Luke 24:26-49, Why study Leviticus?

It seems that almost any study of Leviticus must begin with a section called, “why should I read this book?”  We too, in today's blog, will begin by seeking to answer that question.  But I must say, given the tremendous emphasis on Christ in Leviticus, that it's too bad we have to take the time.  We need to be careful about this idea that “I’m not going to study parts of the Bible that don’t seem to be applicable to me.”  ALL SCRIPTURE IS PROFITABLE (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  We must be willing to concentrate and work hard.  Remember that studying Scripture is like mining for gold and silver (Prov. 2:4-5).  The hard work, in the strength of the Lord, with the Holy Spirit as our Instructor, will ALWAYS be profitable.

In Leviticus careful reading will reveal deep spiritual truths, wise counsel for daily life and interesting and important typology.  Leviticus contains more direct statements by God than any other book in the OT.  Consider the following from the NT that will encourage us in Leviticus:

·       Luke 24:25-27,44: Jesus began with Moses and then all the Prophets as He taught the Emmaus Road disciples about Himself.  Then, with the Twelve, He again opened up the Law of Moses, along with the Prophets and Psalms, to show them how He had fulfilled all that was written there.

·       John 1:45: Phillip had spent time with Jesus, and then found his friend Nathanael to tell him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 

·       John 5:45-47: Jesus told the Jews their problem was that they did not believe the things Moses wrote.  If they had believed Moses, they would believe in Jesus, because Moses wrote about Him.

·       Colossians 2:16-17: Paul told believers not to allow others to judge them about food or drink or festivals or new moon celebrations or sabbaths, all of which are subjects covered in Leviticus.  These things, Paul said, were a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.  In other words, in Leviticus we will find the shadow of Christ, the “types” that He fulfilled. 

·       Hebrews 8:5 makes a similar statement concerning the priests, who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed.  Concerning this, we can say confidently that you cannot understand the great letter to the Hebrews if you do not have a handle on Leviticus. 

When we hear John the Baptist say, Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), we must have Leviticus in our minds and hearts to understand what that means.