Community Life Church. Old Testament Sacrifices

Transcription

1 Community Life Church Old Testament Sacrifices

2 Contents 1. Introduction The Burnt Offering The Nature of the Offering The Offerer's Work The Priest's Work God's Portion The Priest's Portion The Offerer's Portion New Testament Application Jesus Christ The Lamb of God The Believer s Response The Grain or Meal Offering The Nature of the Offering Uncooked Flour Unleavened Cakes Roasted Grain Restrictions No Leaven No Honey With Oil With Salt Frankincense The Offer's Work The Priest's Work God's Portion The Priest's Portion The Offerer's Portion New Testament Application The Sin Offering The Nature of the Offering The Offerer's Work The Priest's Work The Blood The Fat The Carcass God's Portion The Priest's Portion The Offer's Portion New Testament Application The Trespass Offering The Trespasses The Nature of the Offering The Offer's Work The Priest's Work of 34 30/03/2015

3 5.5. God's Portion The Priest's Portion The Offer's Portion New Testament Application The Peace Offering The Nature of the Offering The Offer's Work The Priest's Work God's Portion The Priest's Portion The Offer's Portion New Testament Application Bibliography This study is based on the work done by C. W. Slemming in his book Thus Shalt Thou Serve. 3 of 34 30/03/2015

4 1. INTRODUCTION After the Fall, Adam and Eve sought to hide their shame and make themselves presentable by covering themselves with leaves. God made a covering for them through the sacrifice of an innocent animal. Satan might have fully expected Adam and Eve to have been slain in fulfilment of God's word 1, but God slue an animal in their stead. The Mosaic Law brought regulations and restrictions which helped define sin. It also brought detailed regulations of the offerings required and the priesthood who would make intercession for the people. The Old Testament offerings, with one exception were sacrificial, requiring the shedding of blood. The Law specified in the smallest detail what the offering or sacrifice was to be and how to was to be offered. Nothing was left to suppliant s imagination or interpretation. Only his obedience was required. The offerings describe how a sinful human being might be accepted by a perfect and righteous God. A man can be accepted by God through offerings only because God has first made that way available. The holiness of God demands a sacrifice and the perfection of God requires that the offering be the best. The divine instructions had to be kept in detail. This was how Jesus lived His life, carefully fulfilling all the Scriptures that concerned his life. John 19:28. After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" Within the Mosaic Law five offerings were presented, each of which describes something of the sacrificial work the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world 2. The writer of the book of Hebrews informs us that these offerings were in themselves incapable of cleansing anyone from sin, or making anyone perfect before God. Heb 10:1-4. For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. {2} For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. {3} But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. {4} For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. These imperfect sacrifices were made at an imperfect altar by an imperfect priesthood. They were a statement of repentance and of faith. In making the 1 Gen 2:17. "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." 2 Rev 13:8. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 4 of 34 30/03/2015

5 sacrifice the person was admitting their guilt and need of God's mercy, and they were looking forward to God's sacrifice, as Abraham said: Gen 22:8 And Abraham said, "My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering..." The offerings are detailed within the book of Leviticus. The first five chapters each describe one of the offerings: Chapter 1 is the Burnt Offering, Chapter 2 is the Meal Offering, Chapter 3 is the Peace Offering, Chapter 4 is the Sin Offering, Chapter 5 is the Trespass Offering. Chapters 6 and 7 gives the law of the offerings, which details how the priests were to make the offerings. But here the order of the offerings is changed: Firstly there is the Burnt Offering, Secondly there is the Meal Offering, Thirdly there is the Sin Offering, Fourthly there is the Trespass Offering, Fifthly there is the Peace Offering. This deliberate change of order teaches us something. In the first list the Peace Offering is grouped with the Burnt Offering and the Meal Offering, since all three are described as "sweet savour offerings" which means they were voluntary or free will offerings. The Sin and Trespass Offerings were both obligatory. Within the second list the Peace Offering is last because peace is the effect of obedience in the other offerings. Four of the offerings involved the slaying of an animal. The fifth offering, the meal offering, was made with grain. The animals offered were always domesticated animals and always herbivores. The animals also had to be free from blemish. 2. THE BURNT OFFERING References Leviticus 1:1-17 and Leviticus 6:9-13 This free will offering was called the Burnt Offering because the fire on the altar was never allowed to go out. Lev 6:9-13 "... The burnt offering shall be on the hearth upon the altar all night until morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it.... {12} And the fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not be put out. And the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order on it; and he shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings. {13} A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out. Although the offering was according to the willingness of the person, the manner and the place of the offer were regulated to the finest detail. 5 of 34 30/03/2015

