Evaluation
Overall Score: 8.2/10
A highly readable, theologically grounded guide to Leviticus that aids preaching and faithful teaching.
Summary
At a Glance
- Length
- 342 pages
- Type
- Application, Expository (Mid-Level)
- Theo. Perspective
- Broadly Evangelical
- Overall score
- 8.2 / 10
- Strength
- Makes Leviticus accessible and relevant without compromising the holiness of God or the complexity of the text.
- Limitation
- Not as technically detailed as advanced academic treatments, so best paired with a specialist commentary if deep exegesis is required.
The Message of Leviticus offers a lucid and pastorally grounded exposition of one of the most often-avoided books of Scripture. Derek Tidball moves through Leviticus with clarity and theological sensitivity, showing how its laws, rituals, and holiness code serve as preparatory sketches for the gospel and the people of God. This commentary is designed for those who want to understand the book’s original meaning and hear its relevance for the church today.
Tidball writes with the twin concerns of expository integrity and practical pastoral use. He engages the text, explains its ancient context, and then draws out how Israel’s call to holiness and God’s redemptive work in the wilderness point forward to Christ and the life of faith. Pastors, small‐group leaders, and thoughtful lay readers will appreciate how this volume invites them into a book that often lies dormant on the shelf.
Why Should I Own This Commentary?
First, this volume brings Leviticus into reach for pastors and teachers who are not looking for a technical treatise but a faithful, readable exposition. Tidball handles difficult sections—sacrificial laws, the Day of Atonement, the Holiness Code—with careful explanation and pastorally sensitive application. The result is a commentary that helps preachers craft sermons rooted in the text rather than forcing modernisation.
Second, Tidball is adept at showing how the themes of law, sacrifice, presence and holiness point toward the gospel. He does not collapse the Old Testament into the New, but he does show how the covenantal framework and the character of God unveiled in Leviticus prepare us for the fuller revelation in Christ. For pastors wrestling with how to preach from Leviticus with relevance and fidelity, this is a welcome resource.
Third, the writing is highly readable and structured for busy ministry life. Each section is manageable, the language accessible, and the focus constant on what it means for God’s people to live in light of His presence and character. While it does not match the exhaustiveness of a technical commentary, it provides the solid theological backbone and pastoral orientation suitable for sermon preparation, Bible studies, and personal growth.
Closing Recommendation
We recommend The Message of Leviticus as one of the stronger expositions in the BST series for pastors and church leaders who wish to take the book seriously. It aids in bridging the gap between ancient text and contemporary life without sacrificing theological rigour.
For any pastor planning a series in Leviticus, a small-group leader wanting reliable commentary, or a serious reader seeking faithful guidance through this challenging book, this volume is a wise and valuable investment.
Classification
- Level: Mid-level
- Best For: Busy pastors, Lay readers / small groups
- Priority: Strong recommendation