Bible Study Notes in Leviticus- Chapter 6

Leviticus 6

 

-Chapter six starts out with the first seven verses completing the section over procedures and restitution in the guilt offerings. This pericope covers issues in regard to deceitful thievery in the areas of deposits, securities, robbery, extortion, finding lost things and lying about it, and swearing falsely.

-*Application* What we should note here is the concept of stealing. Stealing involves more than just simply taking from someone or some institution. There are other forms of stealing listed here that we had better realize come from a broken and greedy heart toward God and our fellow man. Return with interest and a clean heart the things you have gotten deceitfully, like Zaccheus (Luke 19:1-10), even if it is something you have found. This wins the favor and grace of God in your life.

-The next two-thirds of the chapter deals with priestly procedures in the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, being anointed, and the sin offerings. The LORD is speaking to Moses on these matters as shadows and types of the things to come in Jesus Christ. There are symbolic references that run throughout Scripture like the everlasting fire (Holy Spirit’s presence, Acts 2:3-4), the oil (again the LORD’s presence, Matthew 25:4), the unleavened bread (absence of sin, 1 Corinthians 5:6-8), consecration (holy living, Colossians 3:12-14, Hebrews 10:10-17), animals without defect (the sacrifice of the just for the unjust, Hebrews 7:26-28, 1 Peter 3:18), priestly garments of linen (Jesus’ burial clothes, Matthew 27:59, Mark 15:46, Luke 23:53; 24:12, John 19:14; 20:5-7, plus saints reigning clothes of righteousness, Revelation 19:8-14), and the blood atonement (remission of sin, Hebrews 10:19).

-*Application* God’s grace is so evident and amazing as we search His revelation to us in the Scriptures. Jesus is our perfect High Priest who covers our transgressions now and forever. It is a joyous thing to realize that the debt of sin has been paid and that we as believers can enjoy His presence forever! Our guilt is gone; we have been set free!

 

Verse to Memorize: Leviticus 6:7

Bible Study Notes in Leviticus- Chapter 5

Leviticus 5

 

-The Law of the guilt offerings is expounded upon in this fifth chapter. When a person is called on to make a solemn and earnest appeal as a witness, and he does not tell truthfully what he knows that person bears their guilt. Also, touching unclean things, beast or human, causes guilt. Swearing (this has to do with oaths) thoughtlessly, whether it be for evil or for good, bears guilt as the person becomes aware of it. When the guilt is realized, confession is mandatory as well as a guilt offering brought before the LORD. The wealthier are instructed to bring either a female lamb or a goat from the flock to the priest. If that is unaffordable, two turtledoves or two young pigeons were to be brought as sin offerings to the priests who stand before the LORD at His altar. The ones that had insufficient means for the above were allowed to bring the tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering to the priests who stand before the LORD. Stipulations for the how the sacrifices were to be performed were detailed in the text at the LORD’s direction. The priests would take his memorial portion as a handful “and offer it up in smoke on the altar, with the offerings of the LORD by fire (Leviticus 5:12).” So the priest would make atonement for the sin committed and the LORD would forgive that person. The rest of the offering would become the priest’s, like the grain offering (Leviticus 2:3,10; 5:13). In the final verses of the chapter, the LORD speaks on some matters of restitution over unintentional unfaithfulness against the LORD’s holy things. Restitution included replacement value plus 20% given to the priest for the holy things. Sacrifices without defect are again required to be brought to the priest to make things kosher removing the guilt of the offender.

-*Application* How many times in our modern society do people make oaths that they never intend to keep? The issue revolves around honesty, integrity, and truthfulness. Before Christ we bear the guilt of thoughtless words or motivations that inflict harm on others. We become guilty and need to bring our confession before the Savior to get things straight (1 John 1:9). He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin when we admit that we have a problem. We shouldn’t fool ourselves, we aren’t perfect and we do bear the responsibility when we screw up. While we don’t live under the Law any more like the children of Israel, we still need to make things right as much as we can with those we hurt, unintentionally or not, as we are led by His Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:18).

 

Verse to Memorize: Leviticus 5:5

Bible Study Notes in Leviticus- Chapter 4

Leviticus 4

 

-Offerings for unintentional sins that are committed by the priests, assembly, leaders, or common people are dealt with in this section of the Law. First of all, notice that people were guilty of the sin before God whether they knew about it or not. Then notice that atonement was provided again through the shadow and types of things to come in Christ Jesus. These shadows and types were bulls, goats, and sheep. Priests, the assembly, and all leaders had to sacrifice male animals, but the common people were allowed to bring female animals before the LORD as desired. They had specific instructions, which were all the same before the altar in front of the veil in the tent of meeting and then completed outside the camp. The sacrifices again involved the laying on hands, the covering of blood, and they were offerings by fire before the Sovereign LORD as a “soothing aroma” for the forgiveness of sin.

