Lev 12:1

Lev 12: Natural uncleanness: Reproduction impl mortality, and therefore sin. In perfect state, no marriage/reproduction (Luk 20:36).

Lev 12:2

Her separation insures complete recovery from the supreme ordeal of childbirth.

UNCLEAN FOR SEVEN DAYS: Just as the earth will be “unclean” for 7 days of 1,000 years each!

Lev 12:3

ON THE EIGHTH DAY THE BOY IS TO BE CIRCUMCISED: As was commanded to Abraham (Gen 17:12). “Yet, because Moses gave you circumcision (though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a child on the Sabbath. Now if a child can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing the whole man on the Sabbath?” (John 7:22,23).

Lev 12:4

33 DAYS: Cp 33 years of Christ’s “uncleanness”.

Lev 12:5

2 weeks (cp 1 week) and 66 days (cp 33 days). The cleansing of woman (Bride of Christ) follows the cleansing of the man (Christ), but takes twice as long. Twofold “sin”: of nature, and of acts (LM 250-252).

Lev 8:1

Lev 8: “The importance of the divine instructions concerning the appointment of priests: Israel was called to be ‘a kingdom of priests’ (Exo 19:5,6). Therefore the consecration of the priests set forth parabolically was what was expected of them, and the whole congregation was called together to witness it (Lev 8:3). The priests represented the nation in miniature, but their failings (eg, Lev 10), brought home the grim reality that they fell short of the ideal. Further, in that a section of the priestly people were permitted to minister at the altar and tabernacle. Israel was reminded that as yet it was unfit to assume the priestly privileges to which it had been called. In the symbolism of the consecration service the people would thus discover a spur to effort and a check to pride. The consecration of priests was on the same day as that of the tabernacle, etc (Exo 29:44). Antitypically, the priest, tabernacle, and altar were similarly arranged as shown in Heb 13:10; 9:11,23, etc. So Moses recorded: (1) Instructions for the consecration of the priests chosen for service: vv 1-5. (2) The priests to be cleansed: v 6. (3) They are clothed: vv 7-9. (4) The tabernacle anointed: v 11. (5) Aaron anointed as high priest: v 12. (6) Aaron’s sons anointed as priests and the altar atoned: vv 13-17. (7) A ram is burnt: vv 18-21. (8) The ram of consecration: vv 22-30. (9) Eating of the holy things: vv 31-36.

“The consecration of the priests denoted activity devoted to the service of Yahweh (v 27). The priest was not to own property, nor support himself. He was to live from the tabernacle service (vv 31,32) and his life was to be devoted exclusively to this on behalf of Israel. Like Christ, he must be about his Father’s business (Luk 2:49). Thus Christ was the antitype of all the elements of divine worship in Israel” (GEM).

“There is a particular order of events we should notice in the narrative of the ordination of Aaron and his sons to be priests. The lessons we learn from them are something that we should try and put into practice in our own lives.

“Aaron and his sons were first washed and then dressed in their priestly garments. The first thing we should do as we come to serve God is to prepare ourselves by washing in baptism and then clothing ourselves with spiritual clothes: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and love (Col 3:12-14).

“Next the sin offering was offered for Aaron and his sons. Once we are dressed we should confess and repent of our sins and pray for forgiveness.

“The third step was to present the burnt offering – an offering totally dedicated to the LORD. Our third step is the same: To completely dedicate ourselves to the work of our God, having no distractions and with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength.

“The ram for the ordination offering was offered next. The unique thing about this was the blood placed on the right ear, thumb and big toe of Aaron and his sons. This speaks to me of the dedication of our ears to God’s word, our hands to his work and our feet to his path.

“Finally, Aaron and his sons were to stay in the tent of meeting and to eat the offerings. It was a time of fellowship with the LORD. Once we are dedicated and have been prepared we too will be able to share fellowship with him” (RP).

