Written by Moses in the wildernis. The writing was completed 1512 B.C.E. The time covered is one month in 1512 B.C.E.
The burnt offering (1-17)
1:3; 2:1, 12; 3:1 from workbook November 2020
The offerings, or sacrifices, commanded under the Law covenant pleased Jehovah and pointed to Jesus and the ransom sacrifice or to the benefits from that sacrifice.—Heb 8:3-5; 9:9; 10:5-10.
The various sacrifices fall into two general categories (from si 1990):
The blood sacrifices are to be offered as either
1) burnt 2) communion 3) sin 4) guilt offerings
All four have these three things in common:
The grain offering (1-16)
This was not done to enhance the flavor of the sacrifices. Around the world, salt is used as a preservative. It was likely presented with offerings because it represents freedom from corruption and decay.
The communion offering (1-17)
Do not eat fat or blood (17)
Since the fat was regarded as the best or the richest part, the prohibition against eating it evidently impressed upon the Israelites that the best part belonged to Jehovah. (Genesis 45:18) This reminds us that we should give our very best to Jehovah.—Proverbs 3:9, 10; Colossians 3:23, 24.
The sin offering (1-35)
Specific sins and required offerings (1-6)
Reporting sins of others (1)
Alternative offerings for the poor (7-13)
The guilt offering for unintentional sins (14-19)
Kindness can help you to deal with a conflict of loyalties. For example, you may have definite knowledge that a certain fellow believer is guilty of serious misconduct. You may feel loyal to him, especially if he is a close friend or a relative. But if you were to cover up the wrongdoing, you would be disloyal to God. Of course, your loyalty to Jehovah should come first. So like Nathan, be kind yet firm. Urge your friend or relative to seek the help of the elders. If he or she does not do so within a reasonable period of time, loyalty to God should move you to report the matter to the elders. In doing this, you are being loyal to Jehovah and kind to your friend or relative, for Christian elders will try to readjust such an individual with mildness.—Read Leviticus 5:1; Galatians 6:1.
The firstborn males of cattle, sheep, and goats were counted as holy to Jehovah and were not to be redeemed. They were to be sacrificed, and a portion went to the sanctified priests. (Nu 18:17-19) The firstfruits and the tithe were holy, as were all sacrifices and all gifts sanctified to the service of the sanctuary. (Ex 28:38) All things holy to Jehovah were sacred and could not be considered lightly or used in a common, or profane, way. An example is the law regarding the tithe. If a man set aside the portion to be tithed, say, of his wheat crop, and then he or one of his household unintentionally took some of it for home use, such as cooking, the man was guilty of violating God’s law respecting holy things. The Law required that he make compensation to the sanctuary of an equal amount plus 20 percent, besides offering up a sound ram of the flock as a sacrifice. Thus, great respect was engendered for the holy things belonging to Jehovah.—Le 5:14-16.
5:5-7, 11 from workbook November 2020
Poverty denied no one in Israel the privilege of making peace with Jehovah. Even the poorest Israelites could give Jehovah an acceptable offering, as long as it was their best. They could offer flour, but Jehovah still expected it to be “fine,” the kind used for honored guests. (Ge 18:6) Today, Jehovah accepts our best “sacrifice of praise,” regardless of how much our personal circumstances may limit what we can give.—Heb 13:15.
How can this encourage you if you cannot do all that you did before, perhaps because of declining health or stamina?
More on the guilt offering (1-7)
Instructions on offerings (8-30)
The burnt offering (8-13)
The grain offering (14-23)
The sin offering (24-30)
Fire figured in the worship carried on at the tabernacle and then later at the temple. Each morning and between the two evenings, the high priest was to burn incense on the altar of incense. (Ex 30:7, 8) God’s law required that the fire on the altar of burnt offering be kept burning continually. (Le 6:12, 13) The traditional Jewish view that the altar fire was originally kindled miraculously by God, though widely accepted, is not actually supported by the Scriptures. According to Jehovah’s initial instructions to Moses, the sons of Aaron were to “put fire on the altar and set wood in order on the fire” before placing the sacrifice on the altar. (Le 1:7, 8) It was after the installation of the Aaronic priesthood, and therefore after the installation sacrifices had been offered, that fire from Jehovah, probably proceeding from the cloud over the tabernacle, consumed the offering then upon the altar. In view of this, the miraculous fire manifested itself, not in kindling the wood on the altar, but in “consuming the burnt offering and the fatty pieces upon the altar.” The fire that then continued to burn on the altar, of course, was likely a result of the mixture of the fire from God and the fire already on the altar. (Le 8:14–9:24) Likewise, miraculous fire from Jehovah consumed the sacrifices right after Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple.—2Ch 7:1; see also Jg 6:21; 1Ki 18:21-39; 1Ch 21:26 for other examples of Jehovah’s use of miraculous fire when accepting the offerings of his servants.
