Page 44 - Advanced OT Survey Revised

blood of a sacrifice for the people of Israel. He would sprinkle the blood on the Ark of the Covenant and
the Lord would forgive the cumulative sin of the people. There is good evidence to suggest that Jesus
was born on the very day that the Jews celebrated the Day of Atonement in 1 BC. Also, there is
evidence in Micah 5:8 that Jesus was birthed in Bethlehem at a place called Migdal Eder, or the Tower of
the Flock as it was also called. It was 1000 paces outside of Bethlehem and was the birthing place for
the temple lambs. They were born, inspected for perfection, and then kept in a special field by temple
shepherds. Once a year, the 1-year-old male lambs were taken from Bethlehem to the temple in
Jerusalem to be offered as a sacrifice for sin by the high priest. Jesus, our high priest, offered up Himself
as our sacrifice for sin, born on the Day of Atonement at the Tower of the Flock, then died on Passover
at the exact time of the holiday sacrifice. It all comes together and starts to make sense!

Practical Application
The Mosaic Law was given in part to show mankind that they were incapable of keeping it. We are
unable to please God by law-keeping; therefore, Paul exhorts us to “put our faith in Christ Jesus that we
may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will
be justified” (Galatians 2:16).

God’s provision for the Israelites, from deliverance from captivity to the manna and quail in the
wilderness, are clear indications of His gracious provision for His people. God has promised to supply all
our needs. “God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful” (1
Corinthians 1:9).

We are to trust in the Lord, for He can deliver us from anything. But God does not allow sin to go
unpunished forever. As a result, we can trust Him in His retribution and justice. When God removes us
from a bad situation, we should not seek to go back. When God makes demands of us, He expects us to
comply, but at the same time, He provides grace and mercy because He knows that, on our own, we will
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not be able to fully obey.

Leviticus
Leviticus is the third book of the five books of the law.

Author and Date: Moses again stands as the primary author of
Leviticus.

Themes: Leviticus has 27 chapters and two main divisions. Chapters
1-10 focus on the sacrificial worship of God. Chapters 11-27 focus on living a set-apart life before God.
Hill and Walton commented on the purpose of Leviticus saying, “ xxxi

The purpose of Leviticus is to provide a manual or Hebrew handbook on holiness designed to instruct
the Hebrew community in holy worship and holy living so that they might imitate God’s holiness and
enjoy the presence and blessing of God.” xxxii

Brief Summary

Chapters 1-10 focus on the sacrifices as a way of worshiping God.

Below is a chart showing a list of the five major sacrifices that were offered by the Israelites.

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