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Leviticus
Leviticus
is a seminal document, in many ways more profound than the United
States Declaration of Independence or Constitution. How? First,
Leviticus sets in order the priesthood, and by default, organized
religion. Secondly, it contains the germ form of a universal code of
civil law that now rules not only Israel, but most of Western
civilization. Although Hammurabi's Code (Babylon) predates "Moses'
Law," the Judaeo-Christian ethic can be seen far more predominantly in
governments everywhere.
Leviticus 8:5 - "And Moses
said unto the congregation, This is the thing which the LORD commanded
to be done."
Sacrificing a male without blemish
God instructed Moses to tell the people to bring sacrificial offerings to the priests so atonement could be made for their sins. Specifically, they had to be male cattle, sheep or goats, without blemish. And they had to be presented voluntarily. All these conditions prefigured Jesus Christ, spotless lamb, who freely offered up His life for our sins.
Leviticus 1:3 - "If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD."
The Meat Offering
The meat offerings were different from the blood sacrifices. "Meat" is a general term the ancients used to refer to all food. The meat offering was a FOOD offering. It had to be unleavened bread (baked, cooked or fried) with oil, and salted. Part was burned on the altar to the Lord, and part became the priests' food. It also symbolized Jesus, the bread of life.
Leviticus 2:8 - "And thou shalt bring the meat offering that is made of these things unto the LORD: and when it is presented unto the priest, he shall bring it unto the altar."
Killed by the Beneficiary
It seems somehow ironic that God required each person to slay their own sacrifice before presenting it to the priest for placement on the altar. The murderer would be the beneficiary of the atonement. That is exactly how Jesus' sacrifice was enacted. He was killed by the very people He came to save.
Leviticus 3:2 - "And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron's sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about."
Five Offerings
Burnt Offerings (Leviticus 1) were primary sacrifices for universal sin. Meat (food) Offerings (Leviticus 2) were gift offerings. Peace Offerings (Leviticus 3) were fellowship offerings shared between God (at the altar), the priest and the donor. Sin Offerings (Leviticus 4) covered sins of ignorance - unknown sins. Trespass Offerings (Leviticus 5) covered sins that were knowingly committed.
Leviticus 4:2 - "...If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD... then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering."
Wordless Prayer
Prayer
is defined as a petition, a request, or communion with God. The earliest forms of repentance under the Tabernacle plan involved bringing sacrifices to the Lord. Nothing at all is mentioned about praying, confessing, or asking God's forgiveness. Offering a sacrifice of blood
apparently constituted an admission of guilt and was viewed as a petition for God's forgiveness. Sometimes, actions speak louder than
words.
Leviticus 4:23 - "Or if his sin, wherein he hath sinned, come to his knowledge; he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats,
a male without blemish."
Confessing Sins
This is the first occurrence in the Bible of any
requirement for confession. After Moses listed several sins, he called
for the guilty party to confess his sin. A precedent for all time was
set. As a general rule, the priests confessed all Israel's sins when
they offered sacrifices. God requires that we acknowledge our
wrong-doing. He is more interested in producing righteousness in us
than in punishing our wrongs.
Leviticus 5:5 - "And it shall be,
when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess
that he hath sinned in that thing."
Lies and Deceptions
Throughout the Pentateuch (the first five books, written by Moses), an almost countless array of sins are condemned. But among the reasons for the five major offerings for sins, lies, deception and bearing false witness ranked among the worst of all. The God of truth hates lies, deception and false testimony. Liars are reckoned among the worst of sinners. Only speak truth.
Leviticus 6:2-6 - "If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour... or hath deceived his neighbour; or ...sweareth falsely; ...he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD."
Compensation for the Priests
God stipulated that the priests should keep a portion of the burnt offerings, meat offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and trespass offerings for themselves. Prophetically, this sets a divine precedent that all ministers of all ages should be compensated for their services in the ministry.
