WHO MAKES HOLY?

Many Christians consider reading the book of Leviticus very boring. There are many repetitions of commands and prohibitions with detailed regulations on various types of sacrifices and how to perform them. All of this certainly feels strange to us today. However, for the people of God in the Old Testament, understanding this is a necessity so that they can worship God acceptably.

These rules are given so that the people of God realize that God is holy. Conversely, humans are full of sin. God cannot be approached casually by sinful humans. Therefore, He reveals how we can approach Him. He establishes a way for humans to become holy so that they may please Him. He sets the rituals of washing and sanctification under the guidance of the priests. He also determines what can or cannot be done, including matters of food that are forbidden or allowed.

So, by obeying all of this, can someone truly be holy and pleasing to God? All of this apparently serves as a reminder for the people of God that there is sin that needs to be dealt with. And that cannot be done by humans. The Bible teaches that, in fact, all of this is just a shadow of something that God will do through Christ (Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 8:5, 10:1). He is the fulfillment, through His sacrifice once and for all (Hebrews 9:11-28). It is not the blood of animals or human purification rituals, but the blood of Jesus, the Son of God, that cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7). --HT/www.renunganharian.net