-*Application* We need to confess unintentional and unknown sin in our lives consistently. We all have blind spots and have trouble seeing sometimes that the way we are living is appalling to God. We must seek the Scriptures and know the heart of God by His indwelling-convicting Holy Spirit if we are to awake to the things that displease Him. Ask the LORD to reveal your weak spots and hidden sins. He has the power to expose them and allow for your repentance. Once you’ve come clean before God in these matters, don’t repeat them. Walk circumspectly (Ephesians 5:14-18).

 

Verses to Memorize: Leviticus 4:2-3

Bible Study Notes in Leviticus- Chapter 3

Leviticus 3

 

-This section deals with stipulations in the peace offerings of the Tabernacle and Temple system. Animals of the herd, bulls and cows, and animals of the flock, male or female lambs or goats are the proper choice for this offering expressing gratitude for God’s reconnecting and redeeming Heart. Part of this offering could be eaten by the one presenting it, which symbolizes a partaking and unification with their Maker. This is a blessed thought and shadow of the New Covenant relationship that we have with Christ Jesus (Jeremiah 31:33, Romans 12:5, Galatians 3:28-29). These are again offerings lifted up in smoke by the priests, the sons of Aaron, by fire as a “soothing aroma to the LORD (Leviticus 3:5, 16).” The blood is sprinkled around on the altar from a sacrifice without blemish or defect. It is the picture of the just giving its life for the unjust to bring peace back into a strained relationship because of sin (Hebrews 9:11-22, Revelation 1:5). The person offering the sacrifice had to lay his hand on the head of the animal being sacrificed (Leviticus 3:2, 8, 13). This puts the person in contact with the suffering of the innocent animal as it is slayed for the purpose of giving its life to redeem a broken relationship between God and man. Finally, there are some stipulations regarding things that are not to be consumed. As a perpetual statute throughout future generations the fat and the blood was under direct command not to be eaten by Israelites (Leviticus 3:17). This eating of blood is later reflected in some of the directives of the new church in regard to Gentile converts as well (Acts 15:20).

-*Application* The shed blood of Jesus is precious to us in our conversion back into His good graces. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin (Hebrews 9:22). Christ had to pour out His undefiled blood as a sacrifice for our spiritual well-being (shalom-peace). Honor the devotion of the crucified Savior with your life sanctified (holy, set apart) as you conform to His image realizing what He gave up to bring you back into right relationship with the Father.

 

Verses to Memorize: Leviticus 3:1, 17

Bible Study Notes in Leviticus- Chapter 2

Leviticus 2

 

-Grain offerings are the law emphasis here in the second chapter, which offer some interesting things to note. The grain offering accompanied the burnt offerings as a memorial gift of thanks to God for His provision and care. It was to remind the people of His devotion to them, and that they in turn owed their lives to Him. There are three types of grain offerings listed: 1) fine flour with oil poured on it and frankincense put on it, 2) oven baked unleavened cakes or wafers mixed or spread with oil, and 3) roasted unleavened kernels of fine flour grain made on the griddle mixed with oil. Oil represents the presence of God, which is in every offering. Frankincense signifies the clarification from the falsity of evil to the inmost spiritual truth of good in God (see http://www.biblemeanings.info/Words/Plant/Frankincense.htm). Leaven (yeast) is a bacterial fungus or mold, which symbolizes sin in the Jewish ritual system. The absence of leaven represents then an absence of sin, which is vital to coming into right relationship with God (Leviticus 2:11, honey is added here too as an agent of the fermentation process). Leaven grows in bread like sin grows in a life if left unchecked and unrepented. It is the perfect symbol of how damaging sin can be. “A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough (1 Corinthians 5:6, Galatians 5:9).” These grain offerings are again “a soothing aroma to the LORD (Leviticus 2:2, 9),” which denotes His acceptance. Moreover, these grain offerings were to be seasoned with salt. This is a familiar biblical theme bridging the expanse of both the Old and New Testaments (Numbers 18:19, 2 Chronicles 13:5, Matthew 5:13, Mark 9:50, Colossians 4:6). This salt has implications as to the covenant of God with His people and them with Him. In this culture agreements were sealed with a presentational gift of salt to represent the strength and permanence of the contract. Therefore, when Jesus speaks of believers being the “salt of the earth,” He is giving us a permanent and powerful position in His Kingdom. Finally, the last portion of this chapter deals with the fact that everyone could be included in the grain offerings. Crushed heads of grain mixed with oil and baked was typical of the average person’s diet in this ancient culture. Even very poor people could afford to fulfill this offering by fire as a token of their respect and devotion to the LORD.

