Leviticus is the third book of the bible. It follows upon the great events of the Exodus. However, it departs from Genesis and Exodus in its style and form. Leviticus breaks from the narrative story telling of the first two books and is comprised of long lists of rules and ceremonial laws. This makes it somewhat difficult to read.  To be honest, I would recommend that a new reader skip this book and proceed with the greater narrative of scripture and return to it later. Still there is a great deal to be gleaned from Leviticus once we understand its great role in salvation history.  

The background for Leviticus

Leviticus is written during Israel’s year long encampment at the foot of Mount Sinai. It is named for the priestly tribe of Levi, and really one must return to the events of the book of Exodus to understand its key theme. The nation of Israel was made up of twelve tribes (the descendants of the twelve sons of Jacob). Moses led these twelve tribes forth as a single nation from Egypt. Israel was to be God’s firstborn son and a light to the nations. 

“Now, if you obey me completely and keep my covenant, you will be my treasured possession among all peoples, though all the earth is mine. You will be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5-6)

The whole nation was to be an example. They were to be a “kingdom of priests”. Unfortunately, the nation fell at Mount Sinai and worshiped the golden calf. This betrayal is the central event of the time at Sinai and is described in detail in Exodus 32. 

“Then the LORD said to Moses: Go down at once because your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, have acted corruptly. They have quickly turned aside from the way I commanded them, making for themselves a molten calf and bowing down to it, sacrificing to it and crying out, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!” (Exodus 32:7-8)

“Moses then turned and came down the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hands, tablets that were written on both sides, front and back. The tablets were made by God; the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.…As he drew near the camp, he saw the calf and the dancing. Then Moses’ anger burned, and he threw the tablets down and broke them on the base of the mountain.” (Exodus 32:15-16, 19)

“Moses stood at the gate of the camp and shouted, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me!” All the Levites then rallied to him” (Exodus 32:26)

Through this single act of defiance, Israel lost its priestly status and the priesthood was reserved to the tribe of Levi.

How can an unholy people serve a holy God?

This event also shapes the structure and theme of Leviticus. No longer are the ten laws inscribed on stone sufficient as signified by the breaking of the tablets by Moses. Rather, a long list of ceremonial and moral laws is developed. 

The central theme of Leviticus is then; How can an unholy people serve a holy God? Leviticus then prescribes a code for doing so. First, by spelling out religious guidelines and instructions for the Levitical priesthood (Leviticus 1-16) and then by expounding a code of moral conduct (Leviticus 17-27).

More than simply rules

It is easy for the modern reader to get board with the long lists of rules which comprise Leviticus. We tend to see rules as narrow and restrictive. However, one must keep the mind that to the early Jewish reader, the term Torah could be translated as either law or teaching. As such, the law was a source of joy, pointing to prosperity and salvation. Psalm 119 exemplifies this attitude.  

“I find joy in the way of your testimonies more than in all riches.

I will ponder your precepts and consider your paths.

In your statutes I take delight; I will never forget your word.”

(Psalm 119:14-16)

This attitude is also set forth in Leviticus 26 which is a must read for understanding the perspective advanced by Leviticus. I highly encourage you to read it in its entirety. In chapter 26, the Lord extols the blessings and the curses which will flow forth from the law. Holiness leads to prosperity and sin to destruction, but through it all God remains faithful. 

“If you live in accordance with my statutes and are careful to observe my commandments, …I will look with favor upon you, and make you fruitful and numerous, as I carry out my covenant with you…I will set my tabernacle in your midst, and will not loathe you. Ever present in your midst, I will be your God, and you will be my people”

(Leviticus 26:3, 9, 11-12)

“But if you do not heed me and do not keep all these commandments, if you reject my statutes and loathe my decrees, refusing to obey all my commandments and breaking my covenant, then I, in turn, will do this to you: I will bring terror upon you—…Yet even so, even while they are in their enemies’ land, I will not reject or loathe them to the point of wiping them out, thus making void my covenant with them; for I, the LORD, am their God. I will remember for them the covenant I made with their forebears, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt before the eyes of the nations, that I might be their God. I am the LORD. These are the statutes, decrees and laws which the LORD established between himself and the Israelites through Moses on Mount Sinai.”

 (Leviticus 26:14-16, 44-46)

Yet even in chastisement, the Lord will remain faithful to His covenant. Even the curses are for our own good. Meant to bring an unholy people back into the presence of God. For as St. Paul says, “If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13)