6 2.1. THE NATURE OF THE OFFERING The animal chosen for the offering was according to what a person possessed. A male from the herd or a male from the sheep or goats, or a dove or a pigeon could be sacrificed, so long as it was without blemish. All these animals are domestic animals, which did not kill other animals for food. If a person was sufficiently wealthy to own a herd, then that person must offer a bull. Nothing else would have been sufficient or acceptable. God was requiring the best, something that costs. Unless the offering cost something, then it is worth nothing. We cannot serve God with our leftovers and spares. He requires the first fruits, the best of our life. When we give that which is second best to God then He is offended: Mal 1:7-8 "You offer defiled food on My altar. But say, 'In what way have we defiled You?' By saying, 'The table of the LORD is contemptible.' {8} And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favourably?" Says the LORD of hosts. Mal 1:13-14 You also say, 'Oh, what a weariness!' And you sneer at it," says the LORD of hosts. "And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?" says the LORD. {14} "But cursed be the deceiver who has in his flock a male, and takes a vow, but sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished; for I am a great King," says the LORD of hosts, "and My name is to be feared among the nations. Doves and pigeons were or similar worth but were edible (and therefore acceptable) at different times in the year THE OFFERER'S WORK Lev 1:3-4. 'If his offering is a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish; he shall offer it of his own free will at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the LORD. {4} Then he shall put his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. The worshipper was under no compulsion or obligation to make this sacrifice. Offerings given for the wrong motive are not acceptable to God. The purpose of the offering was fellowship with and acceptance by the LORD. Each of the sacrifices involved the person placing his hands on the head of the animal which was about to die. This was a heavy pressing of the hands so as to make, as it where, an imprint. This was an act of identification, and also of the transference of guilt and sin to the animal. The animals were recognised as the person s substitute. 6 of 34 30/03/2015

7 Lev 1:5-6. Old Testament Sacrifices 'He shall kill the bull before the LORD; and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood and sprinkle the blood all around on the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of meeting. {6} And he shall skin the burnt offering and cut it into its pieces. The making of an offering was not a quick, nor a clean affair. One could not quickly hand the animal over to someone else, and then leave. The worshipper s own sin was responsible for the death of the animal, and he had to kill the animal. He was not saved form the unpleasantness of his responsibilities. The offer could not however present the sacrifice; he needed a mediator, a priest to do that for him. The animal was skinned and dissected by the worshipper for careful internal inspection. Lev 1:11 'He shall kill it on the north side of the altar before the LORD; and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall sprinkle its blood all around on the altar. Jesus was killed on the north side of Jerusalem THE PRIEST'S WORK Lev 1:8-9. Lev 1:11. 'Then the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat in order on the wood that is on the fire upon the altar; {9} but he shall wash its entrails and its legs with water. And the priest shall burn all on the altar as a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD. 'He shall kill it on the north side of the altar before the LORD; and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall sprinkle its blood all around on the altar. The priest had to offer up the sacrifice and in doing so he acted as a mediator for the worshipper, who could not approach God on his own, by his own efforts or by his own merits. The animal was deliberately dissected and placed in order on the altar. For the New Testament worshipper the various animal parts cause us to consider the surrendering of the various aspects of our life to God. The head reminds us of the mind and the intellect. The fat alludes to the health and virility. The entrails or the inward parts suggest the heart, the will and the affections. The legs represent the walk and the conduct. The term "a sweet aroma" is only used for free will offerings. The sacrifice of Christ was a sweet smelling aroma because it was a free will offering. 7 of 34 30/03/2015

