Sacrifice

One of the central practices of the people of Israel was the practice of sacrifice. Sacrifice predates the Book of Leviticus and the people of God at Mount Sinai. We can look back through the Bible and note that Cain and Abel offered sacrifice. They knew enough to understand the difference between a pleasing sacrifice and an unpleasing sacrifice that was offered to God. Noah offered sacrifice when the ark came to rest on Mount Ararat. Abraham sealed a covenant with God with a sacrifice. Job offers sacrifice in order for his children to be in a right relationship with God. God offered the first sacrifice when he provided animal skins for Adam and Eve, a garment to cover their nakedness and the sin that accompanied the fall of man.

At Mount Sinai, God lays out a series of sacrifices and explains what each sacrifice meant for the people as they lived with God. Reading through Leviticus this week, we see several different kinds of sacrifice. Each sacrifice was meant to touch on the life of men and help them live as God’s people. Since you and I live after the events of Jesus’ death on the cross, these pictures help us understand the great lengths that God goes to in order to offer a relationship with us. We see these sacrifices fulfilled in Jesus, but they still teach us something about living with God.

The Sin Offering (Leviticus 4:1-5:13 and 6:24-30)

Sin is a serious matter and it hurts our relationship with God. The Sin Offering was a way for God to teach His people about the serious consequences of sin. The Sin Offering required that the life of an animal be given. This signifies that sin leads to death. The blood of the Sin Offering was carried to the altar (to God) and sprinkled on man. This blood connects God and his people.

The death of Jesus shows us that Jesus died in our place. We call this substitutionary atonement. It means that the death we deserve because of sin was completed in Jesus. He took our place so that we would not have to die in sin.

The Guilt Offering (Leviticus 5:14-6:7 and 7:1-10)

The Guilt Offering was also called a Trespass Offering. When the people of God had sinned against one another by lying, cheating, robbery, or oppression, he has also sinned against God. He had trespassed God’s Law and was guilty of his actions. The Guilt Offering was a way to approach God and receive forgiveness. Restitution must be made as a result of the guilt that man carried. It helped to heal the breach that stood between neighbors or between an individual and God.

In Jesus we see that the cross heals the breach that stands between us and God. The sacrifice of Jesus also teaches us how we live in community with one another. It calls us to a life of service, kindness, and peacemaking.

The Burnt Offering (Leviticus 6:8-13 and 1:3-17)

The Burnt Offering was a voluntary offering. It signified a man’s desire to be committed or dedicated to the Lord. This dedication was the free offering of self to live by God’s standards. The Burnt Offering came from a man’s own herds and flocks. It was to be a perfect representation of the type of animal presented. No blemish or defect was allowed. It shows men that when we follow God, we give ourselves and our best to Him.

Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for us. He had no sin, was not guilty of wrong doing, and freely gave Himself so that you and I could walk with God. Jesus shows us that dedication to God must be freely offered.

The Grain Offering (Leviticus 6:14-32 and 2:1-16)

The Grain Offering was another dedicatory offering, like the Burnt Offering. It taught God’s people that the work of our hands should be offered to God. Man could bring a Grain offering in the form of grain that had been ground into fine flour, or as grain brought in the form of a loaf of bread. The bread was to be made without leaven. Service to God must be with a pure heart.

Jesus shows us that He was fully dedicated to God’s purpose. Even if that purpose led to a cross. Jesus did not veer to the left or right, but walked firmly with God.

The Peace Offering (Leviticus 7:11-36 and 3:1-17)

The Peace Offering came in the form of an animal given to God for His purposes. Part of the animal was burned. Part was given to the priests. And part was given back to the one making the offering. It signified a meal with God. It taught man that God desired fellowship with His people and was the creator of the community that man enjoys with God and His people.

Jesus provides us a place in the family of God through His death on the cross. You and I are invited to eat at the Lord’s table and to experience fellowship with the Body of Christ.

There is much more to be said and learned from the sacrificial system in Leviticus. The idea is see God at work both in the lives of the Israelites and in your life today. Jesus stands as the perfect sacrifice, offering us forgiveness, atonement, relationship, and peace with God. As you embed the Bible this week, remember that God loves you and provides a way for you to walk with Him.