Leviticus 16 - The Life of Moses

(My BSF Notes)

Last week we learned that we can’t approach God in an unauthorized way.  We can only approach Him through Jesus.  Living a good life is not good enough.  We need Jesus.

Leviticus 16 – The Day of Atonement

We learn in the earlier chapters of Leviticus of the various types of sacrifices offered for sin and how they were to be offered.  In this chapter we learn about a unique day, the Day of Atonement.  On this special day sacrifices were offered by the high priest for the sins of the entire nation of Israel.  This parallels with what was to be accomplished by the death of Jesus, our High Priest.

Sin is universal.  It is a lack of conformity to the will of God.  When we sin, we are offending God, because we are breaking His laws.  We have missed the mark of God’s holy standards.  We are sinning against God Himself.  It is an outrage against God.  It subjects us to the wrath of God and has eternal consequences.  All people have sinned.  Therefore, all people are under God’s judgment except those who have trusted in God’s provision to escape that judgment.  That is through having faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

Have you put your faith in Jesus Christ?

Do you know where you will spend eternity?

On the Day of Atonement the high priest, Aaron entered the Tent of Meeting and only on this day could he enter the Most Holy Place.  Before he could enter he must sprinkle the blood of the bull on the atonement cover and enter with a censer of coals and incense.  The smoke from the coals was to conceal the atonement cover above the Ark where the presence of the Lord would be.  He was to do this or he would die. (Lev. 16:12).  

Aaron was to sacrifice a bull for his own sins.  Then do the same for the entire nation by presenting 2 goats before the Lord.  1^st a goat was to be slaughtered and the blood was to be sprinkled on the covering of the Ark.  “In this way he will make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins have been.” – Lev. 16:16.

The 2^nd goat, known as the scapegoat, was not slaughter.  Instead it was allowed the die in the desert.  Aaron laid his hands on the goat and confessed over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites – all their sins – and put them on the goat’s head.  Then the goat was sent away into the desert.  This symbolized what Jesus Christ did for us.  Jesus is our scapegoat.  He took the penalty for our sins away and we never have to face it again.  “And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood.” – Heb. 13:12.  True atonement was provided by the Lord Jesus Christ.

As Aaron laid his hands on the scapegoat and confessed all the sins of the Israelites, we too must confess every single one of our sins to God and repent and then the blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse us from all our unrighteousness.  Jesus did to perfection what the Old Testament ritual could only do in symbol.

People today are unclean and rebellious.  They murder, hate, lust, and disobey God.  They are selfish and arrogant thinking only of themselves.  They think they don’t need Jesus.

The 1^st goat that was to be sacrificed was to serve as an atoning sacrifice before the Lord.  It pictures the propitiation (to turn aside the wrath of God) for sins by death.  The living goat, the scapegoat, was to serve as a substitute for the people.  It symbolized the complete removal of their sins.  Christ is our substitute for those who receive Him by faith.  He removed our sin and our guilt of sin and He has removed it forever!  When a sinner comes to Jesus by faith, his sins are not only paid for, they are taken away forever!  Thank you, Jesus!  Now we have the assurance of heaven and can enjoy fellowship and communion with God.  We can enter His presence in prayer and we are no longer under condemnation.  “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” – Rom 8:1.

How have you been rebellious toward God?

What sin do you need to banish in your life?

What guilt do you need to get rid of?

Who is your scapegoat?

After the scapegoat was driven away, burnt offerings for Aaron’s sins and the sins of the people were made.  “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you:  On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work – whether native-born or an alien living among you – because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you.  Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins.  It is a sabbath of rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance.” – Lev. 16:29-31.

“This is to be a lasting ordinance for you:  Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites.” – Lev. 16:34. 

“It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” – Heb 10:4.  God provided a way to atone for our sins.  It’s through Jesus.  We need to know that Jesus accomplished this for us and that nothing else or no one else can do this for us.  The sacrifices in the Old Testament system could not do this.  Their sacrifices had to be done over and over again.  They pointed us forward to Christ who would do this for us once and for all time.  We must believe in Jesus to approach God for salvation.  No good works, moral life, no suffering, no self-sacrifice can save you.  You must believe on Jesus to be saved.

When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain of the temple that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was torn in two from top to bottom.  This showed that God opened the way into His presence for those who believe in Jesus.  We now have access to God through Jesus’ sacrifice.

