The journey through Leviticus
Leviticus is one of my favorite books of the Bible, not because of the content, but because of what it represents. Someday I’ll write a book about Leviticus. In the meantime, I’ll point out some of the cool stuff and show you how to survive the journey through Leviticus.
Orientation
Leviticus, more than any other book of the Bible, most often feels like a long, disorienting and confusing dark tunnel. If Genesis and Exodus presented challenges, but we still persevered to make it through, Leviticus is often where we give up or quit. I want to help change this for you!
Open to Leviticus
I also want to challenge you to stick it out, bear with me, and challenge yourself to open to Leviticus and read something in it. Don’t worry I’ll provide guidance and some manageable (and hopefully) rewarding options. So let’s get started.
See the connections to Genesis and Exodus
Remember Exodus 2:1 the tribe of Levi? That’s where Leviticus gets its name. These are the instructions and procedures for the priests who came from the tribe of Levi. Levi was one of Jacob’s sons. (Genesis 35:23). Moses and his brother Aaron are from the tribe of Levi. Aaron is appointed by God to be a priest. (Exodus 28:1). See the connections between the first three books of the Bible?
Intro to Leviticus
Leviticus starts out with descriptions of several types of offerings found in the first five chapters.
Ch 1-5 The offerings: burnt, grain, fellowship, sin, guilt
The next several chapters are instructions for the priests, including Moses’ brother Aaron, with a bit of narrative included. Following that are rules and regulations for dealing with that which is considered unclean.
Chapter sixteen describes instructions for a ceremony for a specific day.
Ch 16 The Day of Atonement
The rest of Leviticus is instruction from the Lord. Each section begins, “The Lord said to Moses…”
The whole book ends with, “These are the commands the Lord gave to Moses at Mount Sinai for the Israelites.” Leviticus 27:34 New International Version (NIV)
Think of Jesus
Leviticus more than any other book of the Bible is one to look at, skim over, and constantly ask, “Is there something in here that makes me think of Jesus? Is there a story in the New Testament or a situation where some of these details come up again with Jesus in the picture?”
If you keep that in front of you, you will discover some of the most jaw-dropping, sacred moments in scripture.
Challenge
I feel so strongly about the significance of Leviticus that I want to issue a challenge. Choose the option that looks most manageable, the one that speaks to you. Then challenge yourself to try the one above it.
Read the book of Leviticus.
Skim the book of Leviticus and read a section that stands out to you.
Read all the chapter headings and subtitles.
Read chapter 1-5 and 16.
Read chapter 16.
Which will you choose?