In Genesis we see the human race ruined by sin. In Exodus, we see God’s plan of redemption. In Leviticus we see the redeemed worshiping YAHWEH.

Leviticus deals primarily with the Jewish culture, priestly service, and the worship life of Israel. Yet, the more you get to know the message of this book, you will find that it has a warm, compassionate message from a loving God! Resist the temptation to skip over reading this book. There are treasures ready to be mined out of its golden veins.

Leviticus is essential to a proper understanding of the entire Bible. The book of Hebrews is best understood through the lens of Leviticus. In Matthew 22, when Jesus gave a summary of the Law, he cited Leviticus as holding the second-most essential commandment (Lev 19:18). This book also provides a foundation for the understanding of forgiveness (Chapter 4) and holiness (Chapter 19). Although the book of Leviticus comes from a strange and ancient culture that is perhaps very different from our own culture of today, it carries a living, powerful message for us all.

Most of Leviticus (85%) is direct communication from YAHWEH to Moses for himself, for the priests, or for all the people of Israel. The Hebrew word for Leviticus is Vayyīqrāʾ, taken from the first word of the text. Translated into English it reads, “And he called.” And he is still calling his glorious believer-priests to arise and serve his desires!

The priestly code is found in the book of Leviticus. It is the law as it relates to the system of sacrifice and ritual. This book discusses holiness. (The Hebrew letters “Qdsh” or its variants appear 143 times: The term is found in this book one out of every six times it occurs in the Old Testament.)

The entire text of Leviticus reveals Christ. The grain offering represents his nourishment, the peace offering represents his fellowship, the sin offering represents his making peace with God, and the trespass offering represents his making peace with people. The burnt offering represents his death. His priestly ministry is shown through the priesthood. His life’s labor is shown by the feasts, and his teaching and personality are revealed by the many rules (19:17, 34).

The Sacrifices in Leviticus

1. The burnt offering (1:1–17; 6:8–13). The burnt offering (ʿōlâ meaning “that which goes up”) was a voluntary sacrifice in which the entire animal was consumed by fire upon the altar, symbolizing complete surrender, consecration, and worship to God (Lev. 1:1–17). When offered from the herd or flock, it was to be a male without blemish, portraying the perfection of the sacrifice; its smoke ascended as “a pleasing aroma to the LORD,” pointing devotionally to Christ’s flawless self-offering to the Father.

2. The grain offering (2:1–16; 6:14–23). Salted unleavened cakes or grain were partially burned for God and the rest was left for the priests. The grain offering was a thanksgiving offering.

3. The peace offering or fellowship offering (3:1–17; 7:11–36; 22:17–30). It was also meant to be the fulfillment of a vow or as a special gift to God. It had to be an animal (male or female) without defects (ritually clean). The fat of the animal was to be burned and the meat would be eaten by the priests and the one who brought the sacrifice. It was meant to be an offering of praise that would bring the worshipper into fellowship with God.

4. The sin (purification) offering (4:1—5:13; 6:24–30). This was to be a bull if offered for the sin of a priest or on behalf of the entire Israelite community, but it had to be a ram if offered for a ruler. If it was to be offered by an individual it could be a female goat, lamb, or dove. The fat was burned for God and the rest left for the priest. The purpose of the sin offering was to transfer the sin of the person onto the animal then burned in order to cover/purify from sin.

5. The guilt offering (5:14—6:7; 7:1–10). This was to be a ram without defects. The fat was burned for God and the rest was left for the priests. The purpose of the guilt offering was to relieve the guilt of misappropriation or loss. This offering and the others listed above were the main sacrifices in the book of Leviticus and in the religious life of the people of Israel.

6. The wave offering (23:15) is mentioned at least a dozen times in Leviticus. However, it probably was not a separate kind of offering. It is more likely that it had to do with a particular gesture associated with sacrifices that required something extra.

7. “Offering(s) by fire” (2:3). appears more than forty times in this book, but it is consistently used in the context of one of the five main sacrifices listed above.

But the one offering God desires more than anything else, is the offering of your heart to him. Today, come before the loving God of Glory and offer to him all your heart and the rest of your days. You’ll never regret it!

The Book of Leviticus unfurls one sacred month in the shadow of Yahweh’s holy mountain. In the wilderness, God taught the Israelites and consecrated his holy priesthood. The very voice of God reveals his dazzling, unapproachable holiness and his boundless mercy to sanctify his people and draw them near. The rhythm of a nation centered on Yahweh is felt in the sacrifices, compassionate justice, and calendar of feast days. Leviticus is for every believer who longs to be a pleasing aroma to God. It encourages us to wash in the forgiveness he offers and live with a heartbeat of gratitude and integrity. As a kingdom of priests today, we are privileged to enter the fire of worship. Leviticus invites us to sit at the foot of Sinai, listen to Yahweh’s voice in reverential awe, and be transformed by the searing, cleansing flame of his presence.