As well as being about offerings, and health and safety, Leviticus is about celebrations. I need to remind myself that the people are still camped around mount Sinai, still listening to the instructions of God, conveyed through Moses. We’ve been here a long time. God is now planning out their festivals.
Regulations concerning marriage
Leviticus 18:1-30
Idolatry and child sacrifice forbidden
Leviticus 20:1-6, 27
The Feasts of the Lord
The Sabbath
Leviticus 23:1-3
The Passover; the Feast of Unleavened Bread; the Offering of Firstfruits
Leviticus 23:4-14
The Feast of Weeks/Pentecost
Leviticus 23:15-22
The Feast of Trumpets
Leviticus 23:23-25
The Day of Atonement
Leviticus 23:26-32
The Feat of Tabernacles
Leviticus 23:33-44
Festivals are the way you learn about other religions at school. They’re colourful and joyful, so a good way in. God didn’t just want dour obedience from his people, he wanted joy and celebration. It seems a bit odd to see it written down as a command: “rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.” (23:40)
It’s quite a helpful way of getting a grip on Leviticus too: there are five offerings, five feasts (not counting the sabbath) as well as laws of conduct and health and hygiene.
It’s interesting also reading chapter 18, with its prohibitions on sexual immorality and child sacrifice. It uses the language of disgust, which is a very effective way of influencing behaviour. Different cultures have different behaviours that are viewed with disgust, and anyone indulging in them is ostracised. God is employing cultural pressure to enforce standards of morality which are different from those of the Canaanite nations they are to displace.
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