A sin offering is required for unintentional sins, or sins committed by mistake. The type of animal offered depends upon whose sin is being atoned for—that of the priest, the people as a whole, a chieftain, or an ordinary person. Unlike the voluntary burnt and communion offerings for individuals, the sin offering is mandatory.—4:1-35; 6:24-30.
Instructions on offerings (1-21)
The guilt offering (1-10)
The communion offering (11-21)
Eating fat or blood forbidden (22-27)
The priestly share (28-36)
Conclusion on offerings (37, 38)
7:11-15, 20 from workbook November 2020
Communion sacrifices in Israel remind us of the importance of expressing our appreciation to Jehovah in our prayers and by our conduct.—Php 4:6, 7; Col 3:15.
Installation of the Aaronic priesthood (1-36)
The requirement that Israel’s priesthood be physically clean has real meaning for Jehovah’s people today. Those with whom we study the Bible often notice that our places of worship are clean and also how neat and well-dressed we are. Yet, the cleanness of the priesthood helps us to realize that anyone who ascends the elevated mountain of Jehovah’s worship must have “a pure heart.” (Read Psalm 24:3, 4; Isa. 2:2, 3.) Our sacred service to God must be rendered with cleansed minds and hearts as well as with clean bodies. This calls for frequent self-examination, after which some may need to make significant changes so that they can be holy. (2 Cor. 13:5) For instance, a baptized person who deliberately views pornography should ask himself, ‘Am I proving myself holy?’ Then he ought to get help to end that vile practice.—Jas. 5:14.
God constituted Moses mediator of the Law covenant with Israel, an intimate position such as no man has ever held before God except Jesus Christ, the Mediator of the new covenant. With the blood of animal sacrifices Moses sprinkled the book of the covenant, representing Jehovah as one “party,” and the people (no doubt the representative older men) as the other “party.” He read the book of the covenant to the people, who replied, “All that Jehovah has spoken we are willing to do and be obedient.” (Ex 24:3-8; Heb 9:19) In his office of mediator, Moses was privileged to oversee the building of the tabernacle and the making of its utensils, the pattern of which God gave to him, and to install the priesthood in office, anointing the tabernacle and Aaron the high priest with the oil of special composition. Then he took oversight of the first official services of the newly consecrated priesthood.—Ex chaps 25-29; Le chaps 8, 9.
Aaron makes offerings (1-24)
8:6-9, 12; 9:1-5, 23, 24 from workbook November 2020
Jehovah caused fire to consume the first burnt offering of the newly installed Aaronic priesthood. This demonstrated Jehovah’s support and approval of this arrangement. Jehovah thus encouraged the assembled nation of onlookers to give the priesthood its full support. Today, Jehovah is using the glorified Jesus Christ as the greater High Priest. (Heb 9:11, 12) In 1919, Jesus appointed a small group of anointed men as “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Mt 24:45) What evidence is there that the faithful slave has Jehovah’s blessing, support, and approval?
Fire from Jehovah kills Nadab and Abihu (1-7)
Regulations for priests regarding drinking and eating (8-20)
To be holy, we must weigh the Scriptures carefully and do what God asks of us. Consider Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu, who were executed for offering “unauthorized fire,” perhaps while inebriated. (Lev. 10:1, 2) Note what God then told Aaron. (Read Leviticus 10:8-11.) Does that passage mean that we must not drink anything alcoholic before going to a Christian meeting? Think about these points: We are not under the Law. (Rom. 10:4) In some lands, our fellow believers use alcoholic beverages in moderation at meals before attending meetings. Four cups of wine were used at the Passover. When instituting the Memorial, Jesus had his apostles drink wine that represented his blood. (Matt. 26:27) The Bible condemns heavy drinking and drunkenness. (1 Cor. 6:10; 1 Tim. 3:8) And many Christians would feel impelled by their conscience to abstain completely from alcoholic beverages before engaging in any form of sacred service. However, circumstances vary from one country to another, and the important thing is for Christians to “distinguish between the holy thing and the profane” so as to conduct themselves with holiness that pleases God.
