Meaning of Leviticus 1:1

This verse marks the beginning of the book of Leviticus, immediately establishing the divine origin of the laws and instructions that follow. The "tent of meeting" (Hebrew: mishkan ha'edut or ohel mo'ed) was the portable sanctuary God commanded the Israelites to build in the wilderness, serving as His dwelling place among them. This direct communication from God to Moses underscores Moses' unique role as mediator and prophet, through whom God would reveal His will to the people. The opening phrase, "The Lord called to Moses," signifies a deliberate and initiated divine revelation, setting the stage for the detailed priestly and sacrificial system that constitutes the core of Leviticus, all intended to guide Israel in maintaining holiness and a proper relationship with a transcendent God.

Context and Background

Leviticus 1:1 is the inaugural verse of a book dedicated to the laws of worship, sacrifice, and holiness for the newly formed Israelite nation. The preceding book, Exodus, details their liberation from Egypt, the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, and the construction of the tabernacle. Leviticus, therefore, logically follows this foundational period, providing the practical instructions for how Israel, as God's chosen people, should live in His presence and approach Him. The tent of meeting, established in Exodus 25-40, was the central point of God's presence and interaction with Israel during their wilderness wanderings.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Initiative: The verse emphasizes that God is the one who initiates contact and revelation. He "called to Moses," indicating that the ensuing instructions are not human constructs but divine commands.
• Mediated Revelation: Moses acts as the intermediary between God and the people. God speaks to Moses, who will then communicate these laws to Israel. This highlights the need for a mediator when approaching a holy God.
• The Tent of Meeting as God's Dwelling: The mishkan is portrayed as the place where God's presence resides among His people, making direct communication and instruction possible.
• The Foundation for Holiness: This opening sets the tone for the entire book, which is concerned with how Israel can live in a way that reflects God's holiness and maintains their covenant relationship with Him.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The principle of divine initiative in revelation remains paramount. Christianity understands this mediation ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is the perfect High Priest and the ultimate mediator between God and humanity (Hebrews 8:6, 9:15). The concept of God dwelling among His people, though now embodied in the church and ultimately in believers individually through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19), continues to be a central tenet. The need for holiness and proper approach to God, as detailed in Leviticus, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the sacrifice of Christ and the call for believers to live holy lives.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Leviticus 1:1 serves as a crucial bridge between the historical events of Exodus and the subsequent narrative of Israel's journey and covenant faithfulness. It provides the theological and practical framework for understanding Israel's relationship with God. The sacrificial system described in Leviticus is a foreshadowing of Christ's atoning sacrifice, as elaborated in the New Testament epistles, particularly Hebrews. The emphasis on holiness and separation from sin is a recurring theme throughout the Old and New Testaments, culminating in God's ultimate plan for redemption and restoration.

Analogies

One analogy for the tent of meeting as God's dwelling place is a king establishing a royal tent within his encampment for audiences and pronouncements. Another is a modern government establishing a specific building for official decrees and communication with its representatives. The direct call to Moses can be likened to a CEO directly instructing a key executive, who then conveys those directives to the rest of the company.

Relation to Other Verses

• Exodus 25:22: "There I will meet with the people of Israel, and it shall be sanctified by my glory." This verse directly establishes the tent of meeting as the place of God's encounter and presence, which Leviticus 1:1 presupposes.
• Hebrews 8:1-2: "Now the point is this of what we have said. We have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord appointed and not man." This New Testament passage reframes the Old Testament tabernacle and priesthood in light of Christ's superior ministry in the heavenly sanctuary.
• John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." This verse speaks of Jesus' Incarnation as the ultimate fulfillment of God dwelling among His people, echoing the significance of the tent of meeting.