KEYS TO UNDErSTANDING LEVITICUS
Key words to notice in the book of Leviticus are Holiness, which is found 87 times, Blood as a means of cleansing 89 times, and atonement 45 times (KYB, Dunn5).These words set the tone for the book as they display what the thrust of the book is: redemption through holiness and authorized sacrifices. We must also note that the words sin and uncleanness occur 194 times (KYB, Dunn6). The key phrase in this book can be seen in chapter 11 verses 44-45 which says, “For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth. For I am the LORD who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”
We see the statement spoken by God “I am the Lord your God” throughout this book, and it is often followed by “therefore you shall be holy”. As the book progresses, the one chapter that is worthy to be called the key chapter is chapter 16. Chapter 16 displays the Day of Atonement which for Jews is known as Yom Kippur. This chapter addresses the cleansing of sins, which is made possible by following all the Judgments and statutes of God. It allows the Jews to be united with God through a ritual cleansing system. On this day it was a blood sacrifice that cleansed them. In Leviticus 17:11, God tells us that the blood is what makes atonement for our souls.
GOD IS HOLY
Christians and non-Christians alike can benefit from this book as it will teach them the need to understand God’s authority, will, seriousness, and love for the lost. Leviticus begins with the people of God at the foot of Mount Sinai as the Spirit of God had just filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-38).It then displays the will of God in all aspects of worship to Him and offerings that were made unto Him. It ordains High Priest and shows the Most High Priest Jesus. The central message is that God is holy and He requires His people to be holy. If we should remember one thing about the book of Leviticus it is that which is stated in verse 19:2b, “you shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.”