Schoolmaster to Christ
LEVITICUS INTRODUCTION
Schoolmaster to Christ
LEVITICUS INTRODUCTION
Leviticus, the third book of Moses, opens with the words “And he called” (way yiqra’), and is so designated by the Jews. In Talmudic times it was also called Law of the Priests (torath kohanim). In the LXX it bears the title Levitikon (“Levitical,” an adjective modifying the word biblion, “book,” which is to be understood). The Vulgate designates it simply Leviticus.
The book of Leviticus contains the laws which are to govern the organized people of God in their religious and civil life. At Mt. Sinai the Israelites had been formally organized into the theocratic nation. The basic law had been given, and covenant had been ratified, and the Tabernacle had been erected. Thus, the Lord had taken up His abode in the midst of His people. Before the people could continue their journey to the Promised Land, however, it was necessary that they should know the laws which were to guide them in their worship of the Lord at the Tabernacle. These laws are contained in Leviticus. Hence, it is apparent that, although Leviticus is a self-contained unit, it is in its proper place and presupposes for its correct understanding the narratives of Exodus.
There is in the book a deep, underlying unity of plan and thought which expresses itself in a twofold way. First, Leviticus deals with the removal of that defilement which separates man from God and, secondly, with the restoration of the lost fellowship between man and God.
