Wednesday, January 31, 2018

What's the book of Leviticus All About? Clearly nothing there for us; or is there?

An Introduction to the Book of Leviticus


(I am indebted here to the publishers of the New American Standard Bible for the following comments on this, the third book of Moses.)

Leviticus is a record of God’s guidance to the people of Israel that He had redeemed and freed from bondage and slavery in Egypt. It tells them how He wants them to worship, serve and obey Him. He wants them to be holy, as He is holy.

It took one night to get them out of Egypt, but they required forty years to get Egypt out of them. This speaks of man’s stubbornness and humanity, as well as God’s patience with His beloved.

There is no question that the book is primarily about how the Israelites are to fulfill their calling as people of the Book. The English title of Leviticus may be misleading in that the book is less about the Levites as a whole, but rather more about the Levite priests and how they are to carry out their calling.

There is sufficient evidence both in the document and outside it to establish Moses as the author of the text.

The entire book takes place while the children of Israel remain camped at the foot of Mount Sinai, in the first month of the second year.

There are many types and allusions to the person and work of Jesus Christ in Leviticus.  These include references to the five offerings, the high priest, the seven feasts, and much more.

At the highest level, the book is divided into two major sections. Chapters 1 through 17 (which we will cover in this volume of our study) focuses on Sacrifice.  It tells how God was to be approached by the sacrificial offerings, the mediation of the priesthood, by the purification of the nation from uncleanness, and by the provision for national cleansing and fellowship. The blood sacrifices were to remind them that because of sin God Who is Holy requires the costly gift of life, as a substitute. Chapters 18 through 27 focuses on Sanctification. Being holy is being “set apart” or “separated”. The Israelites were to be set apart from other nations unto God. Holiness is talked of 87 times in the book, both with reference to ceremonial (ritual) holiness and moral (purity of life) holiness. Without it, Israel cannot have a walk of fellowship with their Redeemer.

The key chapter is Leviticus 16 which describes The Day of Atonement that we know of today as Yom Kippur – the most important single day of the year for the Hebrews. It was the only day the High Priest entered into the Holy of Holies to make atonement for all the sins of the people so that they may be cleansed.

The key verses of Leviticus may well be Leviticus 17:11 which talks about the life of the flesh being in the blood and given to us on the altar to make atonement for our souls; and Leviticus 20:7,8 calling us to consecrate ourselves therefore and be holy, as He is holy, and keeping His statutes and practicing them, for He alone can sanctify us.


And perhaps the key word in the whole book is “Holiness” – especially in reference to the Holiness of God. The book goes on to show us how we, an unholy people, can approach the Holy God in an acceptable manner and then remain in continued fellowship.  For that, a blood sacrifice is required for access into His presence, and obedience is required to remain there.  (But what does that mean today?)

Join me for the next little as we study this book that was written for Israel and see how it applies to us today.  You can be notified each time I post the next installment of the study by signing up at the right  side of this page.  And as always, I would welcome your comments or questions. 

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

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