“"In Order"”

Saturday, January 01, 2022

Leviticus has been called “the first book that a Jewish boy would have read in Old Testament days, but the last book a Christian will read.” That is unfortunate because this book, like the 65 others, has something to teach us (Rom. 15:4). As soon as the Tabernacle was finished, God set forth His commands concerning how worship was to occur and then sent the Israelites forth to Canaan. Thus, we see that the book of Leviticus records events that took place in about a month (Ex. 40:17; Num. 1:1).

            I am impressed with the phrase “in order” that is used in chapters one and six. All told, there are nine occasions between Exodus 26:17 and Leviticus 6:12 where God spoke about the Tabernacle or some facet of worship there and said something was to be “in order.” Our God is a God of order and structure (I Cor. 14:40). He had patterns for those in the Old Testament to follow and has patterns He wants us to follow (Heb. 8:5; I Cor. 11:1; I Pet. 2:21-22).

            We see what happened when Cain did not follow God’s pattern for worship (Gen. 4:4-5). It is evident God cares that things are done in a particular order. What would have happened if Noah had not followed God’s design for the Ark (Gen. 6:14)? What would have happened had the people not followed God’s pattern for the Tabernacle’s construction (Ex. 36-40)? Would God have accepted just any structure, or just any kind of worship, or just any kind of cargo vessel? We know the answer and see God’s consistent nature shine when He tells His people to put things “in order” in Leviticus one!

            Similarly, are there not patterns for us when we read the New Testament Scriptures? There are some who insist there is no New Testament pattern. We are told that the New Testament is a “love letter” and does not have commands for us to follow. Is this true? When we read the New Testament, is there not a pattern for worship (Jn. 4:24; Acts 2:42, 20:7; I Cor. 11:23-28, 14:40, 16:1-2; etc.)? Is there not a pattern for how the local church does her work (Acts 11:28-30; Eph. 4:12; Phil. 4:15-16; Rom. 15:25-26; etc.)? Is there not a pattern for marriage (Matt. 5:32, 19:4-9; Eph. 5:31), and for raising children (Heb. 13:4; Eph. 6:4)? How about just living day by day? Must we not also make sure that what we do is done by the authority of Christ and that our religion is “pure” (Col. 3:17; Jas. 1:26-27)?

            Notice that there is a pattern with God. He has things he wants done “in order” and woe unto us if we get them “out-of-order”! I believe many of the problems we face today result from people doing things without regard for God’s order! When we read Leviticus, let us be impressed that God wants things done “in order,” and let us respect that principle today!

- Jarrod M. Jacobs

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