Lev 8:12

Three anointings in the Old Testament are typical of the Lord Jesus Christ in his three capacities, or offices, in the New Testament: (1) Moses anointed Aaron as a priest in Lev 8:12, typical of Christ in his role as the great High Priest. (2) Elijah anointed Elisha as prophet in 1Ki 19:16, typical of Christ as the greatest of the prophets. (3) Samuel anointed David as king in 1Sa 16:1, typical of Christ as the son of David, and future king upon David’s throne.

Lev 8:14

We must have a sin offering (Christ) before the burnt offering (self-consecration) (v 21) and the peace/fellowship offering (fellowship with God) (Lev 9:4).

Lev 8:35

Duty, responsibility, commitment, obligation — as a servant, watchman.

Lev 9:9

Christ’s blood on the “horns” of the cross, and then sprinkled round about (when his side was pierced by a spear).

Lev 3:1

Lev 3: “The beauty of the Mosaic Law is the lessons it teaches of God manifestation in flesh, for every ritual of the Law is designed to focus on the Messiah. That principle is clearly revealed in the Peace Offering (vv 1-5). The word is from the Hebrew ‘sheckhim’, to bring together as one, suggesting the idea of divine fellowship. Yahweh, the priestly Mediator and the worshipper ‘were united’ as one by a sacrificial feast (Lev 7:15). This was a cause of great rejoicing as the word suggests. Then Moses describes the lamb to be selected (Lev 3:6-11), or a goat (vv 12-16), with the fat (v 17). Every element in the record is important” (GEM).

The whole work of Christ in relation to the believer’s peace is here in type: he made peace (Col 1:20), proclaimed peace (Eph 2:17), and is our peace (Eph 2:14).

Lev 3:2

HE IS TO LAY HIS HAND ON THE HEAD OF HIS OFFERING: By laying his hand on the head of the sacrifice before killing it, the offerer was to establish a close, personal link between himself and the sacrifice. First of all, it was to be his property (Lev 1:2); and secondly, he was to touch it and handle it, thus identifying himself with it.

All this is figurative of our relationship with Christ, who is the true and complete and final sacrifice for all sins. First of all, Jesus is one of us: His Heavenly Father made him a man, born of woman, born under the law (Gal 4:4), and thus possessing our own sin-prone nature (Rom 8:3; Heb 2:14). The Father did this, so that the Son, in his perfect life and self-denying death, could overcome that nature that was subject to sin.

Secondly, we emphasize this relationship in baptism, when we identify ourselves with his death, burial, and resurrection (Rom 6:1-4). Thus we show that he belongs to us, and we belong to him. In this way, and this way only, his sacrifice will have meaning for us — figuratively, we lay hands on Jesus, and he becomes OUR offering!

And thirdly, we remember that great sacrifice, and renew our connection with it and our dedication to it, in the regular breaking of bread. Thus — in a spiritual sense, we lay hands on Christ as we partake of the bread and wine — and he becomes “that… which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched” (1Jo 1:1).

Lev 3:9

• THE ENTIRE FAT TAIL CUT OFF CLOSE TO THE BACKBONE: This was considered a delicacy, and the tendency would have been to keep a bit back for oneself. But the point of the sacrifice is to give 100%, not 99%!

Lev 3:17

See Lesson, Blood. Cp Lev 7:26,27; 17:11,14; Deu 12:23.

Lev 4:1

Lev 4: “The provisions of Lev 4 are based on an understanding that a knowledge of sin has been brought home to the sinner (v 24). So Moses set before the people he elements of the Sin Offering of Ignorance: vv 1,2. The sin offering legislated for sins done unwittingly, and in so doing taught that sin is related to nature. Behind all conscious acts of the will there are natural, or involuntary movements, or propensities of which we are hardly conscious, but for which, nevertheless, we are held responsible. Even thought must be controlled (2Co 10:3; Mat 5:2, 8; Pro 24:9). So the sacrifices were an important element in preparing a people for God, and ensuring that they understood His wisdom and principles” (GEM).

