“Lesson 61: Leviticus 1–7,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Material (2018)
“Lesson 61,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Material
Lesson 61
Leviticus 1–7
Introduction
After the Israelites built the tabernacle, the Lord revealed to Moses how they should offer various kinds of sacrifices to Him. These sacrifices pointed the Israelites toward Jesus Christ and emphasized their need to rely on His atoning sacrifice for redemption.
Suggestions for Teaching
Doctrinal Mastery Review–Ezekiel 37:15–17 (5 minutes)
Draw on the board, or display, a picture of two sticks, and ask:
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What doctrinal mastery passage comes to mind when you see these two sticks? (Ezekiel 37:15–17.)
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What are the “sticks” referred to in Ezekiel 37:15–17? (Remind students that the word sticks in these verses refers to scrolls or wooden writing tablets that would have been commonly used during Ezekiel’s day.)
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What doctrinal mastery topic uses this passage to help teach a doctrine about the Bible and the Book of Mormon? (The Restoration.)
Invite students to turn to Ezekiel 37:15–17, and ask a student to read the passage aloud. Invite another student to write the associated key statement of doctrine on the board (located in paragraph 4.3 of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document): With the Bible, the Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ and contains the fulness of the gospel. As a class, repeat the scripture reference and the key statement of doctrine multiple times.
Leviticus 1–3
The Lord instructs Israel how to offer various offerings
Begin class by reading the following list of sacrifices we are asked to make as members of the Church, and ask students to ponder if they have sacrificed in that way during their lives: pay tithing, give a fast offering, serve in a Church calling, fulfill an assignment.
Write the following question on the board: Why are we expected to sacrifice so much as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
Invite students to ponder the question on the board as they study Leviticus 1–7 today.
Explain that Leviticus 1–7 contains the Lord’s direction concerning the sacrifices He required of His people anciently, including animal sacrifices. The book of Leviticus was like a priesthood handbook for the children of Israel. It set forth instructions for the performance of ordinances, rituals, and other sacred responsibilities.
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When did Heavenly Father first command His children to perform animal sacrifices? (After Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden [see Moses 5:5].)
You may want to display the picture Adam and Eve Kneeling at an Altar (Gospel Art Book [2009], no. 4; see also lds.org/media-library).
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What did those sacrifices primarily represent? (The future sacrifice of Jesus Christ [see Moses 5:7].)
Display the following pictures: Jesus Praying in Gethsemane (Gospel Art Book, no. 56) and The Crucifixion (Gospel Art Book, no. 57).
Explain that the sacrifices outlined in Leviticus also teach about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Leviticus 1 provides instructions for performing an animal sacrifice called a burnt offering. This sacrifice was performed at the tabernacle (and later at the temple in Jerusalem) every morning and evening, as well as on special occasions.
Invite a student to read Leviticus 1:2–9 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for any elements of the burnt offering that could teach about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Invite students to consider marking what they find. Ask them to report what they find. (Students’ answers could include “a male without blemish” [verse 3], “of his own voluntary will” [verse 3], “blood round about upon the altar” [verse 5], “flay … and cut it into his pieces” [verse 6], and “burn all on the altar” [verse 9]. You may want to point out any elements students do not mention.)
To help students understand how elements of the burnt offering can teach about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, write the following scripture references on the board: Matthew 27:26–31, 35; Luke 22:41–44; John 6:38; John 19:34; 1 Peter 1:18–19; Doctrine and Covenants 19:18–19. Invite students to choose one or two of these references and to read them silently. Ask students to look for connections between these verses and the elements of sacrifice listed on the board. Invite students to explain to the class what they learned.
Explain that as animal sacrifices were burned on the altar, the smoke rising to heaven symbolized prayers of gratitude and supplication and also symbolized that the offering was going up to the Lord. Point out the phrase “burn all on the altar” in verse 9.
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Why do you think the word all may be important in this verse? (Help students understand that burning the whole animal on the altar represented total commitment to the Lord.)
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What can the word all teach us about Jesus Christ’s sacrifice?
Invite students to ponder how Jesus Christ set an example for us when He chose to sacrifice everything He had, including His will, to Heavenly Father. Point to the question you wrote on the board at the beginning of class.
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Based on what you have learned from Leviticus 1, how would you respond to this question? (Students may identify a variety of principles, but make sure it is clear that we can become more like our Savior as we choose to give everything in sacrifice to Heavenly Father. Using students’ words, write this principle on the board.)
Point out the phrase “sweet savour unto the Lord” in Leviticus 1:9.
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What can these words teach us about Heavenly Father’s feelings toward those who sacrifice everything to Him, as did His Only Begotten Son? (Their efforts are sweet or satisfying to Heavenly Father.)
Invite students to write in their study journals a few sentences explaining why they choose to make sacrifices to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and His prophets. You may want to invite a few students to share with the class what they wrote. You may also want to share your thoughts and testimony concerning the importance of sacrifice.
Summarize Leviticus 1:10–17 by explaining that the Lord allowed for other kinds of animals to be used for burnt offerings, enabling the Israelites to offer acceptable sacrifices in conditions of poverty.
Explain that Leviticus 2 contains instructions for giving meat offerings (which can also be translated as meal [or grain] offerings). These offerings consisted of flour and oil or unleavened bread and oil and were given with burnt offerings and another kind of sacrifice called peace offerings. Leviticus 3 contains the Lord’s instructions concerning peace offerings. These were presented as gifts to the Lord and were a means of giving thanks and asking for the Lord’s continued blessings. Unlike burnt offerings, portions of the peace offerings were eaten by those who had made the offerings (and their families), by the priests and their families, and by other Levites. (See Bible Dictionary, “Sacrifices.”)
