Leviticus Lesson 4

Leviticus

Lesson 4

Greetings and welcome back to this Bible Study of the Old Testament Book of Leviticus!

One of the most important questions in life is:

How may an UN-holy person or people approach and worship an HOLY God.

In this and the next lesson, we will try to answer that question and we will also see what happens when the approach is correct and what happens when it is not correct.

Pay close attention as there are some very important principles concerning Holiness in Chapters 8, 9, and 10 of Leviticus, principles that are just as applicable to us today as they were to the Jewish Nation at the time they were given. But, before we begin, let's put these chapters and the events they record in perspective.

You will recall that in Leviticus Chapters 1 - 7, we are given the details and requirements for 5 offerings and sacrifices. By way of review, let's look back at those chapters or refer to Lesson 2 of this study. And, you guessed it, in order to really do this "recalling, " it is time for an assignment. Soooo....

In the following chart, in the left hand column, list each of these 5 Offerings and Sacrifices. In the right hand column, I have briefly summarized the purpose of each offering. However, if you want to add any additional information to the summary, please feel free to do so. (I will do the entire first one for you as an example.)

Ok, we have reviewed the 5 offerings and what they depict, picture, and represent. And, I assume that you correctly listed the other Offerings to be: #2 = Grain (Meal, Cereal) Offering ; # 3 = the Fellowship (Peace) Offering; #4 = Sin Offering; and #5 = The Guilt (Trespass) Offering.

In chapter 8, the chapter concerning the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests, we looked at some of the details of the garments of the High Priest and what these garments pictured concerning various aspects of Christ and His Character.

Now, in Chapters 9 and 10 of Leviticus, Aaron and his 4 sons begin their ministry as Priests of and for the Nation Israel and to the One and Only Holy God of the Universe. And, as their ministry to and Worship of The Holy God of the universe begins, we will discover that God is no respecter of persons, that He does not have "favorites", and that there is a right way and a wrong way to approach and worship a Holy God. We will learn about the right way (holy fire) and the wrong way (unholy fire) of approaching a Holy God. and the consequences of each approach.

So, as we said earlier, pay very close attention as there are very important principles in Chapters 8, 9, and 10 of Leviticus, principles that are just as applicable to us today as they were to the Jewish Nation at the time they were given.

Well, with that said, let's continue this important study concerning HOLINESS and HOW TO APPROACH AND WORSHIP A HOLY GOD CORRECTLY.

And, since you are already aware that the word, HOLY (or one of its synonyms such as holiness, sacred, sanctify, sanctified, etc.) is used over (hint see lesson 1) __________________ times in this book of Leviticus, perhaps we need to find out what this word, HOLY means.

So, you guessed it, it is time for a Word Study. Now, don't panic if you don't have "word study tools" (books to look up the definition of a word.) I know that some of you don't have these books, so I will give you a summary of what this word means. But, if you do have access to such tools, please use them and add to the information. Why? Because, you will find that the more you know about HOLY and HOLINESS, the better you will understand why it is so important and necessary to approach and worship a Holy God correctly.

Ok, with that said, let's find out about this word, Holy, which is used over 80 times in this book, either as the actual word, Holy, or as a synonym (word meaning the same general thing or concept but stated with a different word.)

And, as you read this definition and explanation, provided here for you, underline or highlight words, phrases, or sentences which will help you to see at a glance what this word means and explains.

HOLY

Strong's # 6942 Qadash = the verb form

TWOT # 1990a Qodesh = the noun form

Quoting now from TWOT (The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, Volume 2, edited by Harris, Archer, and Waltke, pages 786-788 -- published in 1980 by The Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Ill. USA ...ISBN 0-8024-8631-2 ):

HOLY (QADASH) the verb = be hallowed, holy, sanctified, to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate ... apartness, holiness, sacredness.

"... The word occurs in several dialects of Akkadian with the basic meanings 'to be clean, pure, consecrated.' ... ... A definitive use of the term occurs in Num 16:38 ... The censers of the Korahites were regarded as holy because they had been devoted to the Lord. They were thus regarded as having entered the sphere of the sacred by virtue of... ritual ... and were accorded a special place in the sanctuary. The devotion of the censers seems to have created a condition of inviolable holiness that could not allow for their being treated in a common way. ...

