How to Enter the Holy Place (Lev. 16)

God's purpose in history is to bring people to himself! He is opening the way to draw humanity back to himself.

Indeed, this is the big picture of the 5 books of Moses!

Genesis begins with humanity expelled from the Garden.

Deuteronomy ends with the new humanity preparing to enter the Promised Land.

Exodus tells the story of how God brought Israel out of Egypt to Mt. Sinai.

Numbers tells the story of how God brought Israel from Mt. Sinai to the Promised Land.

Leviticus takes place entirely at Mt. Sinai.

Exodus ended with the glory of the LORD filling the Most Holy Place – so that no one could go in! That was both glorious and troubling!

Glorious – because God now dwells with his people!!
Troubling – because God said that he wanted his people to draw near – but so long as the glory of the LORD is in the Most Holy Place, we can't get the...

and when Nadab and Abihu tried – they were burnt to a crisp!

So Leviticus is all about how humanity can draw near to God without getting crispy!