Leviticus Worksheet ~ Leviticus, Chapter 21

 

Leviticus Chapter 21

Intro:  This is written to the priests, not the general public.  Moses was to speak these things to the priests, the sons of Aaron.

1.  Remember contact with a dead person made a person unclean.  The priests were not to defile themselves by coming into contact with the dead unless it was a close relative.  Who were the only ones that a priest was allowed to become cermonially unclean for if they were to die? vs.1-3 - Name the 6 catagories

2.  For whom could he not make him self unclean? vs. 4

3.  When grieving the dead, what were the priests "not to do" concerning their heads, their beards, and their flesh? vs. 5

4.  Why was this so? vs. 6

5.  The way we deal with death as a Christian can be a great ministry to others who are observing the way that we grieve for our loved ones.  Look up the following verses and comment on how a Christian views death and how God tells us to deal with it.

• If we fear death, what does that make us? ... Hebrews 2:15 -
• What emotions did Jesus show? ... John 11:33-36 -
• What is the future of one who dies believing in Jesus? ... John 11:23-27 -
• What should we be longing for and why? ... Also, once absent from the body, where will our spirit be? ... 2 Corinthians 5:4-8 -
• How will our heavenly bodies be?  What does the last Adam (Jesus) give to us? .....1 Corinthians 15:42-45 -
• Why should we be steadfast in the work of our Lord?  What does our future hold? ..... 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 -

5.  Back to Leviticus 21.  Who were off limits for marriage to priests? vs. 7 - Name 2

Note:  Priests were definitely allowed to be married, but had to marry a virgin. (vs.13). 

6.  Jesus had the same kind of instructions about marriage when His disciples asked him.  What were some of the things He had to say about marriage to them?  Comment on the following verses:

• What is the only justified reason for divorce? ..... Matthew 5:31,32 -
• Another reference ..... Matthew 19:9 -

7.  Paul spoke on marriage as well.  Comment on the following verses:

• Who should we be "bound" to or in "covenant" with? ..... 2 Corinthians 6:14-15
• If married, we should remain married. ... If not married, what is Paul's opinion of the better way to live if possible and why? .... 1 Corinthians 7:27-34
• Paul was single and content.  He thinks that is the best way to be if possible.  However, if one is going to lust for another, what is the solution? ..... 1 Corinthians 7:8-9
• A believing partner can be a great access to ministering together.  What did Paul have a right to as the other apostles had? ..... 1 Corinthians 9:5

Note:  Back to Leviticus 21.  The priest was to be consecrated because he offered the food of their God.  He was to be holy (set apart) because God is Holy. 

He said again, "I the Lord who sanctifies you is holy".(vs.8) The Name of God revealed here is Jehovah Mekkodishkim "The Lord Who Sanctifies".

 8.  If a daughter of a priest became a prostitute, who was profaned by this? vs. 9 - Name 2 people

9.  What was done to a daughter of a priest that became a prostitue? vs. 9

10.  We do not have those types of punishments today, but the leaders in the church are required to have their children under control in their moral behavior.  If they cannot keep their own household from being promiscuous or drunkards, how will they take care of those in the church?  Read and comment on the verses below in regard to this:

• Why should a leader in the church have well behaved children? ..... 1 Timothy 3:1-5 -
• What was the qualification of a deacon concerning his family members? .... 1 Timothy 3:12 -
• What kind of children were the elders of the church to have? ..... Titus 1:6 -

11.  Back to Leviticus 21.  The priests in general were allowed to defile themselves for their closest relatives that died. (refer back to beginning of the chapter) ... The High Priest, however, was not to approach any dead person, not even his mother or father, or go out of the sanctuary of his God. (vs.10-12).  What requirement did he have in regard to taking a wife and why was it important? (vs.13-15)

12.  Jesus is referred to as the Bridegroom and the church is referred to as His Bride.  Comment on the verses below in regard to the church being considered a virgin or one that is pure, holy and blameless.

• Who was John referring to as the Bridegroom? ..... John 3:28-30 -
• Who is Paul referring to in comparison to an earthly marriage? ..... Ephesians 5:22-32 -
• Jesus is the Lamb of God.  Who does Jesus (the Bridegroom) marry one day in His heavenly kingdom? ..... Revelation 19:7 ; Revelation 21:2 ; Revelation 21:9 -
• What does the Spirit and the Bride say to everyone listening? .... Revelation 22:17 -

13.  Back to Leviticus 21.  The Lord gave many definitions of defects that caused a priest not to be allowed to offer the food of his God to the congregation.  If he had a defect, he was not to come near to offer food. (vs.16-21).  The priesthood was a very physicial, two-handed job, slaughtering the sacrifices all day and putting them on the brozen altar, etc.  Also, the priests, like the sacrifices, were to be without blemish because they were a picture of the coming High Priest, Jesus Christ, Who would be described as a lamb without spot or blemish.  ... Although this was true concerning the offerings of the food ... what were the ones with defects still allowed to do? vs. 22-24

Application:

14.  The priests were called to a higher standard and the High Priest to even a greater moral standard.  In the New Testament, we see that the pastors and elders also were called to a higher standard.  Why?  Because they are called upon to serve the people of God, to represent the people of God to the Lord, and the Lord to the people of God.  They do not mediate between us for we are all called to be the priesthood now in the New Covenant, and we can all go into the holy of holies.  Yet, as leaders, they are held to a higher standard by the Lord.  Comment on the verses given:

• Why should we give great pause before being a teacher of God's holy word? .... James 3:1
• What is required of those who have been blessed with God's gifts? ..... Luke 12:41-48
• Why are leaders needed in God's body? ..... Ephesians 4:11-16
• Why should leaders be very careful how they administer God's Word and help others to grow? ..... 1 Corinthians 3:7-15

Note:  The ultimate leader and example is the Lord Jesus Christ.  What does the Book of Hebrews say about Him? He was wholly unblemished, wholly undefiled; He was heard because of His piety and His godliness, and He enters into the veil for us. It was imperative for the Old Testament high priest to be ceremonially perfect, in order to point to the moral perfection of the real High Priest who would offer the real sacrifice on behalf of all of us.

And so for that picture, for that type, for that foreshadowing of Jesus Christ to come, Leviticus 21 reminds us of the standards of ceremonial perfection that were required of the Old Testament priests, and ceremonial requirements no longer required of New Testament ministers because they have been fulfilled completely, fully, and finally, in the one sacrifice given by the Lord Jesus Christ, constituted in the lifting up of Himself on behalf of our sins. And so this ceremonial law points to and is fulfilled in Jesus Christ alone, in His priestly work on our behalf. Amen.

15.  Summarize this lesson and post a prayer if you would like.