Institute
Lesson 16: Leviticus 19–27

“Lesson 16: Leviticus 19–27,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, Religion 301–2 (1994), 31–32

“Leviticus 19–27,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, 31–32

16

Leviticus 19–27

Scripture Content Outline

Supplementary Study Sources

  1. Leviticus 19–20; 24:10–23; 25:22–55. Laws and Commandments for the Blessing of the People of Israel Were Given

    1. Sundry laws and their requirements were specified (see Leviticus 19–20; 24:17–22). These laws were part of the basic civil law for Israel (see lesson 12).

    2. The law against blasphemy applied both to citizens and to noncitizens within Israel’s boundaries (see Leviticus 24:10–16, 23).

    3. Laws regulating the sale of property and the charging of interest (usury) were enumerated (see Leviticus 25:22–55).

Religion 301 student manual, 16-1 through 16-8; 16-13.

Exodus 21–23; 24:3–8. Diverse laws and ordinances of Israel’s civil law are given.

DS, 2:93–94. Under the Mosaic law, how serious was the sin of adultery?

Marion G. Romney, in CR, Oct. 1972, pp. 115–16. How does Leviticus 19:9–10 illustrate the principles of caring for the poor?

  1. Leviticus 21–22; 23:4–24:9. Regulations for the Priests (the Sons of Aaron) Were Revealed

    1. Directions for the priestly order were revealed (see Leviticus 21–22:16; JST, Leviticus 21:11; 22:9).

    2. The standards that sacrificial animals had to meet were established (see Leviticus 22:17–33).

    3. Feasts and holy days were designated (see Leviticus 23:4–44).

    4. The order of caring for the lamps of the tabernacle was established (see Leviticus 24:1–4).

    5. Instructions were given concerning the table of shewbread (see Leviticus 24:5–9).

Religion 301 student manual, 16-9 through 16-12.

  1. Leviticus 23:1–3; 25:1–22. The Laws of the Sabbaths and of Jubilee Were Revealed

    1. Weekly observance of the Sabbath was required (see Leviticus 23:1–3).

    2. Each seventh year was to be a sabbath year (see Leviticus 25:1–7).

    3. The jubilee year was to be observed every fiftieth year (see Leviticus 25:8–17).

    4. The Lord prescribed how the needs of the people would be met during the sabbath year and the following year (see Leviticus 25:18–22).

Religion 301 student manual, D-1 through D-7; 16-14.

The established holy days are summarized. Spencer W. Kimball, in CR, Apr. 1977, pp. 5–6. The world is called to repent and properly observe the Sabbath.

  1. Leviticus 26. Blessings Were Promised Only upon the Condition of Obedience

    1. The specific promises were enumerated (see Leviticus 26:1–13).

    2. Warnings of the consequences of disobedience were given (see Leviticus 26:14–39).

    3. The blessings of repentance were assured (see Leviticus 26:40–46).

Religion 301 student manual, 16-15 through 16-16.

Deuteronomy 28. Moses told Israel of the blessings that would follow obedience and the curses that would follow disobedience.

  1. Leviticus 27. Laws about Consecrations and Tithes Were Revealed

    1. The system of consecrating property was given to the people (see Leviticus 27:1–29).

    2. The offering of tithes was established in Israel (see Leviticus 27:30–34).

Religion 301 student manual, 16–17 through 16–18.

Malachi 3:8–12. What does the Lord promise to those who give tithes and offerings?

Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 5:22–23. What was tithed under the Mosaic law?

Bruce R. McConkie, in CR, Apr. 1975, pp. 74–77. The principles of consecration and sacrifice are discussed.

Some Suggestions for Presentation

You are not expected to teach everything in the scripture content outline. Select those concepts that you feel will be the most helpful to your students.

Some of the themes in this lesson are also treated in other lessons. Lesson 17 discusses the Aaronic and Levitical priesthoods, lessons 11 and 12 discuss the Sabbath, and lesson 55 discusses tithes and offerings. Select your emphasis in this lesson after you consider treating these topics in other lessons.

The Importance of Feasts and Holy Days (Sections B–C)

The Lord desired a pure people and so, because the children of Israel were somewhat fractious and rebellious, the Lord instituted the law of Moses. Ask students to summarize the law of Moses. What was it intended to do? Refer students to Mosiah 13:29–30. Help them understand that the law of Moses was intended to focus the minds of the people on their obligations to the Lord.

The holy days, the feasts and festivals which came at prescribed intervals during Israel’s calendar year, also had this function. Point out that each of these days, including the Sabbath, had a particular purpose. Review briefly with your students the purpose of each holiday. Ask them what general value such a religious holiday as Easter or Christmas has. Emphasize that such holidays keep the minds of the people focused on important truths. Choose one of ancient Israel’s holy days and show how it accomplished that purpose. Consider the danger associated with a yearly observance of a holy day. Can it become common? Can it degenerate from a holy day into a mere holiday, an excuse for gluttony and pleasure-seeking? Did ancient Israel’s? Could ours? How can such a change be prevented?

Since the Lord wanted Israel to think often of their covenant relationship with him, he set aside one day in seven as the Sabbath, a time for special worship. In addition, the Lord set aside every seventh year for the same purpose. After seven cycles of seven years (forty-nine years), the fiftieth year was designated as the jubilee year (see Leviticus 25:8–17). Briefly discuss how such a law would help to focus the people’s minds on the things of God. Conclude by pointing out that since the year of jubilee would occur only once or twice in a lifetime, it would likely have a profound effect on all of Israel.

Alternatives for Israel: Blessings or Cursings (Section D)

Consider Moses’ counsel to the children of Israel before entering the promised land (see Deuteronomy 28). The principle involved applies in all ages. Compare Moses’ counsel in Deuteronomy 28 with that in Leviticus 26 (see also Religion 301 student manual, 16-15; 3 Nephi 16:10–16; Ether 2:9–12).

The Law of Tithes and Offerings (Section E)

Discuss the principles of sacrifice and consecration using material from Elder McConkie’s conference talk given in April 1975. What is sacrifice? What is consecration? What does the Lord require of his people in relation to these principles?

Use Mosiah 2:20–24 to introduce the idea of our debt to the Lord. Can we ever repay the Lord for his goodness to us? When we give tithes or offerings to him, are we really sacrificing, especially since the result is more abundant blessings upon our heads?

Refer to Malachi 3:8–9 to teach the responsibility we have to return to the Lord that which is rightfully his. How do those who refuse to pay tithing rob God? Discuss the blessings that the Lord told Malachi would be given to those who pay tithes and offerings. Do we rob ourselves when we neglect this important opportunity? (see Malachi 3:10–12).

Invite students to explain how the payment of tithes and offerings and the observance of feasts and festivals help to keep the mind focused on God. Is this partly what is meant by living with “an eye single to the glory of God”? (D&C 4:5; see also D&C 88:65). Do we live with an eye single to God when we neglect to observe any of his commandments? Among the ancient Israelites, consecration of property and the payment of tithes helped the people maintain proper perspective and fulfill the purpose of the law of Moses in keeping their minds on God.