An Introduction To Leviticus

by McCormick, F. | Category: For Young Believers | Oct 1955

Spiritism, enchantments and augury were to be shunned. God says of the nations which practised such things, "I abhorred them," and adds, "for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that ye should be Mine" (20.23-26). Not only so, but when uncleanness was found within the camp, action must be taken, also the leper had to be put out of the camp (13.45, 46).

We note too that the priestly work in connexion with dealing with leprosy required knowledge, discernment and understanding, whether the leprosy be in a person, garment or house. Elders today are likewise responsible to discern evil, and act for God in maintaining the purity of God's people together.

A nation to be strong and healthy must have good food, and this people were to discern between the clean and unclean by God's Word (chapter 11.) Likewise today God's people must not partake of that which is morally or doctrinally unclean. Physically, it is still required that "ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves it shall be well with you" (Acts 15.29).

Chapter 19 provides us with many practical lessons in type and precept. Many times in this chapter God says, "I am the LORD your God." "Ye shall be holy" (v.2). "Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father" (v.3). "Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right" (Ephesians 6.1). "Turn ye not unto idols " (v. 4). "My little children, guard yourselves from idols (1 John 5.21). In reaping their fields and vineyards they were to leave some for the poor and the stranger (vv. 9, 10). "Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted" (Ephesians 4.32). This will make us Christlike. The hired servant, the deaf, the blind were to have kindly consideration (vv. 13-15). "Consider one another " (Hebrews 10.24). "If ye have respect of persons ye commit sin" (James 2.9). Nevertheless-no advantage must be taken. "Ye shall not steal." "Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people (v.16). (See 2 Corinthians 6.14.) Not "busybodies speaking things which they ought not" (1 Timothy 5.13). God hates mixtures (v. 19). "Ye shall ... reverence My sanctuary" (v. 30). "Keep thy foot when thou goest to the House of God" (Ecclesiastes 5.1). They were to act righteously toward the stranger, in judgement, measure, weight and balances (vv. 33-36). So too the grace of God teaches us to "live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world" (Titus 2.13).

In giving His people these instructions, God designs that they will manifest holiness in life as a nation, reflecting in measure His own character. His voice to us is, "Like as He which called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living" (1 Peter 1. 15).

God desires also that His people shall be a free and happy people. The year of Jubile teaches this (Leviticus 25.); and in the set feasts of chapter 23. they were to honour God, and rejoice before Him. These feasts also have a prophetic and typical significance.

Sacrifice and offering are characteristics of the book. We look down the line of time, we hear the Eternal Son of the Father saying : "Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, but a body didst Thou prepare for Me" (Hebrews 10.5). "In Him the shadows of the law are all fulfilled and now withdraw."

Christ is both Sacrifice and Priest. God now requires from a holy nation the first and the best. The book opens with instructions regarding the various offerings, and ends with the voluntary vows of His people.

"Offer unto God the sacrifice of thanksgiving;

And pay thy vows unto the Most High" (Psalm 50.14).

May it be true that,

"Praise waiteth for Thee, 0 God, in Zion:

And unto Thee shall the vow be performed" (Psalm 65. 1).

Across the pages of this wondrous book may be written the LORD'S requirement from His redeemed and gathered people, in the midst of whom He dwelt.

McCormick, F. | Oct 1955
For Young Believers