Tied Together: A One-Year Journey Through the Bible | Day 29 | February 9, 2026

 

Introduction to Leviticus

The book of Exodus ends with God's presence filling the newly completed tabernacle. Leviticus opens with God speaking to Moses from within that sacred space—a powerful reminder that the tabernacle served its purpose. If Exodus provides the blueprint for building God's dwelling place, Leviticus provides the instructions for entering it.

Moses wrote Leviticus, as he did all five Books of the Law, and he wrote it for the Israelites who were still encamped at Mount Sinai. The book takes its name from the tribe of Levi—the Levites—who served as priests responsible for maintaining the tabernacle and its holy artifacts. In the original Hebrew, however, the book is called Wayiqra, meaning "and He called," drawn from the opening words of the text. Interestingly, this is traditionally the first book of the Bible that Jewish children study in school.

At its heart, Leviticus addresses a profound problem: God desires relationship with His people, but they are full of sin and cannot enter His holy presence. The book details God's plan for reconciliation.

Understanding holiness is essential here. To be holy means to be set apart—separate, different. God calls His people to live differently from the surrounding nations. And the closer one wishes to draw to God, the greater the standard of holiness required. Think of it like ascending levels: the nations of the world occupy the base, the Israelites are called to a higher standard, the priests to an even higher one, and the tabernacle itself represents the closest approach to God's presence at the summit.

The book divides naturally into two sections. The first half serves as a blueprint for worshipping a holy God, while the second half provides a blueprint for living a holy life.

Leviticus begins with the five offerings God established. The grain and fellowship offerings allowed the people to thank God for His provision. The burnt, sin, and guilt offerings provided a way to seek forgiveness. The book then describes the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests, whose role was to serve the people on behalf of God and to serve God on behalf of the people. Tragically, two of Aaron's sons died for disregarding God's instructions—a sobering reminder to the priests and all Israel that approaching a holy God required careful obedience.

God also established laws regarding cleanness. Being unclean was different from sinning—it was not a sin to become unclean, but it was a sin to enter God's presence while in that state.

Central to the book is the Day of Atonement, a ritual the High Priest performed once each year. He would take two goats: one was sacrificed as a purification offering, while the sins of the people were symbolically placed upon the other, which was then sent into the wilderness. This powerful picture of God removing sin foreshadows what Jesus would accomplish—becoming both our perfect High Priest and the eternal sacrifice that never needs repeating.

Leviticus also details seven annual feasts, each reminding the Israelites of God's deliverance while pointing toward the coming Messiah. The Passover recalls the lamb's blood that saved them from death and points to Jesus, the Lamb of God. The Feast of Unleavened Bread points to Christ, who was without sin. The Feast of First Fruits, observed on the third day, foreshadows resurrection. Pentecost anticipates the giving of the Holy Spirit. The remaining feasts—Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles—continue this pattern of remembrance and prophetic anticipation.

The book closes with a call to faithfulness. God has set His people apart. Through Jesus, we have received forgiveness we didn't deserve, and we respond by living differently from the world around us. Leviticus reveals God's deep desire for relationship and reminds us that only through sacrifice can we enter His presence—a sacrifice that Jesus made perfect and eternal.

Scripture:

Leviticus 1