Overview of the Book of Leviticus

The overview of the week for this Sunday is the third book of Moses, the book of Leviticus.

The book is named after the tribe of Levi, which was the priestly tribe of Israel appointed to minister before the

Lord in the tabernacle. The book tells of the story of God instructing

Moses in the building of the Tent of Meeting, as well as matters concerning the priesthood, rituals, and sacrifices they were to offer.

The theme of Leviticus is holiness before God, as He, through the priesthood and offerings, provided a way for penitent sinners to express their faith and love for Him.

These sacrifices, of course, ultimately meant to point ahead to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross for the remission of sin.

When the hearts of the people were right before God, the Lord was well pleased.

However, later in Israel's history, when they forsook the commandments of God, He became displeased with their offerings because, in a sense, it became like dead religion in that they were just going through the motions.

But as long as they displayed holiness and kept their hearts right before God, He promised that He would dwell in the midst of His people.

So, in conclusion, when it comes to New Testament Christians, sometimes we look at the book of Leviticus and wonder how this applies to us.

Here's the thing. Everything in the book of Leviticus is true. Everything in the book is still true, but not everything applies.

Much of the book of Leviticus describes the ceremonial aspect of God's law, which was fulfilled in Christ.

So, while not everything applies for us today, God's moral standard—and this is important—God's moral standard and the call to live holy lives before God, that certainly does apply, as well as the most well -known statement or quote from the book of Leviticus in chapter 19, verse 18, which says,