LEVITICUS
The Cross of Christ Foreshadowed in the Offerings
I. Leviticus is the third book in the Bible;
it is the third book of the Law
(the Torah).
It is the third of the five “Books of Moses”(the Pentateuch).
In our English Bible it is named for the tribe of Levi, the tribe of the
priests and the temple workers, as they are prominently featured
in the book.
The translators gave all of the books of Moses new names based on
the Latin translation of the Greek translation of the Old Testament
(the Septuagint).
The Hebrew names are taken from the first words of the text in each
book.
(the Torah).
It is the third of the five “Books of Moses”(the Pentateuch).
In our English Bible it is named for the tribe of Levi, the tribe of the
priests and the temple workers, as they are prominently featured
in the book.
The translators gave all of the books of Moses new names based on
the Latin translation of the Greek translation of the Old Testament
(the Septuagint).
The Hebrew names are taken from the first words of the text in each
book.
English Hebrew
Genesis (origins
and beginnings) Bereishis
(in the beginning)
(in the beginning)
Exodus (going out or departure) Shemos (names)
Leviticus (book of the Levites) Vayikra (and He called)
Numbers (numbering or counting) Bamidbar
(in the wilderness)
(in the wilderness)
Deuteronomy Devarim (words)
(second giving of the Law)
The Hebrew title of Leviticus is - ויקרא - Vayikra ; vi-e-
qara
(alternative Wayyigra)
(alternative Wayyigra)
“And He called”.
I I. God’s call to Moses
is a beautiful picture of important
Bible truths that
will be reveled and expanded upon later throughout the Scriptures.
will be reveled and expanded upon later throughout the Scriptures.
A brief review of God’s call up to this
point will be helpful here:
1) Gen.3:9 – He called to the man
(Adam) after he sinned and asked
“Where are you?”
The significance of this calling can not be overstated.
This call goes out to every man and every woman throughout all of
history; through nature (Ps.19), through conscience (Ro.1+2 ),
and through the Holy Spirit (Jn.16:8).
“Where are you?”
The significance of this calling can not be overstated.
This call goes out to every man and every woman throughout all of
history; through nature (Ps.19), through conscience (Ro.1+2 ),
and through the Holy Spirit (Jn.16:8).
2) Gen.12:1-3
-God’s call to Abraham reveals to us
many insights that
we can apply to ourselves, one of which is the fact that God requires
His servant to be separated from the world or sanctified. This truth is
a central theme of the Bible and in particular of the book of Leviticus.
we can apply to ourselves, one of which is the fact that God requires
His servant to be separated from the world or sanctified. This truth is
a central theme of the Bible and in particular of the book of Leviticus.
3) Ex.3:1-12 -God’s call to Moses
to be a mediator between the people
and Himself introduces the idea of a need for, and the office of,
a Mediator. This theme is developed through the descriptions of the
office of the High Priest in the book of Leviticus and ultimately
of course, Jesus Christ will fill this need and office permanently
(Heb.7:17,23-28).
and Himself introduces the idea of a need for, and the office of,
a Mediator. This theme is developed through the descriptions of the
office of the High Priest in the book of Leviticus and ultimately
of course, Jesus Christ will fill this need and office permanently
(Heb.7:17,23-28).
III.. The content and subject of
what God said to Moses in Lev.1:1- 6:7
will be the topic of our study. We are going to consider the
Christocentric theme of the Levitical offerings. Hopefully this will be
an encouragement for us to want to continue to read and study some
of these difficult passages that we encounter as we read through the
entire Bible.
will be the topic of our study. We are going to consider the
Christocentric theme of the Levitical offerings. Hopefully this will be
an encouragement for us to want to continue to read and study some
of these difficult passages that we encounter as we read through the
entire Bible.
IV.. When we read or study any book in the Bible, it is helpfull to
consider
it from three particular perspectives.
it from three particular perspectives.
1st The historical, 2nd the doctrinal, and 3rd the Christological.
Historical – Leviticus was given to show the people of Israel
holy lives.
holy lives.
Doctrinal – The three central themes
of the book are 1) God is holy, 2)
His people must be holy. 3) God must be approached only in His
prescribed way.
His people must be holy. 3) God must be approached only in His
prescribed way.
Christological – The book of Leviticus
foreshadows many truths
regarding Christ by way of types. For example Christ is seen both in the
High Priesthood and in the sacrificial system. It is the sacrificial system
that we will focus on at this time.
regarding Christ by way of types. For example Christ is seen both in the
High Priesthood and in the sacrificial system. It is the sacrificial system
that we will focus on at this time.
Lev.1:1 – “The LORD called Moses from the tent of meeting”, the tent of
fellowship.
fellowship.
The Tabernacle – Mishkan
– this, like most Hebrew words derives from a verb. It means “a dwelling
place” from the verb “to dwell”. God’s glory filled the earthly tent and dwelt
among the people. Here we encounter another type of Christ – Jn.1:14 –
“dwelt among us” is literally “tabernacled among us”.
