We are beginning today in the book of Leviticus. The book is a continuation of God's covenant instructions on Mount Sinai, begun in Ex. 20. The name "Leviticus" comes from the many laws and regulations of the book that concern the rights and duties of priests (who were of the tribe of Levi).

Certain clearly defined bodies of laws can be identified in the book. The first seven chapters prescribe the laws of sacrifices; chs. 11-15 distinguish between what is clean and unclean; ch 16 describes the Day of Atonement; and the various laws of chs. 17-26 are unified by the distinct refrain "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy" (Lev. 19:2)

The entire Book of Leviticus is set in a relatively brief period of time. Only a month and a half passes between the erection of the tabernacle at Mount Sinai and the Hebrews' departure from Sinai. The tabernacle was finished on the 1st day of the 1st month in the 2nd year of the Exodus (Ex. 40:17); the departure was on the 20th day of the 2nd month of the same year (Num.10:11,12). Depending on whether the Hebrews left Egypt in the 15th or 13th century, the 2nd year of the Exodus would be about 1445 or 1274 B.C.

The content of Leviticus, however,extends beyond this short month and a half in the wilderness. Many of the laws clearly pertain to a time after the Israelites had entered their land, for instance, the laws for planting fields and cleansing houses. Partly for this reason, some suggest that at least the current form of the book was actually composed later than its context would suggest, perhaps from several different law codes. Of course, those who accept the traditional attribution of the first five books of the Bible to Moses disagree and understand these passages simply as laws given for a future time.

The animal sacrifices described so carefully in Leviticus fit properly in the historical context of the book. Animal sacrifice was universal in ancient Near Eastern religion, so Israel's sacrifice of animals is hardly surprising. More striking, though, is the absolute prohibition against the equally common practice of child sacrifice (see Lev. 18:21).

Leviticus 1-4
These four chapters deal with the different types of offerings that were to be offered to the Lord in the tabernacle.

The Burnt Offering-1:1-17
The Grain Offering-2:1-16
The Peace Offering-3:1-17
The Sin Offering-4:1-35

Leviticus 5-7
These chapters cover, for the most part the laws that governed the offerings. There were very strict procedures for each offering and also laws that governed the exact way in which the priest would perform their duties concerning the offerings.

The Trespass Offering-5:1-13
Offerings with Restitution-5:14-6:7
The Law of the Burnt Offering-6:8-13
The Law of the Grain Offering-6:14-23
The Law of the Sin Offering-6:24-30
The Law of the Trespass Offering-7:1-10
The Law of Peace Offerings-7:11-21
Fat and Blood May Not Be Eaten-7:22-27
The Portion of Aaron and His Sons-7:28-38

The more I study the old testament the more I realize that God's plan for us is so amazing. We are washed in the blood of the "once and for all" sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The law that had to be obeyed for the remission of sin was done away with when, our Savior, the only complete sacrifice gave his life for us. Praise God for his mercy that we are no longer required to practice the day in and day out ritualistic duties that were required of the Israelites to keep their fellowship with God and be purged of sin. Have a wonderful day with the Lord knowing that your faith in His sacrifice has removed the penalty of death and separation from God forever. Amen!!