This week we
will continue to study the Book of Leviticus.
In the first part of the Day of Atonement, Aaron has to first make atonement for himself and his household before he could make atonement for the sin of the people.
(1) Two male goats are mentioned in v. 5. What are they expressly for?
(2) What is being done to the first goat according to v. 15-19?
(3) What is Aaron to do with the second goat?
(4) If the first goat has already been sacrificed to atone for the sin of the people, why is the second goat needed? Since both are “atonement”, how different is the function of this second goat from the first one?
(5) What might be the important message to the Israelites then and to us today? (see Note below)
(6) Upon completion of the services, what do the following have in common: Aaron who had contact with the atoning animal; the person who led the 2nd goat into the wilderness; and the one who burnt the hides, flesh and offal of the atoning animals outside the camp? What is the rationale behind it? What message about sin does this convey?
(7) From vv. 29-34, how many times is the term “a lasting ordinance” repeated? What does this emphasis mean?
(8) What should the people, including aliens, do during the Day of Atonement?
(9) One of the things they have to do is to “deny yourselves” (v. 29) which means to “afflict your souls” (K&D, 591). How should one carry out this instruction? Commentators in general see that it refers to fasting, what do you think?
(10) As we come to the end of the most important day in the Jewish calendar, let’s read Hebrews 10:1-18. Pause and give thanks to God for His great work of redemption accomplished through His Son, Jesus Christ.
(11) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Note:
It is quite impossible for us today to understand the real meaning of “Azazel” which the NIV simply translates as “scapegoat”. The suggested interpretation ranges from being the name of a demon, to complete destruction, to a rocky place. In any case, this second goat is to be sent to a solitary place which means a land to be cut off and thus, the goat “was not to find its way back” (Keil & Delitzsch quoting from Knobel, 589).
Some commentators have classified chapters 17-20 under the heading of “Israel is not to walk in the way of the heathen and of the Canaanites” (K&D, 592):
Vv. 1-2—Introduction
(1) These instructions are given not just to the people, but to Aaron and his sons. What might this imply?
Vv. 3-9—Sacrifice of domestic (clean) animals:
(2) Where should the Israelites offer their domestic animals for sacrifice to the Lord?
(3) What is the Lord trying to safeguard against according to v. 7? (See Note below)
(4) How might the requirement that sacrifices can only be made at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting safeguard such a sin?
(5) What might be the lesson we can draw from this requirement today?
(6) Why is the punishment so severe?
Vv. 10-12—No eating of blood
(7) What is the reason given for the prohibition against eating any blood?
(8) What is the function of blood in the offering of sacrifice?
(9) Many of the Leviticus Laws have been fulfilled by Jesus Christ and are no longer required to be observed by us, especially the laws concerning clean and unclean food (see Acts 10:14-16). How did the Apostles treat this particular instruction concerning the eating of blood (see Acts 15:20)? What might be the rationale behind it?
(10) How then should we treat the eating of blood today?
Vv. 13-14—Application to clean animals other than those used for sacrifice:
(11) So, if one eats the blood of a clean animal and this amount to eating its life, why then is it wrong and prohibited?
(12) What does it tell you about the sanctity of all life-forms created by God (in the eyes of God)?
Vv. 15-16—It is a reiteration of the instruction concerning carcasses in 11:39-40.
(13) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Note:
According to K&D, “the altar of the Lord” (v.6) is mentioned in contrast to the altars upon which they offered sacrifice to Seirim (literally goats) which the Egyptians worshipped as gods that inhabited the desert. The Israelites had brought this superstition and the idolatry to which it gave rise, from Egypt (Jos. 24:14; Ezek. 20:7).
As we read all the rules and regulations in Leviticus, it is often easy to regard them as pure rites and law, without realizing that they reflect not only the holiness of God, but holiness that is to be lived out not as mere rituals, but in relationships between the people and the Lord, and among the people themselves. Such is the emphasis of this chapter that deals with the purity and holiness of relationships among the people, and especially within one’s family. Since chapter 20 essentially repeats many of the same instructions, except with the emphasis on the punishment, we shall consider both chapters together, as far as they are dealing with the same subject matter:
Vv. 1-5 and 24-30—Instructions for not to following pagan practices:
(1) How much do you know about the pagan worship of the Egyptians and the Canaanites? (You may want to read Ps. 106:34-48 and Ezek. 20:7-8 to get an idea of it.)
(2) What reason does the Lord give for “vomiting” the Canaanites out of their land in vv. 24-25?
(3) How does it serve as a warning to the Israelites? (Seven times it is repeated here that the Israelites are not to be like the nations!)