8 Eph 5:2. Old Testament Sacrifices And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. To walk in love is to walk as a living sacrifice; our lives given to others. Paul also describes the Philippian Church s monetary gift as a sweet-smelling aroma. Phil 4: GOD'S PORTION Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. In Deuteronomy this offering is described as a whole burnt offering 3 since the whole of the animal was offered on the altar. The whole of the animal is said to be offered to the Lord, the priest and the worshipper had no portion in this offering. However there is no mention of the animal s skin being placed upon the altar or being burnt THE PRIEST'S PORTION Although the priest had no portion of the meat from this sacrifice, he was given the skin which was the evidence that a life had ended. Lev 7:8. 'And the priest who offers anyone's burnt offering, that priest shall have for himself the skin of the burnt offering which he has offered THE OFFERER'S PORTION The worshipper had no portion at all in this offering. In fact the only offering is which the worshipper had a share was the Peace Offering NEW TESTAMENT APPLICATION Jesus Christ The Lamb of God It takes all the Old Testament offerings to describe the achievement of Christ s death on the cross. Each of the five offerings reveals an aspect of Jesus work. The Whole Burnt Offering reveals the work of the Son towards the Father. It symbolises Jesus total dedication, commitment and consecration to the will of His Father. Jesus said: John 5:30. John 6:38. "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 3 Deut 33:10. They shall teach Jacob Your judgements, and Israel Your law. They shall put incense before You, and a whole burnt sacrifice on Your altar. 8 of 34 30/03/2015

9 John 4:34. Old Testament Sacrifices Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. The writer of Hebrews describes how Jesus offered himself to God: Heb 9: For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, {14} how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? The Believer s Response This offering and the life and death of Christ remind us that God wants the complete and entire consecration of our life to Him and His will. 3. THE GRAIN OR MEAL OFFERING References Leviticus 2:1-16 and Leviticus 6: The Meal or Grain Offering was an offering of cereal, and is the only offering that did not involve the sacrifice of an animal. The term sacrifice is reserved for offerings where an animal was slain which signified a life surrendered. The Authorised Version used the word oblation for the Meal Offering which means a thing offered or presented to God. Were the Burnt Offering typified the total surrender of our lives to God, the Meal Offering signifies the offering of our gifts (talents) or service to God. The Hebrew word used for Meal Offering is minchab which refers to a gift of an inferior to a superior, and is sometimes translated as present within Scripture. It is used of the present with which Jacob appeased Esau when he humbled himself. 4 It is also used of the present that the Patriarchs brought when they humbled themselves before the Governor of Egypt, their brother Joseph. 5 So there is a realisation of coming to a superior intended in this offering. The worshipper was coming before the king of Heaven, and He should not be approached lightly or flippantly THE NATURE OF THE OFFERING There were three alternative ways of presenting this offering. The worshipper could bring Uncooked Flour, Unleavened Bread or Roasted Grain. We shall look at these in turn. 4 Gen 32: And he commanded the first one, saying, "When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, saying, 'To whom do you belong, and where are you going? Whose are these in front of you?' {18} "then you shall say, 'They are your servant Jacob's. It is a present sent to my lord Esau; and behold, he also is behind us.'" 5 Gen 43:26. And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed down before him to the earth. 9 of 34 30/03/2015

10 Uncooked Flour Lev 2:1-3. 'When anyone offers a grain offering to the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour. And he shall pour oil on it, and put frankincense on it. {2} He shall bring it to Aaron's sons, the priests, one of whom shall take from it his handful of fine flour and oil with all the frankincense. And the priest shall burn it as a memorial on the altar, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD. {3} The rest of the grain offering shall be Aaron's and his sons. It is most holy of the offerings to the LORD made by fire. Here the meal was offered back to God in its raw state. We can similarly serve God by offering back to him the talents he has given us. He has given us time, we can use some of our time in attending church and serve in various ways as we feel we are able. He has given us a Bible, we can read it. He has given us money; we can support the work of the Lord. All such things are acceptable to the Lord Unleavened Cakes Lev 2:4-13. And if you bring as an offering a grain offering baked in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil. {5} But if your offering is a grain offering baked in a pan, it shall be of fine flour, unleavened, mixed with oil. {6} You shall break it in pieces and pour oil on it; it is a grain offering. {7} If your offering is a grain offering baked in a covered pan, it shall be made of fine flour with oil. {8} You shall bring the grain offering that is made of these things to the LORD. And when it is presented to the priest, he shall bring it to the altar. {9} Then the priest shall take from the grain offering a memorial portion, and burn it on the altar. It is an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD. {10} And what is left of the grain offering shall be Aaron's and his sons. It is most holy of the offerings to the LORD made by fire. {11} No grain offering which you bring to the LORD shall be made with leaven, for you shall burn no leaven nor any honey in any offering to the LORD made by fire. {12} As for the offering of the firstfruits, you shall offer them to the LORD, but they shall not be burned on the altar for a sweet aroma. {13} And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt. In the second alternative the raw flour is taken and some effort is applied to turn it into something edible and tasty, and into something that could be shared with others. The life of the worshipper now becomes a yielded life where effort is applied to service. The Bible is no longer just read but meditated upon, rightly divided, studied and shared with others. Giving becomes considered, 10 of 34 30/03/2015

