Unspoken lessons about the unseen god, esther simply. Jul 01, 20 its not until the book of numbers that they resume their journey to the promised landand that journey isnt completed until the book of joshua. As his people, he wanted them to worship him in holiness cf. Dedicated to the practical exposition and exhortation of scripture, the welwyn commentary series contains over,000 pages of commentaries designed for pastoral ministry and preaching. The holiness of god involves his being the source of perfect life in. Holiness is the main focus of this book because god is the main focus of this book, and he is above all else a holy god. The titles of some of the best works on perversions of the spiritual life are evidence of this fact. The idea behind the concept of holiness is separation. The book of leviticus primarily records the instructions the lord gives to moses from the tent of meeting, but also includes narratives of a few events related to the tabernacle.
Understanding the book of leviticus for today n the samesex marriage debate there is increasing reluctance by believers to mention the book of leviticus. Shawn horton asks, in the bible, does the idea of holiness mean. God gave instruction concerning this day at the conclusion of his instructions regarding purifications leviticus 1115. Therefore the book demands perfect animals for its many sacrifices chs. James luther mays, the book of leviticus, the book of. Leviticus is the third of the five books known as the law or the pentateuch. At the same time and in its own special way, leviticus points us forward to the one who came to save his people from their sins and bring them to god. This arrangement will certainly prove useful for the preacher or teacher who undertakes an exposition of the book of leviticus, giving him insight into how the text is naturally. Noah was given instructions about clean and unclean animals. What do you think is the main theme of the book of leviticus.
Leviticus chapters 2327 free bible commentary in easy. Priests and levites are holy because they have been hallowed or sanctified by acts of consecration exodus 29. Each section can be accessed by the simple menu found at the bottom of the file. Despite the english title of the work, it is important to note that the book makes a very strong distinction between the priesthood, who are identified as being descended from aaron, and mere levites. Find your answers here, where i explain the logic behind the book of leviticus. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, praise the lord. God determines to heal mans brokenness and to make man whole again. But how does one go about a topical study of gods teaching on this subjector any subject. Sanctification is all about retraining our delights. Its not until the book of numbers that they resume their journey to the promised landand that journey isnt completed until the book of joshua. So, the glory of god is the holiness of god made manifest.
In leviticus spiritual holiness is symbolized by physical perfection. In leviticus, work is one of the most important arenas where god is present with israel, and god is still present with his people in our work today. Leviticus is about holiness being set apart, separateboth gods holiness and the holiness he expects of his people. The beauty of holiness is that it leads us all the way home to god. If what were to approach god with is holiness, just how is one to attain holiness. This religious festival is the climax and crown of israels theology of sanctification.
Wright associate professor of hebrew bible and ancient near east brandeis university the book of leviticu iss part of a larger body of priestly writings that comprise much of the pentateuch. Recent posts on this blog have explored how trinitarian, incarnational theology informs our understanding of the book of exodus. Combining exegesis, hermeneutics, history, and pastoral insight, these scholarly resources are carefully crafted to meet the daytoday needs of pastors as they grapple with the word of god. A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of leviticus in easy english. The book of leviticus simply explained, and several more. The book of leviticus is the third book of the torah and of the old testament. It is not particularly difficult to understand, nor does it present a lot of textual controversies, so it might seem like a commentary is not especially needed. The books name in hebrew is wayyiqva and means and he called, a phrase taken from the first verse of chapter 1.
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do 1 peter 1. Without this book we cannot begin to understand the death of christ and his priestly work on our behalf. A ceremonial holiness, corresponding to that of impersonal objects and depending upon their relation to the outward service of yahweh. Wenham discusses the theology of leviticus under four main headings. The word qodesh occurs over a hundred times in the hebrew text of leviticus. The book of leviticus is grounded in the truth that god is holy. Leviticus is not the most exciting of books in the bible and no amount of readable commentary is likely to change that.
Leviticus chapters 17 free bible commentary in easy english. Everything from sexual conduct to the handling of food, to instructions for worship and religious celebrations, is covered in detail in the book of leviticus. Be holy, for i the lord your god am holy leviticus 10. Leviticus and work bible commentary theology of work. The welwyn commentary book series by multiple authors includes books the book of origins. It is unlikely that the instruction was to burn her alive. Thus, leviticus is best explained as a guidebook for instructing god s people about holy living and worship. God invites israel to live in close proximity to his holy presence. God says he will be shown to be holy among those who are near him, and before all the people he will be glorified.
Leviticus, being the middle book of the series, necessitates that we link it with all that came before in exodus and all that will follow in numbers in order to view it in its fullest context. Not only is pork forbidden, there are a number of other forbidden an. The beauty of holiness welwyn commentary series philip. Woe to those nations that are not informed by the timeless spiritual principles found in the book of leviticus. Leviticus tells what god leads his people into, 1 a life full of gods own presence. The second book, exodus, tells what god took his people out of. Order this series electronicly order commentaries in logos bible software. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on leviticus chapters 23 to 27.
The dietary laws predate the jews by about 2,000 years. Without this book we cannot begin to understand the death of christ and his priestly work. The main points of the book are concerned with legal rules and priestly ritual. It is because gods face is perfectly beautiful and pure. So the key thought of the book is holiness see notes on 11. Ironside, not only for the title of this lesson, but also for his insight into the perverted versions of holiness offered. But properly understood, leviticus is one of the most beautiful books of the. Therein are gods specific guidelines for either national prosperity or else national disgorgement. As john hartley comments, in leviticus yahweh makes himself known to israel as their holy god. It is the way he puts his holiness on display for people to apprehend.
