Leviticus Introduction

Leviticus, the English title of this book, was adopted from the Greek title, "The Levitical Book", even though it deals only with a segment of the Levites, the Priests, and not the whole Tribe. In Hebrew the title, "Wayyiqra", means, "and He called". The book had been appropriately called "God's Handbook for His newly redeemed people", showing them how to worship, serve and obey a Holy God. The book had also been called, "The Book of Atonement", the means by which man returns to complete communion with God. In this book, it tells us of God's redemptive work and man's response and forgiveness through animal sacrifice. Unlike Genesis, Exodus and Numbers, Leviticus and Deuteronomy do not deal with history. They were handbooks for the Israelite people.

The name "Leviticus" means, "pertaining to the Levites". They were descendants of Levi, Jacob's third son. The book does not deal with the whole tribe, only those who were chosen to be priests. It was a handbook with instructions on worship, service and sacrifice. It is the beginning of what is called "The Priestly Code". It was established at Mt. Sinai around 1300 BC. It continued until the building of the first Temple in 1000 BC when additions were made and celebrations were enlarged upon.

The "Temple Codes" remained until the 5^th century BC when the Temple was destroyed by the Persians and the code in Babylon became a means to regulate morals and achieve some form of worship apart from the Temple and the Priests. It never regained its original impact upon the life of Israel. Its present purpose for the dispersed Jew is very much as it was in Babylon. Holidays are kept in remembrance of the way they used to be. Sacrifices seem useless without an Altar. The Synagogue never took the place of the Temple.

With the coming of Christ, the Law was replaced by Grace. A Temple of stone was replaced by a Temple of Flesh. The Priests were replaced by Christ, our High Priest. The Code was replaced by the Gospel.

There are no direct prophesies of Christ in this book, but the Seven Yearly Feasts described in this book, illustrate the "Person and Work" of Christ.

1. The Feast of the Passover illustrates the redeeming power of the "Blood of the Lamb".
2. The Feast of Unleavened Bread illustrates the message of the Sermon on the Mount.
3. The Feast of First Fruits illustrates Christ's resurrection, the first fruits of God's plan of salvation.
4. The Feast of Pentecost illustrates the coming of the Holy Spirit.
5. The Feast of Trumpets illustrates the "Rapture".
6. The Feast of the Day of Atonement illustrates the "Atoning work" of Christ on the cross.
7. The Feast of Tabernacles illustrates the "ingathering" of the saved, those who respond to the Gospel.

The Author is Moses. The time is about 1400 BC. The place is Mt. Sinai. The key words of Leviticus are "Atonement" and "Sanctification". Atonement is by the shedding of the blood of animals and sanctification is by obedience to God's Law. There are no direct prophecies of the coming of the Messiah in this book, but all of God's instructions recorded here allude to the work of Jesus Christ.

A Study of the Book of Leviticus

Subject	Chapter
The Burnt offering	1
The Meal Offering	2
The Peace Offering	3
The Sin Offering	4
The Trespass Offering	5
Sins Requiring a Trespass Offering	6
Instructions on the Trespass Offering	7
The Ordination of Priests	8
Day of Ordination	9
The Death of Aaron's Sons	10
Clean and Unclean Food	11
Birth Requirements	12
Tests fro Leprosy	13
The Cleansing of a Leper	14
Social Diseases	15
Imputed Sin	16
Blood Offerings	17
Things that Defile	18
Additional Commandments	19
Additional Statutes	20
Laws Concerning Priests	21
Laws Concerning Holy Things	22
Holy Feasts	23
Further Instructions	24
Jubilee Year	25
Blessings and Curses	26
Buying Atonement	27

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