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Leviticus Chapter Fourteen

(Outline continues from yesterday)

3. Just as bodies (Lev. 13:1-46) and clothing (Lev. 13:47-59) can exhibit tsāra‘ath, so too can houses (Lev. 14:33-53).
4. Chapter fourteen closes with a summary paragraph for tsāra‘ath (Lev. 14:54-57). Leprosy, mildew, mold all speak to the sinful corruption of this fallen world—visually evidenced manifestations of hygienically unclean conditions and therefore prohibitive to functioning within a ceremonially clean theocratic way of life.

Leviticus Chapter Fifteen

1. The concept of ceremonial uncleanness for skin diseases is carried into other bodily discharges (Lev. 15:1-33).
2. The first section centers on abnormal male discharges (e.g. venereal disease) (Lev. 15:2-15).  A sin offering and a burnt offering were necessary (v.15).
3. The second section centers on the normal male discharge as a consequence of sexual activity (Lev. 15:16-18).
   1. No sacrifice is necessary. 
   2. Even though the sexual activity may be the sanctified and holy relations between a husband and wife, the physical discharge left the man ceremonially unclean.
4. The third section centers on the normal female discharge of a woman’s menstrual cycle (Lev. 15:19-24).
   1. During the time of her impurity, she is ceremonially unclean.
   2. At the conclusion of her time, no sacrifice is required.
5. The fourth section centers on abnormal female discharges (e.g. venereal disease) (Lev. 15:25-30).  A sin offering and a burnt offering were necessary (v.30).

Leviticus Chapter Sixteen

1. The Day of Atonement is one of the most important features of the Mosaic Law (Lev. 16:1-34).
2. The instructions for this special day were revealed to Moses, and relayed to Aaron after the death of Nadab & Abihu, suggesting another cause for their death (Lev. 16:1).
3. Approaching the holiness of God under any circumstances besides the procedures spelled out here, results in immediate physical death (Lev. 16:2).
4. The Ritual
   1. Aaron’s activity is done by himself, as the remaining priests are dismissed from the tabernacle (Lev. 16:17).
   2. Aaron is to enter into the holy place with a bull for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering (Lev. 16:3).
   3. Aaron is to bathe his body, and put on a simple set of linen attire (Lev. 16:4).
   4. Aaron is to take from the congregation of Israel two male goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering (Lev. 16:5).
   5. Aaron is to provide for the bull for his own sin offering, to make atonement for himself and for his household (Lev. 16:6).
   6. Aaron is to present both the male goats before the Lord (Lev. 16:7-10).
      1. Aaron is to cast lots for the two goats (v.8).
      2. One goat is selected for sacrifice (v.9).
      3. One goat is selected as the “scapegoat.”  The living sacrifice.  The one who bears away the iniquity of the people (v.10).
   7. Aaron is to slaughter the bull of the sin offering for himself, and for the atonement of his household (Lev. 16:11-14).
      1. The coals and incense on the altar of incense will obscure the glory of the Lord above the mercy seat (vv.12,13).
      2. The blood of the sin offering is sprinkled seven times on the mercy seat (v.14).
   8. Aaron is to slaughter the goat of the sin offering, for the atonement of the people, and the tabernacle itself (Lev. 16:15-19).
      1. This is Aaron’s second trip into the Holy of Holies.
      2. The blood of the sin offering is again sprinkled on the mercy seat (v.15).
   9. Aaron’s next sacrifice is the living sacrifice (Lev. 16:20-22).
      1. He identifies with the goat, and confesses the sins of Israel over the scapegoat’s head (v.21a).
      2. An unidentified Levite stands “ready” and leads the scapegoat into the wilderness (v.21b).
      3. The scapegoat carries away the sins of Israel, never to be seen again (v.22).
   10. Both the sacrificial goat and the scapegoat picture Christ, who did both jobs Himself—dying for our sins, and carrying them away.
   11. Aaron returns to the Holy Place, and bathes again, dresses in his normal High Priestly garments, and returns to the courtyard for the final offerings (vv.23-25).
       1. The fat of the sin offerings goes up to the Lord.
       2. The remainder of the sin offerings is taken outside the camp, and burned there.
   12. The assistant who led away the scapegoat returns, washes, and comes into the camp (Lev. 16:26).
   13. The assistant who burned the remainder of the sin offerings outside the camp returns, washes, and comes into the camp (Lev. 16:28).
5. The time for this unique day is clearly established (Lev. 16:29-34).
   1. On the 10th day of the 7th month (Tishri).
   2. It is the day of national atonement for Israel, holy to natives and aliens within Israel’s borders (Lev. 16:29).
   3. The statute is a permanent statute (Lev. 16:31,34).
   4. The Lord Jesus Christ did not have a particular ministry concerning the Day of Atonement for Israel during His first advent incarnation.  The fulfillment of this feast in the Person and work of Jesus Christ is awaiting the second advent.  See below (Lev. 23) for a complete overview of Israel’s festal calendar.