11 systematic and sacrificial. Gifts and talents are honed through training. The life is purposeful and disciplined. We note the offering of the Unleavened Cakes was cooked in accord to what a person possessed; whether it was an oven, a covered pan or a frying pan. Paul wrote: 2 Cor 8:12. For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. God knows the talents and abilities that we possess, and it is these that we can consecrate to God s service. We are not expected to use talents we do not possess Roasted Grain Lev 2: If you offer a grain offering of your firstfruits to the LORD, you shall offer for the grain offering of your firstfruits green heads of grain roasted on the fire, grain beaten from full heads. {15} And you shall put oil on it, and lay frankincense on it. It is a grain offering. {16} Then the priest shall burn the memorial portion: part of its beaten grain and part of its oil, with all the frankincense, as an offering made by fire to the LORD. The third way in which the grain could be offered was roast in the fire. This is illustrative of service which has been proven and tested by fire. Here the saint has had their faith tested; they have proven the promises of God; they have endured hardships or persecution. 1 Pet 1:6-7. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, {7} that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 1 Pet 4: Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; {13} but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. The New Testament warns disciples that they can expect difficulties and trials. Mat 5: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {11} Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. {12} Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 2 Tim 3:12. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 11 of 34 30/03/2015

12 3.2. RESTRICTIONS No Leaven Lev 2:11. No grain offering which you bring to the LORD shall be made with leaven, for you shall burn no leaven nor any honey in any offering to the LORD made by fire. The offerings were to be made without leaven. If leaven is present in the bread dough when heat is applied, it causes the whole lump to go through violent commotion and uprisings. Throughout Scripture leaven typifies sin. 1 Cor 5: Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? {7} Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened Christ s offering of service was made without any sin. 2 Cor 5:21. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 1 Pet 2:22. "Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 1 John 3:5. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. All of our service is to be done without the sins of pride and self-interest. There should be no ill-motive in our service of the Lord. The Pharisees attempted to serve God with covetous in their own hearts. They sought wealth and prestige. Jesus warned his disciples: Mat 16:6. "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees." Paul warned the Philippian church: Phil 2:3. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself No Honey Lev 2:11. you shall burn no leaven nor any honey in any offering to the LORD made by fire. According to Dr. V. Raymond Edman roasted barley is tasteless if no sweetening is added, but the commandment ensures that there was no added sweetener to make it more palatable. When we preach about the service of Christ, his works, words and sacrifice, we are not to add anything to make it more palatable for human taste. The message may appear foolish 6 to many, but we are not to dress it up to entice people. 6 1 Cor 1:22-24 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; {23} but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, {24} but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 12 of 34 30/03/2015

13 We too are to follow Christ s example of enduring suffering and hardship for the sake of the gospel, whilst not expecting the pleasures of this world With Oil The cakes were to be made with or anointed with oil. Oil typifies the anointing that sets apart prophets and kings in the Old Testament. This symbolises the presence of God s Holy Spirit upon the New Testament believer s life. Not only should our service be devoid of pride and selfish ambition, it must also be done in conjunction with the Holy Spirit. Rom 8:14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God With Salt Lev 2:13. 'And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt. The offering was to be seasoned with salt so as to bring out its true flavour so that it may be enjoyed to the full. Salt was also used as a preservative to prevent putrefaction Reference is also made to the salt of the covenant. A covenant of salt was practised by the many in the ancient Middle-East and was used to establish a relationship of friendship between people. For Israel it was a declaration that they were in relationship with God. Christ s service flowed from his relationship with His Father. John 5:30. "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. Similarly our works for God should flow out of our relationship with God. Jesus said: John 15:5. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. Self-effort, sacrifice, will power and hard work all amount to nothing if we are not in a right relationship with God. Jesus clarifies the required self-denial of discipleship, using the type and shadows of the law concerning sacrifices. Mark 9: "For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. {50} Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavour, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another." Everything offered as a sacrifice was to be burnt with fire, and every sacrifice was to have the salt of the covenant applied. Fire purifies and salt preserves. The effectiveness, or saltiness, of our spiritual life is borne out in our relationships with those around. 13 of 34 30/03/2015

