Leviticus

Leviticus

I just finished the book of Leviticus in my yearly Bible reading plan. Leviticus is the third book of the Bible and picks up where Exodus leaves off. This book describes with incredible detail the pure and powerful presence of God- essentially His vast and somewhat dangerous holiness. It also describes how He made a way for corrupt people (Israel) to live in close proximity with Him without being completely destroyed by His holiness. This is accomplished through ritual sacrifices, the priesthood, and purity laws described in 27 chapters.

In years past, I found this book to be hard to read and understand. This year, however, the Lord has allowed me to see Leviticus in a new light. The book describes the immense splendor of God’s holiness, and how the magnitude of our corruption makes it impossible for us to get near Him. Even a hint of corruption (which we all have more than a hint) would cause us to be destroyed if we got too close. And yet, in His great mercy and love, the Lord gives Israel a way to live close to Him. He wants to be close with us, even after failing Him so many times. It is such a powerful display of His great love.

I even realized for the first time that being considered unclean wasn’t what I thought. I used to associate uncleanness with being wrong or dirty. I realized this time it was referring more to whether a person was pure (able to approach God’s presence safely) or impure (unable to approach God’s presence safely). It was a way for the people to know whether or not the holiness of God would destroy them or not if they got too close. It was for their safety, not a punishment or a judgmental label. It was a way to show that God’s holiness should affect every part of Israel’s lives.

Every part of the process of atonement and purification in order to live near God’s presence is laid out in detail and I couldn’t help but think how difficult it would have been for the priests and the people to remember how to do every step perfectly. I couldn’t help but think of many animals I personally would need to have raised and given to atone for my sins. The cost would have been enormous, but ultimately worth it to live near God. Still, the process was complex, and I found myself unable to remember the process for each type of sin. I reread it several times but was unable to get it right. How did the average citizen do it?

We see in later books of the Bible that Israel didn’t keep up with these sacrifices, instead they quickly abandoned following all of these statutes and rituals. Oh, how they needed a Redeemer to cover over all their sins! How they needed Jesus.
All of this I read as Easter approached. This year I have a whole new appreciation for Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. I am clean because of His sacrifice. I am fully atoned for. Praise the Lord almighty! I can enter His presence with confidence in Christ. It is mind boggling to think about. Christ’s sacrifice was everlasting. His great love for us, His holy life, His death, and His Resurrection bridged the gap between corrupt man and Holy God. I sit here in awe just writing about it. The Lord is mighty, indeed.