If this is your first time reading the book of Leviticus, you might be in for a jolt. The descriptions of sacrificing animals are something of an assault on our modern sensibilities. However, please notice the stark contrasts between God’s perfection and our inability to measure up to that standard. Or should I say, utter helplessness? Were it not for His provision, we would be totally unable to maintain a relationship with God at all. If you are beginning to see a foreshadowing of Jesus, good…you should.
The following is part of the intro to Leviticus in the CSB Study Bible. It’s the section called, Contribution to the Bible:
Leviticus is often neglected because Christians have misunderstood its message and purpose. This was not true of Jesus, who designated “love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev 19: 18) as the second greatest commandment (Mt 22: 39). The apostle Paul considered these words the summation of the Mosaic commandments (Rm 13: 9; Gl 5: 14; cp. Jms 2: 8). The writer of Hebrews relied on the images of Leviticus in describing the person and role of Jesus Christ: sacrifice, the priesthood, and the Day of Atonement (Heb 4: 14-10: 18). Studying Leviticus gives us a deeper devotion to Jesus Christ, a stronger worship of God, and a better understanding of daily Christian living.
I highly recommend using the links and reading each of these verses.
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Holman Bible Staff. CSB Study Bible (p. 157). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
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