Leviticus: Holy God, Holy People

ESV Edition

By Kenneth A. Mathews, Series edited by R. Kent Hughes

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Leviticus is the message God spoke to his people through Moses as they prepared to depart for the promised land. It details regulations for holy living and sacrificial worship in Old Testament Israel. But does this book have anything to say to Christians today?

Aware of how easy it is to get lost in the rules and rituals outlined in Leviticus, Kenneth Mathews focuses this commentary on the common themes between Old Testament life and the New Testament Christian’s experience. His chapter-bychapter analysis illuminates the significance of ancient Israel’s sacrificial system and symbols, drawing parallels to Jesus as their perfect, once-for-all fulfillment. This commentary will train you to see the foreshadowing of Jesus’s sacrifice and the many ways a holy God atoned for our sin through Christ, so that you may teach and apply the truths of this foundational book with confidence.

Read Chapter 1


Author:

Kenneth A. Mathews

Kenneth A. Mathews (ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary; PhD, University of Michigan) is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches Old Testament and Hebrew. Kenneth and his wife, Dea, have two adult children and seven grandchildren.

Product Details

Category: Commentaries & Reference
Format: Hardcover w/ Jacket
Page Count: 304
Size: 6.0 in x 9.0 in
Weight: 20.08 ounces
ISBN-10: 1-4335-6574-9
ISBN-13: 978-1-4335-6574-8
ISBN-UPC: 9781433565748
Case Quantity: 20
Published: June 30, 2019

Table of Contents

A Word to Those Who Preach the Word
Preface and Acknowledgments

  1. Hearing from God before Seeing God (1:1)
  2. Commitment (1:2–17)
  3. Thank You, Lord! (2:1—3:17)
  4. Purging the Soul (4:1—5:13)
  5. Debt-Free (5:14—6:7)
  6. Handling Holy Things (6:8—7:38)
  7. The Mediator (8:1–36)
  8. The Glory of the Lord (9:1–24)
  9. The Priestly Mission (10:1–20)
  10. Dining with God (11:1–47)
  11. Born into the Family of Faith (12:1–8)
  12. Holy to the Core (13:1—15:33) 
  13. Day of Atonement (16:1–34) 
  14. Honoring God at Table (17:1–16)
  15. The Sanctity of the Family (18:1–30 and 20:1–27)
  16. Daily Christian Living (19:1–37)
  17. Raising the “Holy” Bar (21:1—22:33) 
  18. Holy Day or Holiday? (23:1–3)
  19. Worship for All Seasons (23:4–44)
  20. God’s Sacred Presence (24:1–23) 
  21. Free at Last! (25:1–55)
  22. Grace Has the Last Word (26:1–46)
  23. Promises (27:1–34)

Notes
Scripture Index
General Index
Index of Sermon Illustrations

Endorsements

“Dr. Kenneth Mathews is a superb student of the Holy Scriptures who always teaches the Bible with a view toward its proclamation. In this lively exposition, he shows us that Leviticus, though neglected today in many pulpits, is not only theologically seminal but also eminently preachable. A great contribution to this series!”
Timothy George, Distinguished Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

“Ken Mathews is a respected scholar and a faithful expositor. Both of these competencies are reflected in this work on Leviticus. Mathews brings to life the marvelous truths of a book that intimidates and therefore causes far too many to ignore it. This is a welcomed addition to this outstanding series. Read it and be blessed. Use it and bless your people.”
Daniel L. Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

“An illuminating treatment! Kenneth A. Mathews is among the few scholars who know how to discuss the legal texts of the Old Testament with appreciated aliveness, and that aliveness is vividly evident in his treating of the holiness theme in Leviticus. His new commentary illumines the text for preaching the gospel against the backdrop of Old Testament rituals and hopes. An excellent study!”
James Earl Massey, Dean Emeritus and Distinguished Professor-at-large, Anderson University School of Theology

“Dr. Mathews shows something of what Jesus meant when he said of Moses, ‘He wrote of me’ (John 5:46). He demonstrates that Leviticus is a book that foreshadows the riches of Christ the fulfiller. The preacher will find much help in this commentary for the task of showing that Leviticus is not to be dismissed as dull, legal prescription for ancient Israel, but is arresting, interesting, and relevant to Christian living.”
Graeme Goldsworthy, Former Lecturer in Old Testament, Biblical Theology, and Hermeneutics, Moore Theological College