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The message of Leviticus

Profitable digging

THE MESSAGE OF LEVITICUS
By Derek Tidball
IVP. 327 pages. £9.99
ISBN 1 84474 069 2

After Ezekiel, Leviticus is surely the least accessible book of the Old Testament. We may know all about its sacrifices and priesthood and apparently random, sometimes controversial politically incorrect laws, but what does it mean for the contemporary believer — especially one who has already grasped the message of Hebrews? We have a great High Priest; the perfect sacrifice has been offered; atonement for sin is complete.

In this quite superb commentary Derek Tidball answers that question of showing just how important in terms of the unfolding revelation of the Bible Leviticus is. He picks the bones of the sacrifices, so to speak, and he shows how the book instructs its readers in the holiness of God and challenges them about consecration.

Leviticus knocks firmly on the head the idea (if we secretly harboured it) that God is only interested in what we do in church. Leviticus proves repeatedly that the command to be holy (which is the overriding theme of the book) is extended to every area of our lives and every room of our houses. And far from displaying a God who is cold, cranky and critical, we see through the chapters a God of grace, a God with a heart to protect the weak, the vulnerable and the disadvantaged. He is a God whose ways are clearly best for everyone, a God who has, as Thomas Binney’s hymn puts it, made ‘a way for man to rise to that sublime abode; an offering and a sacrifice, a Holy Spirit’s energies, an advocate with God.’

I guarantee that perusal of this book will encourage many an expositor to contemplate a preaching series on Leviticus which makes the inaccessible accessible. But, like the rest of the excellent BST series, this commentary will be profitable and enjoyable reading for any Christian who wants to dig a bit deeper into this neglected section of God’s infallible word.

Ann Benton,
Guildford