{"id":3764,"date":"2011-10-26T01:00:26","date_gmt":"2011-10-26T09:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lighthousebc.com\/beacon\/?p=3764"},"modified":"2013-03-21T19:19:48","modified_gmt":"2013-03-22T02:19:48","slug":"bob-leviticus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lighthousebc.com\/beacon\/2011\/10\/26\/bob-leviticus\/","title":{"rendered":"BOB – Leviticus"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

by Stephen Rodgers<\/em><\/p>\n

LEVITICUS IN 10 WORDS OR LESS<\/strong><\/p>\n

“A holy God explains how to worship Him.”<\/p>\n

TITLE<\/strong><\/p>\n

The English title \u201cLeviticus\u201d comes from the Greek word (Leuitikon<\/em>) meaning \u201cabout the Levites,\u201d whereas the Hebrew title is derived from the books\u2019s very first word (wayyiqra’<\/em>), translated \u201cAnd He called.\u201d (Lev 1:1)<\/p>\n

As previously mentioned, it is sometimes referred to as the \u201cThird Book of Moses.\u201d<\/p>\n

AUTHOR & AUDIENCE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Both Jewish and Christian traditions attribute the five books of the Pentateuch primarily<\/em> to Moses. \u00a0Like Exodus,<\/a> Leviticus makes explicit claims regarding Mosaic authorship (Lev 1:1;4:1; 6:1; 7:38; 25:1; 26:46; 27:34) as does the New Testament (Rom 10:5).<\/p>\n

Furthermore, both the OT (Num 33:2; Jos 8:31; 1Ki 2:3; 2Ki 14:6; Ezr 6:18; Neh 13:1; Dan 9:11,13; Mal 4:4) and the NT (Matt 8:4;Mk 12:26; Lk 16:29; 24:27, 44; Jn 5:46; 7:22; Ac 15:1; Ro 10:19; 1Co 9:9; 2Co 3:15) credit Moses as the author of the Pentateuch.<\/p>\n

For more information, see the \u201cAuthor and Composition\u201d section of the Pentateuch article.<\/a><\/p>\n

The original audience were the post-Exodus Israelites, in particular the Levites (although the material in the book deals with the laity as well). Later generations of Israelites would have studied the book to learn God’s laws for worship and sacrificial practices.<\/p>\n

DATE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Depending on whether one subscribes to an early (ca. 1,446 BC) or late (ca. 1,260 BC) date of the Exodus would determine the time during which Leviticus was written (after the Exodus but prior to Moses\u2019 death). (It should be noted that while good arguments have been put forth in favor of both dates, the majority of scholars surveyed for this series tended to favor an early date).<\/p>\n

BACKGROUND & SETTING<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let me begin by pointing out that Leviticus picks up almost exactly where Exodus left off. \u00a0However, whereas Exodus primarily concerns itself with the revelation of the moral<\/em> law, Leviticus focuses more on the revelation of the ceremonial<\/em> law.<\/p>\n

Prior to Mt. Sinai, a number of events had never previously occurred: the presence of God’s glory had never formally resided among the Israelites, a central place of worship had never existed, a structured and regulated system of worship had not been given, and a formal priesthood had not been appointed to function in conjunction with that system of worship.<\/p>\n

Up to this point, Israel had only the example of the patriarchs from which to derive their knowledge of how to worship and live before their God. \u00a0Coming off centuries of slavery in Egypt however, even these examples were apparently influenced by polytheism and pagan ritual (as evidenced by the golden calf incident in Ex 32).<\/p>\n

Unlike the previous two books, no geographical movement occurs in this book. \u00a0The people of Israel are encamped at the foot of Mt. Sinai at the beginning of the book of Leviticus, and they are still there one month later when the book of Numbers begins.<\/p>\n

HISTORICAL & THEOLOGICAL THEMES<\/strong><\/p>\n

In broad terms, Leviticus deals with three themes: 1) Holiness, 2)\u00a0Sin\/Sacrifice\/Atonement, and 3)\u00a0Worship. \u00a0Let’s examine each in some greater detail.<\/p>\n