10:1, 2, 4-7 from workbook December 2020
Nadab and Abihu carrying fire holders filled with burning incense.
Our loyalty to Jehovah can be greatly tested when a loved one is disfellowshipped. Jehovah’s instruction to Aaron provides a clear message to those who must cut off association with a disfellowshipped relative. Our love for Jehovah must be stronger than our love for unfaithful family members.
What blessings can come to those who work along with Jehovah’s instructions regarding disfellowshipped ones?—1Co 5:11; 2Jo 10, 11
Clean and unclean animals (1-47)
These dietary limitations applied only to those who were under the Mosaic Law, for the statement of Leviticus 11:8 is: “They are unclean for you,” that is, for the Israelites. With the abrogation of the Law on the basis of the sacrificial death of Christ Jesus, the prohibitions were canceled, and once more all humans could consider themselves under the same broad provision announced to Noah following the Deluge.—Col 2:13-17; Ge 9:3, 4.
Purification after childbirth (1-8)
The reproductive organs were made to pass on perfect human life. However, because of the inherited effects of sin, imperfect and sinful life was passed on to the offspring. The temporary periods of ‘uncleanness’ associated with childbirth, as well as other matters, such as menstruation and seminal emissions, called this hereditary sinfulness to mind. (Leviticus 15:16-24; Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12) The required purification regulations would help the Israelites to appreciate the need for a ransom sacrifice to cover mankind’s sinfulness and restore human perfection. Thus the Law became their “tutor leading to Christ.”—Galatians 3:24.
God’s Law stipulated that a male child should be circumcised on the eighth day of life. (Leviticus 12:3) In newborn babies, the blood’s ability to clot is understood to reach normal levels after the first week. In Bible times, before advanced medical treatments were available, waiting for over a week before circumcision was a wise protection.
Regulations about leprosy (1-46)
Leprosy on clothing (47-59)
13:4, 5, 45, 46, 52, 57 from workbook December 2020
What can the principles behind the laws on leprosy teach us about protecting our spiritual health?
Cleansing from leprosy (1-32)
Cleansing of infected houses (33-57)
At the installation of the priesthood in Israel, Moses was commanded to take some of the blood of the ram of the installation and put it on the lobe of the right ear of Aaron and of each of his sons, as well as on the right hand and right foot, indicating that what they listened to, the work they did, and the way they walked should be directly affected by what was there taking place. (Le 8:22-24) Similarly, in the case of the cleansed leper, the Law said that the priest was to put some of the blood of the ram offered as a guilt offering, as well as some of the oil offered, on the lobe of the leper’s right ear. (Le 14:14, 17, 25, 28) An arrangement of comparable nature was found in the provision made for the man who wished to continue in slavery to his master to time indefinite. In such case the slave was to be brought to the doorpost, and his master was to pierce his ear through with an awl. This prominent mark, being made on the organ for hearing, evidently represented the slave’s desire to continue in obedient attention to his master.—Ex 21:5, 6.
The Bible mentions “the plague of leprosy in a house,” meaning in the building itself. (Leviticus 14:34-48) It has been suggested that this phenomenon, also called “malignant leprosy,” was a form of mildew or mold, but about this there is uncertainty. Whatever the case, God’s Law instructed homeowners to remove infected stones, scrape out the entire inside of the house, and discard all the suspect matter outside the city in “an unclean place.” If the plague returned, the whole house was to be declared unclean, pulled down, and disposed of. Jehovah’s detailed instructions reflected his deep love for his people and for their physical welfare.
