Sinai Leviticus People Set Apart for God Sacrifices

Sinai Leviticus People Set Apart for God Sacrifices Atonement

Introduction to the Book of Leviticus Theme of the Book of Leviticus Holiness of Israel as people set apart to serve God The word “holy” occurs 131 times The word “clean” occurs 186 times Writer Moses Place of Writing Probably written while at Mt. Sinai and in the wilderness wandering Divine authorship 38 times it states God spoke the words …

Introduction to the Book of Leviticus Content of the Book of Leviticus Full of sacrificial rituals which have not been practiced for almost 2000 years Christians see the replacement of the physical system with a spiritual one (Jer. 31: 31) Many laws covered Civil – Social system organization Ceremonial - Feasts Moral - Values Religious – Worship and Sacrifice Sanitary – Food laws and cleanliness

Introduction to the Book of Leviticus Beginning and end points of Leviticus Tent of meeting at Sinai (1: 1) Mount Sinai (27: 34)

Introduction to the Book of Leviticus Outline of Leviticus The way to approach God (1: 1 -16: 34) The way to maintain fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) God’s response to obedience and disobedience (26: 1 -46) Vows and tithing (27: 1 -34)

Introduction to the Book of Leviticus Four basic principles seen in Leviticus Israel is God’s unique people set apart for service and worship of the one true God Access to God is through the substitutionary atoning sacrifice of innocent (pure) for the guilty Israel to abstain from sin Only pure things acceptable offerings to God

Introduction to the Book of Leviticus Historical consideration Early biblical critics of the Bible maintained that laws like in Leviticus were not in evidence at this time period in history Hammurabi’s Code and Sumerian laws dating to the same time period as the laws of Leviticus and even older

Introduction to the Book of Leviticus Chronological connections to Exodus and Numbers Leviticus records the laws and regulations given to Moses on Mt. Sinai during the time period recorded in the Book of Exodus Sacrificial system carried out by priests given in detail Rules regarding the Tabernacle completed on the 1 st day, 1 st month of 2 nd year (Ex. 40: 17) First event in Numbers is the census on 1 st day, 2 nd month of 2 nd year Leave Sinai 20 th day, 2 nd month of 2 nd year

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Laws and sacrifices (1: 1 -6: 7) Distinction between the offerings Group 1 – Fellowship Group, celebrating relationship with God Burnt offering – recognition of sinfulness Meal offering – thankfulness to God Peace offering – fellowship and communion with God Group 2 – Cleansing Group, removal of sins Sin offering Trespass/Guilt offering Ways group one differs from group two Group one is described as “pleasing odor to Yahweh” Group one - no specific sin prompts these sacrifices Group one is Voluntary Group one - fellowship and relationship celebrated

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Laws and sacrifices (1: 1 -6: 7) Group 1 Fellowship - Burnt offering (1: 1 -17) Purpose: to propitiate for sin in general Recognition of being a sinful person Propitiate – carries the idea of take the place of, make reconciliation (show mercy) by providing a vicarious (substitution) sacrifice The Sacrifice – according to wealth (ox, sheep, goat, dove) God’s portion – all the animal Priest’s portion - none Person’s portion - none

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Laws and sacrifices (1: 1 -6: 7) Group 1 Fellowship - Burnt offering (1: 1 -17) Occasion for burnt offerings – atonement (1: 4) Daily sacrifice (morning and evening) Sabbath Festivals (New Moon, Day of Atonement, Passover, etc Private burnt offerings prescribed by law Consecration of Priests Purification of women Removal of leprosy Removal of uncleanliness Breach of vow Freewill burnt offering Acknowledge God’s mercy and give thanks

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Laws and sacrifices (1: 1 -6: 7) Group 1 Fellowship - Meal offering (2: 1 -16) Purpose – gift and thanks for God’s blessings The Sacrifice – grains, e. g. flours, oils cooked or not & frankincense (varied according to wealth) God’s portion – part to God Priest’s portion – rest to be eaten by priests Person’s portion – none Occasion – anytime, first-fruits “Salt of the covenant” added as a sign of incorruptness of covenant

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Laws and sacrifices (1: 1 -6: 7) Group 1 Fellowship - Peace offering (3: 1 -17) Purpose – Fellowship/communion meal to remember one’s relationship with God Sacrifice – Unblemished male or female ox, sheep, goat God’s portion – Fat and blood Priest’s portion: Wave offering – breast portion goes to high priest Heave offering – thigh goes to officiating priest (Indicated by the motion of the priest) Person’s portion – remainder eaten in court yard on the same day

