We are concluding our Spring class this week with a video from Genesis Apologetics called “Genesis Impact.” This video presents a dramatization of a cordial debate between a student and Natural History Museum Curator on the topic of human evolution verse creation by intelligent design. I think you’ll enjoy the things you learn, because they won’t be found in the public education curriculum! We will continue our theme of Christian Apologetics and Bible study with a new class for the summer in two weeks.

Check out the Genesis Impact Movie for this week:

A CASE FOR CHRISTIANITY:  

FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS

The truth claim in Christianity

REVIEW AND REFLECTION

Prayer cards: Take a minute and write your name on the index card provided, and add any special prayer request you might have. Exchange cards at the end of the class this evening.

At your table groups, do the following:

1.  Review and discuss the video. Can you give an answer to someone who asks: What evidence does evolution have concerning human origin? What does the Bible teach us about God and His Creation?

2.  Recite the Memory Verse(s):

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB)

3. Go over your Bible study for Leviticus…

BIBLE STUDY

THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS

Discussion time from last week’s homework:

We are concluding the book of Leviticus by discussing your reading of chapters 17 through 27 for #4 of the format. Keep in mind the things to focus on while reading and studying Leviticus (from last week’s homework directions), then conclude by discussing your answers to #5-8 from the format below:

Bible Study Survey Format

Old Testament

Category:         Torah                                

Book:                 Leviticus                             

1. Author: Who wrote the book and when? (Include anything you can find about the author and when it was written)

2. Audience: Who was it written to? (Include anything you can find about the people, the culture or societal norms, of that time period)

3. Purpose: Why was it written? (Include anything you can find about their circumstances and what was, or had been, going on)

4. Content: What is in each chapter? (Include chapter by chapter titles and a short summary – no more than 3-5 sentences – Keep in mind #5 and #6 and mark a chapter accordingly)

5. Going Deeper: What are the major Covenants found in this book? (Include new ones or ones that relate back to Genesis and mark (C); you can also include any major events here)

6. Finding Jesus: Where is Jesus? Include any appearances (JA), foreshadows (JF) or prophecies (JP)?

7. Application: How can this book and its teachings apply to us today? (Answers will vary, but can include personal, cultural or timeless teachings for us today)

8. The Shelf: What questions or comments do you have about this book? (Answers will vary, but can include things you didn’t understand or things you want to learn more about)

REVIEW FROM LAST WEEK:

Here are some example answers for last week’s study in the book of Leviticus for the survey format #1-3, and #4 with a discussion of chapters 1-16:

1. Author: Who wrote the book and when? (Include anything you can find about the author and when it was written)

• Moses is the author of this book which is part of the first five books of the Bible known as the Torah (Hebrew), Pentateuch (Greek), also known as “the Books of Moses”
• Moses’ story is told in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy
• The Bible tells us that God gave Moses all that is in the Torah at Mt. Sinai, and he wrote during the forty-year period of wandering in the desert after the exodus from Egypt, 1446-1406 BC

Biblical reference examples for Moses’ authorship: Exodus 17:14, 24:2-4, 34:27; Numbers 33:1-2, Deuteronomy 31:9, Joshua 1:8, 2 Kings 21:8; and most importantly Jesus spoke of Moses’ authorship many times as exampled in John 5:46-47

2. Audience: Who was it written to? (Include anything you can find about the people, the culture or societal norms, of that time period)

• The Nation of Israel is the intended audience and it was given to them during their forty-year wilderness wanderings after the exodus from Egypt (prior to entering the Promised Land).
• Additionally, God gave it to them through Moses and commanded them to teach it to the people of God for generations to come.

3. Purpose: Why was it written? (Include anything you can find about their circumstances and what was, or had been, going on)

This book helps answer the question as to why, at the end of Exodus, the people could not enter the “Tent of the Meeting” in the Tabernacle where God’s presence was. This book serves as a handbook for the priests and Levites, outlining their duties in worship, and a guidebook of holy living for the Hebrews.

