Leviticus 4-

4.

Those who commit a sin are (obviously) guilty, but even the God of the OT desires to have mercy rather than punish them. The formula was to confess first, pay the penalty, and make the sacrifice/the atonement. Finally, one is forgiven.

6.

God expects us to be pure and we shouldn’t trespass (including saying lies, deception, and giving false witness) against Him. All of these sins are forgiven by sacrificing animals- later, Jesus transformed himself into the sacrificial animal and died on the cross, as the punishment for our sins.

15.

God establishes more rules for the ancient Israelite community. Although these rules may seem archaic, they were formed to instill obedience, and to preserve good health and lawfulness in a nomadic community, and even later when established as a nation.

16.

The chapter deals with the sacrifices on the Day of Atonement. In the NT, Jesus becomes both the scapegoat (which is chased away into the wilderness, on whom each of their sins are laid upon) and the sin goat (which was slain for the sins of the people).

18.

God reiterates five times that He is the Lord our God. He wants us to obey Him and walk in the path which He shows (v. 4) - for this is the path of life. The chapter mainly deals with sexual purity and the need for God’s children to remain pure. We are exhorted not to follow all that the world does- for the world will deride at our values and we will even be tempted to swim with the tide.

19- 20

In Chapter 19, God reminds us sixteen times of who He is- The Lord our God. In chapter 20, He does so four times. Both chapters are a reprise of the Ten Commandments, instituted because God (for He is holy) wants us to be holy. God institutes laws to control humans who, by nature, are lawless.

Since we have been severed from other nations, we are not expected to be like them. On the other hand, we should:

- fear/respect/honour our parents (no cursing!)

- honour the elders

- worship Him alone (and not turn to idols, in whichever form, or make such)

- wholeheartedly make offerings to Him

- keep the Sabbath

- respect the holy place

- leave some of the harvest for the poor and the stranger

- be good to strangers

- pay everyone promptly

- love our neighbours as ourselves (Jesus echoes this!)

- be just

- not commit adultery (with another’s partner) or abomination (same sex partners or bestiality) or incest

- not steal or rob

- not hate

- not avenge or bear any grudge

- not have any false dealings

- not say lies

- not spread tales

- not swear by using God’s name or profane His name

- not defraud anyone (including in judgment, or measurement)

- not play tricks on the powerless

- not show any discrimination

There are more commandments:

- God doesn’t like inter-breeding, e.g. crossing different breeds with another. Even mixing seeds in the field or weaving garments with mixed material are frowned upon.

- The harvest for 3 years should not be eaten since it is ‘uncircumcised’. In the 4^th year, the fruits are solely offered to God, and from the 5^th year onwards, they can be eaten.

- Nothing with blood (i.e. raw/uncooked) should be eaten.

- One mustn’t use enchantment, observe auspicious times, give importance to familiar spirits, or seek wizards.

- Excess hair on the heads shouldn’t be shaven off, nor should one have tattoos.