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Laws and sacrifices (1: 1 -6: 7) Group 1 Fellowship - Peace offering (3: 1 -17) Various occasions for peace offerings: Thanks offering (7: 12) Purpose – for unexpected blessings or deliverance Votive offering (7: 16) Purpose – for the fulfillment of vows Could be eaten on the first and second day Freewill offering (7: 16) Purpose – to express general thankfulness and love toward God without regard to a specific blessing Could be eaten on the first and second day

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Laws and sacrifices (1: 1 -6: 7) Group 2 Cleansing - Sin offering (4: 1 -5: 13) Purpose – To atone for specific unintentional sins where no restitution was possible; also for purification from uncleanleness Sacrifice: Priest or whole congregation = bull Ruler = He goat Commoner = She goat or lamb Poor = dove or pigeon or fine flour God’s portion – fatty portion Priest’s portion – all the rest of animal Skin and head burned outside of camp Blood put on horns of alter of burnt offerings Person’s portion – none

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Laws and sacrifices (1: 1 -6: 7) Group 2 Cleansing - Sin offering (4: 1 -5: 13) God’s portion – fatty portion Priest’s portion – all the rest of animal Skin and head burned outside of camp Blood put on horns of alter of burnt offerings Person’s portion – none Occasion – Atonement for sins (4: 31, 35) and forgiveness (5: 14 -16: 7)

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Laws and sacrifices (1: 1 -6: 7) Group 2 Cleansing – Trespass/Guilt (5: 14 -6: 7) Purpose – To atone for specific unintentional & intentional sins where restitution was possible Damages computed by priests and fifth or 20% add to replacement cost Sacrifice – Ram only God’s portion – fatty portion Priest’s portion – all the rest of animal Person’s portion – none Occasion – Atonement for sins (4: 31, 35) and forgiveness (5: 14 -16: 7)

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Laws and sacrifices (1: 1 -6: 7) Group 2 Cleansing – Trespass/Guilt (5: 14 -6: 7) Differences between sin offering and trespass Applied to individuals only Only a Ram could be sacrificed Pertained to intentional sin as well as unintentional Intentionality Sin against a person in 6: 1 -7 seems intentional sin Numbers 5: 6 -8 notes that confession was necessary for deliberate sin and restitution was necessary after conviction (5: 7)

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Instruction for priests (6: 8 -7: 36) Burnt offerings (6: 8 -13) Alter of burnt offerings to be kept burning Ministerial garb when performing sacrifices Remove ashes to the ash heap outside of camp, not in ministerial clothes Meal offerings (6: 14 -18) Daily required offering to support the priests Grain offerings (6: 19 -23) At priestly consecrations Sin offerings (6: 24 -30) Trespass offerings (7: 1 -10)

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Instruction for priests (6: 8 -7: 36) Peace offerings (7: 11 -36) Forbidden portion of a sacrifice (7: 11 -27) Cannot eat the fat Cannot eat the blood Belong to God Portions for the priests (7: 28 -36) Wave offerings Heave offerings

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Moses carries out instructions on priests (8: 1 -10: 20) Moses returns from receiving instructions on Mt. Sinai to implement them Consecration of priests, Aaron and sons (setaside for a holy purpose Ceremonial washing (8: 6) Priest clothing (8: 6 -9) Urim and Thummin – literally “lights, ” “perfection” – used to cast lots for God will (Ex. 28: 30; Num. 27: 21; 1 Sam. 28: 6; Ez. 2: 63; Neh. 7: 26) Anoints tabernacle & Aarons head with oil (8: 10 -13)

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Moses carries out instructions on priests (8: 1 -10: 20) Moses consecrates Aaron with offerings Bull for sin offering (8: 14 -17) Priests placed their hands on head of sacrifice Fat burned on alter Remainder burned outside of camp (i. e. sin offering) Ram for burnt offering (8: 18 -21) Hands on head symbolizes their complete dedication to God Ram of ordination (8: 22 -29) Blood put on right ear, thumb, and big toe

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Moses carries out instructions on priests (8: 1 -10: 20) Moses consecrates Aaron with offerings Blood of consecration and oil (8: 30) Eat of the offering for seven days (8: 31 -36) Atonement (8: 34)