Unclean genital discharges (1-33)
15:13-15, 28-31 from workbook December 2020
To remain in God’s love, we need to be clean on the inside as well as on the outside. This means that we adhere faithfully to Jehovah’s standards of physical, moral, and spiritual cleanness, regardless of how the world around us acts. We refrain from touching anything that our heavenly Father views as unclean.
The Day of Atonement (1-34)
As the apostle Paul explained, by Jesus’ offering of his own perfect human life as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind, he accomplished far more than had been achieved by “the blood of bulls and of goats.” (Heb 10:4, 11, 12) He thus served as “the scapegoat,” being the ‘carrier of our sicknesses,’ the one “pierced for our transgression.” (Isa 53:4, 5; Mt 8:17; 1Pe 2:24) He ‘carried away’ the sins of all who exercise faith in the value of his sacrifice. He demonstrated the provision of God to take sinfulness into complete oblivion. In these ways the goat “for Azazel” pictures the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
16:12-15 from workbook December 2020
What can we learn from the use of incense on Atonement Day?
The tabernacle, the place for sacrifices (1-9)
Eating of blood forbidden (10-14)
Regulations on animals found dead (15, 16)
Jehovah commanded the Israelites not to eat “any sort of blood.” Abstaining from blood—animal or human—is a Christian requirement as well. (Acts 15:28, 29) We shudder at the very thought of having God ‘set his face against us’ and cut us off from his congregation. We love him and want to obey him. Even when confronted with a life-threatening situation, we are determined not to cave in to the pleas and demands of those who do not know Jehovah and who do not care to obey him. Yes, we expect to be ridiculed for abstaining from blood, but we choose to be obedient to God. (Jude 17, 18) What view on this subject will strengthen us to “be firmly resolved” not to eat blood or accept a blood transfusion?—Deut. 12:23.
Unlawful sexual relations (1-30)
Do not imitate the Canaanites (3)
Various incestuous relations (6-18)
During menstruation (19)
Homosexual acts (22)
Bestiality (23)
‘Stay clean, or the land will vomit you out’ (24-30)
from workbook January-February 2021
Satan does not want us to enter God’s new world. But Jehovah’s principles can protect us from any satanic trap.
Various laws on holiness (1-37)
Proper harvesting (9, 10)
Consideration for the deaf and the blind (14)
Slander (16)
Do not hold a grudge (18)
Magic and spiritism forbidden (26, 31)
Tattoos forbidden (28)
Respect for the elderly (32)
Treatment of foreigners (33, 34)
A second aspect of the Mosaic Law that reflected God’s concern for his people’s welfare was the right to glean. Jehovah ordered that when an Israelite farmer reaped the fruits of his field, the needy should be allowed to collect what harvest workers left behind. Farmers were not to reap the edges of their fields completely, nor were they to gather the leftover grapes or olives. Sheaves of grain inadvertently left in the fields should not be retrieved. This was a loving arrangement in behalf of the poor, the alien residents, the orphans, and the widows. Granted, gleaning required hard work on their part, yet by means of it, they could avoid having to beg.—Leviticus 19:9, 10; Deuteronomy 24:19-22; Psalm 37:25.
Worship of Molech; spiritism (1-6)
Be holy and respect parents (7-9)
Death for sex offenders (10-21)
Be holy to stay in the land (22-26)
Spiritists to be put to death (27)
from workbook January-February 2021
Jehovah blesses those who maintain a good relationship with him. To preserve his favor, we must remain separate from the world around us and its unclean practices.
Priests to be holy and undefiled (1-9)
High priest not to defile himself (10-15)
Priests to have no physical defects (16-24)
God’s Law specifically forbade the making of cuttings upon the flesh for the dead. (Le 19:28; 21:5; De 14:1) The reason for this was that Israel was a holy people to Jehovah, a special property. (De 14:2) As such, Israel was to remain free from all idolatrous practices. Then, too, such extreme displays of mourning accompanied by self-inflicted lacerations upon the flesh were most inappropriate for a people who were fully aware of the actual condition of the dead as well as the resurrection hope. (Da 12:13; Heb 11:19) Also, the prohibition against self-mutilation would have impressed upon the Israelites proper respect for God’s creation, the human body.
