Leviticus... An Irrelevant Book?

Articles

Luke Capps
09/29/24 - Article

Some of the key elements of the Gospel message are contained even in… Leviticus, the book of the Law. This is clearly evident as Jesus tells the well known parable of the Good Samaritan. The context: A lawyer questions Jesus on how to inherit eternal life (Luke 10:25). Jesus guides him to the greatest commandments — the second greatest being to love one’s neighbor (vv. 26-28; cf. Matt. 22:38-40). The lawyer tries to justify himself by dishonestly asking, “And who is my neighbor” (v. 29)? Hence, the reason for the parable; its conclusion was so clear that the lawyer confesses the truth (v. 37).

While Jesus tells a powerful story the lawyer asks a weak question. It was weak because it was only meant to deflect. But more pointedly, it was weak because the lawyer seems oblivious to what God has already clarified in His Law!

The context proves it. When Jesus is first questioned by the lawyer where does He go but to the Law itself (Luke 10:26; cf. Matt. 5:17-19)? Then, He shares the parable which simply illustrates what the lawyer should have already concluded in the first place; it was the practical application of what the Law had already specified on loving your neighbor. But, not only does the context of Luke 10 prove this but so does the original context of the quotation.

It’s comedically tragic that the lawyer was so blind to the Law as it was pretty detailed in who exactly should be considered a neighbor (Lev. 19). The quotation comes from Leviticus 19:18, “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.” Now, while there is plenty in the old Law that can be difficult to fully understand, this verse is pretty straightforward — especially when you look at the context.

Who falls under the umbrella of “neighbor” according to the Law? The context of Leviticus 19 encompasses:

The stranger and the needy (Lev. 19:9-10).
The “hired man” (NASB) — essentially a worker (Lev. 19:13).
The weak and the marginalized (the “deaf”, “blind”, and “poor”) (Lev. 19:14-15).
Those who you may be naturally closer with (“countryman”, those “among your people”) (Lev. 19:16-18).

Frankly, that seems to encapsulate most relationships, if not all.

Isn’t that amazing? Before we even get to the New Testament, before Jesus shares the Parable of the Good Samaritan, you find much critical detail about who exactly one’s neighbor is within the old Law. How did the lawyer miss that?

We cannot afford to make the same mistake, today, that he made 2000 years ago. Though, the case could be made that there are currently many who similarly overlook portions of God’s word all the time. For instance, one might say, “We’re under a New Covenant, so the old isn’t important anymore.” Really? That which points to the Gospel isn’t important (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:1-11)?

Another might say, “There was no benefit in the old law, so we don’t focus on it.” Why then does Paul speak of the Law as a blessing while talking to Christians (Rom. 3:1-2)? Here’s one spot where the Calvinist is so out of touch with Scripture. To suggest that there was no grace in the Law is to ignore what a beautiful blessing God’s revelation is in the first place.

Another could add, “The problem with the Jews in the 1st century was that they were trying to focus so much on the Law.” False. While there were many who were faithful (i.e. Zacharias, Elizabeth, Joseph & Mary, Simeon, Nicodemus, etc.) the majority of Israel was not. Jesus never rebuked the Pharisees for focusing too much on the Law but missing the point of it (Matt. 23:23). As Paul says, Israel failed because “…they did not arrive at the law” (Rom. 9:31). “For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God” (Rom. 10:2-3). The problem is the same today; people think they can get by without fully leaning on God’s Word.

God’s revelation should never be considered outdated, pointless, or irrelevant - no matter where we’re reading. If it seems as such then we are guilty of the same error as the lawyer in Luke 10. When we approach Scripture in this way we miss out on fundamental and beautiful lessons that God still intends for us to learn even in the 21st century.