LESSON #55 (Week ending 01/30/11)

Leviticus 16-27

Chapter 16 – The Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur

Ø What does "atonement" mean?

Ø Why did God require the change in the way this sacrifice was made?

Ø Why were two goats used for the offering? Significance of this?

Chapter 17 – Blood prohibition

Ø Why was the sacrifice limited to one location?

Ø What happened to those who sought a different way of sacrificing? Application for us?

Ø Where was the only place that God accepted the "universal" sacrifice?

Chapter 18 – Unlawful Sexual Relationships

Ø Why did the Lord specify what seems obvious to us?

Ø Where did the Israelites learn these deviant sexual behaviors?

Ø Why does God want His people to be pure? Application for us?

Chapters 19-20 – Other unlawful practices

Ø List several of the other practices of the heathens that God detested.

Ø Do these apply to us or were they primarily to protect the Israelites?

Ø Does verse 20:26 still apply to us and if so give some NT references that demonstrate it does.

Chapters 21-22 – Rules for Priests

Ø Why were priests given such strict rules? List those rules.

Ø Did God require a higher standard for the conduct and character of Priests? Why or why not?

Ø What future person did they picture?

Chapter 23 – Appointed Feast/Festival Days

ISRAEL'S RELIGIOUS CALENDAR

Festival	Date	Meaning
Passover	14 Nisan (Mar/Apr)	A memorial festival, celebrated in the home. Each family ate a Passover meal symbolizing their solidarity with the Exodus generation the night God struck the Egyptians and passed over Jewish homes (see Ex. 12). This was the first day of the religious year, for it marked God's redemption of His people from slavery in Egypt.
Unleavened Bread	15–21 Nisan (Mar/Apr)	A week–long period marked by sacrifices, during which the people ate bread made without yeast, as a reminder of their forefather's hasty departure from Egypt (see Ex. 12:34).
First fruits	16 Nisan (Mar/Apr)	A celebration of thanksgiving, held at harvest time, during which the first newly ripened barley was presented to the Lord. The symbolism foreshadows the resurrection of Jesus, called a first fruit in 1 Cor. 15:20–23.
Pentecost (Weeks)	5 Sivan (May/Jun)	New grain is offered in thanksgiving to the Lord, and special sacrifices are offered. It is significant the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost, and 3,000 were converted. These first Christians were representative of the millions God will harvest from our lost race as His own.
Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah)	1 Tishri (Sept/Oct)	This day of rest was the first day in Israel's civil year. "Rosh Ha–SHA–nah" means "head of the year," i.e., new year.
Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)	15–21 Tishri (Sept/Oct)	On this solemn day of fasting and prayer the high priest entered the innermost room of the sanctuary and made atonement for "all the sins" of the people of Israel (see Lev. 16). "Yom Kippur" means "Day of Atonement."
Tabernacles (Succoth)	15–21 Tishri (Sept/Oct)	During this week the people of Israel lived outside in shelters made of branches. No work was done during this time, and the family was to relive the days of ancient Israel's travel through the wilderness. Following the solemn Day of Atonement, this relaxing week symbolized the rest and joy that follows our salvation. "Succoth" means "shelters," or "lean–tos." This festival was concluded with a solemn assembly and sacrifice on 22 Tishri.

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Chapter 24 – Oil and bread before the Lord

Ø Are there any comparisons for us today with God's ordinance that the Hebrews keep the lamp stand lit?

Ø What about the loaves of bread? Any comparisons for us?

Ø What does it mean to blaspheme the name of the Lord?

Ø Does the passage about capital punishment apply for today?

Chapter 25 – The Sabbath Year and the Year of Jubilee

Ø Do these requirements apply only to the Hebrews or also to us? Why/why not?

Ø God promised the Israelites a "land". Does He make that same promise to us?

Chapter 26 – 27: Rewards and punishments and Vows

Ø What does God promise Israel for their obedience to Him?

Ø Does He promise the church the same things?

Ø What about His punishments, are they any different for Israel and the church?

Ø How does God view disobedience and sin?

Ø What is the remedy for sin?

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^[1]Richards, L. O. (1991; Published in electronic form by Logos Research Systems, 1996). The Bible readers companion (electronic ed.) (89). Wheaton: Victor Books.