Leviticus

Purpose
The book of Leviticus provides a manual on holiness for the people of Israel so that they could maintain a sacred space in their community in which God could dwell.

Authorship & Genre

Leviticus is the third volume of the Pentateuch, with the same authorship considerations as Genesis and Exodus. Unlike those books, however, it consists mostly of legal material with only a few narrative stories to provide the structural backbone for the book.

Key Verse
Leviticus 11:45 For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy. (NASB)

Structure
1 7 8-10 11 Nadab & Abihu: Sacred Space Profaned 23 24 Egyptian Blasphemer: Sacred Name Profaned 25 27

Use of the Tabernacle

Instructions on Holiness Instructions on Cleanliness

Use of the Promised Land

Law Story Law Story Law The structure of Leviticus reveals the importance of holiness to the Israelites. The fate of Nadab and Abihu and the Egyptian blasphemer reminded them that if a holy God was to dwell in their midst (in the Tabernacle and the Promised Land), they needed to be holy themselves.

Theological Themes
Holiness: The only way to enjoy the presence of a holy God is to be absolutely holy. Sacred Space: The Tabernacle and the Promised Land are the two realms of Gods presence on earth. These sacred spaces are the beginning of renewed fellowship with God after the fall. Sacrifice: Blood sacrifices reminded the Israelites of how God delivered them from Egypt and provided a picture of the cleansing of their sins in Gods presence. Sabbath Year: The Israelites were to give the land a year of rest every seven years as a reminder that they were merely guests in Gods land.