Leviticus
Leviticus answers the question Exodus leaves hanging: the glory of the LORD has filled the tabernacle — so how can a sinful people live with a holy God in their midst? The answer is blood and mediation. The opening chapters lay out the five great offerings — burnt, grain, peace, sin, and guilt — each teaching that atonement costs a life, for the life of the flesh is in the blood. Aaron and his sons are consecrated to stand between God and the people, and the death of Nadab and Abihu burns in the warning that the LORD will be sanctified by those who draw near. At the book’s center stands the Day of Atonement: one goat slain for the people and one sent away bearing their sins into the wilderness. From there the call widens to all of life — food and cleanness, honest scales and love of neighbor, the feasts of the LORD, the Sabbath year and Jubilee — under the refrain that gives the book its heartbeat: “Be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.” Read through a biblical lens, Leviticus is the gospel in shadow — every altar, priest, and scapegoat pointing to the one sacrifice offered once for all. Each chapter has a full deep study and a short summary handout.