14 Frankincense Frankincense is a spice that was burned with sacrifices to bring forth its pleasant aroma. It symbolises our prayers and intercession. Our service is to be accompanied by a prayer life that sustains and directs us. Without such prayer our labour can become dry, unsustainable, a chore or even an unbearable burden. The gospels record how Jesus, who lived the most significant life ever lived, would spend long nights in prayer. It was his prayer life that brought him direction. It was his prayer life that helped him make decisions. It was his prayer life that sustained him THE OFFER'S WORK Lev 2:2. He shall bring it to Aaron's sons, the priests Having prepared the offering at home, the worshipper simply brought the flour, cakes or grain to the priests and handed it over at the door of the Tabernacle. He was not involved in the subsequent ceremony. He received no thanks or praise. He had only done his duty. In like manner we are to perform our service as an act of obedience, realizing that it is not a meritorious act. Jesus said: Luke 17:7-10. "And which of you, having a servant ploughing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? {8} But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'? {9} Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. {10} So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'" This does not indicate that God does not appreciate our service. Neither should we take other people s service for granted or be unthankful. Jesus is reminding us that our labours cannot earn us salvation or right standing with God, but rather they are a right response to God who has done so much for us THE PRIEST'S WORK Lev 2:2. He shall bring it to Aaron's sons, the priests, one of whom shall take from it his handful of fine flour and oil with all the frankincense. And the priest shall burn it as a memorial on the altar, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD. The priest took a handful of the flour, cakes or grain offered, with all the frankincense and burned it on the altar. 14 of 34 30/03/2015

15 3.5. GOD'S PORTION Lev 2:9. 'Then the priest shall take from the grain offering a memorial portion, and burn it on the altar. It is an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD. Only the handful and the frankincense were God s. This was a memorial, which means the handful represented the whole offering in the sight of God. Some people may have resented the priests benefiting from their offering. But these instructions were not man s idea but God commandment. Similarly today very little of our church meetings and our Christian service actually goes to God. The monetary offerings we give are used by the Church to pay the wages of full-time ministers, support missionaries, and maintain building and facilities. Our social works bless and help people. Our ministry in the word teaches, encourages and builds up people and children. We say prayers for those who are in need. We might think that it is only the praise and worship that are singularly Godward. These might appear as a small handful of all our total activity. However this is like the memorial, and means the whole of our service is acceptable to God. Jesus said: Mat 10:42. "And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward." Paul wrote to bondservants saying: Col 3: And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, {24} knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Whatever we do, we can do it as unto the Lord. Even within the mundane and everyday activities we have an opportunity to worship God and share fellowship with the Almighty. It is our attitude that determines whether these things are spiritual or not. They can be done as an act of worship THE PRIEST'S PORTION Lev 2:3. 'The rest of the grain offering shall be Aaron's and his sons'. It is most holy of the offerings to the LORD made by fire. Having taken away the handful, the rest of the offering was given to the priests. The Levites had been separated out by God to serve him and to be the mediators 7 for the whole of Israel. This calling brought responsibilities and restrictions for the Levites. The Law also specified that the provision for the Levites was the responsibility of the other tribes in Israel. Paul wrote: 7 They were God s representative before the people, and Israel s representative before God. 15 of 34 30/03/2015

16 1 Cor 9: Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? {14} Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. The financial needs of those who are called by God to work full-time in a ministry are the responsibility of the church. 1 Cor 9:7-11. Whoever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock? {8} Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? {9} For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." Is it oxen God is concerned about? {10} Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who ploughs should plough in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. {11} If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 1 Tim 5: Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and doctrine. {18} For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The labourer is worthy of his wages." The Greek word for honour (time) could mean the price paid for something. So Paul could be saying those elders who laboured in the word were entitled to double pay, compared to other elders. Verse 18 would suggest that this was what Paul was speaking about THE OFFERER'S PORTION The offer received nothing. Equally if we are doing everything as unto the Lord we should not seek to gain from our service. We should not even expect thanks from those around, all the glory belongs to the Lord. This is, however, no excuse for us not to be thankful and appreciative of others when they minister to us. Ananias and Sapphira perished when they tried to keep back a portion of what they said was dedicated to the Lord NEW TESTAMENT APPLICATION All the Old Testament offerings reflect in some way the work of Jesus Christ and his great offering. Jesus said he was like the grain of wheat that died to bring forth much fruit: John 12: But Jesus answered them, saying, The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. {24} Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 16 of 34 30/03/2015

