Leviticus Conclusion: Be Holy For I Am Holy

Be Holy For I Am Holy

Introduction

Leviticus outlines the proper ways to worship God and offer sacrifices. It includes instructions for various types of offerings, such as burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. These rituals were essential for maintaining a right relationship with God.

It provides guidelines for the duties and responsibilities of the priests, who were responsible for performing the rituals and maintaining the sanctuary. It also includes instructions for the consecration of priests and their conduct.

It contains laws that govern moral and ethical behavior, including laws on sexual conduct, social justice, and interpersonal relationships. These laws were intended to promote a just and compassionate society.

Leviticus reinforces the covenant relationship between God and the Israelites. It emphasizes that the Israelites are God's chosen people and are called to live according to His commandments. The laws and regulations in Leviticus were given to help the Israelites maintain their covenant with God.

But most of all, it teaches us how to be Holy. Leviticus emphasizes the importance of holiness and purity in the lives of the Israelites. This sermon focuses on being Holy, for God is Holy. 


Holiness of God

[Excerpt from CEFC sermon]

Leviticus 19:2 - “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy."

Isaiah 6:3 - “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Rev 4:8 - “ ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”

They did not say mercy, love, grace, but they only say holy. It is the main and special attribute of God. There are 94 "holy" in Leviticus (KJV). What does it mean for God to be holy (kadosh)?  Holiness is not just a single word, but it is multi-dimensional. 

When Moses cut two tablets of stone (the second time), the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him on top of the mountain. The Lord described himself in Exodus 34:6-7: "The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”

God expanded His holiness. It is absolute beauty in moral excellence. 

Note that the phrase "visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation" suggests that the consequences of sin can affect future generations. This does not mean that children are punished for their parents' sins, but rather that the impact of sin can have lasting effects on families and communities.

Leviticus 20:26 says "You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own." This is the sense of ownership to God. We are exclusive to God. 

Holiness embodies all of these things. What does it mean for us to be holy? 

Leviticus 19:2, God reminded the Israelites to be holy. He then list the things they must do. These includes:

  • Respect your mother and father
  • Keep the Sabbath
  • Do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourself
  • To ensure that fellowship offering is sacrificed according to the law. 
  • Leave the grapes that has fallen during harvest for the poor and foreigner.
  • There are many other  "Do nots" - steal, lie, defraud, rob, and others. (v11-19)
  • Other instructions (v20-36)

Holiness is practical. We must ensure we worship God, not just to hear the sermon. We must be early, not late to church. How have we interceded for others? How have we grown in morality? How we steward and manage time? 

Why do you and I want to be holy? 

a) Holiness is designed for us to thrive and flourish. Lev 18:4 - "Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord."

b) Holiness is design for us to be beautifully attractive. Who is the most attractive person is not celebrities or billionaire, but it is Jesus.  Jesus is also a holy person. God wants us to be beautiful to the world. 2 Cor 2:14 = "But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere."  Do you smell like Jesus?

c) Right in the center of Leviticus is the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur - Day of Kippur). Lev 16:34 - “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites.” The root Hebrew word is "kippur", that means "covering". 

Atonement can be read as "At One". God is at one with His people. God wants to be with us, the people who are unworthy and sinful. But he provided his own son as a sacrifice for our win, so that we can be forgiven. 


Conclusion

Holiness: Leviticus teaches that holiness is not just about rituals but also about ethical and moral behavior. It calls for a life set apart for God in every aspect.

Sacrifice and Atonement: The sacrificial system in Leviticus points to the need for atonement and reconciliation with God. It foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

Obedience: The book emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commandments. It shows that obedience leads to blessings, while disobedience leads to consequences.

Community and Justice: Leviticus highlights the importance of community and social justice. It calls for fair treatment of others, care for the poor and vulnerable, and the pursuit of justice.

In summary, the Book of Leviticus provides a comprehensive guide for living a holy and righteous life, maintaining a proper relationship with God, and fostering a just and compassionate society. Its objective is to instruct the Israelites on how to live as God's chosen people and to uphold the covenant relationship with Him.


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