Leviticus 7:35 - "This is the portion ...out of the offerings of the LORD made by fire, in the day when he presented them to minister unto the LORD in the priest's office; Which the LORD commanded to be given them of the children of Israel, ...by a statute for ever throughout their generations."
Congregation
Once the Tabernacle was fully prepared and Moses had thoroughly given instructions pertaining to all the service of the Tabernacle, he called the people together to the door of the Tabernacle to witness the consecration of the Priesthood. This was the first occasion for all of Israel to attend a holy service at the house of God, but it was a precedent. Even in the New Testament, we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together at God's house.
Leviticus 8:3 - "And gather thou all the congregation together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation."
The Ephod
The
High Priest wore an elaborate vestment called the ephod. Two sardonyx
(onyx) stones on the shoulders contained the names of the twelve tribes
of Israel. Twelve precious stones were mounted on the front on blue,
red, and white embroidered linen. Also called the Urim and Thummin,
when the Priest consulted God before the Ark of the Covenant, the
stones illuminated if God blessed, or gave a "yes" answer. Dull stones
meant God's cursing, or a "no" answer.
Leviticus 8:7 - "...and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith."
The Cross Leads to His Glory
The Tabernacle furniture was positioned in the pattern of the Cross. BOTTOM - Altar (Repentance.) CENTER - Laver (Water Baptism.) LEFT, Candlestick (Baptism of the Holy Ghost.) RIGHT, Shewbread (The Word - bread of life.) TOP - Incense (Prayer.) They led to the Veil and the Ark of the Covenant. When we repent, get baptized, receive the Holy Spirit, study the Word, and pray, we will discover the glory of God in that holy place.
Leviticus 9:6 - "...Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commanded that ye should do: and the glory of the LORD shall appear unto you."
The Horns of the Altar
Both the Brazen Altar and the Altar of Incense had horns on the four corners. Horns on a creature are considered its most exalted feature. Several scriptures say the horns of the righteous shall be exalted. Most appropriately, the priests applied the blood of sacrifices to the horns to sanctify them to the Lord. Sanctify your best features to God.
Leviticus 9:8-9 - "Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself. ...and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar."
Fire from the LORD
God gloriously validated the new Tabernacle with supernatural manifestations, including fire from Heaven to consume the sacrifices. God sent fire upon consecrated sacrifices numerous times in the Old Testament. Fire is a symbol of the Holy Ghost. 120 New Testament believers consecrated themselves in prayer in the Upper Room at Jerusalem. God sent His Spirit with tongues of fire falling on them all.
Leviticus 9:24 - "And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces."
No Booze in the Ministry
Is it too much for God to ask His ministers to stay sober? Why this scourge of drunkenness among professing Christian ministers today? Why should a Pastor's office have a "wet bar?" God demands that preachers stay sober.
Leviticus 10:8-10 - "And the LORD spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean."
Fellowship
The Peace Offering was shared three ways. Part was burned on the altar unto the Lord. Part was given to the priest (the Heave Offering) to eat. The remainder was eaten by the people. It is often referred to as the fellowship offering because it brings the people together with God and the Priesthood.
Leviticus 10:14 - "And the wave breast and heave shoulder shall ye eat in a clean place; thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee: for they be thy due, and thy sons' due, which are given out of the sacrifices of peace offerings."
Be Ye Holy
God is holy - "sacred, hallowed, sanctified, consecrated, virtuous." God is one of a kind. Unique. Untainted. The opposite of holy is "profane, foul, vulgar, impure." Someday, He will purge all the universe of everything that was begotten of sin. Only God, His holy kingdom and His holy ones will remain. Put away everything carnal, worldly, and profane. Come out. Be separate. Touch not the unclean thing. Be HOLY.
Leviticus 11:45 - "For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy."
Clean and Unclean Foods
"Kosher" laws forbade eating "unclean" foods. The New Testament ended these laws. Paul said of various meats, "...for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse." (1 Corinthians 8:8). He countermanded teachings to "abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving." (1 Timothy 4:3).
