What I'm Learning from Handwriting Leviticus

When I finished Exodus and turned the page to Leviticus, I'll admit I wasn't excited.

Leviticus has a reputation for being the book where Bible reading plans go to die. Page after page of instructions, sacrifices, offerings, and details. It wasn't exactly the book I was looking forward to writing by hand.

But before I got too far, I realized I needed an attitude check.

My kids aren't fans of bees. The second we step outside, they can spot one buzzing twenty feet away. Meanwhile, I often don't even notice them. We tend to find what we're looking for.

As I started handwriting Leviticus, I decided to look for what God wanted to show me instead of focusing on my preconceived ideas about the book.

One of the first things I've noticed is the amount of detail. It felt overwhelming, and I started slipping back into a negative attitude. Then I thought about going to a doctor. I don't want a doctor who overlooks details. I want someone who notices the little things because details can make all the difference in a diagnosis.

That feels like what Leviticus is showing me.

As I've written these chapters, I've been reminded that the details aren't there because God enjoys complicated rules. They're there because people, holiness, and relationships matter to Him.

The details help us see a God who isn't distant or careless. He doesn't overlook sin, but He also doesn't leave His people guessing about how to come to Him. Leviticus shows a God who cares about every part of life.

I've also been convicted by how seriously God treats sin. Chapter after chapter describes sacrifices and offerings that were necessary because sin separated people from God.

"The priest shall make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven."

—Leviticus 4:20

The other day, I made a mistake at work. It wasn't intentional, but it created extra work for others. I carried that weight for the rest of the day—not because it was sin, but because I knew it affected other people.

Later that day, I sat down to write more of Leviticus. As strange as it sounds, it gave me perspective. Not because Leviticus erased what happened, but because it reminded me that God takes what separates us seriously—and He always makes a way for people to come to Him.

Reading these instructions also makes me thankful to live on the other side of the cross. What required repeated sacrifices in Leviticus was fulfilled through Jesus' sacrifice once and for all.

Maybe Leviticus isn't just a book of rules and regulations. Maybe it's a book that reveals a God who is both holy and attentive—a God who cares about the details and who made a way for sinners to come to Him.

And I'm only a few chapters in.

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About Make Monday Matter

Make Monday Matter is my weekly devotional where I share reflections on faith, running, and the small ways God shows up in everyday life.