Do you believe in Jesus and have you confessed your sins to Him?

If not, will you do it now before it’s too late?

Who do you need to tell about God’s grace?

Principles: 

God provided a way to atone for our sins.

Jesus’ blood was sacrificed once and for all to take away our sins.

Because of Jesus, we have hope?

How can you show your gratitude to Jesus for what He has done for you?

My friend Janice Beers expresses it this way in a prayer:

Jesus, You shed Your blood for me;

   in agony, suffered on the tree.

You did it all to set me free

   that I could have eternal life with Thee.

I'm thankful sin offerings are no longer done;

   through Your perfect sacrifice, the victory is won.

I'm grateful You have made me clean;

   so, on Your work at the cross, I will lean.

You gave me new life through a second birth

   so I can serve You here on Earth.

I pray You will teach me and guide my ways,

   and I'll share the Gospel and give You the praise!

n  By Janice Beers of Versailles, KY

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Leviticus 8-10 The Life of Moses

(My BSF Notes)

Last week we learned that Leviticus is a handbook for priest and that God wanted them to be holy and us to be holy, because He is holy.  This week we will look a little deeper into chapters 8-10.

Leviticus 8 – Consecrating and Ordaining the Priests

Now that the tabernacle or Tent of Meeting was finished and instructions were given by God for sacrifices, Aaron and his sons who were the priests had to be consecrated and ordained as so they could do their work.

Consecration means a commitment of your life for a purpose or a setting apart.  Ordination means the process of setting apart.  God told Moses and Moses told the priests how the consecrating was to be done.  They were to bring a bull, 2 rams and the basket containing bread made without yeast.  Then gather the entire assembly at the Tent.  They were to offer sacrifices for their sins and then tell the people to offer sacrifices. 

Then God gave specific instruction as to how the priests were to be clothed.  They were to be washed with water, dressed and clothed with a tunic, with a sash, a robe and an ephod.  A turban was place on their head.  Moses then took anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and everything in it.  

A bull was presented for the sin offering.  They laid their hands on it transferring their sins, and then it was slaughtered.  Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the altar which consecrated it.  Then he took a ram for the burnt offering and they laid their hands on it transferring their sins.  It was slaughtered and its blood was sprinkled on the altar.  It was cut into pieces and burned offering a pleasing aroma to the Lord.  Another ram was offered for ordination.  They laid their hands on it also and then slaughtered it.  Moses put some of the blood on their right ear, on their right hand, and on their right big toe.  Then blood was sprinkled on the altar again.  Even their garments were sprinkled with oil and blood so they would be consecrated.

They were to cook the meant and eat it there with bread from the basket of ordination.  They were to stay there for 7 days and nights offering sacrifices or they would die, because that was what the Lord required.  Aaron and his sons did all that the Lord commanded through Moses.

What was the significance of the blood on the right ear, right hand, and right big toe?  The right side is usually more dominant.  The ear meant they were to listen to God’s words; the hands showed they were devoted to God’s work; the feet were to constantly walk in God’s ways.

All believers are priests today.  We are set apart.  We have been washed by the blood of Jesus, which makes us clean.   “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” – Heb. 10:22.  We have been dressed and clothed with Christ.  He has made us worthy.  “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” – Rom. 13:10.  We are anointed with the Holy Spirit who gives us all different gifts to do His work.  “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me…” – Is. 61:1.

What area in your life do you need to consecrate to God?

Do you listen to God when He speaks to you?

How are your hands serving God?

Are you walking in God’s ways?

Principle:  Consecration to God means to live for Him and not ourselves.

Leviticus 9 – The Priests Ministry Begins

On the 8^th day the priests were to begin their work.  First they were to present a bull for their sin offering  and then tell the people to present a male goat for a sin offering, a calf and lamb without defect for a burnt offering, an ox and a ram for a fellowship offering all to be sacrificed before the Lord.  Then the Lord would appear to them.  (Lev. 9:4).  They did just as they were commanded.

Aaron and his sons came out of the Tent and lifted his hands and blessed the people.  Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people.  Then fire came out from the presence of the Lord.  When the people saw this, they shouted with joy and fell facedown worshipping the Lord.

How do you worship in your church?

Do you worship God joyfully?

Principle:  Obedient acts of faith reveal God’s glory.