17 Slemming wrote: He [Christ] was also the corn of wheat which went through the crushing mill of Gethsemane and the fierce oven of Calvary to become the Bread of Life. There was no holding back in Jesus service. He gave his all, he served the purposes of God and then he literally laid down his life. The Grain Offering speaks of the consecration of our gifts and service, and in Scripture it always follows the Burnt Offering, which speaks of the consecration of self. This tells us that we cannot acceptably give our service until we have given of our self. God is not looking for works and effort that attempt to purchase salvation or divine pleasure. Rather God desires works and service that flow from a regenerated heart. 4. THE SIN OFFERING References Leviticus 4:2-35 and Leviticus 6: The Sin Offering is the first of the two compulsory sacrifices, and its purpose is to deal with sin against any of the commandments of the Lord which are made through ignorance. The Hebrew word translated as sin is the verb chatta ah which means to miss the mark, do wrong, commit iniquity, bear blame and be guilty. Justice courts in most countries do not accept ignorance of the law as reason for acquittal. It may affect the punishment that is received, but the person is nevertheless guilty of breaking the law. In the same way millions of people are daily breaking the commandments of God. They have never read the Bible, they have never attended church to be taught the requirements of God, but they are still guilty of breaking God s commandments. Concerning both the law of the land and the law of God, sometimes what people call ignorance is really a wilful refusal to find out for them self what is required. Churches are open and Bibles are readily available, but people have no interest in seeking God THE NATURE OF THE OFFERING As with all the sacrifices, the animals specified for the Sin Offering where domesticated and had to be without blemish. Unlike the Burnt Offering, no birds where to be offered. The animal chosen for the offering was according to a person s position. It was to be offered once the sin became known. A commoner, someone without position or authority, who sinned in ignorance, had to offer a female goat or a female lamb. In ancient society females were not considered to have any authority. 17 of 34 30/03/2015

18 Lev 4: 'If anyone of the common people sins unintentionally by doing something against any of the commandments of the LORD in anything which ought not to be done, and is guilty, {28} or if his sin which he has committed comes to his knowledge, then he shall bring as his offering a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he has committed. Lev 4:32. 'If he brings a lamb as his sin offering, he shall bring a female without blemish. A ruler of the people who sinned in ignorance, once the sin was known, had to offer a male goat, which symbolised his authority. Lev 4: 'When a ruler has sinned, and done something unintentionally against any of the commandments of the LORD his God in anything which should not be done, and is guilty, {23} or if his sin which he has committed comes to his knowledge, he shall bring as his offering a kid of the goats, a male without blemish. If the whole congregation of the people of Israel sinned unintentionally, once the sin was known, had to offer a young bull. Lev 4: 'Now if the whole congregation of Israel sins unintentionally, and the thing is hidden from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done something against any of the commandments of the LORD in anything which should not be done, and are guilty; {14} when the sin which they have committed becomes known, then the assembly shall offer a young bull for the sin, and bring it before the tabernacle of meeting. When a priest sinned unintentionally, once the sin was known, he would have to offer a young bull. A priest as a teacher of the law and as a moral example to the people, had to offer a larger sacrifice. Lev 4:3-4. 'If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, then let him offer to the LORD for his sin which he has sinned a young bull without blemish as a sin offering. {4} He shall bring the bull to the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the LORD, lay his hand on the bull's head, and kill the bull before the LORD. A bull was capable of producing offspring and the example that a minister of the gospel sets is replicated in the people. Slemming quotes a man called Trapp, who wrote If a teacher sins, he teaches sin. Little wonder James writes: James 3:1. My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. Christian leadership requires an extremely high standard of character, born out in word and deed. We make what we are, not what we say THE OFFERER'S WORK Lev 4:29. 'And he shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering, and kill the sin offering at the place of the burnt offering. 18 of 34 30/03/2015

