introduction to leviticus - westminster theological...
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Exploring Leviticus
A Picture of the Holiness of ChristDr. Vern Sheridan Poythress
The Challenge of Leviticus
Leviticus is confusing.What does it have
to do with me?
Remember: “All Scriptureis inspired … and profitable”
(2 Tim. 3:16-17).God has a purpose.
Christ in Leviticus
So where doI get a clue? Christ taught us
about Leviticus.
What Can We Learn?In Luke 24, two disciples were despairing
over Jesus’ death.But the Old Testament predicted his
suffering and glory (Luke 24:2526).
What Does Jesus Say? He said to them, “How foolish you are,
and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (Luke 24:2526)
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:4447)
A. The Place of Leviticusin God’s Plan of Redemption
The Plan
So where doesLeviticus fit in?
Let’s look atthe big pictureof God’s plan.
God Unfolds a Plan
Creation
Consummation: new creation
Promise
Not chance!
you
Growing PromiseCreation promises final rest, Gen. 2:2
3.Victory over evil serpent, Gen. 3:15.Blessing, seed, land to Abraham, Gen.
13:15.Deliverance and covenant by Moses,
Exod.
Growing PromiseTabernacle as emblem of home and
rest, Exodus.God requires and provides holiness,
Leviticus.Travel in the wilderness toward home,
Numbers.Exhortation to enter home,
Deuteronomy.
The Place of Leviticus
Genesis
Creation
early history
Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deut.
exodus from
Egyptholiness
wilder-ness
prepar-ing to enter
FallP
romise
Plagues
Covenant
TabernacleC
leansingK
eep Holy
TravelingR
ebellionA
rrivalR
emem
ber
Exodus
Egyptianslavery
CrossRed Sea
MountSinai
Goldencalf
renewal
tabernacle
approachingthe tabernacle
(Leviticus)
Deal with God’spresence.
B. The Types in Leviticus
Significance of Types
God acted back then.Now what about me?
The picturesexplain
redemption!
God Gave Us Pictures (Types)
Redemptionfrom Egypt
Redemptionfrom sin
A pattern!
Interpreting the Old Testament
God spoke to them
TIME
God fulfilled his promises
in Christ(2 Cor. 1:20)
God has you in mind
Heb. 1:1 Rom. 15:4
Parallels from Moses to ChristPromise to saveSinGod has mercydeliverer: ChristFrom SatanSeparate from idolsBe holy (real)To new earth
Promise to saveSlaveryGod has mercydeliverer: MosesGo out of EgyptSeparate from
idolsBe holy (symbol)To Canaan
C. Holiness in Leviticus
Pointing to the Holiness of Christ
Why Holiness?
“Holiness” sounds stuffy.It snuffs out the fun in life.
Real holinessis the only way
to be really living:with God.
God’s Holiness for UsHoly Spirit comesHe destroys the old
man and gives lifeChrist is perfectChrist protects
Christ the MediatorChrist the PriestChrist the Veil (Heb.
10:20)
God comesGod destroys sinWho stands?God protects
MediatorPriestsVeils
Outline of Leviticus
I. The sacrifices (17)II. Consecrating the priests (810)III. Uncleanness and its remedy
(1116)IV. Maintaining holiness (1727)
Aspects of God’s Holiness
Penalty for sinApproach GodExpel sin
Life of goodness, justice, order, purity
Sacrifice (17)Priests (810)Remove
uncleanness (1116)
Maintain holiness (1727)
D. Applying Leviticus
Pointing to the Holiness of Christ
Relevant!
Applying the Lessons
So what do Ido with it?
Holiness affectsevery aspect of life.
Summary of ApplicationI. The sacrifices (17): rely on a
perfect sacrifice for removing sinII. Priests (810): have a perfect
representative to come to GodIII. Uncleanness (1116): get rid of
sinIV. Maintain holiness (1727):
keep God’s law and his order; reflect his character in you
Relevant!
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