Lessons From Leviticus

Written by Johnny Ramsey, this originally appeared in the December 5, 1985 edition of the Gospel Advocate.

One of the lesser known sections of the Bible is the Old Testament book known as Leviticus. However, it is necessary to know the contents of this section of Scripture if one would learn the background of many references in the New Testament. Actually, the book of Leviticus is of monumental import regarding holiness, worship, efficacy and the priesthood of believers. Perhaps, the major epochal thrust of this rich and vital stanza in Holy Writ is found in I Peter 1:16 that reflects a statement from Leviticus, "Be ye holy; for I am holy."

From chapter 17 of the book of Numbers and subsequent passages we learn of the value of the Levites in God's scheme of things. From this tribe and the family of Aaron came the hight priests in Israel. They occupied a special place in heaven's plan. On the famous Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) those priests, through the years, officiated in the scapegoat arrangement that pointed toward the coming of our Redeemer. The tremendous statement of John 1:29 hearkens back to that occasion and forever sets forth the supremacy of Christianity. John the Immerser proclaimed of Jesus, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world."

We should daily thank the Father above that we do not have to trust in a dumb animal and a sinful Levitical priest and the shedding of the blood of bulls and goats for cleansing (Hebrews 10:11). How blessed we are to have a new and living way through the veil of Christ's flesh and the shedding of His precious blood (Hebrews 10:19-20)!

"There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Immanuel's veins
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains."

We are redeemed by the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:19) and sustained by the only High Priest that Christianity will ever know - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One (1 John 2:1, Hebrews 7:26). Leviticus was just a shadow, a foretaste of glory divine.

The three great feast days of Judaism are mentioned in Leviticus 23. They all point to the coming of the Messiah. We learn in a powerful passage in 1 Corinthians 5:7, that Christ is our Passover. The feast of Tabernacles was a reminder of Jehovah's providential care for Abraham's seed in the wilderness. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10 that, "the rock that followed them was Christ."

Pentecost was a special day for the Jews also. It served as a reminder of the law that went forth at Sinai and pointed to a powerful occasion in Acts 2 where a harvest of spiritual sowing would come to fruition. It is overwhelming to realize that when the law God gave through angels to Moses pealed forth at Sinai, 3000 were slain because of sin (Exodus 32:28). Conversely, when the gospel shed forth its glory on Pentecost, 3000 were saved and added to the church by the Lord (Acts 2:41).

"We have heard the joyful sound
Jesus saves, Jesus saves
Spread the tidings all around
Jesus saves, Jesus saves."

Truly, redemption's sweet song reflects Leviticus background. We also come to realize that worship, devotion, homage and loyalty were salient themes in Old Testament days. What we offer to our Maker comes from "our own voluntary will" (Leviticus 3:1) and must be according to heaven's mandates. When mankind fails to worship in the beauty of holiness, we do not give God the glory due His name (1 Chronicles 16:29). This can only result in alienating ourselves from our Creator. such was the severe mistake of the sons of Aaron mentioned in the 10th stanza of Leviticus. Similar to Aaron's flippant attitude concerning the golden calf incident was the sinful action of Nadab and Abihu, who offered to God what they deemed best instead of doing what Jehovah commanded. Today we can see definite trends in the same direction of will worship (Colossians 2:18-23) rather than a humble spirit that desires the Father's will (James 4:15). Homage, in spirit and in truth, is all that heaven approves (John 4:24). We must offer worship that is according to Truth (John 17:17) and expressed in sincere devotion.

"O the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend
When I kneel in prayer and with Thee, O God
I commune as friend with Friend!"

Most Bible students would agree that 17:11 is the key verse in Leviticus. It is here that we learn that the life of the flesh is in the blood. We should all be abundantly grateful that the blood of Christ supersedes the blood of bulls and goats. Hebrews 9:22 makes it clear that without the powerful efficacy of Calvary's sacrifice we would be lost forever.

Our Savior was alone in Gethsemane (Matthew 26), He was mocked at Gabbatha (John 19) and vicariously died at Golgotha (Luke 23). Yet, by the power of the Holy Spirit, up from the grave He arose (Romans 1:4, 8:11) as the bands of death were burst asunder (Acts 2:24). The shadow of Leviticus became the splendor of New Testament fulfillment.

"When my love to Christ grows weak
When for deeper faith I seek
Hill of Calvary I go
To Thy scenes of fear and woe."

The superlative riches of the gospel age reflect the pathos of Leviticus and make us genuinely appreciative of God's eternal purpose. The mural of God's divine love flows from Genesis through Revelation and gives us reason to echo the joy of Revelation 19; the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.