Perhaps, in your entire life, this phrase will never be heard: "Speaking of Leviticus." Like who wants to dredge up a book of the Bible like Leviticus? How many have really read it, or seriously studied it? Yet, I propose that it is one of the most important books of the Bible. Why? You may ask.
Let me backtrack a bit.
This morning as I opened my Bible I realized I was a bit behind in my scheduled Bible reading. Two days behind actually, which meant I had 30 chapters to read, and lucky me, Leviticus, chapter 1 was my starting point.
Now, I know there must be some folks out there that have dared to part the pages of this Levitical tome, but how many have actually read it straight through in one sitting? I mean, it almost sounds like some torture thought up by a Bible Professor for his incoming Freshman class.
I mean, I don't know anyone that would find themselves locked in some Bible debate, then bring up a finer point of the book by saying, "speaking of Leviticus..." I mean, will that ever happen?
Journey with me for a moment if you will into this legalistic of all books for there are some insights waiting to be discovered if we'll simply take the time.
What is the essence of the book? LAW
Of course, this the main reason most people don't find it applicable in today's era of GRACE.
But, let's break it down a little bit more, here real quick:
- Laws of Acceptable Approach to God - namely how to properly sacrifice to God
- Priestly Laws - how they are to be properly anointed and set apart for God's service
- Laws Regarding Purity - how the people ought to keep themselves holy and clean
- Laws Regarding National Santification - how to properly appear before the Lord on the Day of Atonement... and on and on and on...
You could read them yourself, but you probably don't want to.
But, let me give you a reason to look at Leviticus in a more favorable light.
This one book, more than any of the other books of the Torah, and for that matter the whole Old Testament, must have been the daily musings of who? The Priests, right, for something like 1,500 years and beyond.
It holds the keys to the very definition of Judaism, and sets the Jews apart from every other nation on earth. And up until the time of Christ, this book contained the very "plan of salvation" if you will of every person on earth. For to become a part of the fellowship of God prior to Christ, one must first become a Jew. Is that not right? [Living like them at the very least.] Here it all is in all of it's legal stipulations.
But, you are quick to say, "we have died to the law with all of it's stipulations," and all I can say is a glorious, "Hallelujah!"
Have you ever stopped to consider this verse in Jeremiah, "... I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah... I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."
Reading the book of Leviticus this morning made me so overjoyed to know that this book of strident laws with alarming consequences, is now one of heart felt knowledge with God's abundant grace covering all who comes to Him.
Looking back to the centuries and centuries before Christ, have you ever wondered about the number of sacrifices that occurred on a daily basis merely to atone for those people who sinned unintentionally? It must have been staggering. How could someone keep all of those laws, let alone remember them all?
And the results for trangressing those laws are vividly portrayed in the slaying of two of Aaron's sons for bringing improper fire and incense before the Lord. Do you see the stringentness of these commands? That even the High Priest's sons are instantly declared defiled before the Lord and put to death.
The Law came with such terrible fear that honestly was God's intention, "Moses said to the people, 'Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.'" (Exodus 20:20)
Do we really realize what Jesus has saved us from?
Reading some more in Leviticus, we find what is imperitave to the entire Biblical narrative in chapter 17, "It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible." (NLT)
How in the world does the Bible make sense without this concept being implicitly and properly defined? And where else in the Bible do we find it? In Hebrews we find that, "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness," barely a mention, but oh, so important.
Then, at the end of Leviticus we find the "blessings for obedience" and the "punishments for disobedience". Two thousand years and one great act on the Cross, separate us from a life with these blessings and curses just hanging over our heads.
That's why we see Peter, in the book of Acts declaring before the assembly of leaders of the church in Jerusalem, "why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?" (15:10)
There is only one possible outcome from trying to obey the laws stipulated in the book of Leviticus, an abject feeling of failure, separation from God, without hope from ever being redeemed. Which is precisely the position God brings us to before He shows us Christ.
I contend that without this feeling of failure and complete helplessness before a righteous and holy God, one cannot properly declare Jesus Christ his Savior.
What need have we of a savior, if our lives are o.k., salvagable by some ingenious work of self-help or internal guidance or luck?
One cannot properly understand the Gospel, and the reason for Christ's death without first understanding the Law that points it's accusing finger at our lives. And it is in the book of Leviticus that this is declared more than anywhere else with such finality and immoveable truth.
So, pick up your Bible again and peel apart the pages between the books of Exodus and Numbers. See the Law in a new light.
Where it was previously believed and emphatically true that "salvation is found in no one else, for there is no name under Heaven given to men, by which we must be saved, the name of the High Priest of God's Temple," today, now rings with a different tone that we are more familiar with that personalizes the High Priest in the very Son of God, who became for you and for me, the ultimate sacrifice -- attested to by the very hand of God tearing in two the dividing wall in the temple forevermore, and in that act putting to death the rules taught and enforced by the High Priest, opening a new era where the very laws of God are now written on man's hearts.
Without Christ, Leviticus would be our "4 spiritual laws", reminding us constantly of the heavy weight of sin, the falleness of man, and the righteousness and holiness of our God.
Keeping the Law would be our constant fear as the perennial "bad news" that would supposedly help keep us from sinning.
Still, it is the faithful and true word of God, AND praised be to God that He has opened up for us a new way, a new path where righteousness from God is obtained by faith, which is emphatically foolishness to the Gentiles and a stumbling block to Jews but for us it is the Power of God and the Wisdom of God.
Can you see how this book ought to evoke in us the deepest sense of gratitude, thankfulness, and indebtedness to God's perfect plan of salvation through the shedding of His own's son's blood?
Do you need a pick me up today? Then, read Leviticus and be absorbed into all from which God has set you free -- "canceling the written code against you", and take a cue from King David, "Your laws have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against You."
Amazing to see isn't it how desperately the book of Leviticus is so fundamental to our faith.
"He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Colossians 2:13b-15
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