Summary
Highlights
The book of Leviticus addresses the problem of humans, who were banished from God's presence, being able to live near a holy God. God's presence, though good, is like the sun: pure power that can destroy anything mortal and corrupt that gets too close. The term 'holiness' describes this inherent goodness and danger. Leviticus aims to show how the corrupt Israelites can live near God's goodness without being destroyed.
Leviticus outlines three main solutions for the Israelites to live with God's holiness: rituals, the priesthood, and purity laws. The book is structured into seven sections, with each solution explored in two sections. These solutions, while seeming strange to modern readers, are crucial for understanding the book's purpose.
The first solution, rituals, involves animal sacrifices detailed at the beginning of Leviticus. Some are expressions of thanks to God, while others are ways to apologize for sins. Towards the end of the book, more rituals are introduced focusing on sacred days and festivals. These celebrations retell the story of God rescuing Israel and setting them apart.
The second solution involves the priesthood. Since being directly in God's presence is dangerous, priests are appointed as special representatives to enter God's presence on behalf of others. The book details the ordination of priests and the higher standards they must adhere to due to their close proximity to God's holiness.
The third and often hardest solution to understand in Leviticus is the purity laws, which distinguish between being 'clean' or 'unclean' (pure or impure). A pure state allows proximity to God's presence, while an impure state does not. Israelites needed to know their state at all times. This includes lists of pure and impure animals, serving to set Israel apart and remind them of God's holiness in all aspects of life, including diet.
Beyond food laws, other rules concern skin diseases, touching dead bodies, and bodily fluids. These items are associated with life and death, sacred to God as the author of life. It's important to note that ritual impurity is not inherently sinful; it's a temporary state that can be resolved with a few days, a bath, and a sacrifice. The impropriety lies in entering God's presence while impure. Other purity laws focus on moral behavior, promoting social justice, healthy relationships, and sexual integrity, making Israel a morally pure people able to live near God.
At the very center of Leviticus is the Day of Atonement, a crucial ritual for addressing unnoticed sins within the large tribe of Israel. Once a year, two goats were used: one was killed and its blood carried into God's presence to symbolically atone for Israel's sins, representing the substitute sacrifice of life. The second goat, known as the 'scapegoat,' had the sins of Israel confessed upon it by the priest and was then cast into the wilderness, symbolizing God's gracious removal of Israel's sin.
While sacrifices might seem barbaric, they were common in the ancient world for gaining favor from gods. However, Israel's God is presented as fundamentally different. Though angered by human corruption, His anger is never arbitrary. He loves His people and provides a clear way for Israel to confidently know they are forgiven and, despite their corruption, are safe to live near His presence. This makes the book of Leviticus a revolutionary statement in its historical context.
With the understanding of how to live with God's holiness from Leviticus, the Israelites are still at Mount Sinai in the wilderness. The next book of the Bible will detail their journey to the land God promised to Abraham.