TABLE TALK: WEEK 9 LEVITICUS
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Challenge them to finish the book of Leviticus if they haven’t yet, and to move on to the book of Numbers.
Last week we discussed God’s holiness. His holiness purifying impure things, all lead up to Christ. Christ, who is God’s holiness in human flesh. Did anyone take on the challenge and share His holiness with others?
This upcoming week we will continue with the Torah (laws), in Leviticus. God invites Israel to live in close proximity to His holy presence, which seems awesome, but is actually dangerous. This book explores how the sacrificial rituals and purity practices cleared the way for morally corrupt Israelites to become God’s covenant partners.
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Watch the video from us.
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Review the notes below.
When Moses tries to enter the temple he is unable to go into God’s presence. How are an impure and sinful people going to be able to coexist with a pure and perfect God? This problem is what the book of Leviticus sets out to solve. In Leviticus, God gives His people the instructions they need to purify themselves so that it is safe for them to be so close to the all-powerful goodness, or holiness, of God. To us, these instructions can seem a little strange. All of them, however, have a purpose; to keep the Israelites in a state where they are able to commune with their God.
Key Points:
- Throughout Leviticus, Israel remains encamped at Mount Sinai, while God appears in the Tent of Meeting, dictating to Moses his specifications regarding the Jewish ceremonial laws. The laws are extremely detailed, outlining every aspect of how and when religious offerings are to be presented to God.
- Of all his restrictions, God places particular emphasis on the prohibition against eating meat with blood still in it: doing so will result in banishment, not only from Israel but from God’s graces as well.
- In the end, God promises to give Israel great abundance and success if they obey these laws. If Israel is disobedient, though, God will send destruction and famine and “abhor” the Israelites (26:30).
- The laws in Leviticus also set aside an annual Day of Atonement during which the priest is to offer sacrifices for the forgiveness of the entire nation. As long as the Israelites confess and repent for their sins, God promises to keep his covenant and never leave them.
- God takes His holiness very seriously, and so should we. The trend in the postmodern church is to create God in our own image, giving Him the attributes we would like Him to have instead of the ones His Word describes. God’s utter holiness, His transcendent splendor, and His “unapproachable light” (1 Timothy 6:16) are foreign concepts to many Christians. We are called to walk in the Light and to put away the darkness in our lives so that we may be pleasing in His sight.
Talk About It:
- Any thoughts on the video? Did you learn anything new?
- What are some things holding you back to walk in God’s ways
- What are some ways we can take our holiness more seriously?
- As long as we confess and repent, God promises to never leave us. Do you fully believe this to be true?
Helpful Resources:
The Bible Project: Torah Series
Got Questions: Book of Leviticus
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