Leviticus: "Ye Shall Be Holy"

This third book of the Bible continues the story of Exodus. It was written by Moses and, in fact, is stated fifty six times in Leviticus that God gave His laws to the people through Moses.

The book of Leviticus records God's instructions to Moses concerning how the Nation of Israel is to worship their God. They learn that their deliverance requires that they be a separate people dedicated to their God.

The first section provides God's detailed instructions concerning offerings made at the tabernacle. Some offerings are voluntary, others compulsory, but all are to be brought to God in worship. "All the laws of Leviticus were designed by God for His glory and for man's good." ¹

The first three offerings, the burnt, the grain, and the peace, are all voluntary. They show the people's love for God by the act alone. The burnt offering is to atone for sin in general and is offered according to one's wealth: a bull, sheep, or goat if one is rich, or turtledoves or young pigeons if not. The grain offering accompanies the burnt offering and signifies thanksgiving to God. The peace offering, again offered according to one's wealth, expresses gratitude to God for a blessing or deliverance.

The next two offerings are compulsory. The sin offering is to atone for sins committed unknowingly while the trespass offering is to atone for trespasses against God's or a neighbor's property. Animals must be offered for sacrifice in both these offerings.

The second section of the book of Leviticus, beginning in chapter eight, outlines the service of the priests in the sanctuary. They are to be taken only from the family of Aaron. Although they are set apart from others in their service, they share in the need for forgiveness (14-36).

The sins of Nadab and Abihu and of Eleazer and Ithamar display God's desire for obedience more than sacrifice. When the first pair offer incense from an act of rebellion they are killed. Yet, the second pair are not when they inadvertently burn all of an offering. God does not demand perfection, but He cannot tolerate rebellion.

In the third section of Leviticus, from chapters 11 through chapter 16, God outlines his "Laws of Impurities". ² "Ritual cleanness and uncleanness, which emphasizes approach to God as a unique and special experience, set Israel apart from all other peoples. …The root of ritual cleanness and uncleanness is religious, not 'moral' or 'hygienic', but the lesson to be learned is that humankind at their best can still never be 'clean' enough to stand before God on their own." ³

God's most important Law of Impurities was the Day of Atonement. It was the only day of the year when the High Priest could enter the most holy place of the tabernacle. It was also the only day of the year when fasting was required. On the Day of Atonement a special sacrifice was offered on behalf of all the people of Israel. This special day had only one objective: cleansing.

The next section moves away from an emphasis on sacrifice and atonement to holiness and sanctification. The purpose of this holiness is clearly stated: God wants his people to keep his statutes, to be separate from the people that dwell in the land, and to possess the land (20:22-26). "God instituted holy times in the calendar of the Israelites so that His people would set aside many days of the year to meditate on who He was and what He had done for them." ⁴

The foundation of all the feasts is the Sabbath which God declared a day of rest (23:3). The Feast of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread serves as reminder of Israel's departure from Egypt. The Feast of Firstfruits and the Feast of Weeks is a dedication of the firstfruits of the barley and wheat harvest. The Feast of Trumpets (today known as Rosh Hashanah) is a day of rest for the people of Israel. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippor) was set aside as a most holy day of rest and a time for the people of Israel to make atonement before their God. During the week of the Feast of Tabernacles all Israel was to live outdoors in shelters made of palm branches. It served to remind them of their travels through the wilderness in route to the Promised Land.

In addition to these annual feasts, God established two other sacred times and events. Every seven years the land was to lay fallow. No planting was to be done. God promised He would supply the people's need by a more than plentiful harvest the year before. This special year was known as the Sabbath Year. The Year of Jubilee follows the seventh cycle of Sabbath years (every 50 years). During this time all Israel was to "proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants" (25:10). All land reverted back to its original owner, all debts were cleared, and all slaves freed. These statutes prevent the ruin of the poor.

God instructed "the children of Israel that they are to consecrate themselves to Him, that they are to be a separate and holy people, even as their God, the One who delivered them from Egypt, is holy-and then the people of Israel will be the people of God." ⁵

1. Irving L. Jensen, Jensen's Survey of the Old Testament, p.105.

2. Jack W. Hayford, General Editor, Hayford's Bible Handbook, p.24.

3. Ibid.

4. Irving L. Jensen, Jensen's Survey of the Old Testament, p.107.

5. Jack W. Hayford, General Editor, Hayford's Bible Handbook, p.26.