In the Qal, the verb, qadash, is used most frequently to describe the state of consecration effected by Levitical ritual. In Ex 29:21, 37; 30:29 certain articles used in the levitical service were consecrated to God and were thus recognized as belonging to the realm of the sacred. Transmission of the state of holiness to anything that touched a person or object so consecrated ... does not necessarily imply that a transferable divine energy exists in the "holy." Rather, it seems that the person or object entered the state of holiness in the sense of becoming subject to .. restrictions, as were other holy persons or objects, in order to avoid diffusion of the sacred and the profane ... and the strictures applied to a garment accidentally sprinkled with the blood of the sin offering (Lev 6:27)...

In the Piel, the word is used most frequently of the act of consecration. In exodus 19:23, the consecration of Mt. Sinai by establishing boundaries around it served to keep out all that might have profaned God's holy presence.

...

...(QODESH) the noun = apartness, holiness, sacredness, hallowed, holy. The noun, qodesh, connotes the concept of "holiness,", i.e. the essential nature of that which belongs to the sphere of the sacred and which is thus distinct from the common or profane. ...

...the word "holy" refers to the mysterium tremendum. It speaks of God with a measure of awe. It can be used almost as a synonym of Deity. "His holy name" is the name of God. The inner room of God's dwelling is called the Holy of Holies -- the most holy place.

But the biblical viewpoint would refer the holiness of God not only to the mystery of His power, but also to His character as totally good and entirely without evil. Holy objects, therefore, are those with no cultic pollution which is symbolic of moral pollution. They are not merely dedicated, but dedicated to what is good and kept from what is evil. The separation of men from what defiles ceremonially is but typical of the holiness that is spiritual and ethical. "Be ye holy for I am holy" is quoted from the OT (1 Peter 1:16; Lev. 19:1;20:7, etc.) and the so called holiness code is heavily ethical. "Man was made in the image of God" and capable of reflecting the Divine likeness. And as God reveals Himself as ethically holy, He calls men to a holiness resembling His own. ...

A basic element of Israelite religion was the maintenance of an inviolable distinction between the spheres of the sacred and the common or profane. (Num 18:32). That which was inherently holy or designated so by Divine decree or cultic rite was not to be treated as common. The sabbath was holy, and the restrictions connected with that day served to maintain its distinctive nature and to guard against its being treated common (Ex 16:23-26; Isa 58:13,14). Special restrictions were placed on the priests to guard against profanation of its holy status (Lev 21:6ff). Sexual intercourse was not considered immoral in the OT but it did effect a state of Levitical defilement (Lev 15:18) which prohibited contact with that which was holy (I Sam 21:4). The same principle applied to the peace offering (Lev 19:5-8), the holy oil (Ex 30:32-33), and holy incense (Ex 30:37).

That which was dedicated to God was conceived of as entering the sphere of the "holy". This included the various elements of Levitical worship called "holy things" in Lev. 5:15-16, the produce of the land (Lev 19:24), personal property (Lev 27:28), and spoils obtained in military action (Josh 6:19). The sacrifices that were to be eaten only by the priests were denominated "holy" by virtue of their absolute dedication to the sphere of the sacred as represented by the priesthood (Lev 19:8).

While the realm of the holy was conceptually distinct from the world with its imperfections, it could nevertheless operate within the world as long as its integrity was strictly maintained. The maintenance of the integrity of the "holy" was a function of the Israelite cultus. The holy God came to man in redeeming love within the context of regulations and proscriptions that were designed to maintain the purity of holiness that characterized God's essential nature. Even before the establishment of the levitical system, this principle was recognized (see Ex 3:5).

The cultus also effected the holiness of those who participated in it. This was essential to the concept of redemption for, by definition, holiness is separate from all that is sinful and profane. God, therefore, calls man to holiness because He Himself is holy (qadosh) (Lev 19:2; cf. 1 Pet 1:15).