• There is a constant calling of the Israelites to “ritual” purity because the LORD was reminding them of their need to seek moral purity – all of this is related to the understanding (or misunderstanding) of God’s holiness – thus the reason they could not enter the “Tent of Meeting” where the Glory of the LORD resided at the end of Exodus.
• At the beginning of the next book (Numbers), we find that Leviticus served as a solution to this problem as Moses, and the High Priests to follow, could now enter the presence of the LORD.
• This book also foreshadows the role that Jesus will fulfill as our final Priest and mediator between us and God. It pictures the atonement and final sacrifice that will take place at the coming of Messiah, Jesus, where His crucifixion and subsequent resurrection defeats the curse and the need for animal sacrifice once and for all.

4. Content: What is in each chapter? (Include chapter by chapter titles and a short summary – no more than 3-5 sentences – Keep in mind #5 and #6 and mark a chapter accordingly)

Chapter 1: Instructions for the offerings; The Law of Burnt Offerings

• This chapter begins with God calling Moses from the tent of meeting (Moses could not enter in). We get specific directions for burnt offerings from the herd for, most likely (based on the other sacrifices, though not specified here), for thanksgiving, penitence, vows, and self-dedication.
• Note: Burnt offerings were the costliest type of sacrifice. Unlike other offerings, none of the remains could be used for other purposes.
• JF = There are several things we see right away here that will continue through other offering types, these include: A male without blemish (just as Jesus is our perfect sacrifice); laying hands on the head of the sacrifice seemed to establish a relationship between the offering and the person so that the animal is accepted on behalf of the person (just as Jesus is our replacement on the cross); the sacrifice was to be placed on the wood (just as Jesus is placed on a wooden cross); the animal is then accepted as atonement for the person (just as Jesus is our atoning Savior); the blood is the life of a person, and the sprinkling of the blood of the animal represents the life, and that death is the result of sin and the curse of Genesis 3 (Jesus will give His life and blood to fulfill and defeat the curse in Genesis 3 for all who believe in Him).

Chapter 2: The Law of Grain Offering

• In this chapter we get specific directions for a grain offering. It was to be unleavened, which was an important memorial from the Exodus from Egypt when they had to leave in a hurry and could not take time for the bread to leaven. Part of this offering could be left for the priests.

JF = In this chapter we see a few representative things that foreshadow Jesus: The Firstfruits are an important part of this offering (Jesus was the firstborn Son of God); There is mention of frankincense that must be put on the first fruits (Jesus was presented with frankincense by the “wisemen” who came to worship Him after He was born; and the new grain in this offering must be crushed (Jesus was the promised “He” from Genesis 3:15 who was crushed for our iniquity [the “serpent shall crush His heal] and Jesus ultimately crushes the head of Satan by defeating him and the curse of death)

Chapter 3: The Laws for Peace Offerings

In this chapter we find specific directions for making a peace offering to the LORD from an animal. Again, without blemish and by laying their hands on the head of the sacrifice that is placed on wood.

Note: at the end of this chapter God specifically says “All fat is the LORD’s. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, in all your dwelling places, that you eat neither fat nor blood.”

JF = We see again in this chapter things that picture Jesus include: The animal without blemish; the sprinkling of blood to cover sin; laying the sacrifice on wood; laying hands on the animals head representing substitutionary atonement; and the mention in verses 7-8 of “If he offers a lamb for his offering, then he shall offer it before the LORD, lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it in front of the tent of meeting” (Jesus is the “Lamb of God” and is slain before the Father as atonement for our sins).

Chapter 4: Laws for Sin Offerings

In this chapter we get specific directions of unintentional sin offerings, not only for the people, but for the priests or leaders.

According to the Life Application Bible Commentary: “These verses show how to deal with the sins of the priest and the whole congregation. Blood is sprinkled in front of the veil that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, indicating that their sins have defiled the Most Holy Place. The priests and the congregation as a corporate entity bear heavier responsibility than an individual leader or layperson. Therefore, a more costly animal is required for the sacrifice (such as the bull).

Note: We see the importance of the number seven in this chapter. 7 is one of the most important numbers in the Bible. It symbolizes completion, perfection, and rest. God finished creation in 7 days. There are 7 great land masses. 7 colors of the rainbow. 7 notes make a perfect scale. 7 days in the feast of Passover. 7 weeks between Passover and Pentecost. 7 days for the Feast of Tabernacles. God had 7 covenants with humanity (Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Levitic, Davidic, and Messianic). In Revelation, one finds 7 churches, 7 letters, 7 candlesticks, 7 stars, 7 angels, 7 Spirits of God, 7 Seal Judgments, 7 horns, 7 eyes on the Lamb, 7 trumpets, 7 thunders, 7 mountains, 7 bowls, 7 kings, and so on.

