Study 0 From The Book of Leviticus Is: The
Introduction of Leviticus
The third book of the Pentateuch was referred
to by the Jews in various ways—the ‘priest’s law, ‘priest book’, ‘law of the
offerings’—for Leviticus consists mainly of ritual law. The author is not named
in the book. All we know is that it was
given by divine revelation at Sinai in the time of Moses.
Leviticus is a book of great significance from
many points of view. It provides us with a background to all the other books of
the Bible. It helps us to understand
references to sacrificial offerings and ceremonies of purification, or institutions
such as the sabbatical year or the year of jubilee. Orthodox Jews have to this day found their
binding regulations, their food laws, for instance, in this book. But, it also shows us the way in which the
God of Israel combats sin in (social sin by means of the sabbatical year and
year of jubilee, sexual sins by means of the laws of chastity) and second, by
means of His promises and warnings. All
this is of interest to Christians as showing the principles of atonement and
purification applied in a particular context.
In dong so it is natural that there should be many illustrations of the
work of the Lord Jesus-Christ. His atoning death on the cross is the reality of
which the rituals of Leviticus are but pictures and symbols.
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