Teaching Leviticus

"Geoff Harper shows that Leviticus is a vital book for the life of the Church. At its heart is the joyful possibility of life with God, many of the sacrificial rituals expressing this in terms of intimate fellowship. Desire for God, not legal requirement, drives the Israelite worshipper. The aim of Leviticus is to foster the holiness of the people of God. And to be holy is also to be joyful.

Harper draws on all his technical knowledge as a skilled Biblical interpreter, but his concern is to show how the text addresses the reader. He highlights its literary quality, drawing out features such as narrative and structure, and the nuanced use of language. His own writing has flair and imagination. The book is designed both as an encouragement and a resource for preachers. It really does the job of going from informed theology and exegesis to preaching the text, both individual sermons and whole series. In each section, themes for preaching are opened up, sermon outlines, with alternatives, are proposed, and thought-provoking questions supplied. Both the scholar and the pastor-teacher are warmly present here."

“This is a brilliant book! Most preachers do not have Leviticus at the top of their 'must-preach-before-I-die' list of Bible books. Geoffrey Harper claims that Leviticus, while underappreciated, is essential for grasping the full-orbed message of the gospel' (p. 11). Living with God's holy presence is the key issue of the book, he argues, and 'Leviticus instructs Israel about how to approach and survive that divine presence (p. 17).

Teaching Leviticus is worth getting simply for the masterly introduction with its overview of the Pentateuch and excellent advice on how to preach Christian messages from the Old Testament. But it is far more. It opens up, in engaging language, how to preach a series from Leviticus. Geoffrey Harper is one of that rare breed - an academic abreast of the latest literature and at the same time a practising expositor who is able not merely to write about preaching but to preach most helpfully!”

“For many of us the book of Leviticus feels unfamiliar, difficult, and, if were completely honest, it even feels a little bit odd. We know that this section of the bible is part of the whole, but were just not sure how it fits or what it means.

In this work, Teaching Leviticus, Old Testament scholar Geof Harper skilfully takes that which is daunting and unfamiliar and provides us with a framework of understanding the book that is both accessible and highly engaging. Harper's work is exegetically nuanced, theologically robust, and at the same time is pastorally informed and audience focused. With wisdom and warmth, Teaching Leviticus not only provides a resource for understanding Leviticus, but it also gives impetus as to why we ought to preach and teach it.

A much needed work.”

“If you're like me, then you probably find Leviticus overwhelming.

There are bizarre instructions about mildew, bodily discharges, and feasts. What can they possibly have to do with me today? This is where I thank God for Geoff Harper's Teaching Leviticus. This book is easy-to-read, witty and winsome, and gave me many ah-ha moments. I can finally read and understand Leviticus and see how it relates to me today.”

“This guide to Leviticus is exegetically robust, theologically rich, and full of helpful ideas for modern application. It handles the details well while helpfully staying focused on the big picture of the text. Harper has given us a true gift for teaching or preaching through Leviticus!”