The Torah Story by Gary Edward Schnittjer

Author:Gary Edward Schnittjer [Schnittjer, Gary Edward]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zondervan Academic
Published: 2017-03-02T00:00:00+00:00

ANOTHER LOOK

Leviticus needs to be heard within its Torah context, most importantly the creational and tabernacle contexts. These contexts from Genesis and Exodus provide the theological framework for interpreting the meaning of the teachings in this book. Considering its teachings in relation to the creation and the tent dwelling will help make sense out of the instructions for holiness. The dwelling was a microcosm of creation. Both made order from chaos, albeit the chaos of the waters or the wilderness, by the Spirit of God (Gen. 1:2; Ex. 31:3; 35:31).

There are many basic commonalities between creation and the holy instructions for dwelling with God. On the fourth creating day God made the celestial lights to mark the times and seasons, and in Leviticus time was segmented into its sacred units (Gen. 1:14 – 19; Lev. 23:2, 4). The animals were made according to their kinds and were thus distinguished for the ritual diet of God’s people (Gen. 1:20 – 25; Lev. 11). Yahweh created the earthly realm and gave it to the humans, along with the responsibility to govern it; so too he functioned as the landlord of the land of promise (e.g., Lev. 18:24 – 30; cf. Ps. 24:1 – 2). The first four days of creation describe the distinguishing or separating work of God in order to make the space he would fill with life (Gen. 1:4, 6, 7, 14, 18). The priests were to make distinctions and thus reinforce the word of God for holiness (Lev. 10:10 – 11).

After the humans rebelled against God, he drove them out from the specially constructed garden to the east. The way to the garden and the Tree of Life was guarded by cherubim and a flaming sword. The holy of holies was covered from the east by a veil or canopy embroidered with cherubim (Ex. 26:31 – 34). The gap between the holiness of God and the ritually and sinfully contaminated people made the holy of holies a no-trespassing zone. Fire from God killed those who approached him wrongly (Lev. 10:1 – 2; 16:1 – 2). The cherubim of the canopy marked off the most holy space where God’s glory was enthroned above the cherubim of the ark. The life of the people who lived with their holy God was sustained by his grace, for he allowed the high priest alone to enter the holy of holies one time each year, to purify the dwelling, the camp, the priesthood, and the people on the Day of Atonement.

In what manner is the book of Leviticus Genesisshaped?

Leviticus is the story of God’s word to the Israelite rebels. The word of grace provides the instruction for worship and holiness. The Genesis-shaped story functions as warning and as invitation to those who wish to approach the almighty Creator.

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