JF = We see again, some of the same pictures: The animal without blemish; the laying on the sacrifice of hands by those who offend; the priest (who is a picture of Jesus, our final priest) is the one who takes the blood and sprinkles it and makes atonement for the person(s) and their sins shall be forgiven.

Chapter 5: Laws for Guilt Offerings

In this chapter we read about touching “unclean” things unknowingly or uttering rash things from their lips. Once it is realized then there is specific direction on how to make atonement for these types of sins through the priest and it shall be forgiven. We also read about Laws for guilt offerings for unintentional sins in any holy thing. We continue to see the importance of the animal brought for sacrifice to be without blemish, in other words perfect.

JF = We continue to see the foreshadowing of Jesus in several ways: The priest who could make atonement for the sins of the people (Jesus would be the final priest to do this); The unblemished sacrificial animal (Jesus is our perfect and final sacrifice); and the sacrificial animal was to be burned outside the camp in many of these instances (Jesus was crucified “outside the camp” – see Hebrews 13:13).

Chapter 6: Sins against a neighbor; The Priests and the Offerings

In this chapter we read about regulations related to sins against one’s neighbor. Again, we see the requirement being an animal without blemish in order for the Priest to make atonement for the person who has sinned. We also get specific instructions for how the Priests are to handle the burnt offerings. They were to keep the fire continually going. The grain offerings left for the Priests were not be eaten with leaven. Anything that has blood afterward should not be eaten, but burned up.

JF = Again, we have a picture of the shed blood for atonement, the importance of the Holy Place, and the role of the Priests as intercessors for the people.

Chapter 7: The Priest’s Part in the Offering

In this chapter we read about the guilt offering and how the Priests are to handle it. We also read about the peace offering and how the Priests are to handle it. There is also an emphasis on unclean things that are touched and how to handle it when that happens. The LORD also reinforced no eating of the fat nor the blood. The penalty is to be cut off. We further read about what Aaron and his sons could eat.

Note: We get a summary statement in verses 37-38 that the LORD has now given regulations for the burnt offering, grain offering, sin offering, guilt offering ordination offering and peace offering at Mount Sinai for all the people of Israel.

JF = Again, the blood, the Priest, the atonement for sin and the holiness of the sacrifices and the place in which they are done.

Chapter 8: Instructions for the Priests; The Consecration of Aaron and His Sons

Here we read about the consecration of Aaron and his sons in front of the congregation of the people. They were washed with water for cleanliness and dressed with the priestly garments. Moses anointed Aaron with oil along with the Tabernacle itself, and Aaron’s sons. There was also an atoning sacrifice made on behalf of Aaron and his sons and the blood sprinkled around the Altar. It ends with a seven-day period for completion of the ordination of Aaron and his sons as God’s Priests.

Note: In verse 35 we see a warning of death if they did not follow exactly all that the LORD had commanded. Unfortunately, two of Aaron’s sons will not take God’s command seriously as we will see in chapter 10.

JF = The priestly role; the blood; the Atonement and the laying of hands on the sacrifice (substitutionary symbol).

Chapter 9: Aaron Offers Sacrifices and the LORD Accepts

We read that Aaron and his sons followed everything God said through Moses for them to do in making atonement for themselves and the people. At this point Aaron and Moses were able to enter the tent of the meeting with God, and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people and the LORD consumed the burnt offering with fire and “the people shouted and fell on their faces.”

JF = Atonement, blood, substitutionary sacrifice, Priest

JA = The Glory of the LORD appeared

Chapter 10: The Sin of Nadab and Abihu

After all they just went through in following the LORD’s directions, Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu “offered unauthorized fire before the LORD” and fire came out from the LORD and consumed them and they died (just as they had been warned in chapter 8). We also read that the other two sons followed all the commands of God and Moses. God did not allow them to grieve the loss of Nadab and Abihu.

Note: Here we see the importance of God’s holiness and the fact that these Priests were His representatives. God is loving, but He must also be just, and He cannot allow for disobedience to go unpunished, especially in this early Nation that He was establishing as His before the rest of the Nations.

