In my review in 2021 of another book in this series, 9 Beatitudes, I referred to “this short book …”. This is not the case this time, for it is three times the size. Whereas the sentences in Matthew chapter 5 itemising the beatitudes are short and easy to read, chapters in Leviticus describing the offerings are long, often with quite complex sentences to read. I concluded that earlier review by saying that that book “assists our understanding of these words of our Lord, and exhorts us to practise them even more”. This book also assists our understanding, this time of these ancient sacrifices and ceremonies, and it too exhorts us to apply their meanings in our individual and collective exercises of worship, especially at the Lord’s Supper. The aim is to help us to enjoy and appreciate Christ.
This is a comprehensive treatment of the five principal offerings, consisting of 26 chapters which are deliberately short (“bite-sized” according to the Foreword), and structured to encourage serious study. At the end of each there are leading questions with space to actually write answers, along with personal notes. Appropriate hymns are also included: 25 opportunities to verbalise worship there and then (silently or tunefully)! Those who are acquainted with 19th Century books on this part of Scripture, for example CHM on Leviticus, will not want to abandon these, for they have stood the test of time. Their long chapters and more complex sentences are still very readable, but Craig’s treatment of this subject is refreshingly different and easier to follow in its 21st Century reading style.
Helpful sub-headings with alliterations appear throughout. At the end of chapter 1 are “Commitment to God, Communion with God, Cleansing from God; our basic spiritual needs are seen in these sacrifices. Describing the Burnt Offering (chapter 4) are the headings: Flaying, Fuel and Fire, Features and Fat, Full Cleansing and Consuming; about the Peace Offering (chapters 12-15): Purpose and Participation, Appropriation, Portion for God, Portion for the Priest and the Offerer; about the Trespass (Guilt) Offering (chapters 24 and 25): The Wrong, The Ram, The Righteous Assessment, The Restitution, The Restoration, then Sins, Solutions and Sacrifices.
Scriptures are quoted verbatim to help the reader, and there are 646 footnote references to check if necessary. This is evidence of the author’s painstaking work. Near the end there are five compact comparison tables and five relevant Appendices, four of them with seven subsections. For example, concerning The Wood Offering there are some good practical matters highlighted.
This work is an expansion of Craig’s writings in the magazine he edits, and of his interactions with others which he acknowledges. His enthusiasm for the subject and for the great exercise of worship comes across repeatedly as you read, and he wants that to be infectious. He writes: “It is our prayer that the delights of seeing the Lord Jesus in Leviticus will stimulate our worship and desire to serve our Lord even more faithfully.” “Worship is intimate and is not carried out in cold formalism, at a distance.” “The Peace Offering allows the priest and the worshipper to be a participator with God and not just a spectator.”
This is a book worth having and studying, especially by young believers.
Book Review by Bert Cargill.
Five Principal Offerings by Craig Munro is available to purchase here.