Leviticus 11:46 - "This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, ...the unclean and the clean, ...the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten."
Childbirth
Under the law, contact with blood made one unclean. Therefore, childbirth rendered the mother unclean - seven days for a male child, two weeks for a female. Her purification process was 33 days for a male, 66 days for a female. After purification, she must bring a sacrificial offering for atonement to the Tabernacle. After Jesus' blood made atonement at Calvary, these laws expired.
Leviticus 12:4 - "And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled."
Leprosy
The King James translators saw the Hebrew "tzaraath" and translated it "leprosy." Many of the Biblical symptoms do not accompany what we now know as leprosy, but actually a variety of diseases. The ancients simply did not know what they were dealing with. Only God knew the potential risks to the general population, so these rituals of quarantine and purification were enormously important. Sin was always suspected as the first cause of disease, so religious rites were applied first.
Leviticus 13:9 - "When the plague of leprosy is in a man, then he shall be brought unto the priest."
The Wave Offering
When
Israelites brought their offerings to the Lord, they were considered
sacred tokens in the covenant between God and men. Certain offerings
were "heaved" into the air as testimony of their presentation, then
eaten by the priests. In other cases, the meat was "waved" before the
Lord, and was eaten by the worshiper. Today, we wave our hands to the
Lord as tokens of surrender to Him.
Leviticus 14:24 - "And the
priest shall take the lamb of the trespass offering, and the log of
oil, and the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the
LORD."
Touching the Unclean
Touch is one of the five senses. As ears hear, eyes see, noses smell, and tongues taste, the body feels. It receives input from anything it touches. It is impacted and influenced by what it touches. God repeatedly told Israel not to touch unclean (forbidden) things. Holy things become defiled and unholy by touch. Only sanctified things may touch the holy. Once defiled, one had to go through a purification process. In the New Testament, one must repent and be washed in Jesus' blood.
Leviticus 15:27 - "And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash..."
Strange Fire and Strange Incense
God
killed Nadab and Abihu for offering strange fire. God ordered Aaron to
bring fire from the holy altar of sacrifice, and holy incense. Phony
sacrifices and phony prayers are cursed!
Leviticus 16:12-13 -
"...he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the
altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten
small, and bring it within the vail: And he shall put the incense upon
the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the
mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not."
The Scapegoat
Annually, on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest presented two goats to the Lord. He sacrificed one on the altar for the people. He laid hands upon the head of the second goat and transferred the sins of the people to it. This scapegoat was taken into uninhabited wilderness and abandoned - prefiguring Jesus, our scapegoat. Isaiah 53:4 says, "Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows..."
Leviticus 16:22 - "And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness."
Atonement
God requires all men to make atonement for their sins. Sins are forgiven, dismissed, purged, and washed away. Offenses are repaired, appeased, compensated, and remedied. People are reconciled, excused, exonerated, acquitted, and sanctified. The blood of an innocent sacrificial animal temporarily bought atonement. The sins of Old Testament supplicants were put off until the precious blood of the spotless Lamb of God perfectly atoned at Calvary. ONLY Jesus' blood truly atones.
Leviticus 16:30 - "...on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD."
Blood
God sanctified everything about blood. He said the life of the flesh is in the blood. In Leviticus 17, He formally banned all profaning of anything pertaining to blood, and forbade people to eat blood. The ONLY sacrifices of blood were to be made unto Him for atonement. He promised to destroy anyone who sacrificed blood to devils.
Leviticus 17:11 - "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."
After the doings of the land...
Immediately before introducing the laws for sexual morality, God commanded Israel NOT to follow the ways of Egypt (from which they came), nor the ways of Canaan (to which they were headed). If ancient Egypt and Canaan were taboo, how much more taboo would our modern vile cultures be? Are you in love with "Egypt"?
Leviticus 18:3 - "After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances."
