Lev 6:8-8:36
The Lev 1:1-7:38 Chiastic structure:
1A) Lev 1:1-2:16 The law of the burnt offering + grain offering;
1B) Lev 3:1-16a The law of the peace offering;
1C) Lev 3:16b-17 You shall eat neither fat nor blood;
1D) Lev 4:1-6:23 The law of the offerings + grain offering that must not be eaten;
1) Lev 4:1-35 The law of the sin offering;
2) Lev 5:1-6:7 The law of the trespass offering;
3) Lev 6:8-18 The law of the burnt offering + grain offerings;
4) Lev 6:19-23 The law of the perpetual grain offering that must not be eaten;
CENTRAL AXIS) Lev 6:24 “Also YHVH spoke to Moses, saying;”
2D) Lev 6:25-7:21 The law of the offerings + the peace offering that must be eaten;
1) Lev 6:25-30 The law of the sin offering;
2) Lev 7:1-7 The law of the trespass offering;
3) Lev 7:8-10 What is the priests’ of the burnt offering + grain offerings;
4) Lev 7:11-21 The law of the peace offering that must be eaten;
2C) Lev 7:22-27 You shall not eat the fat or the blood;
2B) Lev 7:28-36 The law of the peace offering;
2A) Lev 7:37-38 Summary of the law of the offerings.
Now clearly the chiastic structure cannot be made any other way. This leaves the final chapter of the parashah, Lev 8, hanging as a loose end. Loose ends bother me! Loose ends are one way the Scripture sets up puzzles asking to be solved.
I realized that the loose end of Lev 8 is the account of Moses establishing, or setting up, if you will, the Aaronic priesthood. The form and language of the chapter is very similar to the close of Exodus, when once the tabernacle furnishings were completed, Moses set them all up (or established them) as he had been commanded.
So the above structure can be amended as follows:
1A) Exo 40:1-38 Moses established the Tabernacle;
1B) Lev 1:1-2:16 The law of the burnt offering + grain offering;
1C) Lev 3:1-16a The law of the peace offering;
1D) Lev 3:16b-17 You shall eat neither fat nor blood;
1E) Lev 4:1-6:23 The law of the offerings + grain offering that must not be eaten;
1) Lev 4:1-35 The law of the sin offering;
2) Lev 5:1-6:7 The law of the trespass offering;
3) Lev 6:8-18 The law of the burnt offering + grain offerings;
4) Lev 6:19-23 The law of the perpetual grain offering that must not be eaten;
CENTRAL AXIS) Lev 6:24 “Also YHVH spoke to Moses, saying;”
2E) Lev 6:25-7:21 The law of the offerings + the peace offering that must be eaten;
1) Lev 6:25-30 The law of the sin offering;
2) Lev 7:1-7 The law of the trespass offering;
3) Lev 7:8-10 What is the priests’ of the burnt offering + grain offerings;
4) Lev 7:11-21 The law of the peace offering that must be eaten;
2D) Lev 7:22-27 You shall not eat the fat or the blood;
2C) Lev 7:28-36 The law of the peace offering;
2B) Lev 7:37-38 Summary of the law of the offerings;
2A) Lev 8:1-36 Moses established the Aaronic priesthood.
The central axis is very unusual: “YHVH spoke to Moses.” In other words, Moses did not establish either the Tabernacle, the offerings, or the priesthood because he had nothing else better to do. All of these things were done at the word of YHVH.
Yeshua said of Moses that, “He wrote about Me,” (Joh 5:46). How? The design and function of the Tabernacle prophesies of Messiah. The sacrifices prophesy of Messiah. The priesthood prophesies of Messiah. These things teach us about our justification and sanctification in Messiah; they teach us about being in covenant and relationship with YHVH God.
What does the Tabernacle tell us? God desires to dwell with us! However, sin is the problem, which keeps us separated from Him.
What do the sacrifices tell us? God will accept atonement for our sins!
What does the priesthood tell us? Atonement comes through the mediation of the priest! Messiah Yeshua is our Tabernacle (our dwelling place, Immanuel), our Atoning Sacrifice, and our High Priest; His work on the cross is finished! Sin is no longer separating us from the presence of YHVH God! Now all that is left to us, is to draw near in worship!
LEVITICUS 6:8-8:36 ANNUAL TZAV “COMMAND” OUTLINE | LEVITICUS INDEX OF STUDIES
THE LAW OF LOVE: THE GOSPEL OF GRACE REVEALED IN THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD
Leave a Reply