Leviticus 21 The Behavior of Priests
Leviticus 21 In giving instructions for the Levitical priests lives and conduct, Moses is pointing towards the New Testament priesthood of believers. (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6, 5:10, 20:6) He also paints a picture of Jesus, in His role as our great high priest (Hebrews 4:14, 6:20, 7:24). In this passage, one of the common themes is that we, as priests, must avoid anything that would cast doubt on our loyalty to God, in others’ eyes or our own. Purity of heart enables us to see God and Christ in this life. It is ultimately what enables us to act as intermediaries between God and man, revealing His purity in human form (as Jesus did), and bringing the stuff of life in this world to His holiness.
Leviticus 21:1-8 Priests must avoid anything that will make them ceremonially unclean. In the New Testament God cleanses what the Israelites deemed unclean. (Acts 10:28, Romans 14:14), but Christians must still reject idolatry (2 Corinthians 6:17). Presenting food offerings to the Lord is now transcendently celebrating the Lord’s supper. We must not do it in an unworthy fashion, but correctly discern the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:27-32)
Leviticus 21:9 We must not disgrace the Lord, for example by sexual immorality. (1 Corinthians 6:18-19)
Leviticus 21:10 A priest must show due respect in appearance, specifically in hair and clothing. (1 Corinthians 11:2-16)
Leviticus 21:11-12 A priest must not become ceremonially unclean by contact with a dead body. When Jesus raised Lazarus, He didn’t touch him, but went to see his body to speak life into him. (John 11:43-44)
Leviticus 21:7,13-15 A priest may only marry a virgin from among his own people. Believers should not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. (2 Corinthians 6:14)
Leviticus 21:16-23 Only a person without physical defect can be a priest. The blood of Christ cleanses our conscience from acts that lead to death. Our heart that must be free from defect in order to serve God. (Hebrews 9:14)
Leviticus 21:24 Although these instructions are for priests, Moses told them to all Israel so they would understand God’s standards. The epistles to the Corinthians and the Hebrews were written so that both Jewish and gentile believers would understand what Jesus calls us to. Peter and John also agreed, writing to believers scattered abroad and to those experiencing the apocalyptic unveiling of the last days.
Leviticus 22 More rules for priests
In reading some of these rules, it is very hard to understand either natural or spiritual backgrounds or implications. They seem like arbitrary rules. One theme does come through - these rules pertain to every aspect of life. God is interested in every dimension of our existence, and has plans for us in all of them. We must give what is best to God in all things.
- Leviticus 22:3 Ceremonial behavior, i.e., public rites not to be contaminated by personal wrongs. (No pun intended.)
- Leviticus 22:4 Bodily infections & health.
- Leviticus 22:5-8 Vermin likely to carry disease are like disgusting habits.
- Leviticus 22:10-11 Provision for and dignity of slaves.
- Leviticus 22:12-13 Marriage and divorce.
- Leviticus 22:14-16 Making mistakes, like mistakenly taking other peoples’ stuff.
- Leviticus 22:17-25 Moral defects. We can’t approach God in good conscience if we tolerate known internal sins.
- Leviticus 22:26-28 Motherhood and babies. Childbirth is bringing new life into the world and must be respected.
- Leviticus 22:29-30 Don’t eat old food. The Old Testament was nourishing, but we need to move beyond the elementary teachings to solid food, life in the Holy Spirit. (Hebrews 6:2)
Leviticus 22:9 warns about the consequences of treating the things of the Lord with contempt. It is a capital offense, in an eternal sense.
Leviticus 22:31-33 All types of sin corrupts, pollutes, and poisons what God is doing in and through us.
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