Leviticus is first and foremost a law, a legal code for living in a theocratic society as God's chosen people. It was written for Israel, and therefore the rules written in that time for Israel as a theocratic nation cannot be applied indiscriminately. However, this is no excuse for ignoring this text - after all the things of Scripture were written for our learning. Much can be gleaned from this book - from the character of God, the offerings pointing to Christ, the intermingling of worship, atonement, thanksgiving, repentance, remembrance, justice and mercy.
In the temple sacrifices and the rules for the priests, we can see the importance of purity. Daily washing, washing any time the lavar was passed, and the sacrifice first for the priest's sins before he made offerings. These physical actions were there as spiritual lessons - purity is not a once only thing, but continual; also that one must deal with his own sin before helping others deal with their sin.In the new covenant, we are now also priests, with direct access to God, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Though the physical signs are not required, yet the purity of life and continual cleansing our lives of sin is of utmost importance. Like the priests, we approach and have the privilege of standing in the presence of a Holy God - His very nature abhors sin and keeps us from Him. Also like the priests, we represent God to others, and we cannot encourage others well if we are unwilling to put the effort into cleansing our own life - we cannot be self-righteous, as we too rely on the sacrifice of Christ.
There are many lessons that can be drawn from the different types of sacrifices prescribed. Burnt offerings, sin offerings, meal offerings, trespass offerings. The amounts that were burnt, the portions that were burnt, or given to the priests, where the blood was scattered. There is not time to go into them all here, but as I was reading through I noticed particularly that the sacrifices were a mix of offering for sin, and praise. Thankfulness, and repentance. They were a pleasing aroma to God, if brought with a pure heart.
Concerning the strange fire that Nadab and Abihu offered, we are reminded of the import of obedience. In some ways the sacrifices and offerings were worthless, because they in themselves never took away sin. Obedience in life was more important than the ritual sacrifices - as is repeated many times in later books. Yet the sacrificial system was at the same time very important - to not follow the rules was to reject God as Ruler. Even worse was the act of rejecting God's prescribed offering for their own ideas of a suitable offering - trying to gain acceptance from God by their own efforts. It may not be incense we offer nowadays, but the temptation to offer God what we think is best is still a temptation to which we all fall prey at times.
In the rules concerning cleansing, we see a mix of symbolic cleansing, and practical health instructions. The people came from Egypt, where archaeologists and historian tell us that many of the 'remedies' proposed involved fecal material and many other unsanitary items. God knows what is best, and protects His people both practically from the spread of disease, and spiritually by marking a difference between them and the nations around them - making it harder for them to mix with and be corrupted by the idolatrous worship.
In the last part of the section under consideration, we see the sacrifices prescribed on the Day of Atonement - Yom Kippur. The amazing picture of Christ presented by the two goats - one sacrifice that died for sins and the blood presented before God for acceptance. The other goat bearing the sin of the people far away. Christ fulfils perfectly both of those roles. As with many of the other sacrifices, again we see the high priest making atonement first for himself. This part Christ did not need to fulfil - the other high priests were sinful and required atonement for themselves. The Great High Priest required no atonement for Himself, but was perfect, without defect or blemish.
In chapter 17, we see that only one place of sacrifice was acceptable - there was provision for people to kill animals for sacrifice elsewhere, but the fat and the blood must be brought to that one place of sacrifice and present it before the Lord. Similarly, there is only one path to God, through our Saviour Jesus Christ. As He said: "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one cometh unto the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)
Done is the work that saves,
Once and for ever done;
Finished the righteousness
That clothes the unrighteous one.
The love that blesses us below
Is flowing freely to us now.
The sacrifice is o’er,
The veil is rent in twain,
The mercy-seat is red
With blood of Victim slain.
Why stand we then without, in fear?
The blood of Christ invites us near.
The gate is open wide;
The new and living way
Is clear, and free, and bright,
With love, and peace, and day.
Into the holiest now we come,
Our present and our endless home.
Enthroned in majesty
The High Priest sits within;
His precious blood, once shed,
Has made and keeps us clean;
With boldness let us now draw near;
That blood has banished every fear.
Then to the Lamb once slain,
Be glory, praise, and power,
Who died, and lives again,
Who liveth evermore;
Who loved us, cleansed us by His blood,
And made us kings and priests to God!
William H Havergal
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