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Moses carries out instructions on priests (8: 1 -10: 20) Aaron offers sacrifices for high priests – commencement of priestly ministry (9: 1 -24) God’s instruction on offerings before His glory (9: 1 -14) Sin offering for Aaron and the people Burnt offering for Aaron and the people Peace and grain offering Aaron carries out sacrifices for himself (9: 8 -14) Sacrifice for the people (9: 15 -22) Glory of God appears to people (9: 23 -24) Fire comes down from heaven – consumes sacrifice

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Moses carries out instructions on priests (8: 1 -10: 20) Proper method of sacrifice by priests (10: 1 -20) Nadab and Abihu used strange fire (10: 1 -7) Used fire different from what God commanded May have been drunk Showed disrespect for God’s will Instruction to Aaron on the use of strong drink (10: 8 -9) Distinction between holy & profane (10: 10 -11) Proper use of sacrifices (10: 12 -20) Wives of priests could join in eating wave & heave offerings

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Laws of purification (11: 1 -15: 33) Clean and unclean animals (11: 1 -47) Land animals (11: 1 -8) Split hoof and chews cud is clean others unclean Water animals (11: 9 -12) Scales and fins only clean Birds (11: 13 -19) List of unclean birds – scavengers unclean Winged insects (11: 20 -23) Four-footed unclean, clean – jointed legs & hops Touching the dead (11: 24 -40) Unclean until evening, wash self and clothes Swarming things (11: 41 -47)

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Laws of purification (11: 1 -15: 33) Clean and unclean animals (11: 1 -47) Touching the dead (11: 24 -40) Unclean until evening, wash self and clothes Swarming things (11: 41 -47) All unclean Crawls on belly unclean Many legs unclean

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Laws of purification (11: 1 -15: 33) Purification of mother at childbirth (12: 1 -8) Male child: Unclean for 7 days and purifies for 33 days Female child: Unclean for 14 days and purifies for 66 days Why the difference of time of unclean Some say it shows gender preference given to males It is probably God providing a longer rest period for women who have female children because of the cultural tendency to prefer male children and so the mother might receive preferential care for having a male Unclean – do not do your normal work

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Laws of purification (11: 1 -15: 33) Purification and care of leprosy (13: 1 -14: 57) Detailed description on diagnosing leprosy and care Examined by the priests If found to have leprosy considered unclean (unhealthy) If not below skin level and hair has not turned white one is put in isolation for seven days, if no change the person stays another seven days If symptoms spread considered unclean and live separate from rest of people Kept people at a distance by calling out unclean

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Laws of purification (11: 1 -15: 33) Purification for bodily secretions (15: 1 -33) Normal bodily secretions Unclean until evening Washing only required Abnormal bodily secretions Unclean for seven days Sacrifice required Related to males (15: 1 -18) Seven days unclean Sacrifice: sin offering and burnt offering Related to females (15: 19 -34) Seven days unclean

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Day of Atonement sacrifice (16: 1 -34) Priest and family sacrifice (16: 1 -14) Priests - bull for sin offering, ram – burnt offering Before can enter the holy of holies Two goats – cast lots, one for sin offering & scapegoat Goat offered Shows imperfection of priesthood (Heb. 7: 26 -28) Wash and clean clothes to enter holy of holies Blood sprinkled on the mercy seat Blood sprinkled on the horns of the alter

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Day of Atonement sacrifice (16: 1 -34) People’s sacrifice (16: 15 -19) Ram for a burnt offering Two goats – cast lots, one for sin offering & scapegoat Cast lots for goat to let loose in the wilderness One sacrificed to God and one for “removal” Blood sprinkled on the mercy seat Blood sprinkled on the horns of the alter “Then Aaron shall lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the sons of Israel and all their transgressions in regard to all their sins; and he shall lay them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who stands in readiness.

