death. The epistle to the Hebrews lays down the principles upon which we are to interpret Leviticus and authenticates the use of typology to understand the book. This is third book of Moses and sits in the middle of the Pentateuch. Locating it historically, Israel had entered into covenant with the LORD at Sinai and the Law was at the heart of the covenant. Leviticus spells it out for the Israelites and particularly for the Levites who are about to take up their task of serving the Lord, this is “where the rubber hits the road.” Now Israelites are to live according to the legislation contained in the Law in the presence of a holy God. Everything was prescribed and this included the legislation of the sacrificial system. The Mosaic system of legislation covered every part of life and to keep it brought forth life and reproduced the holy character of God in human righteousness as it was later described by the apostle Paul in the context of his own life as a Pharisee: “Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; …touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless” (Phil.3:5-6). It was Moses responsibility to set up the sacrificial system and to instruct the priests how to sacrifice correctly. He had to instruct the people how to live with regards to sacrifice and how to benefit from its practice. Moses was not only the Law giver, but he was the teacher of the Law and the judge who applied the Law into everyday situations, the application of the law often required atonement to be made and therefore sacrifices were required.
New Life Radio – Talk No 18
3 Derrick Harrison
10/02/2021