JF = A Note: Just as we are to be role models for Jesus today, we are expected to represent Him correctly, in both our actions and deeds. Although we will probably not be struck down dead for a sin or mistake like Aaron’s sons, we are still responsible for our actions. We must remember that just because we have an atoning Priest in Jesus who has already paid the sacrificial price for our sins, we still are responsible as believers to represent Him before the rest of the world and to honor Him in all that we do.

Chapter 11: Instructions for the People; Laws about Animals for Food; Avoiding the Unclean

In this chapter we read about clean animals that can be eaten and unclean animals that cannot be eaten. These are distinct food regulations the LORD gave to this particular Nation. Again, we read about the importance of holiness for this people, as the LORD is holy (verses 44-45)

Note: We can remember that the idea of clean = purity/sinlessness, whereas unclean = sinfulness. The complete meaning of the animals identified is not clear in reference to health. However, many of the unclean animals, from what we know today, are not considered healthy to eat because of the possibility of bacterial or other types of infections.

Chapter 12: Laws of Motherhood

This chapter gives us directions for purification after childbirth. There is a distinction between a male and female child and the amount of time required for the mother to be purified. There is also given direction for a burnt offering after her time of purification is completed. The Priest makes atonement for her, and she becomes clean.

Chapter 13: The Test for Leprosy

In this chapter we get specific directions for disease identification, and disease avoidance. The type of disease regulated in this section refers to skin aliments often associated with leprosy (but any type of skin disease in ancient times was considered leprosy in general). There also instructions for how to handle the spread of a disease on a garment which, as we know today, can be a contact or contagious disease, or things such as mold or mildew.

Note: There is an emphasis on seven days for potential healing. The number seven in Scripture is a reference to completion, perfection or rest which seems to fit here with these types of infections and diseases. It is also interesting to note that with all we know today from modern medicine, that the LORD (Creator of all things) gave just the right instructions for them to treat and handle these illnesses.

Chapter 14: Law of Cleansing a Leper; Cleansing a Leprous House

In this chapter we get specific directions for cleansing a person who may have a leprous disease. Again, washing and waiting a seven-day period seems to be standard for determining if a person is healed or not. The Priest can then make atonement for the person once they are determined to be clean, and there are provisions for sacrifice for those who are poor. We also learn in this chapter, how they cleansed a house that is contaminated by either a person’s infection or, as we know today, contaminated by mold or mildew.

Note: Bathing and shaving clean is something we know today can kill bacterial and other types of infections. And again, we see a seven-day period as the best amount of time for waiting to reassess.

JF = We again see atoning sacrifices made through the blood and the intercession of the Priest picturing Jesus.

Chapter 15: Cleansing Unhealthiness

In this chapter we get more information on how they were to take care of other types of health ailments. Again, the focus is on unclean versus being clean before the LORD, bathing and seven day waiting periods.

Note: Reminder that not only were these actual directions for health, they were representative of the importance of cleanliness (sinlessness) before a Holy God.

JF = We again see atoning sacrifices made through the blood and the intercession of the Priest to be cleansed, picturing Jesus.

Chapter 16: Instructions for the Altar; Law of Atonement; An Annual Atonement

In this chapter we read about the Law of Atonement, which is an important holiday for the Jewish people still today, known as “Yom Kippur.” God gives specific instructions for making sin atonement, not only for the Priest, but for the whole congregation. The thing that stands out in these instructions is the fact that two goats and a bull are to be brought for sacrifice, but one of the goats are to be let go into the wilderness. This goat is referred to as the Scapegoat. There is also a requirement for the Priest to bathe in water in a holy place after the blood part of the sacrifice is complete, and before the burnt offering is made for the atonement. This is to be done once a year as a statue forever.

JF = The Day of Atonement and the ritual of the scapegoat is one of the most obvious pictures of what Jesus would do for us as our final sacrifice for sin, whereas the scapegoat, who is let free, represents us, because Jesus Atoning sacrifice allows us to go free from the penalty of sin, which is death, represented in the burnt offerings.

HOMEWORK:

If you want to get ahead for the next class, begin reading the book of Numbers and get familiar with its structure, stories and breaks. There will be specific questions and assignment to come.