Leviticus 4–7
The Lord instructs Israel in offering sin and trespass offerings
Invite students to imagine they are Israelites living in ancient Israel and have unintentionally committed a sin. Explain that when the Israelites recognized they had sinned, they needed to sacrifice an animal as a sin offering. Leviticus 4 includes the Lord’s instructions for making a sin offering.
Ask students to imagine bringing an animal to the tabernacle to be sacrificed. Invite a student to read Leviticus 4:4, 27–29. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what they would need to do to make a sin offering. (You may want to explain that a bullock is a young male ox.)
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What do you think might be the significance of placing your hands upon the animal’s head? (The animal would symbolically become your substitute or representative, just as Jesus Christ was our substitute or representative in atoning for our sins.)
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How might you feel about killing the animal? Why?
Invite students to read Leviticus 4:5–7, 30 silently, looking for what the priest would do with the blood of the sin offering.
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What would the priest do with the blood of the sin offering?
Draw a picture of a horn on the board. Explain that “the horns of the altar” (Leviticus 4:7, 30) symbolized power. The scriptures refer to the Savior as the “horn of salvation” (Luke 1:69), which indicates His power to save (see Psalm 18:2). The blood of the animal symbolized life (see Leviticus 17:11). This of course is symbolic of the Savior shedding His life’s blood for us.
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What do you think the act of putting blood on the horns of the altars may have symbolized? (After students share their insights, you may want to explain that there were four horns on the altar. In the scriptures, the number four can represent the entire earth [Revelation 7:1]. Thus, placing blood on the horns could symbolize that there is power in the Savior’s Atonement to save all of God’s children who ever have or ever will live on the earth.)
Invite a student to read Leviticus 4:20, 31 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what the sin offering helped bring to the sinner. Ask students to report what they find.
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What can the ancient practice of making sin offerings teach us about the Savior’s atoning sacrifice? (After students have commented, make sure it is clear that through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven of our sins.)
Explain that the act of sacrificing animals did not have the power to cleanse people of their sins, but it directed people’s minds and hearts toward Jesus Christ, who is able to forgive and cleanse us.
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What is an ordinance in our day that directs our minds and hearts toward the Savior and helps us to receive His forgiveness?
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How does the ordinance of the sacrament help us to focus on the Savior and receive His forgiveness?
Invite a student to read the following statement by President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“After the Savior’s ultimate sacrifice, … the ordinance of the sacrament replaced the ordinance of sacrifice. … This change moved the focus of the sacrifice from a person’s animal to the person himself. In a sense, the sacrifice changed from the offering to the offerer. …
“… Instead of the Lord requiring our animals or grain, now He wants us to give up all that is ungodly. … Elder Neal A. Maxwell [1926–2004] of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: ‘Real, personal sacrifice never was placing an animal on the altar. Instead, it is a willingness to put the animal in us upon the altar and letting it be consumed!’ (‘Deny Yourselves of All Ungodliness,’ Ensign, May 1995, 68).
“… When we overcome our own selfish desires and put God first in our lives and covenant to serve Him regardless of the cost, we are then living the law of sacrifice” (M. Russell Ballard, “The Law of Sacrifice,” Ensign, Oct. 1998, 10).
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According to this statement, what does the Lord want us to offer Him?
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In what ways can we give up “all that is ungodly” or offer “the animal in us” to the Lord?
Summarize Leviticus 5–7 by explaining that the Lord gave additional instructions for the sacrifices the Israelites needed to make.
You may want to conclude by testifying of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Invite students to make an offering to the Lord by turning to the Savior, repenting of their sins, and preparing to partake of the sacrament this week.
Commentary and Background Information
Leviticus 1. Burnt offerings
The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805–44) spoke about the purposes of animal sacrifice:
“Certainly, the shedding of the blood of a beast could be beneficial to no man, except it was done in imitation, or as a type, or explanation of what was to be offered through the gift of God Himself—and this performance done with an eye looking forward in faith on the power of that great Sacrifice for a remission of sins” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 48).
Leviticus 1–7. Sacrifice under the law of Moses
President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught how Mosaic sacrifice served as a type and shadow of the Savior Jesus Christ:
“Everything about Mosaic sacrifice focused on Christ. Like Christ, the priest acted as the mediator between the people and their God. Like Christ, the priest had to have the right parentage to officiate in his office. Like Christ, the offerer through obedience willingly sacrificed what was required by the law.
“The part of sacrifice that most strongly paralleled the Savior was the offering itself. Notice with me some of these parallels.
“First, like Christ, the animal was chosen and anointed by the laying on of hands. (The Hebrew title Messiah and the Greek title Christ both mean ‘the Anointed One.’) Second, the animal was to have its life’s blood spilt. Third, it had to be without blemish—totally free from physical flaws, complete, whole, and perfect. Fourth, the sacrifice had to be clean and worthy. Fifth, the sacrifice had to be domesticated; that is, not wild but tame and of help to man (see Lev. 1:2–3, 10; 22:21). Sixth and seventh, for the original sacrifice practiced by Adam and the most common sacrifice in the law of Moses, the animal had to be a firstborn and a male (see Ex. 12:5; Lev. 1:3; 22:18–25). Eighth, the sacrifice of grain had to be ground into flour and made into breadstuffs, which reminds us of our Lord’s title the Bread of Life (see John 6:48). Ninth, the firstfruits that were offered remind us that Christ was the firstfruits of the Resurrection (see 1 Cor. 15:20). (See also Bible Dictionary, “Sacrifices”; Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 5 vols. [1992], 3:1248–49.)” (M. Russell Ballard, “The Law of Sacrifice,” Ensign, Oct. 1998, 9–10).