Leviticus is the book about sacrifices and priesthood
and relates principally to the Levites and priests and
their services.
Levi was the tribe of Israel whose men acted as priests
for Israel. Aaron was Israel's first High Priest and his
sons and descendants continued the priesthood over the
next eight centuries.
One of the most notable features of the book of Leviticus
is what may be called its spiritual meaning. It was a
prophecy of things to come. Priests and people had to
be shown that they had sinned and needed a Saviour who
could take away their sins. The many sacrifices that had
to be made were intended as a constant reminder of this
fact. The sacrifices of the law pointed forward to the
sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, whose total
dedication and sinless-ness made him the perfect offering
for those who seek redemption. He fulfilled all that was
intended in the various offerings:
|
Offering
|
Chapter
|
Meaning
|
|
Burnt
|
1
|
Giving self to God
|
|
Meal/Cereal
|
2
|
Thanks to God
|
|
Peace
|
3
|
Peace with God
|
|
Sin
|
4
|
Covering for sin
|
|
Trespass
|
5
|
Forgiveness for personal sins
|
|
Atonement
|
16
|
National cleansing
|
Various festivals were also to be kept as reminders
of God's ways and of His deliverance of His people. These
included:
Leviticus contains instructions on how the priests were
to be set apart for their special work; rules for health
and cleanliness amongst God's people; rules about social
behaviour affecting masters, servants, people and their
neighbours; and it details the personal and collective
life of holiness required of Israel.