Look at Leviticus

Leviticus has been called the 'widow maker' of Bible reading plans. You get through Genesis and Exodus with excitement and determination, and then, Leviticus. A huge chapter on skin diseases, old ceremonies that we don't perform any more, men being stoned to death. Can't we just skip it? I get much more out of James.

I think part of the answer is the read it quickly. I don't think it lends itself to twenty seven separate sittings, anything familiar seems a long way off after nearly a month. If you have thirty five to forty minutes each day you can read it in three chunks, which helps the flow, and helps you keep the big picture in view.

But whether we read Leviticus a chapter at a time, or ten chapters at a time, i think there are three things to look for that will help us as we make our way through.

Look for Separation

One of the main themes of this book is that man and God can't live side by side. It's not entirely safe for Israel to have the Tabernacle in their midst. It's not even safe for Aaron and the rest of the Levites. Something has to be done for man and God to have a relationship. Something has to happen for The LORD to stay amongst His people without wiping them out. And we have the same problem. You and I can't just stroll up to God and thump Him on the back. Our sins have separated us from Him.

Look for Substitution

Leviticus is the story of God making a way for sinful man. It's the story of blood, but not man's blood. Goats blood, sheep's blood, turtledoves blood, and failing all that, cups of flour. Sin has to be paid for either by us, or by a substitute. For unintentional sins, there is a way, God has made a way to cover His people in blood. And substitution is all of grace. You couldn't have made your way to worship holding a dove in your hand without realising how gracious God is. You and I can't, shouldn't go to worship, eat at the table, or read our Bibles without realising how gracious God is.

Look for Satisfaction

When blood is shed, God is pleased. When blood is shed men are safe. Leviticus then, holds our the heart of the Gospel. Men are separated from God, but can come near because of the blood shed by a substitute. God stays, men live in relationship with Him, they can feast and celebrate, and once a lifetime have the year of jubilee. Because God is satisfied with the blood that has been shed. He's satisfied not because a goat can pay for a man, but because that blood paints a picture of the blood His Son would shed, blood that faithful hebrews were looking towards.

So far from being irrelevant to we sophisticates living in 2014, Leviticus is as relevant as we can get. We, in 2014 are far from God, and we can only be brought back by a graciously provided substitute shedding His blood.