Back to GraceLeviticus – Being Distinct from the Nations
Leviticus centers around the holiness of God and how a sinful people can enter into continual fellowship with Him. The root meaning of the word holiness is separation. God’s covenant people were to be separate and distinct from the pagan nations around them.
Along with the theme of holiness, the corresponding theme is the atonement. A proper relationship to God (“positional holiness”) cannot be attained without a proper atonement for sin.
Key words or phrases of the book:
- “You shall be holy, for I am holy”
- “I am the LORD who sanctifies you.”
- “I am the LORD” (49x)
- “Cut off from his people” (14x)
- “Blood” (86x)
- “It shall be unclean” (116x)
Basic Outline of Leviticus
Laws and Guidelines for ….
- System of offerings (Ch. 1-7) (Burnt, grain, peace, sin, guilt)
- Consecration and the priesthood (Ch. 8-10)
- Clean and unclean things (purity) (Ch. 11-16)
- Personal and practical holiness (Ch. 17-27)
Our New Testament counterpart to the book of Leviticus is Hebrews
- Key word of Hebrews – Better
- Christ is better
- Christ is better than the angels, Moses, and the law.
- A better covenant
- Better sacrifice
- Better promises
- Better priesthood
Key verses that tie Hebrews back to Leviticus.
Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
Hebrews 9:26
Practical application of Leviticus for the church today.
Peter quotes Leviticus
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”
1 Peter 1:14-16