(4) What is meant by, “for the man who obeys them will live by them”? (v. 5; also see Rom. 10:5)
vv. 6-18—Sexual purity within the family (close relatives):
|
Ch18 |
Sexual relations with |
Reason given |
Ch20 |
Punishment |
|
7 |
Own mother |
Dishonor father |
- |
|
|
8 |
Father’s wife |
Dishonor father |
11 |
Both put to death, blood on their heads |
|
9 |
Own sister or half/step sister |
A disgrace Dishonor sister |
17 |
Publicly removed both (formal marriage) |
|
10 |
Granddaughter |
Dishonor yourself |
- |
|
|
11 |
Half or step sister |
See v. 9 above |
- |
|
|
12 |
Aunt (father’s sister) |
Dad’s close relative |
19 |
Includes mum’s sister, both held responsible |
|
13 |
Aunt (mum’ sister) |
Mum’s close relative |
19 |
See above |
|
14 |
Uncle’s wife |
Dishonor dad’s brother/uncle |
20 |
They will die childless |
|
15 |
Daughter-in-law |
Son’s wife |
12 |
Both put to death, blood on their heads |
|
16 |
Brother’s wife |
Dishonor brother |
21 |
Act of impurity, will die childless (formal marriage) |
|
17 |
With both mother and daughter or her granddaughter |
That is wickedness |
14 |
All burnt by fire so no wickedness among you. |
|
18 |
Wife’s sister as wife |
While wife is living? |
- |
|
(5) While punishment for some of the above perverted actions may not have been spelled out in chapter 20, 18:29 says, “Everyone who does any of these detestable things — such persons must be cut off from their people”.
a. How do these instructions provide us with a glimpse of the kind of society the Canaanites had at the time?
b. What might be the contributions of these instructions to our society today, apart from the assurance of a stable family and a stable society?
c. Do you think the punishments prescribed are too severe? Why or why not?
(6) Can you count how many times, “I am the Lord” or “I am the Lord your God” is said in this chapter alone?
(7) What is the purpose of this emphasis, especially in view of the strict prohibitions spelled out in this chapter?
(8) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?
Apart from the prohibition again incest and sexual relations with close relatives, chapter 18 also deals with other sexual perversions:
Vv. 19-23—Other sexual perversions
|
Ch18 |
Sexual relations with |
Reason |
Ch 20 |
Punishment |
|
19 |
Woman during period |
Expose and uncover source of her flow |
18 |
Both to be cut off from their people |
|
20 |
Neighbor’s wife |
Defile yourself |
10 |
Both put to death |
|
21 |
Sacrifice children to Molech |
Profane God’s name |
1-5 |
More elaborated, see below |
|
22 |
Another man |
Is detestable |
13 |
Both put to death, blood on their own head |
|
23 |
With animal |
Defile yourself; a perversion |
15-16 |
Kill animal, man or woman put to death, blood on their heads |
(1) Why should having sexual relations with a woman (presumably who is one’s own wife) during her period invite such a serious punishment of death for both?
(2) V. 22 deals clearly with homosexual behavior:
a. What is the reason given for the prohibition?
b. After more than 1500 years, the Apostle Paul addresses this issue again. See Romans 1:26-27. How does the Apostle see homosexual behavior?
c. With the passing of some 1,500 years, the world had changed drastically from the Ancient Near East era of Leviticus to a far more civilized era with a society governed by law and order under the Romans, and one dominated by great Greek philosophy. Yet, the Apostle Paul still upholds the age-old decrees in Leviticus, unaffected by the changing time and culture. Why?
20:1-5—Human sacrifices
(3) What might the thinking be behind human sacrifice?
(4) If practiced by the Israelites or the aliens among them, why would it be a sin that “defiled the sanctuary and profaned (God’s) holy name”?
(5) Why would the people of the community turn a blind eye to such a horrible sin?
(6) Is there a parallel to such a sin in our society today?
Other prohibitions:
(7) 20:6 and 27—Medium and spiritist
a. Why is being a medium or spiritist such a serious sin?
b. Why do people turn to mediums or spiritists?
c. Why is it also such a serious sin?
(8) 20:9—Honoring Father and Mother—The 5th Commandment is “the first commandment with a promise” (Eph. 6:2)
a. Why would one curse one’s father or mother?
b. Why is the punishment so severe?
(9) 20:7-8, 22-26—Consecration and be holy—The entire set of law can be summarized by vv. 7-8.
a. How important is their setting apart from the customs of other nations to their being consecrated and holy?
b. What would be the consequence should they fail to do so?
c. How does history testify to the validity of God’s warning?
d. How important is the distinction between clean and unclean creatures to their being consecrated and holy?
e. What lesson(s) can we learn from these instructions concerning our own consecration to the Lord?
(10) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
In between chapters 18 and 20 which deal mainly with prohibition against perverted sexual relations, the Lord now speaks through Moses to the “entire assembly”. Although it appears to be an unorganized host of different rules and regulations, some are repetitions of previously announced decrees, collectively they portray what a godly community should be:
Vv. 3-8—Religious Duties—Love the Lord, Thy God:
(1) The following Commandments in Exodus 20 are being repeated:
a. 5th Commandment: honoring parents (v. 3)
b. 4th Commandment: Sabbath (v. 3)
c. 1st and 2nd Commandments: Worship the Lord only, with no idol-worship(v. 4).
