“May 2–8. Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 16; 19: ‘Holiness to the Lord,’” Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 (2021)
“May 2–8. Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 16; 19,” Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: 2022
May 2–8
Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 16; 19
“Holiness to the Lord”
As you study the scriptures, pay attention to spiritual impressions you receive about ways you can become more like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Record Your Impressions
Leaving Egypt—as important and miraculous as that was—didn’t fully accomplish God’s purposes for the children of Israel. Even future prosperity in the promised land wasn’t God’s ultimate objective for them. These were only steps toward what God really wanted for His people: “Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy” (Leviticus 19:2). How did God seek to make His people holy when they had known nothing but captivity for generations? He commanded them to create a place of holiness to the Lord—a tabernacle in the wilderness. He gave them covenants and laws to guide their actions and, ultimately, to change their hearts. And when they fell short in their efforts to keep those laws, He commanded them to make animal sacrifices to symbolize atonement for their sins. All of this was meant to point their minds, their hearts, and their lives toward the Savior and the redemption He offers. He is the true path to holiness, for the Israelites and for us. We have all spent some time in the captivity of sin, and we are all invited to repent—to leave sin behind and follow Jesus Christ, who has promised, “I am able to make you holy” (Doctrine and Covenants 60:7).
For an overview of the book of Leviticus, see “Leviticus” in the Bible Dictionary.
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
The Lord wants me to become holy as He is.
Exodus 25–31 records the Lord’s instructions to the Israelites about how to build a tabernacle, where sacred ordinances would help them become a holy people. Exodus 35–40 describes the Israelites’ efforts to obey these instructions. As you read chapters 35–40, look for the things the Lord asked His people to place in the tabernacle, and ponder what these items could represent and what they suggest to you about increasing in holiness. Especially consider how these items turn your thoughts toward the Savior. A table like this might help you:
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What object did you find? |
What can this represent? |
|---|---|
What object did you find? Ark of the covenant (Exodus 37:1–9; 40:20–21) | What can this represent? God’s presence; His covenants and commandments |
What object did you find? Altar of incense (Exodus 40:26–27; see also Exodus 30:1, 6–8) | What can this represent? Prayers rising to the Lord |
What object did you find? Candlestick or lampstand (Exodus 37:17–24) | What can this represent? |
What object did you find? Altar of sacrifice (Exodus 38:1–7; see also Exodus 27:1; 29:10–14) | What can this represent? |
What object did you find? Laver (basin) of water (Exodus 30:17–21) | What can this represent? |
What object did you find? | What can this represent? |
What object did you find? | What can this represent? |
If you have participated in temple ordinances, what do you learn about the tabernacle from Exodus 35–40 that reminds you of your experience there? (see also “Thoughts to Keep in Mind: The Tabernacle and Sacrifice”). Ponder how temple covenants help you become more holy like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Of course, simply being in holy places doesn’t make us holy. Leviticus 19 describes laws and commandments the Lord gave to help the Israelites increase in holiness. What do you find in these commandments that could help you become more holy? What do you feel impressed to do to more fully live these principles?
See also Carol F. McConkie, “The Beauty of Holiness,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 9–12; “The Tabernacle” (video), ChurchofJesusChrist.org; Bible Dictionary, “Holiness”; temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
The Lord asks me to make my offerings with a willing heart.
In the year after leaving Egypt, the relationship of the children of Israel with Jehovah could be described as inconsistent. And yet, as you read Exodus 35:4–36:7, notice how the Israelites responded to the commandment to build the tabernacle. What do you learn from the Israelites that could help you better serve the Lord?
President Bonnie L. Oscarson taught: “Each member should know how much he or she is needed. Each person has something important to contribute and has unique talents and abilities that help move this important work along” (“Young Women in the Work,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 37). As you read Exodus 36:1–4, ponder what the Lord has “put” into you. Consider asking Heavenly Father what He has given you so that you can participate in His work.
The children of Israel gave offerings for the tabernacle with “a willing heart” (Exodus 35:5). Illustration by Corbert Gauthier, © Lifeway Collection/licensed from goodsalt.com
Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I can be forgiven.
Much of the book of Leviticus may seem strange to us—animal sacrifices, rituals involving blood and water, and laws governing minute details of life. But these rituals and laws were meant to teach principles that are familiar—repentance, holiness, and the Savior’s Atonement. To find these principles as you read Leviticus 1:1–9; 16, consider questions like these: What can I learn from these sacrifices about Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice? How am I like those making these sacrifices? You might consider reviewing “Thoughts to Keep in Mind: The Tabernacle and Sacrifice” in this resource and “Sacrifice” in Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Home Evening
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Exodus 36:1–7.In Exodus 36:1–7, what do we learn from the way the Israelites responded to the command to build the tabernacle? As a family, you could think of ways the Lord has invited us to participate in His work. How can we follow the Israelites’ example?
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Exodus 40.As you read Exodus 40 together, you could invite family members to raise their hands each time they hear a phrase like “as the Lord commanded.” What do we learn from this chapter about obedience to the Lord?
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Exodus 40:1–34.As you read about the assembling of the tabernacle in Exodus 40, you could work together to identify the different parts of the tabernacle, using the picture that accompanies this outline. To connect this discussion with temple worship in our day, you could review together “Why Latter-day Saints Build Temples” (temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org) or watch the video “Temples” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
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Leviticus 19.Family members could each find a verse in this chapter that they feel will help them “be holy” (Leviticus 19:2) and share it with the family.
For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.
Suggested song: “More Holiness Give Me,” Hymns, no. 131.
Improving Personal Study
Look for Jesus Christ. All scriptures, even the Old Testament, testify of Jesus Christ. As you read the Old Testament, consider what the symbols, people, and events can teach you about the Savior.
The Ancient Tabernacle, by Bradley Clark