-*Application* Several times the text refers to these offerings as being offerings of fire. The fire of the Son, the Father, and the Holy Spirit burns away our sin and condemnation (Matthew 3:11, Deuteronomy 4:24, Acts 2:3-4, Romans 8:1-4). This fire of the LORD makes us holy, and our return offering of thanks is ever appreciated by the Holy One. Today offer your own sacrifice of praise unto God for all that He has done for you (Hebrews 13:15).  

 

Verse to Memorize: Leviticus 2:1

Bible Study Notes in Leviticus- Chapter 1

Leviticus 1

 

-Introduction: The book of Leviticus was written by Moses as one of the five books of the Torah (Law). Its setting was at the foot of Mt. Sinai somewhere in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula. The date of the writing and events of this book occur somewhere close to the years 1445-1444 B.C. The primary purpose of this book is to offer the priests of Levi an outline for their duties and service unto the LORD God for worship. A further purpose for this Word of God in Scripture can be summed up with the theme of “holy living” for the Hebrew people extending to all people of faith in the one-true Living God. Holiness is mentioned 152 times in this book, which is more than any other book in the Bible. This is the predominant theme with the verse “You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy (Leviticus 19:2)” being the key idea of the compilation. There are some other themes of note, which include the sacrifices and offerings, worship of the LORD Almighty, health and well-being, feasts of the LORD, and societal prosperity. The structure of the book includes a focus on worship with instructions for the offerings, priests, people, and altar (Leviticus 1-17). The second part structurally deals with living a holy life introducing proper standards for the people, rules for the priests, seasons and feasts for Israel, and receiving God’s blessing (Leviticus 18-27). These instructions were important for the Hebrew people as God prepared them for their Holy Land of promise even while they were in the wilderness following their dramatic escape from slavery in Egypt. For progressive revelation this book casts many shadows and types of the substance of things to come in Christ Jesus. Therefore, it is well worth our time and effort to study and dissect.

 

-Chapter 1- The LORD calls Moses and speaks to him from the tent of meeting telling him the proper way to present sacrifices of cows, sheep, goats, and birds (turtledoves or young pigeons). These are all burnt offerings and voluntary. The herd and flock had to be male without defect and offered at the doorway of the tent of meeting in the tabernacle. There are some specific instructions for how to carry out these sacrifices and how to arrange the parts of the dead animal on the fire or for washing. A special issue of note would be the arrangement for the sacrificing of birds. This was a poor man’s choice for making a voluntary offering before the LORD God, and ironically this was the type of sacrifice that Joseph and Mary made when baby Jesus was being dedicated at the Temple (Leviticus 5:11, Luke 2:21-24). These offerings were “a soothing aroma to the LORD (Leviticus 1:9, 13, 17)” meaning that they were accepted by the LORD because of the people’s humble and contrite attitude in obedience to Him.

 

-*Application* While we have Christ as our ultimate sacrifice in this day and age, the concept of holiness before our LORD should still be just as near and dear to our hearts. If we don’t walk in a righteous manner saved by the grace of God poured out upon us, we trample the work of Christ Jesus (Hebrews 10:26-31). Holiness in the Christian’s life is a big deal. Don’t minimize it.

 

Verse to Memorize: Leviticus 1:3

Bible Study Notes in Psalms- Chapter 150

Psalm 150

 

-Theme: The all-inclusive nature of praising the LORD.

-Historical Insight: This is the last refrain of praise in the Jewish Psalm book. Every verse in this chapter uses the word “praise” (halal) as the dominant point of the passage.

-*Application* How good are you at praising the LORD? What does it take to truly give your affections to the King of the universe each and every moment of each and every day? The list can be extensive, but here are a few predominant ones: gratitude, worthiness, joy, reverence, respect, submission, passion, devotion. Take some time today to contemplate some more attributes that we should ascribe to the King of kings and Lord of lords. He deserves our worship in a mass multiplicity of ways, so be creative and spontaneous. “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD (Psalm 150:6)!”

 

Verse to Memorize: Psalm 150:6