I AM THE LORD

Leviticus 22:17-33

Key Verse 32

Do not profane my holy name. I must be acknowledged as holy by the Israelites. I am the LORD, who makes you holy.

In this passage we can think about the God’s purpose in sending Jesus, the Son. The theme title of the upcoming summer bible conf. is following Jesus. So this passage can help students prepare better to follow Jesus. 

Where in the passage is the statement, "I am the Lord" repeated? What does this repetition indicate about the point of the passage?

** It is repeated 9 times. 

** This indicates that this passage (offerings etc.) is about Jesus Christ to come. [John 5:39,46; Luke 24:27]

In the passage two offerings are described: burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. What are they for?

** along with other offerings described in the Bible (like sin offerings, guilt offerings, grain  offerings), they all point to building up and furtherance of the relationship between God and men, in which man should thrive having life to the full.

 

Among other points, burnt offerings serve as a model for man's devotion to the Lord, and the fellowship offerings a model for a peaceful life with the Lord.

 

These offerings also are types of Jesus the Savior. And Jesus set the perfect example of full devotion to God, most intimate fellowship with him, giving thanks to God all the time. Jesus thereby set the perfect 'example' for all to follow. He not only opened the way for sinners to come to the Father but also set the example of the way in which to come.

What are some examples of offerings that will not be accepted? What offerings will (or may) be accepted? What does the distinction between acceptable vs. unacceptable indicate about the way for man to approach God?

** offering that is subject to defects or blemish. Offerings (like calf, lamb, or goat) that are blind, injured, maimed, anything with warts or festering, or running sores, deformed or stunted, with testicles that are bruised, crusted, or torn.

** Offering that is without defect or blemish. What is being required is that which is ‘perfect’ or ‘wholesome’. 

** It indicates that man can approach God only through God's way, not man's. This points to the validity of Jesus saying, "I am the Way..." John 14:6   

 

Think about the phrase "on your behalf" (19, 20, 25, 29). What does it indicate about the meanings of the sacrifices being made? 

** "behalf" means 'in the interest of a person or a group or principal'. It also has the meaning of 'as a representative'. 

** The one who offers the sacrifice identifies himself with the sacrifice he is making. If God accepts the sacrifices on someone’s behalf, that means, by accepting a specific sacrifice, God accepts the one who offers the sacrifice. [Tradition has it that God shows the sign of acceptance by allowing the smoke going straight up, without wavering. Rejection comes out with wind taking the smoke out of the way. The minute the smoke gets blocked from going up, the priest asks the person involved to get out of the temple.] 

This reminds us of Jesus representing the right sacrifice. He came to identify himself with us, and represent us before God as our High Priest, so as we can identify ourselves with Him, put trust in Him, we would be emboldened to come to the Father boldly and with conviction. (Heb 10:19-22; Isaiah 53:4-6, and 1Co 15:3,4).

Read v. 32. What does 'holy' mean? What does it mean to 'acknowledge' the name of the Lord as holy? Why 'must' his name be acknowledged that way? 

** One of the primary meanings is 'perfection' in every aspect of the meaning of the word. This characteristic represents the essential condition needed for life to the full. The opposite side of the meaning of the word 'holy' can be understood via the expressions like defect or blemish or defiled (meaning out of order or polluted) or crushed, stunted, or blind, etc. 

** acknowledge - admit, accept, recognize, respond; Miriam Webster - to recognize the authority, rights, or status of; to express gratitude or obligation for, to recognize as genuine or valid. 

** acknowledging that way is the key to getting reflected God's holiness in one's life. This is like a student needing to understand the directives a teacher has for the students in the class.   

In v. 32, it is written: "I am the LORD, who makes you holy". What does this passage indicate about: 1) all men in their natural state; and 2) the source of hope the fallen men have in the LORD?  

** On his own he cannot attain to God's holiness.

** In the Lord we have the hope to be 'holy'. Knowing that this hope depends on what the Lord can do, one can have the confidence to see the hope becoming a reality. 

In Jesus we have the hope to be justified, sanctified, and glorified. For those who sincerely repent and believe in the Lord, the Lord blesses him with the Holy Spirit who in turn cleanses him, sanctifies him, so he would be fit for the fellowship with God the Father. 

 

Read v. 33 and think about the life of the Israelites while "in Egypt" (cf. Exodus 3:7; Acts 7:9). Why did the Lord bring them out of Egypt? What does this passage indicate about God's desire for men? 

** It was for him to be their God.

** God is like a parent who wants to keep all children around the eating table and have fellowship with him, so they can all grow in his provision and protection.  

The end

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