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. 10:1).
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. 14:29-30). 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. 15:38), 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. 1:2), 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. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13).
N. Simon