Background

Leviticus does not advance the narrative of Israel’s journey but deepens our understanding of God’s holiness and the way his people are called to relate to him. It provides instructions on the priesthood, sacrifices, and laws—moral, civil, and ceremonial—highlighting the need for atonement through blood sacrifice. If Exodus points to redemption, Leviticus points to reconciliation, foreshadowing Christ’s ultimate sacrifice that allows us to enter God’s presence (it can be read in conjunction with the New Testament letter to the Hebrews to show this). The book also provides insights into worship, ministry, and holy living, which remain relevant for believers today.

Key Themes

The Holiness of God – God’s nature is holy, and his people are called to live ‘set apart’ for him. This is highlighted through all the laws and rituals set out in the book.
Blood Atonement – Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins (see Hebrews 9:22) or way of reconciliation to God.
Sacrificial System – This was a temporary means of cleansing that points to Christ’s final sacrifice.
Priesthood and Mediation – Aaron as high priest prefigures Jesus, our eternal High Priest.
Clean and Unclean – While not all the distinctions between clean and unclean apply now, they teach us the principle of moral and spiritual purity in the Christian life.
God’s Presence Among His People – The tabernacle symbolises God’s desire to dwell with his people, fulfilled in Christ who ‘tabernacled’ among us (John 1:14)
Restoration and Jubilee – God’s redemption brings more than was lost, pointing to the ultimate restoration in Christ.

The Message for Today

Leviticus teaches that holiness is not just about following rules but about a life fully consecrated to God. Under the new covenant, holiness is not achieved by law-keeping but by the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. Though the specific regulations no longer apply, the principles of separation, worship, and obedience remain vital. We are now a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), called to live in God’s presence and reflect his holiness to the world. The chapters of Leviticus may at times seem distant from our daily life, but through Christ, we see its deeper reality: God’s holiness, the power of atonement, and our calling to be set apart for his glory.

The Different Kingdom Lens

The Cross at the Centre – Christ’s atoning sacrifice fulfils the entire sacrificial system, reconciling us to God (Romans 3:25).
The Blood of Christ – Unlike the temporary cleansing of animal sacrifices, Jesus’ blood fully redeems, justifies, and sanctifies (1 Peter 1:19, Hebrews 9:12-14).
Priesthood of All Believers – In the old covenant, Israel had priests; in the new covenant, we are the priesthood, given direct access to God (Hebrews 10:19-20).
God Dwelling Among Us – The tabernacle foreshadows Christ dwelling in us and among us as the church, and the ultimate fulfilment in the new heavens and new earth.
The Feasts and Fulfilment – Levitical festivals illustrate God’s redemptive plan, from the Cross (Passover) to the return of Christ (Trumpets) and the final restoration (Tabernacles).

At the heart of the kingdom is the sacrificial love shown at the cross and it calls us to live distinct lives in our culture, being like Jesus in the world (1 John 4:17). Central to this is experiencing the presence of God in all his holy love as it is the presence that marks us out (Exodus 33:15-16).