19 The worshipper had to bring the animal to the prescribed place, which was the door of the tabernacle. They then had to place his hands on the head of the animal as an act of identification. His guilt and sin were considered to be transferred into the innocent animal, which was about to die as his substitute. The worshipper then had to kill the animal, before he could present it to the priest who would act as a mediator THE PRIEST'S WORK The Blood Lev 4:5-7. 'Then the anointed priest shall take some of the bull's blood and bring it to the tabernacle of meeting. {6} The priest shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle some of the blood seven times before the LORD, in front of the veil of the sanctuary. {7} And the priest shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the LORD, which is in the tabernacle of meeting; and he shall pour the remaining blood of the bull at the base of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. The priest would make a way from the presence of God to the repentant worshipper, by applying the blood on the way out. Firstly he presented the blood of the sacrificed bull to the Lord by sprinkling it seven times in front of the veil. Next he put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of incense in the Holy Place. Then he poured the rest of the blood out at the base of the altar of the burnt offering. The fact that the pathway was made from the Holy of Holies to the worshipper, shows that salvation is from God. Jesus said that He is the Way. We start along that way by meeting Him firstly at Calvary, symbolised by the altar of burnt offering. We proceed in the communion of prayer and intercession, symbolised by the altar of incense. Then we share intimate fellowship with God in the secret place. The lambs and goats offered for the ruler or commoner were treated differently in that their blood was only offered at the altar of burnt offering, and not taken into the Holy Place. Lev 4:30. 'Then the priest shall take some of its blood with his finger, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and pour all the remaining blood at the base of the altar. Later on we will see other ways the offerings of the commoner and the ruler were treated differently. 19 of 34 30/03/2015

20 The Fat Lev 4:8-10. He shall take from it all the fat of the bull as the sin offering. The fat that covers the entrails and all the fat which is on the entrails, {9} the two kidneys and the fat that is on them by the flanks, and the fatty lobe attached to the liver above the kidneys, he shall remove, {10} as it was taken from the bull of the sacrifice of the peace offering; and the priest shall burn them on the altar of the burnt offering. The priest had to offer the kidneys and the fat from around the internal organs of the animal, which is called the suet. The purpose of the fat was to protect the vital organs of the animal by acting as an elastic packing material, a thermal insulator to regulate temperature and as a source of nutrition. It was the preferred part of the beast for the Easterner. Slemming writes: That is what the Lord required all that maintains spiritual life, keeps warmth and love of our devotion, and feeds the soul with divine energy and a spiritual fervour. The fat was also full of cholesterol. If we take that which is God s and spend it on our own appetites it becomes a poison to us, no matter how nice it tastes The Carcass Lev 4: But the bull's hide and all its flesh, with its head and legs, its entrails and offal; {12} the whole bull he shall carry outside the camp to a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn it on wood with fire; where the ashes are poured out it shall be burned. The priest now had to dispose of the carcass of the beast by burning it at a clean place outside the camp. A living bull is a large and powerful animal, and care has to be taken when leading it. It is a difficult job to carry a dead bull. But the bull of the sacrifice had also been dissected to remove the fat from around its entrails. The job the priest faced was difficult, heavy, messy and smelly. A modern production practise study would of course have done the job differently. The animal would have been slain at the place the carcass was to be burnt, and the blood and the fat carried into the tabernacle. But the instruction Moses had received was not designed for the benefit of the worshipper or the priest, but for a Holy God whose law had been broken. Dealing with our sin can be a messy task, with unpleasant consequences. But if our repentance is real then we need to put things right. Are we too embarrassed to say sorry to other people, or to make amends? Are we too angry or bitter to forgive someone else? God wants our sin to be properly dealt with, and will not compromise just to save us face GOD'S PORTION When the offering was being made by a priest or by the congregation (the whole nation) then no part of the animal was to be used for food, since the 20 of 34 30/03/2015

21 priest was a partaker of the sin in question. The whole of the bull belonged to God, although only the fat was offered on the altar. Today some people have lost the sense of the holiness of God. They cannot see how God can benefit from such service. Why does God expect the best? Can t it be put to better use by helping people in need? People resent sharing what they have with God. He doesn t need it, He s got enough they say. But our actions prove the content of our heart THE PRIEST'S PORTION Lev 6: "Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, 'This is the law of the sin offering: In the place where the burnt offering is killed, the sin offering shall be killed before the LORD. It is most holy. {26} The priest who offers it for sin shall eat it. In a holy place it shall be eaten, in the court of the tabernacle of meeting. {27} 'Everyone who touches its flesh must be holy. And when its blood is sprinkled on any garment, you shall wash that on which it was sprinkled, in a holy place. {28} But the earthen vessel in which it is boiled shall be broken. And if it is boiled in a bronze pot, it shall be both scoured and rinsed in water. {29} 'All the males among the priests may eat it. It is most holy. {30} But no sin offering from which any of the blood is brought into the tabernacle of meeting, to make atonement in the holy place, shall be eaten. It shall be burned in the fire. Although the priest had no share in the bulls offered, he did receive a share from the ruler s or commoner s lamb or goat. Only the blood of the bulls was carried into the tabernacle of meeting (verse 30). The fat was still offered to the Lord, but the carcasses of these animals were not carried outside the camp. The meat remained holy however, and only the anointed priests could eat it. Care had to be taken in washing clothes and metal utensils, and earthen vessels had to be destroyed. A sense of holiness and awe had to be maintained THE OFFER'S PORTION The repentant sinner had no share in this offering. We never benefit from our sin, no matter how pleasurable it might appear at the time. He did however go away having been forgiven NEW TESTAMENT APPLICATION There is a Holy God in heaven who requires that every sin is accounted for, even those sins which are done in ignorance. He is interested in the sin of nations, religious ministers, government leaders and ordinary individuals. All sin has a consequence. Rom 6:23. For the wages of sin is death But the grace of God has prepared a way by which sinners can be redeemed and saved from the consequence of their sin. 21 of 34 30/03/2015

