Leviticus 01:01 Bible Study - Introduction and Overview

In this first in our series going verse by verse through the book of Leviticus, we look at the historical and cultural context of the book of Leviticus. We ask, who was the author, who was the original intended audience and what was the significance of the text to them? Then we ask how this text applies to us today. Ultimately, we ask why should we even study such a strange text that seems so irrelevant for us today. We dig into all this and more in this introduction to the book of Leviticus. Outline: 02:12 - Introduction - The Book of Leviticus is about holiness - being set apart Be Holy for I am holy” - Lev 11.44; 11.45; 19.2; 20.7; 20.26; 21.8. 04:16 - Background of Leviticus Author: The Holy Spirit - Leviticus contains more direct speech by God than any other book of the Bible. Human author: Moses (3rd of his 5 books - Torah, the Law - the Pentateuch). When written: During the dessert wanderings (1,400 - 1,500 BC) Original Intended Audience: Israel, specifically the Levitical priesthood. Leviticus = Latin “Pertaining to the Levites” 06:34 - Why should we study Leviticus? 1. The Bible is God’s word to us and should be studied. All of it. 2 Tim 3.16-17 2. Leviticus sets up the system upon which Jesus made His sacrifice for our salvation. Heb 9.1-15; 10.1 3. Leviticus is a call for us to be holy and set apart. 4. There are over 100 references to Leviticus in the New Testament 14:30 - Context of the Book of Leviticus 14:53 - what is the Abrahamic Covenant? Gen 12:1-3 - The establishment of the Abrahamic Covenant. Gen 12.7; 15.18 - the promised land Gen 15 - cutting of covenant ceremony between Abraham & God Gen 26.3-4 - Abrahamic Covenant passed to Isaac Gen 28.13 - passed to Jacob. Exo 2.24 - God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Exo 3 - God tells Moses he has heard the cry from the Israelites and that he has not forgotten his promise. Exo 7-11 - plagues on Egypt. Exo 14 - The Parting of the Red Sea Exo 19 - they reach Mount Sinai. (roughly 10 weeks after leaving Egypt) Exo 19.5-6 - God claims Israel as his own, challenging them to become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Exo 20 - 10 commandments Exo 20-23 - The Book of the Covenant Exo 25-31, 35-40 - The Tabernacle and all its elements are built. 24:45 - Outline of Leviticus 1-7 - The offerings for the Great Bronze Altar 8-10 - The consecration of the priesthood. 11-16 - Uncleanness 17-27 - God’s moral standard for his people. An even simpler outline of Leviticus: 1-17 - The Israelite's foundation of fellowship w/ God - Sacrifice. 18-27 - The Israelite’s walk of fellowship w/ God - Being holy, being separated 27:32 - The Theme of Leviticus is Holiness - “to be set apart.” WORD STUDY - Holy - קֹדֶשׁ - qōḏeš. Gen 2.3 - First use of the word in NIV, the 7th day Exo 3.5 - 2nd use: Moses at the Burning Bush Exo 19.5-6 - God choose Israel as his treasured possession. Exo 20.8 - The 4th commandments 29:24 - WORD STUDY - Sin - חַטָּאָת ḥaṭṭā'āṯ. Rom 3.23; 5.8; 6.23 30:40 - WORD STUDY - Blood - דָּם - dām. 31:10 - WORD STUDY - Sacrifice - זֶבַח zeḇaḥ. 32:13 - what is the difference between Grace and Mercy? 33:11 - Two key verses: Lev 17.11 & 19.18 33:50 - LEVITICUS IS THE FOUNDATION FOR THE CROSS. Support Iron Sheep Ministries: https://Ironsheep.org/donate Listen to the podcast: https://anchor.fm/ironsheep Contact Dave & the ISM team: [email protected] Be notified of each new teaching, join the email list: http://eepurl.com/g-2zAD References: Graphics of the tabernacle and the bronze altar were created by Jeremy Park, Bible-Scenes.com. Barker, L. Kenneth. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Abridged Edition, Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994. Gane, Roy. The NIV Application Commentary, Leviticus, Numbers. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004. Wiersbe, Warren W.. The Bible Exposition Commentary, Old Testament, The Pentateuch. Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2001.