A Journey Through Torah: An Introduction to God’s Life Instructions for His Children

By Michael G. Wodlinger and Glenn Sikorski

Have you been told Leviticus is the most boring book in the entire Bible?
It may lack the excitement and the action of Genesis and Exodus, but it contains important teachings for all of us today. In this third volume of A Journey through Torah, the authors examine the world as it was then—a world where people lived in tents or small communities.
Here, they gathered in the open spaces of the Tabernacle and brought animals to the priests for slaughter and offerings to God. This was a world and time when people were told how to dress, what they could and could not wear, and how they were to worship God.
The authors explore how we can find relevance in the reading of the Book of Leviticus as they seek to answer an essential question: How can we make meaningful connections with God in the world we live in today?

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664252288

Michael G. Wodlinger

Michael has an extremely strong desire to understand how God works in man’s mind and heart. His latest works focus on understanding God’s instructions to His children, as outlined in the first 5 books of the Bible. Michael comes to this task with a Masters of Theological Study, a Masters of Education and a PhD in Educational Administration. He has led a group of Messianic believers in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Quebec Canada.

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Copyright © 2022 Michael G. Wodlinger.

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This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

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Interior Image Credit: Glenn Sikorski

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Used by Permission HCSB ©1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 Holman Bible Publishers. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-5229-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-5228-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021924809

WestBow Press rev. date:   12/21/2021

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Parashah Vayikra (He Called)

Leviticus 1:1–6:7

This first reading of Leviticus introduces us to GOD’S Word through Moses. Here we learn about the kohen’s need to sacrifice for a variety of instances and similar sacrifices for each Israelite in the camp.

Parashah Tzav (Give an Order)

Leviticus 6:1–8:36

In our second reading, we read about the additional requirements for Aharon, the head kohen, the head priest, and his sons, as they relate to the sacrificial offerings and services.

PARASHAH SHEMINI (EIGHTH)

Leviticus 9:1–11:47

Our third reading of the book of Leviticus takes us to the time after the consecration of Aharon and his sons. We are introduced to the special service for the newly consecrated priests on the day they received their new status.

Parashah Tasria (She Conceives)

Leviticus 12:1–13:59

Our fourth reading of HaSefer Vayikra, the book of Leviticus, leads us into a discussion of activities that are considered tumah, ritually impure.

Parashah M’tzora (Person Afflicted with Tzara’at)

Leviticus 14:1–15:33

Welcome to our fifth reading of the book of Leviticus. This section of Torah is divided into two portions. The first deals with the consequences of slander and gossip, both regarded as sins, while the second section deals with the uncleanness that results from human bodily discharges.

PARASHAH ACHAREI MOT (AFTER THE DEATH)

Leviticus 16:1–18:30

Our sixth reading takes us back to the deaths of Aharon’s sons Navad and Avihu, when they brought the unauthorized incense to the altar. We are introduced to a new aspect of their death not mentioned earlier

Parashah K’doshim (Holy People)

Leviticus 19:1–20:27

Adonai chose the Jewish people to be His holy nation, a nation of priests who would teach the world how to worship GOD. In order to help them reach the elevated position He asked of them, He first had to allow them to remove from their midst all the moral and spiritual practices that were abominations in His eyes. This Parashah leads His people through the process of following the ordinances of the Ten Commandments.

PARASHAH EMOR (SPEAK)

Leviticus 21:1–24:23

There are five distinct topics discussed in Parashah Emor. These include prohibitions preventing the kohanim, priests, from becoming unclean; the separation of the kohanim from the community, thus preventing them from becoming impure while performing their duties; animals that may not be offered for sacrifice; GOD’S festive seasons; and the blessings and curses associated with GOD’S eternal covenants.

Parashah 35: B’Har (On Mount)

Leviticus 25:1–26:2

Our penultimate reading in HaSefer Vayikra, the book of Leviticus, introduces us to both the Shemittah, the Sabbatical year, and the Yovel, the Jubilee year. These are important events in a believer’s life, as they signify for us GOD is preeminent and is far above the laws of nature. Notice how closely Shemittah adheres to the laws of Shabbat.

Parashah B’Chukottai (By My Regulations)

Leviticus 26:3–27:34

In this, the final reading of HaSefer Vayikra, the book of Leviticus, we are given the blessings Adonai will place upon His children as they follow His life instructions. At the same time, we receive many of the curses if we refuse to follow His life instructions.

Conclusion

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Glenn and I wish to acknowledge our gratitude to ADONAI ELOHIM, our LORD GOD. Without His guidance and efforts, we would have not been able to complete this, our third volume of A Journey through Torah.

We also wish to acknowledge the reviews conducted by a few reviewers who also have contributed significantly to the quality of this effort. Thank you.

And a great amount of gratitude to our wives, without whose patience and support this work would never have come about.

Of course, we cannot forget our readers. You are why we have completed this work. Without you, there would be no reason for the many hours spent in its formation. May the GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob richly and fully bless you.

INTRODUCTION

I have been told Leviticus is the most boring book in the entire Bible. Well, while I admit this book of scripture lacks the excitement and the action narrative of Genesis and Exodus, it contains some important teachings for all of us today on the issues of holiness, being separated for GOD.

Is it any wonder believers today have such a difficulty in appreciating what ADONAI, GOD, shares with us in the third book of His Word? This was a different world entirely. This was a world where people lived in tents or small cities. Here they gathered in the open spaces of the Tabernacle and brought animals to the priests for slaughter and offerings to ADONAI. This was a world and time when people were told how to dress, what cloths they could and could not wear and how they were to worship their Most Holy GOD. What a difference, compared to the times we live in today.

A second reason for our lack of interest in Leviticus lies in our loss of the crucial thread between Exodus and Leviticus. Many of us have lost the connection between the two books. This is understandable. In the last portion of Exodus, we were introduced to the Tabernacle, its construction and its function. Now, in Leviticus, we are introduced to issues focusing on the Levitical priests. Indeed, much of the book does deal with how the priests did and will function in the Temple during the end-time.

In this volume, I use the term end-time to refer to the millennial reign, when ADONAI YESHUA, the LORD JESUS, our Master will return and rule from Jerusalem for one thousand years. Others believe the end-time refers to the time after ADONAI YESHUA was resurrected, which means, of course, we are in the end-time now.

A third reason for our inability to maintain an interest in the book of Leviticus lies in its emphasis on law. For many of us, reading a book on law is hardly exciting. We do not have the stories of heroism and battle, the struggles, both physical and moral, as outlined for us in Genesis and much of Exodus. The hurdles of reading the law often are too great for many of us.

So, what is the answer to our penetrating question: how may we truly find relevance in the reading of the book of Leviticus? This is an important question,