Does Levitical Law Apply To Me?
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In my conversations with several people who have been reading the Bible through this year, I have learned that some people are disturbed by what they are reading. They will read the Old Testament Law in Exodus and Leviticus and wonder what kind of God would demand all that stoning of people for disobedience. In order to fully grasp what is being communicated in these passages, it is imperative that we use good methods of interpretation.
Lack of good interpretation frequently leads two errors. The first error is one that I hear frequently, even in the church. You’ve heard it, too, “Oh, that’s the Old Testament, that doesn’t apply to Christians.” Or maybe, you’ve heard someone question the Bible generally, “How can a book written 2000 years ago still be relevant to us today?” This frequently leads to a rejection of the Bible altogether, or to a rejection of the Old Testament (or parts of it) altogether.
The second error people make in interpreting the Old Testament is a surface reading that everything in the Old Testament law applies directly to today. In other words, God’s laws as written in the Old Testament should apply directly today.
Unfortunately, neither of these approaches are beneficial in reading eth Old Testament Law. So, how are we to read the Old Testament Law found in various places of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible)? What I have outlined below are some very basic principles of biblical interpretation that apply to everyone who reads the Bible. Even if you are reading the Bible devotionally, and not as an academic or preacher, these principles apply.
First, remember that all Scripture is inspired by God. Otherwise, it is not Scripture. These books recount how God revealed Himself to the Hebrew people, how He was preparing them to become a nation, and the requirements of the covenant with a holy God. While these passages were not written to us, they were written for us.
Second, remember that the Laws (and all Scripture) was written to a particular people at a particular time. Part of the task of interpretation, before any application can be made, is to understand the context in which a particular text was written. Before we can understand what God may be trying to communicate to us, we have to understand what He was trying to communicate to the original audience. This is why it is so important that everyone who reads the Bible consult Bible dictionaries, commentaries, handbooks, and so on. Since I interpret and apply the Bible for a living, I have invested heavily in my library, so that I can carry out this responsibility faithfully. Your library does not have to be as extensive as mine, but a small investment will go a long way to aiding your understanding.
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This picture represents about half of my physical library. I also use Logos Bible software in which I have hundreds of other resources, such as all my Greek and Hebrew study aids.
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Third, remember to consult the “full counsel of Scripture.” In other words, ask yourself, “Are the topics addressed in this passage of the Law addressed in other parts of the Bible. More specifically, did Jesus address the topic you are reading about in the Law. For instance, Exodus 21:23-25 says, “But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.” Was this law discussed anywhere else in Scripture? Why, yes. Yes, it was. In the paragraph beginning in Matthew 5:38 Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” While the first command was actually a great benefit in that it limited the amount of revenge someone might take, the second puts aside revenge altogether.
Sometimes, the New testament make the Old Testament Law stricter, as in the case of revenge mentioned above. Sometimes the New Testament completely does away with the Old Testament Law. For instance, we no longer practice animal sacrifice because Jesus was the final and complete sacrifice for our sin.
Even if the Law no longer literally applies, there are still timeless truths that may apply to our situation. When we read the Law, we are always on the look out for the timeless principles that apply to us today. For instance, in my current local living in very urban Orlando, Florida, I don’t know many farmers. So, it would be very difficult to make a direct application of Leviticus 19:9-10, “Now when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. Nor shall you glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger. I am the LORD your God.” What the timeless principle? God is concerned for the welfare of the poor and desires for those who can meet the needs to the poor to meet those needs. This principle is taught throughout the Scripture.
Fourth, remember that the Old Testament reveals God’s holiness and high standards for His people. Too often we like to focus exclusively on a God of our own making. Like Ricky Bobby in Talladega Knights, we pray to the “tiny baby, Christmas Jesus.” We are comfortable with the loving and forgiving God, and we forget that God is also holy. This holy God does not require less of us as believers in Christ. The means by which our sins have been atoned for may be different (Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection rather than animal sacrifice), but our sins still must be atoned for. The means by which we become holy (following the law versus faith in Christ) is different, but God is still holy, and He still requires His people to be holy as well. The difference now is that He has placed His Holy Spirit within us to transform us and to empower us to live a life that pleases Him, and to “be holy as [He] is holy (Leviticus 11:45; 1 Peter 1:16).”
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