April 2 Readings

Leviticus is a difficult book to understand. Many of us try to go through the Bible in One Year. We enjoy reading Genesis and Exodus, but by the time, we get to Leviticus, we hit the proverbial "wall" just as the marathoners experience at the 14th mile. Leviticus seems to be a boring book fill of rules and regulation but if we approach the book in a prayerful manner and with useful information that is provided here, we will understand the book further. Useful Links for Leviticus
Introduction by David Malik
Ray Stedman on Leviticus
J. Hampton Keathley on the Law, scroll to Leviticus

The main theme of Leviticus is the holiness of God and the holiness expected for God' people. Key verse is Lev 11:45 "I am the LORD who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy." (NIV)

Leviticus 1-7 deals with the Five Main Offerings, their protocols and their purposes.
The Five Offerings

Leviticus 1: The Burnt Offering was usually a bull, ram or male bird(if the poor could not afford the above-mentioned animals, they could offer a dove or a pigeon. God even has compassion for the poor by allowing them to sacrifice what they could afford). The offering must have no defect (This is a type of Christ, Jesus, that Jesus was without sin and is the Lamb of God)and is wholly consumed by fire. The person making this sacrifice had to place his hand on the head of the animal and it would be offered on his behalf to make an atonement for him. This was a voluntary act of worship done as an expression of devoting commitment and surrender to God. Paul was thinking about this in Romans 12:1 " I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, [which is] your spiritual service of worship." Someone once said "The problem with a living sacrifice is that it keeps on crawling away from the altar.

Leviticus 2 is a grain offering, this could be either fine flour, olive oil, incense; or baked bread with salt, and no yeast and honey. The purpose of this offering was a voluntary act of worship, and recognition of God's faithfulness and provisions; devotions to God.

Leviticus 3 is a fellowship offering, this could be any animals without defect from the herd, male of female, a variety of breads can also be offered. The purpose of this offering is a voluntary act of worship, thanksgiving and fellowship. A communal meal may be included.

Ray Stedman on Lev. 1
Ray Stedman on Lev. 2
Ray Stedman on Lev. 3