Leviticus 10 – Aaron’s Sons Dishonor God

Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu were called ordained and called by God, but they messed up.  They offered unauthorized fire before the lord and the fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them and they died. (Lev. 10:2).  Verse 9 indicates that they may have been drunk when doing their duties.  God forbids the drinking of wine by priests who were on duty.  Probably because it could impair them as they did their work.  They needed to have a clear mind as to what they were doing.  They were set part and should to be an example for the people.  “You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean, and you must teach the Israelites all the decrees the Lord has given them through Moses.” – Lev. 10:10-11. 

God was severe with them because they were to model what this sacrificial system was to look like.  He is saying, “You can’t comprise with Me.  You are to be holy.”  Sin is common to all of us since Adam and Eve.  Sin brings death, both physical and spiritual.  But out of His love we don’t have to die, because of Jesus.  God made a way for us not to experience spiritual death.

They attempted to come to God in an unauthorized way bringing them death.  Today our eternal death comes to those who insist on approaching God apart from Jesus Christ.  We try to be good, do good things, be kind, volunteer and help others and think that is enough to get to God.  That is an unauthorized way to come to God and it doesn’t work.  He only accepts His way.  Jesus is the only way to God.  “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.’” – John 14:6.

God requires us to be holy as He is holy.  He wants us to honor Him.  God always demands complete holiness and obedience.  Anything else is unholy and disobedient.

When have you dishonored God?

Do you strive to be holy?

After Aaron’s sons death, Moses told Aaron to keep it together.  He reminded Aaron that God is holy and that he was still called to serve and be a priest.  So Aaron was silent.  He probably knew they did wrong.  He did not eat the sin offering on this day, maybe because he was mourning inwardly.  Maybe he felt unholy or even a little responsible for their actions.  He would be eating in sorrow and not be rejoicing or thankful.

When have you not pleased God?

Have you approached God through Jesus?

Principle:  God is concerned with our heart attitude and how we worship.

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Leviticus 1-7; 11-15; 17-24 - The Life of Moses

(My BSF Notes)

Last time we saw how the cloud of God’s glory filled the Tabernacle.  Now God is giving laws and instructions to the priests for offerings that are to be presented to Him since He is holy and would be living with them.  Leviticus is a handbook for the priests.  It contains many rules they needed to do their work like worshiping God, making sacrifices and handling everyday problems concerning cleanliness.  The theme of Leviticus is holiness.  God wants His priests to be holy as He is holy.  Holiness is to be a characteristic of all God’s people.  A key verse in this study is Lev. 20:26 – “You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.”

Leviticus 1-7 – Holiness through Offerings

There are 5 types of offerings:

Burnt Offering – The purpose was to make atonement for sin.  This offering focuses on how the animals were to be handled.  The worshiper was to offer a male animal without defect from the herd or flock or a dove or young pigeon.  He was to present the animal at the entrance of the tent so it would be acceptable, lay his hands on it and it would be acceptable to make atonement for him.  Then it would be slaughtered before the Lord.  Its blood was sprinkled on the altar by the priests, but into pieces, burned on the fire so the aroma would be pleasing to the Lord.

Grain Offering – The purpose of this offering is not explained, but thought to be an offering of thanksgiving that might be called a gift to the Lord.  It was finely ground flour or grain that was mixed with oil and incense.

Fellowship Offering – The purpose was for peace and fellowship with the Lord.  It too was a sin offering and similar to the burnt offering involving an animal and sprinkling of blood on the altar.

Sin Offering – The purpose was to make atonement for sins the worshiper had committed.  It was a bull without defect, killed, and its blood sprinkled on the altar.

Guilt Offering – The purpose was to make restitution and atonement for wrongs committed unintentionally and against the Lord.  It was a ram without blemish, killed, blood sprinkled and restitution of 1/5 of its value.

Anyone could present an offering.  The sacrifice is to be costly to the worshipper and only the best could be offered.  Jesus has fulfilled every part of this law, and we do not repeat these offerings today.  Salvation is through the Lord Jesus Christ and anyone can come to Him.  Salvation is a free gift for us, because Jesus paid the full price of our sins.  God still calls us to offer sacrifices to Him – our praise, our gifts, our service, our worship, our time, etc.