Understanding the book of leviticus for today by ralph drollinger. Jewish rabbinical commentary, called the talmud, as their spiritual authority. Systematic theology biblebibliology doctrine of god theology humanityanthropology sinharmartiology jesus christchristology holy spiritpneumatology salvationsoteriology angels and demonsangelology the churchecclesiology end timeseschatology israelisraelology rewardsmisthology other systematics. Leviticus indicates the kind of people god s covenant community ought to be in the light of god s grace. What does the bible say about holiness in leviticus. The book of leviticus simply explained welwyn commentary series ebook. Ironsides excellent little book, holiness, the false and the true, 119 is one example. Leviticus reveals that a god who is set apart from all other gods must have a similar people 11. The beauty of studying the torah, and the ot in general, is that it is, generally.
Clearly, love lay behind this plan, even though moses did not explain in leviticus why god provided atonement. Leviticus chapters 2327 free bible commentary in easy english. In this video, we explore the paradox that gods holiness presents to human beings. It is important to study the book of leviticus, not least because it is so often the last one read in the pages of scripture. Holy and holiness occur in leviticus more than any other book in the bible.
Understanding the book of leviticus for today by ralph. The hebrew name used today for the book of leviticus, is vayikra which. In this coming weeks study i will attempt to not only familiarize you with this book, but also explain how it positively affects the debate. Unspoken lessons about the unseen god, esther simply explained. Oct 08, 2018 much of leviticus, however, as it pertains to the ceremonies and rituals that god demanded of his chosen ones, is abrogated in the new testament. If this is the english translation of the very words of god, then isnt it obvious, student of his word, that we have a responsibility to discover what god says about holiness. Gods holiness is his drawing, pulling, tugging splendor psalms 29. And, as such it is the heart of torah, its focus and center. Genesis simply explained welwyn commentary series, travelling homeward welwyn commentary series, the beauty of holiness. Leviticus simply explained by philip eveson was published by evangelical press in january 2010 and is our 35565th best seller. Originally written as one book, 1 and 2 chronicles summarize, not only the history of gods people from the creation of the world until the edict of cyrus in 538 b. It is also from this book that jesus quoted the second great commandment. Understanding the book of leviticus the surprising god. The book of leviticus shows us the practical ramifications.
Leviticus tells us what is true and of eternal benefit for ou. Thus, leviticus is best explained as a guidebook for instructing gods people about holy. This is the third book of the old testament immediately following the book of exodus wherein the hebrews have escaped the control and influence of the egyptians. These chapters then give instruction in how ancient israel was to live a holy life. Systematic theology biblebibliology doctrine of godtheology humanityanthropology sinharmartiology jesus christchristology holy spiritpneumatology salvationsoteriology angels and demonsangelology the churchecclesiology. Or to put it in another way, god is completely and perfectly good.
It is not a typical theology book, not that theology is bad. But god told the people to offer him something that was simple and basic. Aug 24, 2012 sanctification says yes to loving god and what he loves. Leviticus indicates the kind of people gods covenant community ought to be in the light of gods grace. This book explores how the sacrificial rituals and. Gods holiness is reflected in his beauty and attractiveness. This book is a well written book on a topic that is so neglected yet is the most crucial to understand. The reason we are so broken is that we are involved in a broken race. Despite the english title of the work, it is important to note that the book makes a very strong distinction between the priesthood, who are identified as being descended fro. It rightly points to god who has the authority to proclaim the regulations and rules for acceptable worship. Under the heading the presence of god, wenham notes that god s presence with his people is an idea that is repeated numerous times in leviticus.
As part of the infallible word of god it is important that we grasp the meaning of this book and appreciate its value in our everyday lives. Jun 06, 2007 be holy, for i the lord your god am holy leviticus 10. The foundational concept of holiness in leviticus bible. Leviticus, holiness and the christian culturewatch. For example, sanctify, holiness, occur 152 times in leviticus or about 20. So we should stop calling them jewish or mosaic dietary laws. By means of the commands found in the book of leviticus, jehovah god impressed upon the minds of the israelites the need for them to be a holy people and also how they might be such religiously and morally. It contains some very solid theology but it is continually related back to the beauty and majesty of god in his holiness. Be holy for i am holy the holiness of god in leviticus by moses flores i have written previously on, what i believe, are two of the three main themes of of the book of leviticus that are important to be discerned as one reads it. Systematic theology biblebibliology doctrine of god theology humanity. God had just delivered the israelites from slavery and taken them out. We now look at how it informs our understanding of the book of leviticus.
So leviticus is the middle book of the entire torah. An highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the way of holiness. Through its contents god also advised the israelites of his will regarding their annual festivals. Sanctification says yes to loving god and what he loves.
To say that god is holy means that he is completely separate from all evil or defect. The normal means of death was by stoning, and so she would likely have been stoned first, and then her body would have been burned. The beauty of holiness and the miracle of sanctification. The word holy is mentioned 152 times more than any other book in the bible. The beauty of holiness is laid out quite helpfully in thirtythree very manageable sections, dealing mostly with selfcontained units in the text of leviticus. The holiness school reinterprets the prescriptions of the priestly tor ah by developing a system of holiness that emphasizes gods holiness in relation to peoples the experience and conduct holiness in leviticus and beyond. The nazirite is holy because he has separated himself unto the lord. Leviticus points us forward to the one who came to save his people from their sins and bring them to god.
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