22 Rom 6:23. Old Testament Sacrifices For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Christ is our sin offering, and he has prepared a blood stained way from the presence of God. 2 Cor 5:21. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Heb 9: For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, {14} how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Heb 13: We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. {11} For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. {12} Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. {13} Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 5. THE TRESPASS OFFERING References Leviticus 5:1-19 to Leviticus 6:1-8 and Leviticus 7:1-9. The Trespass or Guilt Offering is the second of the two compulsory sacrifices. As might be expected it is very similar to the other compulsory sacrifice, the Sin Offering. The purpose of this offering is to deal with the breaking of specified commandments and of deliberate sins. The Hebrew word translated as trespass of guilt is a-sam which means guilt, restitution, atonement and compensation. Sin is often defined as our falling short of God s standard of holiness. A trespass is the breaking of a commandment or the crossing of a forbidden boundary. The scriptures concerning the Sin Offering repeatedly used the phrase sins unintentionally. Lev 4:27. If anyone of the common people sins unintentionally by doing something against any of the commandments of the LORD in anything which ought not to be done, and is guilty, This term is not found with regard to the Trespass Offering. The Trespass Offering introduces the idea of restitution. A law-breaker not only had to reimburse the offended party, but also had to give an additional percentage. So the penitent had to make a sacrifice to God and put things right with his neighbour. 22 of 34 30/03/2015

23 5.1. THE TRESPASSES A number of offences are mentioned in regard to the Trespass Offering, and the sacrifices and restitution required depended upon the crime committed. We will go through the trespasses in the order given. Oaths Lev 5:1. If a person sins in hearing the utterance of an oath, and is a witness, whether he has seen or known of the matter; if he does not tell it, he bears guilt. This is when a person fails to tell or reveal the truth concerning an issue in a court of law. The Israelites had no right to keep silent at a trial, but when an oath was placed upon them they had to reveal the truth. We read of Joshua placing such an oath upon Achan 8 and of Caiaphas placing an oath on Jesus 9. Touching things that are unclean Lev 5:2-3. Or if a person touches any unclean thing, whether it is the carcass of an unclean beast, or the carcass of unclean livestock, or the carcass of unclean creeping things, and he is unaware of it, he also shall be unclean and guilty. {3} Or if he touches human uncleanness; whatever uncleanness with which a man may be defiled, and he is unaware of it; when he realises it, then he shall be guilty. The second area concerns hygiene laws and in particular defilement through touching things which were specified as unclean. Making Vows Lev 5:4. Or if a person swears, speaking thoughtlessly with his lips to do evil or to do good, whatever it is that a man may pronounce by an oath, and he is unaware of it; when he realises it, then he shall be guilty in any of these matters. The third area concerns the fulfilling of a vow. Great emphasis is put in the Bible concerning a person s words. One important aspect of this is the doing what we say we will do. As believers we are to be people of the truth, and all our words should reflect this. God will judge all people who take a vow when they commit to do something, but then fail to do it. Sadly there is a lack of integrity concerning promises made, even in church circles. When in a big meeting, people promise to contribute money towards a cause. Pledges are made but afterward the majority fail to fulfil their intention. Their vows go unperformed. 8 Josh 7:19. Now Joshua said to Achan, "My son, I beg you, give glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession to Him, and tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me." 9 Mat 26:63. But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, "I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!" 23 of 34 30/03/2015