Leviticus: A Holy God, A Holy People
Book of Leviticus
24 September 2023
How Then Shall We Live?
Leviticus 26-27
by Tan Huai Tze
Leviticus is all about how a holy God makes sinful people holy, so that they can dwell in relationship with him. It ends with a call to live out practically the implications of all that’s taught in this book. God’s people are to live in covenant relation with him, in humble contrition before him, and in heartfelt commitment to him.
17 September 2023
Jubilee: True Liberty
Leviticus 25
by Chua Si Yang
Leviticus 25 is the continuation of the observance of sacred or holy time in Israel’s national calendar which started in Leviticus 23. We see the challenge of observing the Sabbath year for the life of Israel but also the bountiful grace from God shown in the year of Jubilee. Ultimately, the observance of the year of Jubilee is to point to a greater reality that will be fulfilled in the coming of Christ.
10 September 2023
God of Order
Leviticus 23-24
by Aaron Akins
From addressing the priests (Leviticus 21-22), God now addresses the people with regard to worship. We see the grace of God shine through in his call for his people to rest and to worship on the Sabbaths and Feast Days of Israel. Resting in Jesus, we today gather to worship in his name.
3 September 2023
Spiritual Leadership
Leviticus 21-22
by Tan Huai Tze
Spiritual leaders in God’s family are called to be dedicated, able, and careful in the handling of ‘holy things’. Ultimately, it is God himself who qualifies and enables his leaders.
27 August 2023
God's Social Order
Leviticus 18-20
by Joel Sim
In these chapters, God gives laws to Israel concerning how they are to live in the Promised Land. Negatively, there were pagan practices that the Israelites had to avoid. Positively, they were called to love one another in action. These statutes are rooted in the fact that they were redeemed by the LORD God from slavery to live for Him.
20 August 2023
Power in the Blood
Leviticus 17
by Tan Huai Tze
Leviticus 1-16 focuses on the sacrifices necessary to atone for sin, while Leviticus 18-27 focuses on holy living. Leviticus 17 shows us how atonement for sin is connected to holy living. In the regulation for the shedding and consumption of blood, we see the Lordship of God, the sacredness of life, and the life of love.
13 August 2023
The Day of Atonement
Leviticus 16
by Joel Sim
The Day of Atonement was the holiest day of the Israelite calendar. Its purpose was to atone for the remaining sins of Israel that were unaccounted for. This included sanctifying the sanctuary, which was where the holy God met His sinful people. However, all of the rites performed would mean little to nothing when they are not accompanied by true repentance.
6 August 2023
Holy Intimate Relations
Leviticus 15
by Tan Huai Tze
Sex is one of God’s good and beautiful gifts to humanity. It is so wonderful that left unchecked, the gift can take the place of the giver, God, which is disastrous. Therefore, God places checkpoints to remind us of him, and also makes a way for cleansing and forgiveness for those who misuse sex.
30 July 2023
Holy Infection Control
Leviticus 13-14
by Tan Huai Tze
The passage outlines what God's people are to do when they encounter a kind of infectious disease. Reading the passage more closely reveals that this disease is symbolic for sin. And so, God's people are to be intentional in determining whether they have sinned or not according to God's Word, and turn to God for the provision to atone for their sin. This is accomplished through the offering of Christ as a sacrifice for sin.
23 July 2023
Holy Maternity Leave
Leviticus 12:1-8
by Tan Huai Tze
In the stipulations God gives Israel for purification after giving birth, we see the pervasive nature of sin. Sin affects everything, even the most meaningful and joyful human experiences like childbirth. At the same time, we see God's provision of grace shining through in the sign of circumcision and the provisions for atonement for rich and poor.
16 July 2023
God's Holy Menu
Leviticus 11:1-47
by Joel Sim
God gave His people specific food laws as directives so that the nations would know who they belonged to by what they ate. To become unclean through eating or contact was to risk becoming undone before a holy God. Yet, the people were not called to obey the food laws in a legalistic way. The laws were given to remind God's people of their redemption from Egypt.
9 July 2023
Worship That Doesn't Kill You
Leviticus 10:1-20
by Tan Huai Tze
Worship is a dangerous thing because sinful people are coming into the presence of a holy God. And so, for worship to be safe, it must be according to God’s Word, honouring of God, and must arise from sincerity of heart. All these are possible only through Jesus Christ who makes our worship acceptable to God.
2 July 2023
Seeing God’s Glory
Leviticus 9:1-24
by Tan Huai Tze
Leviticus 9 shows us clearly that the purpose of the 5 offerings in Leviticus 1-7 was to make it possible for God to appear before his people in glory. And so, to see God in his glory they had to hear his promise, acknowledge the problem, embrace the provision and enjoy God’s presence.
25 June 2023
Consecrated for Service
Leviticus 8:1-36
by Joel Sim
The Old Testament priests of Israel were mediators between God and His people. In the consecration service of Leviticus 8, we see how important it is for the priests to dedicate their whole selves to God. Yet, they were not sinless mediators. Their imperfections, along with the constant need to offer sacrifices, point to the need for a great high priest, who became the perfect sacrifice for His people.
18 June 2023
The Priestly Duties
Leviticus 6:8-7:38
by Joseph Tern
After instructing the congregation about the respective sacrifices, Leviticus 6:8-7:38 turns to instruct the priests on the conduct of these sacrifices. These duties reinforce the holiness of God. At the same time, they point forward to the coming of the great high priest who will fulfil all of these sacrifices as the once-for-all sacrifice to God for His people.
11 June 2023
Restoration Through Repentance
Leviticus 5:14-6:7
by Joel Sim
The guilt offering, which is often known as the reparation or compensation offering, involves making amends for the harm that was caused by sin. The fact that restitution was required, even for unintentional sins, shows how seriously God takes sin. At the same time, when restitution is given to an offended neighbour, it served as a deterrent against crimes within the community, as well as soothed the strained relationship between the offender and the offended. In order to confess our sins willingly to the offended party, God needs to change us so that we'll be truly repentant before Him and our neighbour.
4 June 2023
The Sin Offering: God Cleanses His People
Leviticus 4:1-5:13
by Aaron Akins
The sin offering shows the importance of needing to be cleansed in the presence of the Lord. Whether the sins committed were intentional or unintentional, sacrifices were required, which highlights the seriousness of sin before a holy God. However, the provisions provided for all shows that forgiveness and cleansing are available to all people. This abundance of provision finds it fulfilment in Jesus Christ, the final sin offering who cleansed us once for all so that we may be in God's presence.
28 May 2023
Communion with God
Leviticus 3
by Tan Huai Tze
The "peace offering" shows us that the goal of atonement is not merely forgiveness or acceptance with God, but a deep and abiding communion with him. As a result of this communion, we also have deep and abiding communion with God's people. Because we are often forgetful, God institutes rituals and symbols to remind us of the great cost of communion with him. In the case of New Testament believers, this is the Holy Communion.
21 May 2023
Gratitude to God
Leviticus 2
by Tan Huai Tze
The burnt offering (Leviticus 1) brings atonement, while the grain offering expresses gratitude to God for atonement. It is the giving of our time, talent and treasure for the work of the gospel because we have tasted of the goodness of the gospel.
14 May 2023
Acceptance with God
Leviticus 1
by Tan Huai Tze
Leviticus begins with God’s instructions to his people for the burnt offering. This offering atones for sins, but also expresses devotion. Through the offering of Jesus as the one to whom the burnt offerings point, we have atonement with God and can also now offer our lives as a pleasing sacrifice to the God who is already pleased with us.