With the building of the tabernacle, a new stage of God’s dealings with his people arrives. It’s like a new world – which is why there are “sevens” everywhere and why the tabernacle is like Eden in many ways. And at this point God has come to live nearer to his people than before – which is both wonderful and dangerous. Leviticus is, therefore, a book of house rules for God’s young children at that stage in history and it teaches them how to keep clean and tidy and how to grow in character like their father.

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The uncleanness laws of chapters 11-15 relate to death and the curse. It is not that uncleanness is itself sin but rather that God gave his children a picture system to teach them how to make distinctions. This would help them grow to be like their Father who also makes distinctions (as in Genesis 1). Clean animals, in chapter 11, are those which keep away from death and curse-dirt by wearing shoes and by digesting their food extra-thoroughly. Chapter 12 talks about childbirth and chapters 13 and 14 about ‘leprosy’. Chapter 15 shows that what comes out of us is death until we are made new in Jesus.

The best way to understand the Ascension is to follow the example of Hebrews and get to grips with the Tabernacle and the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). I’ve tried to do this in the post below, which I wrote a few years ago and added in the Ascension Day cards I sent to various friends (yes, I made the Ascension Day cards myself!). I’m still trying to work out the exact symbolism of the holy place and the courtyard – and had a very enjoyable lunch today discussing this – so this is by no means my final thoughts.

Maybe one day I’ll do some posts about the symbolism of the Tabernacle – and why it’s the ultimate visual aid for explaining the gospel!