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Day of Atonement sacrifice (16: 1 -34) People’s sacrifice (16: 20 -28) Bear the sins of the people of Israel Non-sacrificed goat - represents release from sins Scapegoat – confesses over it all of the Israelite’s sin Aaron lays hands on head of goat and confesses sins of Israel, sends the goat away into the wilderness Goat shall bear their sins (16: 22) Priests to wash and put his priestly robes on again Offers up the rams as burnt offerings with the fat of the sin offering Flesh of the sin offering is offered outside of camp

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Day of Atonement sacrifice (16: 1 -34) Perpetual statute (16: 29 -34) Three things to remember about Day Atonement Date of the Day of Atonement – 7 month, day 10 Purpose – remove sins (16: 30) Day of Atonement – to be like Sabbath day, set aside for God

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Day of Atonement sacrifice (16: 1 -34) Key terms related to sacrifice Atonement – reconciliation to God by a substitutionary sacrifice with shedding of blood (Lev. 16: 11, 16) Reconciliation – be brought back into a right relationship Propitiation - A sacrifice-like action that removes a barrier of sin which blocks a good relationship between God and people. (Rom. 3: 25; Heb. 2: 17; 1 Jn. 2: 2, 4: 10) Consecration - devoting or setting apart of anything to the worship or service of God. (Lev. 21: 12; 2 Chron. 29: 17)

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Day of Atonement sacrifice (16: 1 -34) New Testament and the perfect sacrifice (Heb. 8: 1 -10: 31) New Covenant is better (Heb. 8: 6 -7) New Covenant make the old obsolete (8: 13) The veil over the holy of holies indicates by the Holy Spirit that the way to the presence of God has not been totally revealed while the tabernacle was is standing (Heb. 9: 8) Old way could not make the worshiper perfect in conscience(9: 9).

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Day of Atonement sacrifice (16: 1 -34) New Testament and the perfect sacrifice (Heb. 8: 1 -10: 31) Jesus entered the most holy place through his blood (9: 12) Jesus blood cleanses our conscience through the eternal Spirit (Heb. 9: 14) Jesus the mediator of a new covenant Death takes place for redemption of transgressions (Heb. 9: 15) Without blood there is no forgiveness Holy place is a copy of the heavenly (9: 23 -24) Jesus did not have to die yearly (9: 25 -28)

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Day of Atonement sacrifice (16: 1 -34) New Testament and the perfect sacrifice (Heb. 8: 1 -10: 31) The law was a shadow of things to come and could not make the people perfect or complete (Heb. 10: 1) Sacrifices were reminders (10: 3) Jesus took the place or fulfilled the old system (10: 4 -18) See Heb. 10: 9 and Heb. 10: 12 Christians have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus (Heb. 10: 19) Hold fast to our confession (Heb. 10: 23)

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Sacrifice rules for killing animals (17: 1 -9) Killed as a peace offering (5) Not offered to the goat idol (7) Purpose: to keep from improper worship (7) Permanent statue (7) Those who disobey will be cut off from the people (9)

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Sacrifice and sanctity of blood (17: 10 -16) Life is in the blood (see also Gen 9: 4) Not to eat Blood to be used as atonement

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Holy living: laws related to social behavior (18: 1 -20: 27) Not to live as the Egyptians or Canaanites (18: 1 -5) God is the source of how people should live They are to follow God (18: 3) Reason: He is God

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Holy living: laws related to social behavior (18: 1 -20: 27) Law on sexual relations (18: 6 -30) Laws on incest (18: 6 -18) Other sexual sins (19: 19 -23) Not to lie with a woman during unclean time Adultery Fornication Worship of Molech Homosexuality (18: 22; 2013; Rom. 1: 27; 1 Cor. 6: 9; 1 Tim. 1: 10) Bestiality

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Holy living: laws related to social behavior (18: 1 -20: 27) Results of continuing to sin (18: 24 -30) Become defiled like the land God is giving them and so they will be corrected like he correct the people in the land before They will be cutoff from among the people

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Holy living: laws related to social behavior (18: 1 -20: 27) Relationship laws (19: 1 -37) Love your parents (1 -3) No images of God Proper sacrifice to God (worship) Leaving some of the harvest for the poor No stealing or dealing falsely Not to oppress your neighbor (13 -14) Impartial judging (15) No slandering (16)

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Holy living: laws related to social behavior (18: 1 -20: 27) Relationship laws (19: 1 -37) Love your neighbor as yourself, no vengeance (17 -18) Mixed breeding of cattle and mixed planted seeds (19) Sexual relations with neighbor’s slaves (20 -22) Fruit of trees No divination Not to use mediums or spiritists Kind to strangers Hones in weights and measures

