Episode 437: Leviticus and the Gospel: How the book of Leviticus points us to Jesus (Part 1 of 2)

Greg Bryan teaches and explores the book of Leviticus, often considered a difficult book of the Bible. Greg points out that ancient Jews used the book of Leviticus to begin training their children in the law of God because they believed the laws given in Leviticus were the hub of Hebrew life. The New Testament quotes Leviticus a hundred times, and a thorough understanding of Leviticus helps understand the book of Hebrews.Key concepts discussed in the podcast include:•Scale: The immense gap between the holiness of God and the sinfulness of people. Leviticus emphasizes God's holiness and the pervasiveness of sin.•Sacrifice: Leviticus is filled with bloody sacrifices, teaching that sin is destructive and requires a payment. The blood of animals was used to cover sin. There were multiple types of offerings, such as burnt offerings, grain offerings, fellowship offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. These sacrifices visually expressed the cost of sin.•Substitution: The animal sacrifices were a substitute for the people. The sacrifices in Leviticus are anticipatory, pointing towards a better sacrifice, a better high priest, and a better altar in Jesus.•Surrender: Greg teaches how believers are called to surrender their lives to God on a daily basis.The podcast also covers the role of priests, who served as intermediaries between God and the people by offering sacrifices. The ordination of the priests involved blood being placed on their right ear, thumb, and big toe, symbolizing that they would hear, work, and walk with God. The hosts explore the laws about ritual purity found in Leviticus, including regulations about food, childbirth, skin diseases, and bodily discharges. The book also contains an account of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, who offered unauthorized fire before the Lord and died.. Greg also notes that God wants to be part of every area of life.