“…it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”” – 1 Peter 1:16.
“…You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.”” – Leviticus 19:2.
A book of the Bible that is little referenced when thinking of the “top 10 most Gospel-saturated books of the Bible”, but is nevertheless jam-packed full of Gospel, is Leviticus. It’s this book Peter quotes in his letter, although whether he is directly quoting a single verse (there are several candidates including Lev 11:44–45; 19:2; 20:7, 26) or whether he means to summarise the theme of the entire book – something I have to say is quite likely – we’re not fully sure.
But what we can be sure of is that Leviticus teaches us the Gospel: there actually is a way back to God from our sins! How is it possible for unholy people to approach a holy God? Well let me tell you, says Leviticus. Even the opening words of the book hint to its purpose – The LORD called Moses… literally in the Hebrew it says: “and YAHWEH called…”. This is how the Gospel starts. With God as the prime mover; the one who calls.
If you were to continue reading you would eventually come to the very heart not just of Leviticus, nor indeed of the Pentateuch, but arguably of the masterful plan of God to save sinners in Leviticus chapter 16 – “Yom Kippur” – “The Day of Atonement”. Herein the plan of God to rescue his people through penal substitutionary atonement is laid before us, and the cross of Christ is foreshadowed.
And why is this? Why does the LORD call? Why did Christ suffer and die? To make his people holy as He is himself; so that He could know us and we could know Him; this is the Gospel, and Leviticus calls us to be holy – to desire holiness – to want it – to cherish it because it means we can be close to the living God – but every step of the way it reminds us too that it is completely and totally out of reach unless the LORD initiates in grace.
There could be worse ways to start this new year than to read Leviticus – better yet – why not commit to reading the Bible in its entirety in 2025? There’s still time to start!
Grace and Peace to you all,
Nathan