Incest
The law clearly defined what is now called incest. "It is wickedness." A person must never have sexual intercourse with parents or step-parents. A man must never have intercourse with sisters, half-sisters, daughters, granddaughters, aunts, daughters-in-law, or sisters-in-law, and he must not take both a woman and her daughter or granddaughter. God's laws are singularly responsible for the integrity of civilization. Without them, society would have already completely disintegrated.
Leviticus 18:6 - "None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD."
Homosexuality
God did not stutter or mince words when He ordered men NOT to lay with other men as they do with women. He said it is an abomination worthy of death. How much plainer could it be?
Leviticus 18:22,30 - "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. ...defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God." Leviticus 20:13 - "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them."
Sexual Perversions
God hated the sexual perversions He saw among heathen nations and demanded that His people not engage in any of them. He forbade incest, homosexual acts, acts with beasts, acts committed unto false gods or idols, and acts with anyone who was married to someone else. At the core of these commands was God's insistence that human seed and human sexuality be sacred and undefiled, reserved only for a man and his wife.
Leviticus 18:24 - "Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you."
Provision for the Gleaners
God instructed Israel not to thoroughly harvest their fields, but to leave small amounts unharvested around the edges and corners of the fields so the poor could glean and take freely from the remains of the harvest. In the book of Ruth, Boaz instructed his workers to leave "handfuls of purpose" for the young widow, Ruth. God will remember you in your hour of affliction.
Leviticus 19:10 - "And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God."
Love Thy Neighbor
God's word is profoundly good. What would we do, or where would we be without God's word? It is the ancient, historical, DIVINE source of priceless values. Things like: "...don't curse the deaf," "...don't stumble the blind," "...have no respect of persons," "...don't be a talebearer," "...don't hate your brother," and the best of all, "...love thy neighbor as thyself." Thank God for His word!
Leviticus 19:18 - "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.”
Seeking After Wizards
God Almighty is the eternal, omnipotent, omniscient Spirit. He is sovereign and able to do exceedingly above anything we can ask. Understandably, He is completely intolerant of those who put their trust in evil spirits of any kind. You can get the help you need from God. If God will not give it, you do not need it and should not want it. Consulting devils is the ultimate slap in God's face.
Leviticus 19:31 - "Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God."
Child Sacrifices
The heathen were known to make child sacrifices by fire to various gods, including Molech, Milcom and Chemosh. One prominent location was the Valley of Tophet, or Gehenna, at Jerusalem. Priests beat drums to drown out the voices of screaming, dying children. God abhors such horrors, pronouncing the death penalty on anyone who practices such.
Leviticus 20:2 - "…Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones."
Familiar Spirits
God is the only uncreated spirit. All other spirits were created by Him; angels, men, and all living creatures. Angels who sinned became unclean spirits. They are diabolical enemies of God. They keenly observe humans to become FAMILIAR with them that they may falsely pose as God. Foolish men and women confuse familiar spirits with God. God will destroy everyone who consults these evil, familiar spirits.
Leviticus 20:6 - "...the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, ...I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people."
The Inheritance-Separation Connection
God could save everybody in the world, but He does not want what He sees. He wants those who forsake the world for Him. His promises are inextricably linked to our consecration. Israel had to separate. If we cannot give up Egypt, there is no Promised Land.
Leviticus 20:24,26 - "...Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: ...And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine."
Highest Standards for Priests
All of Aaron's male descendants were consecrated for ministry. They had to live by the highest standards. For example, they could not marry a widow, a divorcee, a profane woman or a harlot. They could not adapt other cultural trends pertaining to hair, beards, or markings in their flesh. They had to be in excellent health. Any notable infirmity of the flesh disqualified them from priesthood. Their model was Jesus Christ, the great High Priest, yet to come.
Leviticus 21:1 - "And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them..."
Making a Vow
Jacob
made the first vow, promising to pay tithes as God blessed him. Under
the law, in the absence of a sacrificial animal, a man could vow to pay
later. It is better not to vow, than to vow and not pay. You can
negotiate with God, but you must be prepared to live up to your
bargains.
