Leviticus - Introduction

But beyond that, the entire sacrificial system described in Leviticus was but a precursor, a foreshadowing of a much greater sacrifice and a much greater for—giveness yet to be offered (Hebrews 10:1–4,11–14)—not the offering up of an animal but the offering up of God Himself in the person of Jesus Christ. In the end, it was not the sacrifice of animals that could redeem God’s people, but only the sacrifice of God Himself.

One final question needs to be asked: Do Christians have to obey these Old Testament laws? To answer that question we need to distinguish between those laws (such as the Ten Commandments) which are absolute and timeless from those laws which are temporary and limited to the specific situation in which God’s Old Testament people found themselves. In brief, the moral aspects of the law, as summarized in the Ten Commandments, are binding on all Christians today.² Other laws—such as the ceremonial and sacrificial laws—are no longer binding on Christians, because by Christ’s death these laws have been made obsolete and Christians have been brought into a new relationship with God through FAITH (Hebrews 7:11–12; 8:1–13).

The remaining laws, those dealing with civil affairs and health, are not binding today, because they were given specifically to the people of Israel at that time (Mark 7:19; Acts 10:14–15). However, the principles embodied in those civil and health—related laws are still adhered to by most modern people. For example, even before the scientific causes of disease were known, God had laid down “health laws” for His people, so that they would not get any of the diseases that afflicted other nations (Exodus 15:26). Most of these laws continue to have scientific validity today.

Modern Christians may be tempted to think that these Levitical laws aren’t very important. And, indeed, in this commentary most of the individual laws will not be discussed in detail. But Christians must not lose sight of the larger purpose of these laws. The laws were given so that Israel could be a holy nation, dedicated to the Lord. They were designed to distinguish the Israelites from all the other unholy, ungodly people around them. Likewise we Christians, though we live in the midst of the world’s people, must distinguish ourselves from the non-Christians around us by our holy living and by our dedication to Christ.

Leviticus also reminds us how terrible sin is in the sight of God. We can only be cleansed from sin by the offering of a blood sacrifice—by the shedding of blood. . . . without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22). The penalty for sin is death, and only by the substitution of another living being can we escape punishment. . . . it is blood that makes atonement for one’s life (Leviticus 17:11). The sacrificial laws of Leviticus are thus a “type”, a foreshadowing, of that final and perfect sacrifice offered up by Jesus, the sacrifice of His own body, through which sacrifice our sins are forgiven and we are accepted into eternal fellowship with God (see Hebrews 9:11–14,24–28).

In summary, the book of Leviticus teaches us two major truths, both of which find their fulfillment in the New Testament. The first is that fellowship with a holy God can be established and maintained only by the blood of an atoning sacrifice. The second truth is that in order for fellowship with God to exist, one must walk in holiness, “in the light.” Both God’s provision for our atonement and our obedience to His commands are necessary if we are to have fellowship with God. Jesus is our atoning sacrifice (1 John 2:2), and if we walk in the light . . . we have fellowship with one another—and with God—and the blood of .Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

For further information about Moses’ life, see Genesis: Introduction and the books of Exodus and Numbers. For further discussion of the Law of Moses, see Exodus 20:1–2 and comment; General Article: The Purpose of the Mosaic Law.