"O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." Psalm 119:97
Genesis to Deuteronomy make up the law, according to Jewish tradition. The psalmist, therefore, refers to the laws presented in these books.
I feel the same as he. I love these first five books of the Bible.
These books contain the knowledge of God, of His great love for mankind, of His holiness, His mercy, His righteousness, His judgments--all that we need to learn about the Creator of this world.
When Jesus spoke of the law, these books were His source. When the apostles spoke of the Scriptures, they were not referencing any of the New Testament books (except when Peter referenced Paul's writings in II Peter 3:15). Rather, they referenced all the books of the Old Testament.
If we approach the latter chapters of Exodus through to the end of Deuteronomy as lists of do's and don'ts, we miss the purpose behind them completely. The laws in these books revealed God's heart.
Through the many sacrifices and ceremonial rites, God revealed His plan for the coming Savior of the World. Through the details of how to build the tabernacle, He gives the Israelites pictures of His plans for them and all men, of Who He is and Who men are, of His desire for a relationship with us.
The law given then, pictured what would later be accomplished through Christ in perfection. The imperfect law could not do what the perfect Man, Christ the Messiah, has done.
"For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God." Hebrews 7:19
If we only had the law, it would point us to Christ, just as it did the thousands of Christians of the first century.
Is it important for us today? Yes! But often rejected by those who perhaps do not understand the value of the pictures God gave the Israelites of His master plan to save all men.
To understand Leviticus, one must delve into the symbolism God used to help the Israelites remember Who God was and what God had planned to do through them.
Over time, I hope to share with you what I am learning through my study in Leviticus. Perhaps you'll be able to say as the psalmist did:
"Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts....Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way." Psalm 119:98-104