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Holy living: laws related to social behavior (18: 1 -20: 27) Punishment for sin (20: 1 -27) Applied to Israelites and aliens living in Israel Death penalty for some crimes Giving your child to Molech = religious adultery (1 -5) Using mediums and spiritists – cut off from the people (6 -8, 27) Cursing father and mother – put to death (9) Adultery – put to death (10 -12) Homosexuality – put to death (13 -14) Marries mother and daughter (15) Bestiality – death (16) Relations with uncles & aunts – cut off from the people (17 -21)

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Holy living: laws related to social behavior (18: 1 -20: 27) Punishment for sin (20: 1 -27) God emphasizes the need to keep his statutes and not follow the customs of the nation they are to drive out of the land (22 -23) The statutes are to help the Israelites to lives that are pleasing to God (holy living – living with God as one’s ruler) but also preserve good social relationships Eating clean animals was to remind the Israelites they were to live holy (clean) lives – set apart for God’s purpose (24 -26)

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Laws governing the priests (21: 1 -22: 33) Priests keeping themselves holy (21: 1 -9) Ceremonial purity (21: 1 -6) Marital purity (21: 7 -9) High priests keeping themselves holy (21: 10 -15) Keeping the sacrifices pure (21: 16 -22: 33) Various laws related to proper sacrifice (21: 16 -22: 16) Flawless animals for sacrifice (22: 17 -33)

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Holy days and festivals to be observed (23: 1 -44) Weekly observance (23: 1 -3) Sabbath (23: 1 -3) Purpose: Day of rest from regular work day Every seventh day

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Holy days and festivals to be observed (23: 1 -44) Annual celebrations or festivals (23: 4 -44) Passover & Feast of Unleavened Bread (23: 4 -14) Passover – 1 st month, 14 th day , begins celebration Purpose – commemorate God’s deliverance of Israel from Egyptian slavery Ritual – lamb killed, blood sprinkled on door posts, roasted and eaten by offerers New Testament – pointed to a greater sacrifice and salvation through Christ’s crucifixion Feast of Unleavened Bread – 1 st month, 15 th day for 7 days Purpose – to commemorate the hardship of the hurried departure from Egypt Ritual – offering of the first fruits, eating only unleavened bread

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Holy days and festivals to be observed (23: 1 -44) Annual celebrations or festivals (23: 4 -44) Pentecost (Feast of Weeks) (23: 15 -22) Date – 3 rd month, 50 days after the Passover Purpose – dedicate the first fruits of the wheat harvest to God Ritual – sin offerings, burnt offerings and peace offerings Feast of Trumpet (23: -25) Date – 7 th month, 1 st day Purpose – announce the sacred month & prepare for Day of Atonement (23: 26 -32) Date – 7 th month, 10 th day Purpose – atoning sacrifice forgiveness of sins Ritual – burnt offering, scapegoat and sin offering

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Holy days and festivals to be observed (23: 1 -44) Annual celebrations or festivals (23: 4 -44) Feast of Booths (23: 33 -44) Date 7 th month, 15 th day for 7 days Purpose – commemorate the wandering in the wilderness and the completion of the harvest Ritual – burnt offering; living in booths for 7 days

Leviticus – Annual Jewish Feasts ANNUAL FEASTS DATE PURPOSE SCRIPTURES Passover 1 st month, day 14 (Nisan Remember Israel's – April) deliverance from Egypt Ex. 12; Lev. 23: 4 f Nu. 28: 16 -25 Feast of Unleavened Bread 1 st month 15 th - 21 st Remember their quick departure from Egypt Ex. 12 Lev. 23: 6 -8 Feast of First Fruits 1 st of the new week following Passover Gratitude for the spring harvest –first fruits to God Lev. 23: 9 -14 Pentecost (Feast of Weeks) 50 days after the Passover (Sivan – June) Commemorate the giving of the law at Mt. Sinai Deut. 16: 9 -12 Lev. 23: 15 -22 Feast of Trumpets 7 th month 1 st day (Tishri Ushered in the sacred month Lev. 23: 23 -25 and prepare for day of atonement – Oct) Day of Atonement 7 th month day 10 (Tishri – Yearly removal of sin from Oct) the Israelites Feast of Booths (Feast of Tabernacles) 7 th month days 15 -21 (Tishri – Oct) Lev. 16; 23: 26 -32; Num. 29: 7 -11 Remembrance of Israel's Lev. 23: 33 -43; wandering in wilderness and Num. 29: 12 -38 giving thanks for harvest

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Maintenance of the tabernacle (24: 1 -9) Oil for the lamp to be kept on hand for the lamp to burn continually Flour for cakes prepared for each Sabbath

