Introduction to Leviticus
Leviticus 1-4

Introduction to Leviticus, Leviticus 1-4. In this devotional on the first four chapters of Leviticus, which literally means "Book of the Levites" we will encounter more specifics on the Law of God and the duties of the Levites.

1 The Lord called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of you brings an offering to the Lord, you shall bring your offering of livestock from the herd or from the flock.
3 “If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish.
Leviticus 1:1-3, ESV

11 “No grain offering that you bring to the Lord shall be made with leaven, for you shall burn no leaven nor any honey as a food offering to the Lord. 12 As an offering of firstfruits you may bring them to the Lord, but they shall not be offered on the altar for a pleasing aroma. 13 You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt.
Leviticus 2:11-13. ESV

Introduction to Leviticus
Leviticus 1-4

In this Introduction to Leviticus, which includes the first four chapters of Leviticus, which literally means "Book of the Levites," we will encounter more specifics on the Law of God and the duties of the Levites. You will remember that to the tribe of Levi was given the responsibility to serve the people as priests, as well as performing other duties providing the care and upkeep of the tabernacle.

As we enter the book of Leviticus we are reminded again and again of how loathsome our sin is to God. In Leviticus 1-4, God gives specifics to Moses regarding not only what to offer to God, but the procedure to be followed with that offering.

The overriding question to me as I read this passage is, "Why? Why did God make such requirements of the Israelites; what purpose did these offerings fulfill? Could they really actually pay for the sins of the people?"

I can think of two purposes for which God used these offerings to the Lord. First, God wanted to impress upon the people the vile nature of their sins before a holy and righteous God, who could not even look upon that sin. Second, God was pointing to the coming Messiah who would offer His own blood--blood that truly could pay for the sins of God's children.

Because these offerings were a picture of the coming of the Messiah (perfect God, and perfect man), the offerings were to be the best of the flock or crop, without blemish or spot.

What do we give God today? Just like the Israelites, we cannot truly atone for our sins; we, too, must go to Christ for the only viable payment for our sins. However, what kind of gifts or time do we give to the Lord? Do we give Him the best, or do we give Him the leftovers? That is a question we should all ponder! What do we owe God? We owe Him everything!

Pray today that your offerings to the Lord would be the first and best of everything you have, whether it be time, talents or treasures!

We will find the book of Leviticus to be a manual to the Levites (the priests) giving them specifics regarding the kinds of offerings which were needed to atone for their sins. Because we have the entire written Word of God, we have a better opportunity to see the true nature of our sins before a holy and righteous God. This introduction to Leviticus, as well as the devotionals written throughout this book should help us to see our sins before a holy God, and the necessity of a Redeemer (the Lord Jesus Christ). Through His payment for our sins, we are made to be righteous before God. No longer do we need to offer these offerings to God, for Christ has paid the debt of our sins forever ! How amazing is that?

Devotions on the Book of Leviticus

Introduction to Leviticus, Leviticus 1-4

When I See the Blood, Leviticus 5-8

Nadab and Abihu, Leviticus 9-10

Unclean before God, Leviticus 11-13

Laws for Cleansing, Leviticus 14-15

Land of Promise, Leviticus 16-18

Love Your Neighbor, Leviticus 19-21

Feasts of the Lord, Leviticus 22-23

Year of Jubilee, Leviticus 24-25

Peace in the Land, Leviticus 26-27

Book of Genesis