Atonement means the reconciliation of God and humans brought about by the redemptive life and death of Jesus.  These various sacrifices are a picture of what Jesus accomplished through His perfect life and His death on the cross.  He was without blemish or sin, His blood was spilled and spattered, our sins were laid on Him, and He became the sacrifice for all who believe in Him.

God dwells in His people today by His Holy Spirit.  We are His Tabernacle made possible by Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself for the atonement for our sins.  Give God thanks for sending Jesus to be your sacrifice and for sending His Spirit to live in you to guide and protect you.

Principle:  A holy life is characterized by a right relationship with our holy God.

What does a relationship with God look like?  A relationship with God includes confession, repentance, worship and spending time with Him.

What do you need to do to have a relationship with God?

Is there something in your life your are ashamed of that you cannot talk to God about?

What sacrifice have you offered God this week?

Leviticus 11-15 – Holiness through Clean Living

These laws in chapters 11-15 do not directly apply to us today, but we can learn from them.

Another key verse is Lev. 11:44 – “I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.”

This is a list of purification laws for Israel.  I have listed a practical or health or benefit for each.

11:1-17 – Clean and unclean animals - these were to help them learn to obey God and not please themselves.

12:1-8 – Purification following childbirth – this allowed a new mother to rest after childbirth.

13:1-46 – Skin diseases – it is good to quarantine a person to keep others from getting the disease.

13:47-59 – Mildew contamination – mildew and mold is very unhealthy making you have all kinds of sickness just by breathing it.

14:1-32 – cleansing skin diseases –today we take care of skin problem by visiting the doctor for medication.

14: 33-57 – cleansing from mildew – today we wash it away; Fema is called when there is critical contamination for clean up.

15:1-33 – Uncleanness from bodily discharges – this could be an example of contagious sexual transmitted diseases.

The New Testament shows the primary purpose of these laws as not physical health.  Mark 7:15-18 – “Nothing outside a man can make him unclean by going into him.  Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean.”  The people were learning about God and themselves from these laws.  God wanted them to be holy just as He is holy.  It also reminded them of how He rescued them from Egypt. (Lev. 11:44-45).

Principle:  A holy life is characterized by inward and outward, public and private purity.

What draws you closer to God?

Does something enter your mind that is not pure?

What do you need to change to bring purity in your life?

What is your life reminds you of truths about God?

Leviticus 17-24 – Holiness through Choices

This section teaches lessons about living a holy life.  It contains prohibitions against eating blood, unlawful sexual relations, various laws and punishments, unacceptable sacrifices, a new listing of yearly feasts and rules governing oil and bread used in the tabernacle.

A key verse here is Lev. 17:11 – “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for ourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”

The blood was important part in sacrifice.  The life is in the blood.  Blood is a symbol of life.

God needed them to live differently.  In Lev. 18 God teaches about every kind of sexual immorality.  He considers it detestable (verses 22,26,29,30), wicked (verse 17), defiling (verse 20), and a perversion (verse 23).  He gave other reasons for these commands.  He said they should not practice what they use to practice when they were in Egypt.  He said they are to be holy and His is holy.  God set them apart from every other nation and they are not to be like other nations.

Homosexuality is very relevant today.  “Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.” – Lev. 18:22.  This is not the only sin God talks about here in chapter 18, but is in a large list of sins and sin separates us from God.  Why is it wrong?  It is wrong, because it is not in God’s plan just like any other sin is not in His plan.  If you struggle with this or someone you know does, ask God to teach you why this is wrong.  Study His word.  We all struggle with some sin and we all fall short and we all need Jesus.

Sin brings guilt and requires a punishment.  It separates us from God.  Holiness is our Christian destiny.  One day we will be like Jesus.  But for now, we are to pursue holiness.

Lev. 19:37 says it all. “Keep all my decrees and all my laws and follow them.  I am the Lord.”

What sin do you need to rid yourself of?

Do you strive to be holy?

Chapter 21 and 22 gives rules and high standards for Priests.  We all need to be praying for our church leaders.

Principle:  A holy life is characterized by intentionally representing God through holy choices.

Where in life are you not representing God?  Is it what you read, watch on TV, how you respect the elderly?

Do you make holy choices?

It is impossible for us to be completely holy as God is holy.  We are to continue pursuing holiness.  So for now fix your eyes on Jesus and one day we will be like the holy Jesus. 

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