Allen Ross confronts head-on the pastoral challenge that has caused many ministers to avoid Leviticus entirely: How can a book so dominated by ancient rituals and ceremonial laws speak meaningfully to contemporary congregations? Rather than skirting this difficulty, Ross embraces it as an opportunity to demonstrate the profound relevance of Old Testament worship patterns for Christian life and ministry. His work "Holiness to the Lord" serves as both scholarly commentary and practical preaching guide, showing pastors and teachers how to mine the theological riches embedded within what many consider Scripture's most forbidding book.

Ross's interpretive approach centers on the conviction that Leviticus provides essential theological foundation for understanding the entire Christian gospel. Through careful analysis of the sacrificial system, he demonstrates how each type of offering illuminates different aspects of Christ's atoning work that might otherwise remain abstract or poorly understood. His treatment of the purity laws reveals how holiness functions not merely as moral category but as the defining characteristic of God's people in every age. The commentary excels in showing how seemingly obsolete regulations actually provide sophisticated theological education about worship, sanctification, and obedience that remains as relevant today as it was three millennia ago.

The book's greatest contribution lies in its practical guidance for communicating Leviticus effectively in preaching and teaching contexts. Ross doesn't merely explain what the text meant in its original setting but provides concrete strategies for helping modern audiences connect with its enduring message. His integration of Leviticus with New Testament passages, particularly Romans and Hebrews, creates interpretive bridges that help readers see the essential unity of biblical revelation. This work proves indispensable for anyone committed to expository preaching or teaching who refuses to bypass difficult biblical material but instead seeks to demonstrate its continuing relevance for Christian faith and practice. Ross succeeds in transforming a seemingly impractical book into a vital resource for contemporary ministry.