List of Words from the Pastor

The Book of Leviticus continues God’s revelation to His redeemed of how to function as “kingdom people.” In Exodus 19:6 the Lord had established two things: (1) His people are to be a people of worship (“a kingdom of priests”), and (2) He has called them to holiness (“you shall be … a holy nation”).

Contrary to common ideas about holiness, the tone of Leviticus communicates that “kingdom living”—even its worship forms—is an intensely practical way of life. Worship is blended with daily life in Leviticus, teaching us that worship was never meant to be seen as mystical, impractical, or occasional. Not only is daily worship taught here, but note that all “holiness” commands are essentially guidelines for healthy, life-nurturing practices.

While the legal aspect of this book is no longer binding, the regal guidelines for godliness which it presents are still applicable. The word “holy” occurs nearly one hundred times in Leviticus, far more than in any other book of the Bible. As a “kingdom of priests,” destined to extend God’s dominion of love to the nations of the world, God’s priority, purity, and practicality. The priority of being holy means we are to be solely the Lord’s, that is, “sanctified” unto Him—His alone. The purity of being holy relates to our obedience in observing those ways which keep us clean, and avoiding those which pollute our character. The practicality of being holy is that it produces happy, whole relationships, and all of life is enriched by this higher standard.

Church, Leviticus is full of concepts which can benefit today’s New Testament “priesthood” (i.e., every believer). “Kingdom living” is enhanced when holiness is seen for the beauty and health it affords, rather than as a rigid set of rules and regulations.

We can discover many truths in the Old Testament that are highlighted in the New
Testament, people and things that teach and guide us through our study of the word.

Moses is a type of Christ, for he delivers from bondage. Aaron serves as a type of Jesus as the High Priest (28:1), making intercession at the altar of incense (30:1). The Passover indicates that Jesus is the Lamb of God who was slain for our redemption (12:1–22).

The “I AM” passages in John’s Gospel find their primary source in Exodus. John states that Jesus is the Bread of Life; Moses speaks of the bread of God in two ways: the manna (16:35) and the showbread (25:30). John tells us that Jesus is the Light of the World; in the tabernacle the lamp stand serves as a neverfailing light (25:31–40).

Oil in the Book of Exodus symbolizes the Holy Spirit (27:20). For example, the anointing oil which was used to prepare worshipers and priests for godly service (30:31) is a type of the Holy Spirit.The fruit of the Holy Spirit is listed in Galatians 5:22–23.

A parallel list can be found in Exodus 34:6–7, which lists the attributes of God as mercy, graciousness, longsuffering, goodness,truthfulness, and forgiveness. The most direct references to the Holy Spirit can be found in 31:3–11 and 35:30–36:1, when individuals are empowered by the Holy Spirit to become great artisans.

Through the enabling work of the Holy Spirit, these individuals’ natural abilities were enhanced to perform needed tasks with excellence. It’s something that we’ve learned in our service to Jesus Christ, our Lord.

No theme is repeated more in the Bible than the testimony of the blood of the Lamb as the means of redemption. And no event is cited more often than the deliverance of Israel through the Red Sea. These two facts frame the picture of God’s people for all time: from Egypt to the present, He is saving people through the Lamb, and calling people out—making a way for their deliverance from past bondages into His freedom.

In summary, the unlimited spread and infinite timelessness of God’s dominion are kingdom promises that accompany His call to worship. Those two truths seem to speak to humankind, saying, “My eternal, boundless, personal almightiness is yours to share in, and My purposes in and through you will be assured their realization—if you fulfill your ‘kingdom calling’: worship Me first and foremost!”

Note God’s combined emphasis: His Word and worship. The giving of the Law at Sinai tends to overshadow the directions for the tabernacle which were given there also. The two sets of instructions reveal God’s Word and God’s worship as the foundation stones upon which His people’s destiny will be realized. The giving of the Law took forty days, while establishing the tabernacle of worship took over a year; the relative time involved shows how much more slowly we surrender to true worship, compared with the study of God’s Word.

As Genesis reveals humankind’s “kingdom” potential, Exodus unveils the fact that only in living to worship God can we find the way to possess the promises and fulfill the purposes He has for each of us.