Leviticus 22 – Holiness of the Priests and Offerings
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Regulations for Priests – Priests are commanded to maintain ceremonial purity when serving in the sanctuary. They are not to handle holy things while unclean (through disease, contact with dead bodies, or bodily emissions).
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Who May Eat the Holy Things – Only the priest and his immediate household may eat of the holy offerings. Outsiders, hired servants, or sojourners are excluded, though those purchased into the household may partake.
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Acceptable Offerings – Sacrifices brought to the LORD must be without blemish. Animals that are blind, lame, or deformed are not acceptable. The principle: only perfect offerings are suitable for a holy God.
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Voluntary Offerings – Freewill offerings are permitted but must still be perfect. The chapter emphasizes that offerings must be brought with sincerity and purity.
Theme: God requires holiness from both His priests and the offerings brought before Him. His name must not be profaned, but sanctified among the children of Israel.
Leviticus 23 – The Feasts of the LORD
God outlines His appointed times, “holy convocations,” to be kept as perpetual observances.
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The Sabbath – A weekly day of rest and worship.
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The Passover (14th day of 1st month) – Remembering deliverance from Egypt.
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The Feast of Unleavened Bread (15th–21st day of 1st month) – Seven days of eating unleavened bread, symbolizing purity and haste in leaving Egypt.
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The Feast of Firstfruits – Offering the first sheaf of harvest as thanksgiving and recognition of God’s provision.
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The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) – Seven weeks after Firstfruits, with offerings and rejoicing.
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The Feast of Trumpets (1st day of 7th month) – A day of rest and trumpet blasts, calling the people together.
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The Day of Atonement (10th day of 7th month) – A solemn day of fasting, repentance, and sacrifice for atonement.
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The Feast of Tabernacles (15th–21st day of 7th month) – Seven days of dwelling in booths, remembering Israel’s wilderness journey, with rejoicing before the LORD.
Theme: God marks time for His people with rhythms of rest, remembrance, repentance, and rejoicing—pointing ultimately to Christ, who is the fulfillment of these feasts (Colossians 2:16–17).
