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!