Leviticus 22:21 - "...whosoever offereth a sacrifice
of peace offerings unto the LORD to accomplish his vow, or a freewill
offering in beeves or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there
shall be no blemish therein."
Seven Feasts
God set forth seven major feasts which spoke prophetically to Israel. Passover taught the doctrine of salvation by the blood. The Feast of Unleavened Bread taught the broken body of Jesus Christ. The Feast of Firstfruits taught the resurrection of Christ. The Feast of Pentecost taught the baptism of the Holy Ghost. The Feast of Trumpets teaches the second coming of Jesus. The Day of Atonement teaches redemption through Christ. The Feast of Tabernacles teaches the kingdom of Christ.
Leviticus 23:4 - "These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons."
Passover and Unleavened Bread
The first two annual feasts began in Egypt - Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Together, they teach the blood and broken body of Jesus Christ, and deliverance from sin and worldly bondage thereby. The lamb was spotless and the bread was unleavened. Leavening is the yeast that agitates and causes the dough to rise. It is likened to sin. Jesus, bread of life, had no leavening - no sin.
Leviticus 23:5,6 - "In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD'S passover. And on the fifteenth day ...is the feast of unleavened bread."
Feast of Firstfruits
The first three feasts; Passover (blood of lamb), Unleavened Bread (broken body), and Firstfruits (new life) were springtime celebrations, and represented the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Israel brought sheaves from their firstfruits with meat and drink offerings on the first day after the Sabbath following Passover. Jesus rose from the dead on that same day - firstfruit from the dead.
Leviticus 23:10 - "When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest."
Feast of Pentecost
"Pentecost" means fifty. Fifty days after Israel escaped Egypt, and celebrated the feast of unleavened bread, God gave the law at Sinai, birthing a NATION on Pentecost. Fifty days after Jesus' body was broken at Calvary, the Holy Ghost was given to 120 believers in the Upper Room, birthing a CHURCH on Pentecost. Old Testament laws were written on stone tablets. New Testament laws are written by the Spirit on our hearts.
Leviticus 23:16 - "Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD."
Feast of Trumpets
The first four feasts, (Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits and Pentecost), were in the spring-time and have already been fulfilled prophetically. The Feast of Trumpets, Atonement and Feast of Tabernacles will soon be fulfilled in this end-time. John described
Seven Trumpets that would sound in the last days, in the book of Revelation. Jesus Christ will return to earth at the Seventh Trumpet.
Leviticus 23:24 - "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation."
Feast Day of Atonement
The Feast of Trumpets announced ten days of preparation for the Day of Atonement, now known as Yom Kippur. It was an elaborate event, including fasting, sacrificing, and repentance. This most important ritual ransomed Israel from sin and restored pure fellowship with God. Now, atonement comes by "...the man, Jesus Christ; Who gave himself a ransom for all." (1 Timothy 2:5,6).
Leviticus 23:28 - "And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God."
Feast of Tabernacles
The Feast of Tabernacles (also called Sukkot, or Feast of Ingathering) celebrates the final harvest. In late September or early October, various branches are waved before the Lord, presenting the harvest in this "Feast to the Lord." Israelites pitched tents in the fields, remembering the wilderness journey while celebrating the fruit of the Promised Land. In the Millennium of Jesus Christ, all nations will come to Jerusalem annually to celebrate Tabernacles (Zechariah 14:16). It celebrates redemption: God's harvest (ingathering) of mankind after atonement.
Leviticus 23:34,42 - "...the feast of tabernacles...Ye shall dwell in booths seven days."
Purity
The services of the Tabernacle required continual supplies of oil for the golden candlestick, flour for the shewbread, and incense. God required the oil and the incense to be pure, and the flour refined. The oil represents the Holy Ghost; the bread, the body of Christ; and the incense, the prayers of the saints. Now the church is the Tabernacle of God and functions by the Holy Spirit, the body of Christ and prayer.
