L-INTRO-3: Minus understanding Leviticus, you will NEVER grasp the depths of Yeshua’s sacrifice

Today I wanna provide the answer to the question of ‘why we should even study the Book of Leviticus at all?’

Now, fair warning here.

Before we even get to the first verse of the first chapter of Leviticus, there’s a bunch of background information I gotta cover.

I’m talking about possibly six to ten articles in total before we even get into the Biblical text itself.

This information is necessary.

Why?

Because it’s gonna set the stage for all to follow.

Okay, so back to the question of why even study Leviticus at all?

Well, the first obvious answer is because Yeshua of Nazareth was the fulfillment of all that the sacrificial system of Leviticus pointed to.

The gentile church has arrogantly criticized the Jews of Yeshua’s day.

Why? 

They accuse them of relying too heavily on tradition rather than the Holy Scriptures themselves. 

That’s why they failed to see the connection the ancient prophets had made to Yeshua’s coming, is how the argument goes.

But how about they pull the log out of their own eye?

Christian pastors and preachers stand in their pulpits and proclaim, “Jesus is the sacrifice for our sin.”

Yet many have ridiculously little understanding of the Biblical sacrificial system that served as the prophetic shadow of what Christ would accomplish.

How can they fully understand the sacrifice of Christ if they don’t understand the sacrificial system that pointed to it?

Without Leviticus, sure, they may grasp the basic idea of His sacrifice. 

But they will miss the deeper meaning…

The reason it was necessary… 

And the tremendous impact of what Messiah accomplished at Golgotha.

Ya feeling me here, homie?

Understanding this 3rd book of the Torah will allow you to fully grasp the depths of the transaction that took place on that bloodied execution stake in 30 A.D.

So don’t be treating Leviticus as some historical oddity.

It wasn’t just written for bible scholars and historians wearing glasses with ten-inch-thick lenses.

There’s something in this book for everyone.

That includes you.

Also, don’t think this book is only for the Levitical priests…

Whether priests who served in the past…

Or those who may serve in a future Temple in Jerusalem.

This book is for ALL believers.

Leviticus reveals the major elements of the Lord’s justice system (His MISHPAT).

It gives us a picture of how the Lord intends to bridge the gap between a fallen mankind and an infinitely Holy God.

And a BIG part of this picture is the principle of SUBSTITUTIONARY ATONEMENT and how it releases us from the sin debt we had been carrying.

Now there’s another important reason why we should study Leviticus.

It gives us the PRIESTLY WORLDVIEW.

Why in the world should that be so important to us?

Well, check out these couple of verses from the Book of Revelation.

“To the seven churches in the province of Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is,
and who was,
and who is to come,
and from the seven spirits before his throne,
and from Yeshua the Messiah,
who is the faithful witness,
the firstborn from the dead,
and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us
from our sins by his blood,
and has made us to be a kingdom and priests
to serve his God and Father — 
to him be glory and power for ever and ever!
Amen.”
-Revelations 1:4–6

Now I know there is gonna be some disagreement with what I’m about to say here.

But ain’t this verse saying that all blood-bought believers are priests of the Kingdom of God, whose King is Yeshua of Nazareth?

It’s not even an allegorical or metaphorical statement.

It LITERALLY says He has made us a kingdom AND PRIESTS.

Again, I’m aware that some will say that, when taken in its proper context, the Lord is referring ONLY to Levite Hebrews here.

They reason that Yeshua sent out disciples or apostles but never priests (I’m not saying this is wrong; I’m still studying this issue).

Regardless of whether or not all believers will eventually become priests, one thing is clear.

The Levite priests were called to serve as models of the Lord’s holiness.

And we are ALL called to be HOLY because the Lord is Holy.

So chew on this.

If we are all called to be holy…

And the Levite priests were meant to model that holiness…

Wouldn’t it make sense to study the very book where holiness is defined in such exacting detail?

Ya feeling me here?

One final point.

I wanna share some words from the Apostle Paul.

The very man gentile believers just looooooooooooooooooooooooooove to quote to substantiate their claims that the Law has been done away with.

Check these words out:

“Whatever was written in former times
was written for OUR learning,
so that with the encouragement of the Scriptures
we might patiently hold on to our hope”.
-Romans 15:4

Hmmm, this is mighty finger-licking interesting.

So what was WRITTEN IN THE SCRIPTURES was for our learning and encouragement!!!

And keep in mind that when Paul penned these verses, he was ONLY referring to the “Old” Testament.

Remember, the New Testament didn’t even exist at this time.

Paul says the Scriptures are there for our learning.

So, let’s learn ‘em!