Leviticus 22

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Laws About the Priests and the Sacrifices

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Under the Law, certain common circumstances were restrictions for the priests.

  2. Under the Law, certain offerings were unacceptable sacrifices.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Give your best to the Lord!

QUESTIONS

  1. Why were the priests under stricter regulations?

  2. What happened if a priest ignored the restrictions?

  3. What topic is addressed in verses 10-16?

  4. Why were animals with defects not acceptable as sacrifices?

  5. List the possibilities given as to why God gave further regulations regarding acceptable and unacceptable sacrifices in verses 26-33.

ANSWERS

  1. Because of their important responsibilities in connections with the House of the Lord the priests were restricted from certain normal practices that were not off limits to the rest of the people.

  2. For priests to ignore the restrictions and still officiate was to profane the name of the Lord – a serious sin (verses 1-2). As a result the priest would no longer serve as a priest (verse 3) and may even die before the Lord (verse 9).

  3. Several of the temple sacrifices provided portions of food to sustain the priests and their families. This section contains laws concerning who could eat the priests’ portion of the sacrifices.

  4. The offerings without defects picture Christ as the Perfect Sacrifice. See Hebrews 9:14 and 1 Peter 1:18-19.

  5. 1. To distinguish Israel’s worship from pagan practices 2. To insure that the animal offered for sacrifices was alive and well and strong 3. To conserve the animal stock and not deplete the flocks and herds 4. To teach compassion and the principle “be kind to animals”

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. As the Old Testament priests had to ensure they were not unclean when they functioned as priests, so we as New Testament priests are exhorted in 1 Corinthians 11 not to be unclean when we participate in the Lord’s Supper. How do you prepare yourself for partaking in communion?

  2. Defective sacrifices were unacceptable before the Lord. What does this say about our giving to the Lord? Discuss your time, talents, Christian service, and financial giving. How are you giving your best to the Lord?

CHALLENGE

  1. Imagine you were an Israelite. If defective and blemished animals had been allowed for the required sacrifices, would you have given your best to the Lord?

KEY VERSES

  • “Speak to Aaron and his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they do not profane My holy name by what they dedicate to Me: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 22:2

  • “Therefore you shall keep My commandments, and perform them: I am the Lord. You shall not profane My holy name, but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 22:31-33

Talks, Old Testament, LeviticusRon ReidLEVITICUS 22