Holiness to the Lord: A Guide to the Exposition of the Book of Leviticus [Hardcover]

Allen P. Ross (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0801022851 | ISBN-13: 978-0801022852

At first glance, the Book of Leviticus seems like barren material for lively preaching. Most expositors merely skim the surface for messages on tithing or sabbath-keeping. Yet Leviticus is one of the most important books of the Old Testament; it not only describes the complete religious system of ancient Israel, it also lays the theological foundation for the Christian gospel. In Holiness to the Lord, Allen P. Ross enables preachers and teachers to mine the riches of Leviticus and deliver them to a contemporary audience. Following the same practical method he used in the acclaimed Creation and Blessing, Ross first carefully sites Leviticus within its context in the ancient world. Then he traces the development of God's plan of salvation-how Leviticus' laws, rituals, symbols, and events prepared for the complete revelation in Jesus Christ. Finally, unlike traditional commentaries, Ross offers helpful ideas for correlating Leviticus to New Testament teachings (particularly Romans, Hebrews, and Peter) and for applying the material in relevant expository form. Holiness to the Lord is every expositor's indispensable guide for interpreting the Law for the church and for elucidating Leviticus in practical, biblical messages about worship, sanctification, and obedience.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Allen P. Ross (Ph.D., University of Cambridge) is professor of Old Testament at Beeson Divinity School and has taught Hebrew grammar to seminary students for over thirty years. His publications include Creation and Blessing: A Guide to the Study and Exposition of the Book of Genesis and Introducing Biblical Hebrew.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The task of interpreting and applying the Law in the present age calls for the expositor to follow an approach to the text that will work consistently in every chapter, whether it contains moral law, or laws of sacrifices, or civil laws of property and debts. This commentary presents such an approach and demonstrates how it would work out in each chapter of the book. . . .

What I have done is try to show the expositor how to bring all the material together in the development of the exposition, formulate the theological principles from the text, and correlate the derived meaning with the full revelation in the New Testament of each subject included in Leviticus.

There is enough theology in Leviticus by itself to form very useful, practical messages about worship, sanctification, and obedience. But with the New Testament correlations these ideas will be elevated to the person and work of Christ. The exposition is not complete without revealing how God used these laws, rituals, symbols, and events to prepare for the complete revelation in Jesus Christ.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Baker Academic (July 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801022851
• ISBN-13: 978-0801022852
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,703,947 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll never read Leviticus the same way again., August 27, 2004

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Finding Amanda - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Holiness to the Lord: A Guide to the Exposition of the Book of Leviticus (Hardcover)

Dr. Allen Ross has taken what most Christians probably consider the most boring book of Scripture and opened it up theologically and historically to reveal the wealth and beauty God has placed there for those willing to learn and enjoy.

Intended as an expository guide for preachers (at which it succeeds wonderfully), this work is of tremendous importance and value to every Christian. Ross takes all the ritual and ceremony and law of Leviticus and shows how they were ultimately fulfilled for us in Christ. And in so doing he reveals to us aspects of Jesus' work we never realised or, if realised, never seriously thought about.

If you are looking for or interested in a work that will cause the scales to fall from your eyes and let the Spirit show you the riches of God's word as contained in Leviticus, this book is for you.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Resourceful, comprehensive guide to Leviticus, January 29, 2008

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C. Stephans - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Holiness to the Lord: A Guide to the Exposition of the Book of Leviticus (Paperback)

Ross does it all in this exposition about Leviticus. He fulfills the scholarly duties concerning the background, authorship, context and meaning of the book and offers insights on the theological explanations of the verses in Leviticus. He also emphasizes links to the New Testament and applications to Christians.

He includes a thorough introduction to Leviticus and formats the book in a simple, easy to read manner. He treats Leviticus from the perspective that it is an essential book for students of the Bible and especially for Christians to understand.

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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Resource!, January 4, 2007

By 

Benjamin Foxworth (Ellavlille, Georgia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Holiness to the Lord: A Guide to the Exposition of the Book of Leviticus (Paperback)

Holiness To The Lord is a well-written and outstanding resource on the Book of Leviticus. Allen Ross has written this commentary on Leviticus for both the layman and serious student of the Bible. Leviticus is a book of worship, and Ross writes his book on that premise. For every chapter, Ross gives the theological significance, outlines the main points, and gives an overall one-sentence synopsis of the chapter. With this structure in place, the reader can easily understand Leviticus for information and for preaching. Holiness to The Lord is a highly recommended resource for any pastor's library.