Book Of Leviticus
Book Of Leviticus [1]
The title of this Book was copied from the Septuagint; but why it was so called is not known, the Levites are but seldom mentioned in it. The Hebrew has simply the first word of the book for its title. The book is occupied with the way of approach to God, who is looked upon as dwelling in the holy of holies. The people having been redeemed from Egypt, and having received God's covenant, and promised obedience thereto, are in relation with God, and come to Him as worshippers. They must approach in the way He directs and must be in a suited state to approach, which approach could only be accomplished through God's appointed priests. The Epistle to the Hebrews takes up many of the same subjects for the Christian, but there they often stand in contrast to what is found here. This is especially the case in the veil which here shut in the holy of holies, where the high priest could enter only once a year, and then with blood; whereas now the veil is rent, God has come out, with grace to all, and every Christian has access to the presence of God. In Leviticus there was a continued remembrance of sins; but by the one sacrifice of Christ He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
The opening of the book shows that it is not merely an addition to the law given at Sinai: God spoke it to Moses "out of the tabernacle of the congregation," except the last three chapters. He as among the people, directs everything. Leviticus 1 Leviticus 7 give the sacrifices, all of which are needed to embrace the varied aspects of the death of Christ. The four principal offerings are given in this order: the burnt offering, the meat offering, the peace offering, and the sin offering: it begins with God's side first, what Christ is to God; but in the consecrating of Aaron, the sin offering came first, Leviticus 8; and must be so when man's need is in view. For the teaching of the sacrifices see Offerings.
Leviticus 8 Leviticus 10 give the sanctification of Aaron and his sons (see Aaron); and the failure of Nadab and Abihu.
Leviticus 11 distinguishes the clean and the unclean animals for food.
Leviticus 12 Leviticus 15 give laws respecting purification of women; leprosy, q.v. ; and the uncleanness of men.
Leviticus 16 . See Atonement, Day Of.
Leviticus 17 - 22 give many instructions bearing upon holiness, and the avoidance of all uncleanness.
Leviticus 23 The feasts of Jehovah. See Feasts.
Leviticus 24 gives divers laws: Israel's position internally before God, and externally in the world.
Leviticus 25 The Sabbatical years and the year of Jubilee. See Jubilee.
Leviticus 26 Threats and promises realised in the nation's after history.
Leviticus 27 Concerning vows, etc.
The book ends with "These are the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai." This apparently embraces the last three chapters, for Leviticus 25 commences with "And the Lord spake unto Moses in mount Sinai," in contrast to Leviticus 1 which was spoken to him out of the tabernacle. These three chapters refer more to what God is in government, than to what He is as the One to be worshipped, with which the previous part of the book is occupied, giving directions as to how alone He could be approached, together with injunctions as to many things that would be inconsistent in the worshippers of Jehovah.
