February 9th – God commands worship (Exodus 28-Leviticus 9)
Background on Leviticus
- Author: Moses (traditional view, based on John 5:46)
- Title: from the Hebrew word meaning, “and HE called”
- Date: roughly after 1445 BC.
- Purpose: To explain the holiness of God, the sinfulness of man, and the glory of worship.
God’s commands require faith, obedience, and sacrifice. Our faith leads to obedience. Obedience leads to sacrifice.
The Burnt offering shows true brokenness over sin.
- Leviticus 1
- Leviticus 1:4 – served to atone for sin.
- To show whole loyalty to God
- Leviticus 1:3-9 – A bull without blemish
- Leviticus 1:10-13 – male sheep or goat without blemish
- Leviticus 1:14-17 – Turtledoves or young pigeons.
- Priest received skin. All consumed by fire on the altar.
The Grain offering shows true worship.
- Leviticus 2
- Showed true thanksgiving and worship to God.
- Leviticus 2:1-3 – Fine flour with oil and frankincense.
- Leviticus 2:4 – cakes made and baked in oven, in a pan (v.5), or in a covered pan (v.7)
- Leviticus 2:14, 15 – Green heads of roasted grain mixed with oil and frankincense.
- This was a memorial. Priests ate reminders outside the tabernacle.
The Peace offering shows fellowship with the Father.
- Leviticus 3
- Expressed peace and fellowship with the Lord.
- Was served as a communal meal.
- 3 types
- Thank offering – to express gratitude for a blessing or rescue
- Votive offering – to express gratitude for a blessing over a fulfilled vow
- Freewill offering – to express gratitude to God without any reason!
- Leviticus 3:1-5 – a male or female from the herd, without blemish.
- Leviticus 3:6-11 – a male or female from the flock, without blemish
- Leviticus 3:12-17 – from the goats.
- Priests received the breast and right thigh.
- Reminder eaten by the offerer and family.
The Sin offering shows restoration and renewal.
- Leviticus 4
- To atone for sins committed without knowledge, where no restitution was possible.
- Leviticus 4:3-12 – a high priest, a bull without blemish
- Leviticus 4:13-21 – for the church, a bill without blemish.
- Leviticus 4:22-26 – For a ruler, a male goat without blemish.
- Leviticus 4:27-35 – for the poor, 2 turtledoves or 2 pigeons
- Leviticus 5:11-13 – for extreme poor, fine flour
- Reminder of bull was burned outside the camp. (for high priest or church)
- Reminder of bull was eaten in the tabernacle (for ruler or commoner)
The Guilt offering shows repentance and rescue.
- Leviticus 5
- To atone for sins committed without knowledge, when restitution was possible.
- Leviticus 5:15-16 – against the Lord, a ram without blemish.
- Leviticus 6:4-6 – against another, a ram without blemish.
- Priests ate the reminder in a holy place.
- “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” – Matthew 5:17, ESV
Jesus died to justify sinners in the presence of God, the Father.
- Ephesians 2:1-6
- Hebrews 10:7
- God consumed His wrath on the cross of Jesus. God accepted this perfect and eternal offering for the salvation of humanity. We are now able to come into His presence (Hebrews 10:10, John 17:19, 1 Corinthians 1:2)
Jesus died to grant sinners the privilege of worship in the presence of God, the Father.
- Hebrews 9:14 – “How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from the dead works to serve the Living God.”
- When we worship and show gratitude for His grace…we do so by the blood covering of our Savior.
Jesus died to give us eternal fellowship in the presence of God, the Father.
- 1 Corinthians 1:9 – “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
- Matthew 26:26-29 – Jesus, who gave us fellowship with God the Father, had a communal meal with His disciples before His death.
- John 21 – Jesus, after His death, burial, and resurrection, had a meal with His disciples.
- Who are you eating with?
Jesus died to restore and renew us in the presence of God, the Father.
- Hebrews 13:11-13
- His perfect sin offering covered our sins with a different sight; the sight of righteousness we don’t deserve.
- What does God see in your life? Have you been rescued and renewed by the blood of Christ?
Jesus died to give repentance and rescue in the presence of God, the Father.
- Colossians 2:13-14 – “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.”
- If we turn to this perfect sacrifice…and acknowledge our guilt and trespasses against God…we will be rescued by the blood of Christ, our Risen Savior.
Closing Challenge: Jesus fulfilled the Levitical offerings. Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament. Jesus died in our place, so that we can enjoy the presence of God forever. Are you washed in the blood?
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