Priestly purity and the eating of holy things (1-16)
Only sound offerings acceptable (17-33)
When applied to us as servants of God, integrity means wholehearted love for and unbreakable devotion to Jehovah as a Person, so that his will comes first in all our decisions. Consider some background. One basic meaning of the Bible word for “integrity” is this: complete, sound, or whole. For example, the Israelites offered up animals in sacrifice to Jehovah, and the Law said that the animals had to be sound. * (Lev. 22:21, 22) God’s people were not allowed to offer up an animal that was missing a leg, an ear, or an eye; nor could they offer one full of disease. It was important to Jehovah that the animal be complete, sound, or whole. (Mal. 1:6-9) We can understand why Jehovah cares about soundness or completeness. When we purchase something, whether a piece of fruit, a book, or a tool, we do not want one that has gaping holes or parts missing. We want one that is complete, sound, or whole. Jehovah feels similarly when it comes to our love for him, our loyalty. It must be complete, sound, or whole.
Fn: The Hebrew word rendered “sound” regarding an animal is related to the word for “integrity” used regarding humans.
Holy days and festivals (1-44)
Sabbath (3)
Passover (4, 5)
Festival of Unleavened Bread (6-8)
Offering of firstfruits (9-14)
Festival of Weeks (15-21)
Proper harvesting (22)
Festival of Trumpet Blast (23-25)
Day of Atonement (26-32)
Festival of Booths (33-43)
from workbook January-February 2021
We can be “nothing but joyful” as we meditate on the meaning of ancient Jewish festivals and how Jehovah’s promises will be fulfilled.—De 16:15.
Oil for the tabernacle lamps (1-4)
Loaves of showbread (5-9)
Abuser of God’s name stoned (10-23)
If an Israelite assaulted a fellow Israelite and put out his eye, the Law allowed for just punishment. However, it was not up to the victim to take punitive action against the assailant or one of his family members. The Law required that he take the matter to the established authorities—the appointed judges—for proper disposition. The knowledge that the willful perpetrator of criminal or violent acts against another could be punished in kind served as a powerful deterrent. But there is more to the matter.
The Sabbath year (1-7)
The Jubilee year (8-22)
Restoration of property (23-34)
How to treat the poor (35-38)
Laws on slavery (39-55)
from workbook January-February 2021
In the near future, faithful humans will enjoy the full benefits of the symbolic Jubilee when they are completely liberated from sin and death.—Ro 8:21.
Keep away from idolatry (1, 2)
Blessings for obedience (3-13)
Punishment for disobedience (14-46)
Brought by Abandonment of God’s Law. The nation of Israel was warned that refusal to keep God’s covenant with them would result in his ‘sending pestilence into their midst.’ (Le 26:14-16, 23-25; De 28:15, 21, 22) Throughout the Scriptures, health, either in a physical or in a spiritual sense, is associated with God’s blessing (De 7:12, 15; Ps 103:1-3; Pr 3:1, 2, 7, 8; 4:21, 22; Re 21:1-4), whereas disease is associated with sin and imperfection. (Ex 15:26; De 28:58-61; Isa 53:4, 5; Mt 9:2-6, 12; Joh 5:14) So, while it is true that in certain cases Jehovah God directly and instantaneously brought some affliction on persons, such as the leprosy of Miriam, of Uzziah, and of Gehazi (Nu 12:10; 2Ch 26:16-21; 2Ki 5:25-27), it appears that in many cases the diseases and pestilence that came were the natural and inexorable results of the sinful course followed by persons or nations. They simply reaped what they had sown; their fleshly bodies suffered the effects of their wrong ways. (Ga 6:7, 8) Concerning those who turned to obscene sexual immorality, the apostle says that God “gave them up to uncleanness, that their bodies might be dishonored among them . . . receiving in themselves the full recompense, which was due for their error.”—Ro 1:24-27.
from workbook January-February 2021
Israelites who faithfully tried to keep Jehovah’s laws enjoyed peace with him and many other blessings.
Which of the following do you now enjoy because of Jehovah’s blessing?
Redemption of vowed things (1-27)
People (1-8)
Animals (9-13)
Houses (14, 15)
Fields (16-25)
Firstborn (26, 27)
Things unconditionally devoted to Jehovah (28, 29)
Redemption of the tenth parts (30-34)