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Judicial penalties for breaking laws (24: 10 -23) Case of a person who cursed God Man who’s mother was an Israelite and father an Egyptian fought with an Israelite Cursed God Brought before Moses so the command of the Lord might be made known (24: 12) Sentence was stoning (24: 14)

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Judicial penalties for breaking laws (24: 10 -23) Other possible sentence for crimes Blasphemy – stoning Murder – death Animal’s death – replacement of animal Eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth sentencing Describes God’s justice system not revenge for which it is often used

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Laws for society in the Promised Land (24: 10 -23) Sabbatical Year (25: 1 -7) Only found in Israel’s history Every 7 th year no sowing, reaping or gathering Only eat from the fields Purpose – land is to have rest

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Laws for society in the Promised Land (24: 10 -23) Year of Jubilee (25: 8 -24) Every 50 th year set aside as holy (11) Starts on Day of Atonement with blowing of Ram horn Functioned as a Sabbatical Year God will bless the year before so there will be plenty Purpose – Return of people’s land that they had sold as permanent selling of land was not allowed Land was sold according to the value of the crops that it would produce before the next Year of Jubilee

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Laws for society in the Promised Land (24: 10 -23) Redemption of property (25: 25 -34) Purpose – allow people to buy back land before Jubilee anytime they had the funds Buy back price to be calculated on the time left till the Year of Jubilee House in a walled city does not revert back at Jubilee but can be purchase back within a year of sell House on land does revert back with the land at Jubilee House of Levites sold in the cities do revert back at Jubilee Pasture fields of Levites cannot be sold

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Laws for society in the Promised Land (24: 10 -23) Laws of usury (25: 35 -38) People are to support the poor and not charge interest on loans Interest on food and money not to be charged

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Way of maintaining fellowship with God (17: 1 -25: 55) Laws for society in the Promised Land (24: 10 -23) Redemption of slaves (25: 39 -55) Israelites sold to Israelites (39 -43) Could not be slaves, must be hired Released and given their land at Jubilee Not to be treated severely Non-Israelites (44 -46) May be bought as slaves Israelites sold to non-Israelites (47 -55) May be redeemed anytime by the slave or a relative Must pay proportionally to the Year of Jubilee Must be released in the year of Jubilee

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God’s response to obedience & disobedience (26: 1 -46) Blessing of keeping God’s commands (26: 1 -13) Rain and good harvests Peace in the land Multiply the people God will continue with them

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God’s response to obedience & disobedience (26: 1 -46) Results of not keeping God’s commands (26: 14 -39) Sudden terror, consumption and fever (16) Land will not be fruitful (17) Struck down by their enemies (17) Continuing to not follow God will bring: Continual famine Plagues Problems and capture by their enemies Land will have a Sabbath rest after people captured and those left will live in fear

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God’s response to obedience & disobedience (26: 1 -46) Repentance and change always possible (26: 40 -46) These consequences are intended to turn the people back to God is always calling people to confess their sins and God will keep his covenant God keeps his side of the covenant but the people at times fail to live by faith in God and break the covenant God will not destroy them even when they are taken into the lands of their enemy (43 -46)

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Vows and Tithing (27: 1 -34) Regulations on dedication of things to God and their redemption (27: 1 -29) Means given to God at the tabernacle/temple People (1 -8; see 1 Sam. 1: 11) Males 20 -60 = 50 shekels Females 20 -60 = 30 shekels Males 5 -20 = 20 shekels Females 5 -20 = 10 shekels Male above 60 = 15 shekels Female above 60 10 shekels For the poor the priests can set a value within the poor’s means to pay

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Vows and Tithing (27: 1 -34) Regulations on dedication of things to God and their redemption (27: 1 -29) Animals (9 -13) Appropriate sacrificial animal cannot be redeemed but must be offered as a sacrifice Unclean animals valued by the priest & sold plus 1/5 th House (14 -15) Priest values the house and 1/5 th added Property (16 -25) Priests set price by years remaining until Jubilee and add 1/5 th

Leviticus - Ways to Approach God Vows and Tithing (27: 1 -34) Regulations on dedication of things to God and their redemption (27: 1 -29) Firstborn (26 -29) Not redeemable because only God can redeem them Levites will later be used to redeem the firstborn Redeeming the tithe (27: 30 -34) Anything tithed may be redeemed and 1/5 th added