God’s Plan for Forgiveness Found in Leviticus (Leviticus 1-7)
At first glance, of all the books of the Bible, Leviticus seems like one to avoid. But there is a good reason to read Leviticus because it helps us understand an unchanging truth of God.
Leviticus 1-7
Today's Scripture Passage
A Few Thoughts to Consider
Why read Leviticus, and what do the sacrificial systems in this book teach us about God?
At first glance, of all the books of the Bible, Leviticus seems like one to avoid. To the modern reader, the text seems archaic and irrelevant. But there is good reason to read Leviticus because it helps us understand the unchanging nature of God.
Leviticus was probably written between 1440 and 1400 B.C. Given that much of the content deals with priestly matters and priests came from the tribe of Levi, the title “Leviticus” makes sense. Situated in the middle of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible), Leviticus has a direct connection to the surrounding books. As God establishes a relationship with his covenant people to make them a blessing to the nations, he chooses to reveal himself in human terms and physical illustrations the Israelites will understand.
Leviticus isn’t just for priests. It was and is a book for everyone. As Gordon Wenham writes, “Leviticus is a book of laws set within a narrative framework…Leviticus is therefore more than a description of past historical events and more than a collection of dated laws. It tells us about God’s character and will, which found expression in his dealings with Israel and in the laws he gave them.”[1]
Chapters 1-7 deal primarily with sacrifice for sins. Through offering a sacrifice to God, the Israelites acknowledged Yahweh was above all others. John Hartley notes, “The sacrificial system showed human sinfulness, and the limited means which God had adopted for restoring the sinner to fellowship with himself. The sinner needs to repent and be forgiven if he is not to die in his sin.”[2]
This was a message the Israelites needed to hear in their day, and it is one we need to hear in ours.
A Meditation to PRAY
Praise | Lord, thank you for desiring me to come to you and be forgiven. Even before I was born, you were creating a way of salvation for me.
Release | I give you my inclination to do things my way. Show me how to walk according to your perfect plan, and forgive me when I think I can do life by myself.
Ask | Give me your eyes to see beyond the superficial to what lies at the heart of every man and woman -a deep need for you.
Yield | I surrender my will today. Help me to live a life of service to you with eternity always on my mind.
