“…Leviticus was and is one of the most important books of the Old Testament. It not only presents the entire religious system of ancient Israel, but also lays the theological foundation for the New Testament teaching about the atoning work of Jesus Christ.”– Allen P. Ross
Introduction: Many believers have tried to read the Bible in a year, only to falter and grow frustrated by Leviticus’s tedious nature. Many commands seem foreign to everyday life, and others seem plain weird. In discouragement, the reader initially presses on as long as they can, then gives up. Why is this the case? If all Scripture is breathed out by God, and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, why is it so hard to find the benefit of Leviticus?
Common Reasons for Being Disinterested in Leviticus
1. Leviticus is perceived as an interruption of the narrative of Exodus.
2. Leviticus reads as a collection of obscure ritual regulations.
3. Leviticus is primarily concerned with ancient Israelite worship.
4. Leviticus is difficult to relate to Christian faith and practice.
What all of these reasons miss, however, is the book’s true heart and meaning, which the reader can grasp only by appreciating the redemptive drama unfolding not only in Genesis-Exodus, but also in Numbers-Deuteronomy.
To fully appreciate Leviticus, readers must understand the problems posed by Genesis and Exodus. Genesis recounts the gravity of sin and humanity’s exile from God’s presence. Eden has not only been lost; life in God’s divine presence has been lost with it.
Exodus records not only God’s great redemptive act of delivering his people from Egypt through the Passover lamb, but also the command to build the tabernacle, which would be at the center of Israel’s worship of God and a means to experience God’s presence again. Exodus, however, ends with a problem. God’s glory fills the tabernacle, and no one can draw near to Him—not even Moses.
34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. (Ex 40:34–35)
Here, in response to this exact problem, Leviticus becomes significant.
| Exodus 40:34-35 | Leviticus 1:1-2 (CSB) |
| 34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. | Then the Lord summoned Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting: 2 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When any of you brings an offering to the Lord from the livestock, you may bring your offering from the herd or the flock. |
Leviticus is not a stand-alone book with an altogether different theme than Exodus. It is the sequel to Exodus, which not only explains how Israel becomes the nation it is, but also answers and solves the problem at the end of Exodus. It’s about restoration to and life in God’s divine presence. That’s the point of Genesis-Deuteronomy. It is the point of the entire Bible.
The Main Theme of Leviticus
So, with L. Michael Morales, we agree that the theme and theology of Leviticus is “YHWH’s opening a way for humanity to dwell in the divine Presence.”
Scripture begins with life in God’s divine presence (Gen. 1-2) and ends with life in God’s divine presence in the new heavens and the new earth (Rev. 21-22).
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God (Re 21:3)
Between these two great visions of life in God’s divine presence is God’s gracious making of a way through his covenants, laws, and sacrifices, ultimately fulfilled in the New Covenant.
This longing for God’s presence is the Bible’s theme. Consider how it appears throughout the Psalms, for example.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Ps 16:11)
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Ps 23:6)
O LORD, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. (Ps 26:8)
One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple. (Ps 27:4)
As to the importance of this theme of divine presence, Morales is worth quoting in full.
“Its dominating concern, as well as the rest of the Bible, is the way in which humanity may come to dwell in the house of God. Under the Mosaic covenant, that way opened by YHWH was through the tabernacle and later temple, its priesthood and rituals—that is, through the Levitical cult. The advent of Christ would open a new and living way into the house of God; indeed, that was the goal of his taking out humanity upon himself, of his suffering, of his resurrection, and ascension.”
Leviticus as the center of the Pentateuch
The first five books of the Bible, Genesis-Deuteronomy, are a collection of Scripture known as the Pentateuch (i.e., “five-scroll). Notably, Leviticus sits at the center of these five books, underscoring its importance not only to the Pentateuch but to the rest of the Bible.
(A) Genesis
(B) Exodus
(C) Leviticus
(B) Numbers
- Deuteronomy
The Day of Atonement as the center of Leviticus
We cannot survey all the reasons and evidence here, but several Old Testament scholars consider Leviticus 16, the Day of Atonement, central to the book’s literary structure. Atonement means “to be reconciled,” at-one-ment.
Lev 1-7 Sacrifices
8-10 Institution of priesthood (Approaching God)
11-15 Clean/Unclean in daily life
16 Day of Atonement (Judgement/Cleansing)
17-20 Holy/profane in daily life
21-22 Legislation for the priesthood. (Communion with God)
23-27 Festivals/sacred time Holiness
Again, Morales is helpful.
“How the Day of Atonement relates to the theme of YHWH’s opening a way for humanity to dwell in the divine Presence is readily recognized when the significance of the atonement is understood, namely, that it makes possible life in the divine presence.”
The purpose of highlighting the structural nature of the Pentateuch and the structure of Leviticus is to reinforce the central theme of God’s divine presence and what it means for sinful people to dwell in it once again.
Why should Christians care about and study Leviticus?
- Leviticus is Christian Scripture not only intended for those in the ancient past, but for the church today.
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Ro 15:4)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Ti 3:16–17)
I like the encouragement from Gordon Wenham, “…the biblical writers believed, and the Church has always accepted, that they were writing more than history. They were recording God’s word to his people. Leviticus is therefore more than a description of past historical events and more than a collection of dated laws. It tells us about God’s character and will, which found expression in his dealings with Israel and in the laws he gave them. Those who believe that God the Lord “is the same yesterday and today and forever” may look to the book’s theology for insights that are still valid and relevant.”
2. Leviticus is vital for a proper understanding of the New Testament in general, and some books like Hebrews in particular.
4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” 6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. (Heb 8:4–6)
3. Leviticus explores the importance of holiness, a theme too often overlooked by many Christians today.
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy. (1 Pe 1:14–16)
14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (Heb 12:14)
4. Leviticus teaches the importance of liturgy and proper worship of the triune God, a theme neglected by many evangelicals today (Lev. 10).
Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, which he had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. (Le 10:1–2)
28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire. (Heb 12:28–29)
5. Leviticus lays the foundation that sinful people can only dwell with God by the means he provides—a truth that ultimately brings us to the centrality of Christ crucified and risen.
13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Heb 9:13–14)
