-
THE THIRD BOOK OF MOSES, CALLED LEVITICUS.
THIS book is chiefly taken up with the laws concerning their sacrifices and offerings, their meats and drinks and divers washings, and other peculiarities, by which God set the people of Israel apart for himself, and distinguished them from other nations: all which were shadows of good things to come, which are realised and superseded by the Gospel of Christ.—The Jews, according to their custom, denominate this book, from the first word in it, ויקרא wayikra; but the Greek and Latin interpreters call it Leviticus, because it is chiefly concerned with the ceremonial or Levitical law; in which the tribe of Levi were principally engaged.—We read, in the close of the foregoing book, of the setting up of the tabernacle, which was to be the place of worship: and as that was framed according to the pattern, so must the ordinances of worship be, which were there to be administered. In these the Divine appointment was as particular as in the former, and was to be as punctually observed. The remaining record of these abrogated laws is of use to us, for the strengthening of our faith in Jesus Christ, as the GREAT ANTITYPE of all the sacrifices; and for the increase of our thankfulness to God, that by him we are freed from the yoke of the ceremonial law, and live in the times of reformation.