LEVITICUS Serving the God Who Is Holy LEVITICUS

LEVITICUS: Serving the God Who Is Holy

LEVITICUS: Key Verse “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. ” (Leviticus 19: 2)

LEVITICUS: Major Characters • The Lord – Speaks to Moses & tells him what to say. (Title in Hebrew: “And He called” – 1: 1) • Moses – Serves as “go-between” with God & the people • The People of Israel – No “actions” in the book, but they are the object of all laws given by God through Moses

LEVITICUS: Plot • In one sense, there isn’t one; God tells Moses what to say to the people • Israel is gathered at the foot of Mt. Sinai, where God makes His covenant with Israel & reveals His law • The people learn what God expects of them & how to serve Him

LEVITICUS: Types of Laws • Sacrifices for various types of sins • Laws for the Priests & how they are to function • The “Holiness Code” (Lev. 17 -26) teaches Israel not only not to sin, but to strive for moral excellence • Making vows to God

Major Event: The Day of Atonement (Lev. 16) • The most sacred day of the Israelite year • Purpose: To make atonement for the sins of the entire nation • Main Event: Aaron (High Priest) enters the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifices for himself & for the all the people • Even the Holy of Holies must be cleansed; Israel’s sins pollute even the holiest place on earth • In NT, becomes the pattern for what Jesus did by His death on the Cross (Hebrews 9: 11 -12)

LEVITICUS: Lessons for Today 1. God is _______, & He expects His people to be _____. 2. God is _______, b/c He provides a way for sins to be forgiven. 3. Sin is so terrible that it can only be cleansed through ______. 4. Only the sacrifice of _______ can finally take away our sins.