Leviticus
In Leviticus Jehovah is dwelling in the midst of His redeemed people. Here we have instruction as to how a redeemed people may approach God. It provides beautiful pictures of the sacrificial and priestly work of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As the children of Israel journeyed through the wilderness, the tabernacle formed the center of their encampments (Numbers 2). Constructed according to the pattern given to Moses on Mt. Sinai, it consisted first of a court, and then within the court the tabernacle itself.
The tabernacle (or tent of meeting) was divided in two: the Holy place and, separated by a veil, the Holy of Holies, where was the Ark of the Covenant. It was from within the Holy of Holies that Jehovah was looked upon as dwelling in the midst of His redeemed people. Approach to God was to be in the directed way, in a suited state, and through one of God’s appointed priests.
In considering this book, it’s good to remember the contrasts drawn in the book of Hebrews: “The law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect” (Heb. 10:11For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. (Hebrews 10:1)).
Numbers
The Hebrew title of this book, “In the Desert,” appropriately summarizes its historic content. The book takes us from Mt. Sinai to the plains of Moab by the Jordan River. Service and walk characterize Numbers.
It is important to note that worship (Leviticus) follows redemption (Exodus) and must have its due place before service (Numbers). Through unbelief, all those twenty years old and upward among the nation of Israel perished in the wilderness, except Joshua and Caleb (Num. 14:29-3029Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, 30Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. (Numbers 14:29‑30)). These two faithful men, numbered among the twelve spies, alone stood for Jehovah and His truth.
Though in the wilderness, the Promised Land was always to be before the children of Israel. A ribbon of blue was to fringe the borders of their garments (Num. 15:3838Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: (Numbers 15:38)), as it should ours figuratively, reminding us that we are a heavenly people. God would not have us in Egypt—the world. He would not have us in the wilderness either—the world as it appears to the eye of faith.
Deuteronomy
The Greek title that we have retained from the Septuagint means “the second law” or “the law repeated.” However, this does not correctly describe the contents of this book. It would be a serious mistake to consider this book a mere repetition of what has gone before. The Hebrew title derives from the first verse and means “words.”
Unlike Exodus or Numbers, which have a large historic content, Deuteronomy is almost entirely the words of Moses, which he rehearsed in the ears of the people before they entered the land. Whereas Leviticus is addressed to the priests, Deuteronomy is addressed to the people. It was eleven days’ journey from Horeb to Kadesh-barnea (Deut. 1:22(There are eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadesh-barnea.) (Deuteronomy 1:2)), but now some forty years later, a new generation (except Joshua and Caleb) is about to enter the land. Thus, Moses begins in the first three chapters rehearsing a brief summary of God’s ways with them.
What lessons He had taught them in the wilderness, not only of their own weakness, but also of the infinite holiness, patience, grace and love of Jehovah! Statutes and ordinances to be observed in the land are then presented. Deuteronomy supposes them in the land, and, sadly, it presupposes their failure.
It is interesting to note that it is Deuteronomy which is most frequently quoted in the New Testament. Though the children of Israel did indeed fail, we see in beautiful contrast the One that did always the will of the Father. The three quotes used by our Saviour in answering the tempter are taken from this book (Matt. 4:1-111Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. (Matthew 4:1‑11); Luke 4:1-131And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. 3And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. 4And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. 5And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. 7If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. 8And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 9And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: 10For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: 11And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 12And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 13And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. (Luke 4:1‑13)).
N. Simon