Lev 4:2

WHEN ANYONE SINS UNINTENTIONALLY: “The offerings not to be eaten but burnt, and whose blood was to be presented in the tabernacle, were those offered for sins of ignorance; while those to be eaten, were for sin in general. The bringing of the blood into the tabernacle and the burning of the bodies, would seem to express intenser repudiation than the eating of the flesh. And yet the intenser repudiation was for the class of sin that men are liable to consider the most venial — sins of ignorance. What is the explanation of this? Is it so that unconscious sin is more hateful to God than that which is known and confessed? It would not be difficult to think so. When a man knows his faults, disowns them and struggles against them, his friends bear with him more easily than if he offends regularly in a line of things of which he is not aware. In his ignorance, he supposes himself perfectly acceptable, while all the time it may be he is making it the hardest work in the world to endure him. We are probably not far wrong in supposing that this is how it is with our imperfect selves towards God, and that there is a special meaning in the declaration that He ‘hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities’ [Psa 103:10]” (LM 242).

Lev 4:3

The offering for the High Priest typ Christ’s offering. In ct sin offering for others (which was eaten by priests: Lev 6:25,26), the body of this sacrifice was not eaten (Lev 6:30), but burned outside the camp (Lev 4:11,12). Thus, the antitypical Christ-sacrifice, which provided access into God’s presence (v 6), was burned outside the camp (Heb 13:10,11), that is, outside the Law of Moses (BS 13:15).

Lev 4:12

OUTSIDE THE CAMP: Cp Heb 13:11: to be observed by those who were outside — ie lepers, unclean, Gentiles.

Lev 4:21

OUTSIDE THE CAMP: “Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore” (Heb 13:13).

Lev 4:23

GOAT: Repr wayward human nature. But a “kid of the goats” (AV), not mature in his way, ie pliable.

Lev 5:1

A PUBLIC CHARGE TO TESTIFY: “A public adjuration to testify” (RSV), as did Christ (Mat 26:63).

Lev 6:2

SOMETHING ENTRUSTED TO HIM OR LEFT IN HIS CARE: “In a matter of deposit or security” (RSV).

Lev 6:12

EVERY MORNING: Manna given (Exo 16:21). Fire on the altar (here). Incense offered (Exo 30:7). Praise offered (1Ch 23:30). Service offered (1Ch 9:27). Sacrifice presented (2Ch 2:4; 13:11). God visits (Job 7:18). God is their arm (Isa 33:2). His compassions new (Lam 3:23). The Philistines present themselves (1Sa 17:16). God silences the wicked (Psa 101:8). Judgment (Zep 3:5). Administer justice (Jer 21:12).

AND ARRANGE THE BURNT OFFERING ON THE FIRE: “Lay the burnt offering in order upon it” (AV). Setting “in order” is a significant thing in the service of God: Gen 22:9; Exo 26:17; 39:37; 40:4,23; Lev 1:7,8,12; 6:12; 24:8; 1Ki 18:33; 2Ki 20:1; 2Ch 13:11; 29:35; Eze 41:6; Acts 18:23; 1Co 11:34; 14:40; Tit 1:5.

Lev 6:13

THE FIRE MUST BE KEPT BURNING ON THE ALTAR CONTINUOUSLY; IT MUST NOT GO OUT: The altar is the place where offerings are made to God, and since the only true offerings are those which are made in spirit and truth (Joh 4:24), therefore — in a sense — the only true “altar” is the human heart. This heart is a great altar indeed, and here — in my heart –the fire of divine love must be kept burning continuously.

God loves to see the hearts of His people glowing towards Himself. Let us give to God our hearts (Pro 23:26), all blazing with love, and seek His grace, that the fire may never be quenched; for it will not burn if the Lord does not keep it burning. Many foes and circumstances will contrive to extinguish it, so that its fire will grow cold (Rev 2:4); but if the unseen hand of the priest continues to replenish the fuel, and renew the sacrifices, it will blaze higher and higher. Let us use the Scriptures as fuel for our heart’s fire, so that our offerings will ascend to Yahweh as a sweet savour. May He touch our lips, and our heart, with burning coals — as He did with Isaiah (Isa 6:6,7).

Lev 6:27

Christ, the sin offering, was touched by unclean, yet remained holy. And, the unclean were thereby cleansed (WGos 127).

