Bible in a Year: Levitcus 10-25

This week, we’re diving into Leviticus 10–25, where we see God establishing His holiness among Israel. We’ll explore the tragic event of Nadab and Abihu’s unauthorized fire, the foundational teaching that life is in the blood for atonement, and the powerful Year of Jubilee. These chapters may seem law-heavy, but they ultimately point us to Jesus. Stick around as we uncover key themes and a supernatural perspective that ties it all together!

Overview of Major Highlights

1. 1. The Death of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-2)
   Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, offer unauthorized fire before the Lord and are struck dead. This moment reveals how seriously God takes holiness and worship. Their death is a warning—approaching God on our own terms is dangerous. This foreshadows how Jesus is the only mediator between God and man, fulfilling what the priesthood could not.

   2. Life is in the Blood (Leviticus 17:11)
   One of the most important verses in the Bible is found here: ‘For the life of the flesh is in the blood… it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’ Blood sacrifices were central to Israel’s relationship with God, but they pointed forward to Jesus, whose blood would be the final atonement for sin.

   3. The Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:8-13)
   Every 50 years, debts were forgiven, land was restored, and slaves were set free in what was called the Year of Jubilee. This concept is deeply tied to Jesus, who declared in Luke 4:18-19 that He came to bring ‘the year of the Lord’s favor’—the ultimate spiritual freedom through Him.

Key Themes

1. 1. Holiness: God’s Standard (Leviticus 11, 19, 20:7-8)
   Throughout these chapters, God repeatedly calls Israel to be holy because He is holy. This foreshadows Jesus, who lived the perfect, holy life we could never live. Because of Him, we are now called to be set apart as a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).

   2. The High Priest as a Mediator (Leviticus 16, 21)
   The high priest was responsible for making atonement for Israel, but this role was always temporary. Jesus is now our eternal High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16), standing before God on our behalf, securing our salvation once and for all.

   3. The Year of Jubilee and Jesus' Mission (Leviticus 25, Luke 4:18-19)
   Jubilee was a foreshadowing of the Gospel—Jesus came to release the captives, set the oppressed free, and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Through His death and resurrection, He offers us ultimate freedom from sin and restores us to God.

Supernatural Worldview

1. 1. The Day of Atonement and Azazel (Leviticus 16:10)
   One of the most mysterious aspects of the Day of Atonement is the scapegoat, which was sent into the wilderness for Azazel. This has a dual significance: on one hand, Azazel is understood as a fallen spiritual being, referenced in the Book of Enoch, a text historically recognized by early Jewish communities and even quoted in Jude 1:14-15. On the other hand, the ritual of sending the scapegoat away symbolizes sin being removed from the people and cast into the wilderness, a place often associated with spiritual darkness and chaos. This foreshadows Christ, who bore our sins and conquered the powers of darkness, as seen in Colossians 2:15.

   2. Purity Laws and Spiritual Defilement (Leviticus 11–15)
   Many of the laws about clean and unclean things are more than physical hygiene; they symbolize the battle between holiness and corruption in the spiritual realm. This theme runs throughout the Bible, showing that God’s people must separate from the spiritual defilement of sin and darkness.

   3. Canaanite Practices and Demonic Influence (Leviticus 18, 20)
   God forbids Israel from engaging in the practices of the Canaanites, including child sacrifice to Molech. These weren’t just cultural issues—they were tied to demonic worship (Deuteronomy 32:17). This reinforces the idea that spiritual forces influence nations, and God was setting Israel apart as His people.

This week’s reading is a powerful reminder of God’s holiness, justice, and mercy. The laws given to Israel were always pointing forward to Jesus, our ultimate atonement and High Priest. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments or email me—I’d love to discuss them in our Q&A!