45,46—Example—Jesus took on Himself my leprous sin and suffered alone—outside the camp—so that I could be cleansed and dwell in His kingdom.
16:1,2—Example of the awesome privilege of the lowliest child of God made righteous by Jesus to enter the holy of holies and never to leave (Hebrews10:19) a privilege never given the high priest of Israel.
COST OF SEXUAL DEPRAVITY
18:1-5,24-28—God’s warning of the horrible cost in following evil examples (note an entire chapter given to exposing the sexual depravity of nations being eliminated to make room for Israel).
19: (all)—Example of righteous behavior expected from those who walk in the presence of the “I Am” Lord of heaven and earth (note “I am the Lord” mentioned 16 times—see also 20:22-24,26). Note also in 20:26 the condition: only when Israel was “holy” and “separated” does God call them “mine.”
21:6-8,18,22,23—Example of God using externals in the Old Testament to prepare the way for the Messiah’s New Testament atonement and cleansing us from the internal blemishes of sin (note the emphasis on “holy”). See also 22:31-33—God’s call to accept His commandments and conform our lives to them. (John 14:21).
THE FEASTS OF THE LORD
23:4,5,10,16,27,34,41,42—Example of the feasts of the Lord preparing the way for the full ministry of Messiah (Passover, Pentecost, Day of Atonement, Tabernacles, Booths).
24:10-14—A young man bears the ultimate penalty for blaspheming the Lord’s name.
26: (all)—Example—The definitive chapter concerning Israel that any nation wishing to survive should digest—comparing obedience and rebellion, and their results.
(To be continued)
