Archive article 6

“The Gospel of Leviticus”

What an unusual title for the third Book of the Bible! In fact, when I asked  the church to find it in their Bibles they  just looked at me amazed.  They’d never heard of the Gospel of Leviticus in the Old Testament.  There was only the book called “ Leviticus”.  Yet reading and studying it  I am increasingly convinced that it isn’t a title which distorts the significance or betrays the Word of God. On the contrary –  it reveals aspects we never would have thought of!

In the first book of the Bible, Genesis, we read of the call of Abraham and the gradual development of Israel as an extension of his family.  The names are familiar ones Abraham, Isaac,  and Jacob who will become the father of Israel.

The second book of the Bible, Exodus, we learn how the family cluster becomes a nation – the people of God.  Freed from Egypt, at Mount Sinai, Jacob’s descendents establish a covenant with the Lord and receive His law.  Not only that. In the second part of the book, they receive many instructions on how to adore the Lord, the only true God.  The instructions for the building of the Tabernacle are detailed and all the people are to co-operate in its construction.   The last chapter of this book is a wonderful description of the first  gathering together of the people  to worship in the tabernacle with a wonderful surprise when the Lord himself appears confirming his glorious approval of their obedience.

This third book, Leviticus, commonly acknowledged as a book of laws, begins with a description of three sacrifices which are offered with a certain spontaneity  to the Lord which permit that all could come to Him.  He is no longer the Lord who would reveal himself only on certain occasions as he did to Abraham or Moses in the burning bush.  Nor is He  the Lord who forbids the people to climb Mount Sinai because He is a terrifying presence ( Moses said : “ I am all fearful  and I tremble” Heb.12:21).  By following simple instructions for three types of sacrifice, that of the burnt offering, the grain offering, the peace offering, the people can draw close to the Lord of their own initiative knowing they will not die but they will be received.

Isn’t this the great privilege of the Gospel?  Doesn’t the New Testament tell of Jesus as the sacrifice which opened  the way to approach God ?  Isn’t Christ, in the words of John the Baptist the “ The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world ? ( John 1:29).  If in the book of Leviticus those offering a sacrifice where to place their hands on the animal presented, isn’t this the confession of everyone who is baptised because baptism is saying:  “I am baptised… in Christ ?” (Gal.3:27)

It is true that the third book of the Bible doesn’t carry the title “Gospel” but in effect the content is full of the privileges of those who love the Gospel.  God is no longer remote.  It is the Lord himself who has opened the way to gain access to His presence.  If in the first three chapters of Leviticus we read of the sacrifices which the Lord has bestowed, and we do read that they were all well accepted – “ an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord” – exactly what the author of Hebrews says that Christ did : “ … when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb.1:3)

“The Gospel of Leviticus” anticipates for us the great  treasure we receive in Jesus Christ !

                                                               Pastor Paul Finch