Episode #8: “The Pots & Pans Gospel”

HOST: Michael Whitworth

Leviticus has long been a problematic book for Christians. The people of God no longer live under its laws. However, the OT (including Leviticus) has been preserved for us, and Paul is adamant that all Scripture is inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16). This alone makes Leviticus an important book to study.

Like the rest of the Pentateuch, Moses is the author of Leviticus. Also, like the rest of the Pentateuch, Leviticus was written during Israel’s sojourn in the wilderness. Leviticus is notoriously difficult book. Christians who start the year off with the enthusiastic resolve to read through the Bible in a year are excited about Genesis and most of Exodus. But when they come to Leviticus, their will becomes broken. So here are some keys to successfully navigating the Book of Leviticus.

1.) The various themes of Leviticus seem odd if they are divorced from their biblical/historical context. Successfully reading and studying through Leviticus requires faithful cross-referencing of other biblical passages and background commentaries. Highly-recommended: The IVP Bible Background Commentary on the OT.

2.) Take note of recurring phrases:

"I am the LORD"

"an aroma pleasing to the LORD"

"He will be forgiven"

"Seven times over"

3.) Take notes on the six different offerings (burnt, grain, fellowship, sin, guilt, ordination) and their purpose.

4.) Leviticus is an extension of the 10 Commandments. As you read through the various laws in Leviticus, write the number of the commandment that law is associated with.

5.) Many of the laws given in Leviticus, especially those concerning the inane areas of life, reminded Israel that she should never assume something to be morally-neutral. Neither could Israel enter God’s presence and worship him any way she desired. So, too, in the NT, all of life matters to God and how we worship God is important.

6.) Jesus is the point of every passage in Leviticus. Especially, do not read Leviticus without simultaneously reading Hebrews. One will make the other much more meaningful.

Leviticus & the NT

The “unclean” according to Leviticus were touched by the Son of God (e.g. Mark 1:40-44).

Jesus himself is portrayed as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

Some of the difficulties faced by the first-century church arose from Leviticus (cf. Acts 10:9-16; 15:22-31).

In his first letter, Peter’s call to obedience is rooted in one of Leviticus’ fundamental statements: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Pet. 1:16; cf. Lev. 19:2).

Ultimately, the book of Hebrews would make no sense were it not for Leviticus.

Guest: Dr. Justin Rogers, Freed-Hardeman University

Justin is a professor of Old Testament and Biblical languages at Freed-Hardeman University. He holds a PhD  in Hebraic and Judaic Studies from Hebrew Union in Cincinnati and preaches for the Christian Chapel church of Christ in Wildersville, TN. He is also co-author of a commentary on Leviticus and Numbers in the College Press NIV series.