Because of His holiness, God is above the weaknesses and imperfections of mortals and thus can accomplish the deliverance of His people (Ex 15:11-12.) Only those who are holy will dwell in God's holy hill (Ps 15:1ff). Because God is holy by nature and separate from moral imperfection, He can be trusted to be faithful to His promises (Ps 33:21).

Inherent within the redemptive work of God is the promise of the ultimate manifestation of God's holiness in the glorification of His people and the deliverance of the creation from the imperfections resulting from the edenic curse (Rom. 8:18-23.)"

The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, Volume 2, edited by Harris, Archer, and Waltke, pages 786-788

Wow! Pretty awesome. And this was probably more information than you ever wanted to know about the word, Holy! But, it is important that you know and understand what the word, HOLY, means and why it is important to be holy if one is to approach, worship, or fellowship with a Holy God.

For God IS Holy and no one can approach a Holy God unless they are also Holy. And, sinners are definitely, positively, and obviously NOT holy. Therefore, it is understandably and absolutely essential that all sin be covered and atoned for before a person can approach a Holy God.

The Offerings and Sacrifices described in the Old Testament and especially in this book of Leviticus provide that covering, albeit temporarily. But, they also picture and point to the permanent, final, ultimate, one time for all, sacrifice of The Lord God Jesus Christ! It is the atonement and covering for sin provided by Jesus' death and blood that provides the only acceptable atonement covering for sin.

It is only by having our sins paid for and covered by Jesus' blood that we (you, I, anyone) can approach The Holy God!

Anyway, now that you have read this information from TWOT concerning HOLY, hopefully you have a better, understanding of what it means to be Holy and why it is necessary to be holy in order to worship a Holy God. And, while this is still fresh in your mind, think about what you have just read and underlined or highlighted.

Then, in the space below, briefly summarize, in your own words, what HOLY means and or is. (Pretend that someone has asked you what it means to be Holy and why a person has to be holy to approach and worship God).

Ok, finished? Great. So, let's continue.

Now, with all this in mind (the information you have studied about the Offerings and Sacrifices, the significance of the Priests and their garments, and the meaning of the word, Holy), it is time for another assignment.

Assignment: Read chapters 8 and 9 of Leviticus and, as you read, circle or highlight every occurrence of the phrases "as the Lord commanded", "this is what the Lord has commanded", "as Moses commanded", or any other phrases which express this thought. (Different translations such as the NIV, KJV, NKJV, NAS, Amplified, etc. may use a slightly different phrase, so, whatever terminology your translation uses, circle or highlight it.)

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Pause while you do this assignment <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

Ok! I see that you have finished. And, WOW, those phrases really were used a lot, weren't they? Yes.

Now, based on what you read in those chapters (8 & 9), does it seem that God is very particular about ways He wants things done? (Circle your answer.)

YES

Does God indicate in these chapters that man can approach Him for worship and for fellowship in any way and at any time, regardless of whether that person is an unconfessed sinner (unholy) or not?

YES

Or, do these chapters suggest that only a holy person can approach a holy God?

YES

Explain, in the space provided below, why you answered as you did.

Well, if you answered those questions as yes, no and yes, you are correct. And, I assume that you also correctly explained something to the effect that the reason God is so particular in requiring that only a holy person can approach Him for worship and fellowship -- is because God is Holy and a Holy God can not look upon or associate with or fellowship with anyone or anything that is UNholy. Therefore, before anything that is UNholy can come into or be in the presence of a Holy God, that person or thing must be cleansed from all UNholiness (sin) and be made holy. Then and only then can that person or thing be in the presence of a Holy God.

In our next lesson, we are going to look at this in more detail. We are going to see what happens when a person or nation that IS Holy and, therefore, correctly approaches The Holy God. We are also going to see what happens when a person fails to meet God's demands and requirements and attempts to approach God in a way that is NOT approved by God, in a way that is of the "individual's" own making and choosing. You will notice that there is a very awesome and significant difference to the 2 ways of approaching God.

So, see you in the next lesson. You will not want to miss it for it is VERY important and very relative to us today.

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