Lev.1:2 -“An offering to the LORD”. The root of
the word for offering is-
קרב- qarab. The word literally means “coming near, I draw near, I approach”.
קרב- qarab. The word literally means “coming near, I draw near, I approach”.
The word in
the text is - קרבן- qorban ; cor-ban- “the means through
which one draws near”. That which is dedicated to God, a sacrifice to God, that
which is offered to God.
You
will recall that Jesus makes reference to this word in Mt. 7:11.
Notice the similarity between
these two words in the Hebrew,
qara -- to call, qarab -- to come
near.
The relationship between these two words and the concepts
that they portray, together reveal a deep truth that is thematic in Leviticus.
As we have already alluded to. Which is that, God calls to us to come to Him,
and that when we draw near to Him, it must only and always be through His prescribed way, that being through
mediation and sacrifice, as we shall see.
Obviously this again speaks directly of Christ, Jn.12:32; 14;6 ; I Tim.2:5.
Obviously this again speaks directly of Christ, Jn.12:32; 14;6 ; I Tim.2:5.
V. The
Offerings
1)
The Burnt Offering – Lev.1:1-17 – the holocaust,
the ascent, literally
“the Elevation Offering”. This was a voluntary offering that could serve at least four purposes.
“the Elevation Offering”. This was a voluntary offering that could serve at least four purposes.
a) To make atonement (vs.4) for sin intentionally
committed, for which
no specifically prescribed punishment is given the Law.
no specifically prescribed punishment is given the Law.
b) For sinful thoughts not carried out.
c) By those who ascend to Jerusalem for the Three Pilgrimage Festivals.
d) By anyone who wishes to draw closer to God.
Jesus Christ fulfills
this offering as is seen in –
Eph.5:2
– “Christ has given Himself (voluntarily) for us---a sweet smelling
aroma”
Lev.1:17; Also in Heb.9:14 –“offered Himself.” and in Heb.10:4-7.
Lev.1:17; Also in Heb.9:14 –“offered Himself.” and in Heb.10:4-7.
2) The Grain Offering – Lev.2:1-16 – the meat
offering -
(no meat is involved in this offering)
(no meat is involved in this offering)
The
Meal Offering – “fine flower” this is to be wheat not corn.
This offering was for the very poor.
Five ways to offer are listed. The ingredients are always the same.
Fine flower speaks of the purity of the body of Christ. The oil speaks of
the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon Christ.
The frankincense speaks of the intercessory prayers of Christ.
This offering was for the very poor.
Five ways to offer are listed. The ingredients are always the same.
Fine flower speaks of the purity of the body of Christ. The oil speaks of
the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon Christ.
The frankincense speaks of the intercessory prayers of Christ.
Jesus Christ fulfills this offering in
Jn.12:24 – He is the “grain of wheat”.
Jn.6:32-35 – “I am the bread of
life.”
3) The Peace Offering – Lev.3:1-17 – This is the
only offering that the offerer
is allowed to partake of. In this way, it is a fellowship offering,
an offering of happiness and one accord.
is allowed to partake of. In this way, it is a fellowship offering,
an offering of happiness and one accord.
Jesus Christ fulfills this offering in Ro.5:1 – We have
peace with God
through Christ.
through Christ.
Col.1:20 – He made peace
through the blood of His cross.
4) The Sin offering – Lev.4:1-5:13 – This is the
first of the required offerings
as opposed to the previous voluntary offerings . The sin in view here is
the unintentional sin or the sin of ignorance.
Three are described in the text but the Jews divide them into Six.
David addresses this type of sin in Ps.19:12 as opposed to
the presumptuous sin in verse 13. There was no offering for
presumptuous sin. That type of sin would require repentance,
full restitution and payment of any prescribed punishment.
as opposed to the previous voluntary offerings . The sin in view here is
the unintentional sin or the sin of ignorance.
Three are described in the text but the Jews divide them into Six.
David addresses this type of sin in Ps.19:12 as opposed to
the presumptuous sin in verse 13. There was no offering for
presumptuous sin. That type of sin would require repentance,
full restitution and payment of any prescribed punishment.
Jesus Christ fulfills this offering
in II Cor. 5:21 – “He made Him sin for us
(He made Him our sin offering, is what is meant).
(He made Him our sin offering, is what is meant).
I Pet.2:24 – “He Himself bore our
sins in His own body on the tree”.
Ro.8:3 – “His own Son in the
likeness of sinful flesh”
5)
The Trespass Offering – Lev.5:14-6:7 – the Guilt Offering - this is also
a required offering. This offering was for the misuse or misappropriation
of Sanctuary property through carelessness, for which restitution and
penalty must be paid. Also for robbery and fraud.
a required offering. This offering was for the misuse or misappropriation
of Sanctuary property through carelessness, for which restitution and
penalty must be paid. Also for robbery and fraud.
II Cor.5:19 – “not imputing trespasses”
Jesus Christ fulfills this offering
in Col.2:13-14 – “alive together with Him
having forgiven all your trespasses”.
having forgiven all your trespasses”.
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