The book of Leviticus can be challenging for contemporary readers, but it has an important message for the modern church. Indeed, the laws outlined in this book are more than just archaic rules. Rather, they reveal the holiness of God and the forgiveness he offers to all who sincerely repent. In this accessible study, pastor Michael LeFebvre helps readers understand how the rituals in the Old Testament law point to Christ’s work of atonement at the cross—highlighting the riches of the gospel for Christians today.
“Portions of the law teach the holiness God requires of his people. Other portions teach the forgiveness God offers to restore sinners to holiness. The major focus of Leviticus is atonement,2 God’s provision for forgiveness. Readers often find Leviticus difficult to understand since it is written in the language of ancient ritual, with rules about festivals, sacrifices, ritual washings, and the like.” (Page 7)
“The Old Testament law (including Leviticus) is like the blueprints of a building: once the building is finished, its blueprints are no longer needed, but they are still useful for understanding the finished product. When we study these ‘blueprints’ of atonement, we explore the riches of what Christ came to fulfill.” (Page 8)
“The peace offering is the only sacrifice from which the offerer himself ate a portion” (Page 13)
“Hebrew title, however, is minhah, which means ‘tribute” (Page 12)
“This is the only offering that does not involve blood” (Page 12)