Chapter 22 begins and ends with the solemn admonition, “You shall not profane My holy name” (Leviticus 22:1, 32). In chapter 21 , God warned the priests not to be defiled by the unclean things; now He warns them not to defile the clean things.
Defective serving (Leviticus 22:1–9). It was dangerous for the priests to serve God if they knew they were unclean. They were insulting God, who knows all things, and deceiving the people who depended on them to present their offerings. The prophet Isaiah advised, “Be clean, you who bear the vessels of the LORD ” (Isaiah 52:11).
Defective sharing (Leviticus 22:10–16). The priests fed their families from the sacrifices the people brought, and that holy food could not be given to outsiders, not even a house guest. It is good to be generous, but not if our generosity dishonors God’s gifts (Matthew 7:6).
Defective sacrificing (Leviticus 22:17–33). We must give God the best, for that is what He deserves. Since they pictured the coming Savior, the sacrifices had to be perfect. How easy it is to give to the Lord something we don’t want anymore! Ponder Malachi 1:6–8.
The Hebrew calendar was organized around a series of sevens. The seventh day of the week was the Sabbath. They celebrated seven annual feasts, three of which occurred in the seventh month. The seventh year was their Sabbatical Year, and after forty-nine years (seven times seven), they celebrated the Year of Jubilee. God invites us to remember. Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread reminded them of their miraculous deliverance from Egypt by the mighty hand of God. The Feast of Tabernacles reminded the people that their ancestors had lived in booths during their wanderings. Each new generation must be taught what God has done for His people; otherwise, they may take their blessings for granted. Specific times of remembering can be good for all of us.
God invites us to rejoice. At least three of the seven feasts (Firstfruits, Pentecost, and Tabernacles) were tied to the agricultural life of the people, reminders that God was the Giver of all that they needed and enjoyed.
The Seven Feasts Picture Salvation History
- Passover – Christ, the Lamb, who died for us
- Unleavened Bread – The Christian life of fellowship, separation from sin, and feeding on Christ
- Tabernacles – The future joy of God’s people in His kingdom
- Firstfruits – The resurrection of Christ
- Pentecost – The coming of the Holy Spirit
- Trumpets – The gathering together of God’s people
- Day of Atonement – The future cleansing of God’s people
Jack Lamb