For I am the Lord who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:45).
In Leviticus, “A holy God explains how to worship Him.” This is a major focus of Leviticus. God’s covenant people, Israel, are called to get their worship right before God. In Leviticus, we learn about the laws (rites, rules, and regulations) for worship that are authorized, acceptable, and approved by God. A key revelation of Leviticus is the establishment of the priesthood. In fact, the official title of this Book is “About the Levites.” Leviticus details the ceremonial laws that shaped the worship of ancient Israel. The family of Aaron, the brother of Moses, is ordained as Israel’s formal priesthood. This verse declares God’s charge to Aaron and the Levites: “That you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean, and that you may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord has spoken to them by the hand of Moses.” (Leviticus 10:10-11). As the book of Leviticus opens, we learn about two new developments. First, God’s presence and glory are now residing among the Israelites. Second, a central place of worship – the tabernacle – exists. Leviticus gives us this clear and urgent insight: worship matters to God, and it must always matter to God’s people. As New Testament Christians, we must know and follow God’s commands and instructions about worship. Leviticus challenges us to get our worship right before God and keep it right. VHH