Leviticus 24:2,5,7 - "Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, ...fine flour, ...pure frankincense."
Blaspheming the Name of the LORD
The people brought a boy to Moses who had cursed and blasphemed the name of the Lord. Moses asked God what to do with him. God told him to have the
people stone him. Why? Cursing God is a very, very serious offense of a mere creature against his Creator. Be careful about mouthing off
against God. He gave you your heartbeat, and he can take it away as easily as He gave it.
Leviticus 24:15 - "And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin."
Eye for an Eye
The law defined formulas for punishing crime and injuries. God's laws were less harsh and more equitable than older Babylonian laws or subsequent Islamic laws. Most of modern law evolved from Moses' teaching. However, Jesus taught that forgiveness and "turning the other cheek" is better than vengeance.
Leviticus 24:19-21 - "And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him; Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again."
Sabbath of Rest for the Land
The Sabbath also applied to the land. Every seventh year the land should rest - no crops planted. God promised to bless the sixth year enough to sustain the people throughout an off year. Prophetically, after six millennia, God will soon declare a millennium of rest for the earth while Jesus reigns.
Leviticus 25:1-2 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses in mount Sinai, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the LORD."
Jubile (Jubilee)
After seven sabbath years (49 years), a Jubile was celebrated. The ram's horn was sounded. The land rested for a year. Leased land returned to its owner. Hired slaves were freed. It was a year of liberty. Jubile corresponds to Pentecost (fifty). It is a reminder that everything belongs to God and will someday revert back to His possession. 2000 AD was the seventieth jubilee year since Moses' day.
Leviticus 25:10 - "And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you."
The Land is Mine
This single verse would solve the entire Middle East crisis. God says the land is mine and shall not be sold forever. Leviticus listed several real estate laws that were intended to guarantee that the promised land would ALWAYS be the homeland of the twelve tribes of Israel. Although God anciently drove Israel out because of their sins, He PROMISED to bring them back - and He did in 1948! Jesus will reclaim every inch of it very shortly.
Leviticus 25:23 - "The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me."
I Will Walk Among You
Incentives. People are motivated by incentives. God always offered marvelous incentives. He promised that if His people would love Him and obey His commandments, He would give rain in due season, harvests would increase, trees would bear fruit, their land would have peace, their enemies would be defeated, and so much more. Most valuable, is His promise to come and dwell among us. Jesus IS coming. We shall behold Him.
Leviticus 26:11,12 - "And I will set my tabernacle among you: ...And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people."
Seven Times More Plagues
In contrast to God's promised blessings, He promised judgment if they rebelled. Even worse, He promised to multiply their punishment SEVEN TIMES if they did not repent when chastised. This actually happened several centuries later. God sentenced Israel to 70 years captivity in Babylon for their sins. But most did not repent, so the prophet Daniel proclaimed "Seventy Weeks" of years to finish the transgression - 490 years! (Daniel 9:24).
Leviticus 26:21 - "...if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins."
Averting Judgment by Confession
God
threatened horrifying judgments on Israel if they spurned and disobeyed
His laws. That was fair enough. He had just delivered them from
slavery, and was performing one miracle after another to sustain them.
So if they rejected him, He would deal severely with them. BUT - if
they confessed their wrong-doing, He promised to reverse judgment and
reinstate all the blessings. That was more than fair.
Leviticus
26:40-42 - "If they shall confess their iniquity, ...if then their
uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment
of their iniquity: Then will I remember my covenant..."
The Shekel of the Sanctuary
When men made vows to God, they were obliged to keep them. But, if a man vowed himself, or a family member, or a piece of property to God, he could redeem them by paying an estimated fee in "Temple shekels." If he vowed animals, he could exchange another animal for it. If he delayed to pay a tithe to the Lord, he had to add a fifth part later.
Leviticus 27:23 - "...the priest shall reckon unto him the worth of thy estimation, ...and he shall give thine estimation in that day, as a holy thing unto the LORD."
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