I never dreamed that such an integral relationship existed among the first five Books of the Bible! They are arranged concentrically. Like a chiasm, in fact. The theologians diagram it like this: A B C B A … with each letter representing one of the sequential Books of the Pentateuch.

By that I mean Genesis and Deuteronomy “match,” covering much of the same material, the same themes. So do Exodus and Numbers, the journeys of Israel being the focus of both.

And that leaves Leviticus standing “alone,” in the middle. But definitely as a complement (a completer) to the other four, the other two “sets.”

Here’s another way to say this:

Genesis … Prologue

Exodus … Leaving Egypt and building the Tabernacle.

Leviticus … THE TABERNACLE SERVICE, WORSHIP!

Numbers … Dedicating the Tabernacle and (preparatory) entering Canaan.

Deuteronomy … Epilogue

I trust you immediately see the “symmetry” involved in this beautiful Literary Achievement. The Holy Spirit is not only a Perfect Author, but the Ideal Arranger/Editor of Scripture too!

This clearly means that the Book of Leviticus CENTERS ON the Tabernacle.

Exodus ends with the Tabernacle built.

Numbers begins with the Tabernacle being dedicated.

And in Leviticus God teaches and legislates from the heart of the Tabernacle!

Wow!

Verses about the Tabernacle seem to “frame” (serving as “bookends”) the entire Leviticus Corpus, too.

Exodus 40:17, from the Book’s last chapter … “And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.” (Using both dates and a mention of the Tabernacle)

Then the very first verse after Leviticus has ended, Numbers 1:1 … “And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying …”(Also using dates and a mention of the Tabernacle)

Wow again!

This is a significant use of “inclusio” to show us how important the Tabernacle (“the tent of Meeting”) is to the Book of Leviticus.

It’s all about properly worshipping, approaching Almighty God!

Amazing!

Fellowshipping with God, the very point of all Scripture! Being “saved” by God’s Grace!

(I think we are going to enjoy this study of Leviticus.)

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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