Lev 7:12

AN EXPRESSION OF THANKSGIVING: A concept found a number of times in the Bible: Psa 50:23; 107:8,22; Hos 14:2; 2Co 9:15; Eph 5:20; Phi 4:6; Col 1:12; 1Th 5:18; Heb 13:15; 1Pe 2:5.

Lev 7:13

MADE WITH YEAST: “Leavened” with sin, corruption: A humble recognition of sinfulness (Lev 23:17). Christ came in “flesh of sin”.

Lev 7:15

The essential idea of the peace/fellowship offering: Sharing a meal with God: Act 2:42,46; Exo 24:5,11; 1Co 10:16,20,21; Col 1:20-22.

Lev 7:17

ANY MEAT… LEFT OVER… MUST BE BURNED UP: So that no corruption be associated with peace/fellowship offering: cp Psa 16:10.

Lev 7:26

“The life is in the blood”: Lev 3:17; 7:26,27; 17:11,14; Deu 12:23. Blood is the source of life — its red blood cells supply oxygen and nutrients to every cell in the human body.

A very instructive contrast is intended here: Christ’s blood is a “transfusion” of life to us: “Drink my blood” (Joh 6:53-57; 1Co 11:25-27; Mat 26:27,28). What was FORBIDDEN — that is, the partaking of the natural blood, of other sacrifices — is COMMANDED of us, on a spiritual level — in the symbolic partaking of Christ’s “blood”. It is only through Christ and his shed blood that we may have life.

And so, as the Letter to the Hebrews emphasizes time and again, all the offerings and sacrifices of the Law of Moses could never take away sin… BUT the one perfect sacrifice of God’ Son could and did and has taken away sin — once and for all time, and — prospectively, and on the basis of faith — for all men! (See Lesson, Blood. Cp Lev 3:17; 17:11,14; Deu 12:23.)

Lev 7:30

WITH HIS OWN HANDS: The sacrifice cannot be offered by proxy; every person is responsible for his or her own sin, and his or her own offering.

Lev 7:31

THE BREAST: The “heart” belongs to all priests, but… the strength (v 32: right shoulder) belongs to the priest who offered it only (Christ only had strength to offer). This was offered once only: one “heave”, or lifting up.

Lev 7:34

THE BREAST THAT IS WAVED: A continuous back-and-forth motion. “Breast” = heart.

THE THIGH THAT IS PRESENTED: “The heave shoulder”. One lifting motion. “Shoulder” = strength.

Lev 1:1

Heb title: “Vayikkra” = “he called” (first word in Heb text). See Lesson, Pentateuch, Hebrew titles.

See Lesson, Lev, overview.

See Lesson, P source, problems.

Lev 1:2

The offering was to be taken from the property of the individual. This was to be a fundamental principle: from his ordinary possessions, and out of his daily life, the worshiper was to find the means to give sacrifice and service to his God. God’s worship was not to be an extraordinary thing, something done by an elite few for the benefit of others, or something performed by an entertainer — for the amusement of onlookers. It was to be the regular devotion of the common man and woman — their God was with them every day, a presence in all aspects of their lives. So out of the common furnishings, the common threads and tools, of that day-to-day existence, they were to set aside a portion to be given to Him.

Lev 1:3

WITHOUT DEFECT: Cp Christ: Though by nature like others, yet with no personal sin. The only blemish was internal: ie sinful nature.

Lev 1:4

See Lesson, Laying on of hands.

Lev 1:7

Setting “in order” is a significant thing in the service of God: Gen 22:9; Exo 26:17; 39:37; 40:4,23; Lev 1:7,8,12; 6:12; 24:8; 1Ki 18:33; 2Ki 20:1; 2Ch 13:11; 29:35; Eze 41:6; Acts 18:23; 1Co 11:34; 14:40; Tit 1:5.

Lev 2:1

GRAIN OFFERING: “Meat” offering (AV); “cereal” offering (RSV).

Lev 2:11

HONEY: Produces fermentation; sym pride, self-glory, a corrupting influence: Pro 25:27.

Lev 2:14

FIRSTFRUITS: The body of Christ — derived from Christ (the true firstfruits) — passing through the fire of affliction.