Leviticus 1:1-2

I. THE MEANS OF APPROACH TO GOD, 1:1-16:34
A. THE LAWS OF SACRIFICE, 1:1-6:7
a. INTRODUCTION, 1:1, 2
TEXT 1:1, 2

1

And Jehovah called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tent of meeting saying,

2

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When any man of you offereth an oblation unto Jehovah, ye shall offer your oblation of the cattle, even of the herd and of the flock.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 1:1, 2

1.

Was this the audible voice of God?; if so, how did it sound?

2.

Why not call Moses up on the mount for this conversation?

3.

Please connect this book with the circumstances in Exodus 19:3; Exodus 40:34-35; Cf. Numbers 12:4-5. Read these references.

4.

Name the three or four animals to be used as sacrifice.

PARAPHRASE 1:1, 2

The Lord now spoke to Moses from the Tabernacle, and commanded him to give the following instructions to the people of Israel: When you sacrifice to the Lord, use animals from your herds and flocks.

COMMENT 1:1, 2

Leviticus 1:1 We want it to be understood from the very first verse to the last that we are indeed interested in the detailed explanation of the text, i.e. we want to clarify any obscure word or phrase and help the Bible student to share the circumstances and meaning of all the details of the text as they occurred. However, we are just as interested in what possible meaning this text has to our life now. Therefore our comments will be critical, devotional, even homiletical in emphasis or expression.

Since the sacrificial and priestly systems are all to function in and around the tabernacle it seems altogether appropriate that the instructions from God should come from the holy of holies in the tabernacle. What an expression of grace and condescension for the Almighty God to come and dwell in the midst of His people! It is not by accident that He spoke from behind the veil which was a type of the flesh of our Lord. (Hebrews 10:20) It was from above the mercy seat the voice of God was heard. (Numbers 7:89) It was at this place the blood of atonement was sprinkled. Although Israel according to the flesh knew nothing of these typical significances it is good for us to remember we can look on both sides of the veil.

Leviticus 1:2 It is of more than passing interest to note that God spoke to the congregation of Israel through His chosen mediator Moses; He has in these last days spoken to us through His Son. (Hebrews 1:1-2)

In the case of an animal offering the sacrifice must come from the oxen, sheep or goats, i.e. herd and flock. These animals were readily available and were also valuable. God requires only what man can do, but at the same time He wants man to feel personally responsible in and for the offering.

FACT QUESTIONS 1:1, 2

1.

Why does it seem especially appropriate that God should address the people from out of the tabernacle?

2.

What did the veil in the tabernacle represent? Cf. Hebrews 10:20. What was represented by the mercy seat? 1 John 2:2; Cf. Numbers 7:89.

3.

How do Moses and our Lord compare in this connection? Cf. Hebrews 1:1-2.

4.

What is the significance of choosing the sacrifices from among the animals of the herd or flock?