(Note that the 3rd Commandment, not to misuse the name of God, is reiterated in v. 12.)
Why are these commandments repeated here and what is the importance of beginning with the 5th Commandment (that of honoring one’s parent) and lumping it together with those Commandments concerning the worship of the Lord?
(2) What is the emphasis placed on the offering of peace/fellowship sacrifice? Why does their disobedience in this respect amount to not being holy, and is punishable by being cut-off from the people?
Vv. 9-18—Love your neighbor as yourself
(3) What is the message of the commandments given in vv. 9-10? How important is this message to us today? How may we apply it?
(4) What is the message of the commandment given in v. 13b? How may we apply it today?
(5) How does v. 14 reflect God’s care for the disabled?
(6) How does v. 15 define true justice?
(7) Among these commandments within this category, which are the ones that are hardest to obey? Why?
Vv. 19-35—Ethical Living in Everyday Life
(8) V. 19 deals with the prohibition of mating of mixed animals, planting of mixed seeds and clothing of mixed materials: What might be the reasoning behind these prohibitions?
(9) The law in the O.T. simply recognizes the reality of slavery, but never condones it. How does the provision in vv. 20-22 serve as a fair treatment of a betrothed, yet unfree slave girl?
(10) What is the message behind the commandment in vv. 23-25? Apart from obedience, what might be the virtue of keeping this commandment?
(11) The commandments concerning divination, cutting of hair, cutting of the body, tattoos and turning to mediums (vv. 26-28, 31) are likely aimed at preventing the Israelites from following the customs of the Canaanites: Which of these also carry practical danger in their practice?
(12) The rest of the commands or prohibitions deal with prostituting one’s daughter, respect for elders, mistreatment of aliens and dishonest business dealings (vv. 29, 31-36). How do they contribute to their consecration to the Lord?
(13) Within this last section, the Sabbath is mentioned again. Why?
(14) While many of the commandments mentioned in this chapter normally carry severe punishments, virtually none are mentioned here. What might be the reason?
(15) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Having dealt with the commandments for the holiness of the people in previous chapters, attention is now turned to the priests. You may notice a higher standard is being expected of them.
Vv. 1-15—Not to defile oneself because of death or marriage
(1) Previously announced regulations forbade contact with corpses the infringement of which obviously would render a priest unclean and not fit for service in the Sanctuary (5:3; 10:1-7).
a. What exceptions are being made for the (ordinary) priests in vv. 1-4?
b. Why are these exceptions not applicable to the high priests in vv. 10-12?
c. Are the requirements for the high priest too harsh? Why or why not?
d. What is the message conveyed by these rules?
(2) Vv. 5-6 repeat what have already been laid down for lay people in 19:27-28 and they are now reiterated for the priests. What added importance is being given for the priest to observe these regulations?
(3) Marriage prohibition:
a. What marriage prohibitions are laid down for the (ordinary) priests in vv. 7-8?
b. What is the higher standard imposed on the high priest in this respect in vv. 13-15?
c. Are these rules too stringent? Why or why not?
d. What is the reason given in each of the cases?
(4) What are the closing words for this section (in v. 15)?
Vv. 16-24—Physical Defects
(5) What are being classified as defects?
(6) Is God being discriminatory?
(7) How does God make sure that such disabled priests are being looked after?
(8) What is the reason given?
(9) How does this prohibition speak to the holiness of God and the condition in which we may serve Him?
(10) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Vv. 1-9—Unclean priest and sacred food
(1) Why does the Lord need to warn Aaron and his sons to treat the offering as sacred and handle them with respect? (22:2)
(2) What is the penalty for coming near to serve when ceremonially unclean? (v. 3)
(3) What kinds of ceremonial uncleanness are being highlighted in vv. 4-6?
(4) Read 1 Samuel 2:12-17 to see an example of treating the sacred offerings with contempt by the priests.
(5) What lesson(s) can we learn from these regulations?
Vv. 10-16—Who can eat sacred food?
(6) Who cannot eat sacred offerings?
(7) Why does the Lord have to go into such detail, even concerning the daughters of the priests?
(8) How does God end this part of the instructions?
Vv. 17-25—Defective Sacrifice
(9) Defective animals have already been mentioned in chapters 1-4; this section lists in detail the kinds of defects that the priests should look for, and the onus is on them not to accept such animals from the hands of the offerers (v. 25). What lesson(s) might we learn from these instructions when it comes to accepting offerings or services from the congregation?
Vv. 26-33—Humane Treatment of sacrificial animals
(10) What underlies the instructions given in vv. 27-28?
(11) What is the message to us today?
(12) The instruction in vv. 29-30 repeats that of 7:15. Why should it be so emphasized?
(13) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?