Leviticus 6:8-7:38

Introduction

The LORD now points Moses to the priestly role during six different sacrifices. Though most of these sacrificial details have been covered previously, the perspective is now shifted. Instead of the focus upon the offerer we now see the intricate detail of the sacrifices.

Surely, there is a lot of symbolism in the sacrifices. While some if obvious to us, there is undoubtedly a great deal of symbolism that goes unnoticed or is misunderstood. But why would God require such elaborate detail? Is it possible there could be another point.

Commentary

c6 v8
We are reminded that the LORD is speaking directly to Moses. The next verse reminds us that it was Moses' responsibility to convey the message to Aaron and his sons. Though the entire congregation would receive these words, they directly apply to the priestly function.

c6 v9-13

Burnt Offering

Aaron is told that the burnt offering is to remain on the hearth all night until the morning, with the priest keeping the fire going. It is essential that the fire does not go out, for the LORD reminds Moses three times within five verses.

To remove the ashes, the priest must put on his linen robe, with undergarments. Next, he will remove the ashes from the altar and place them beside it. At this point, he will again change his garments and carry the ashes out to a clean place outside the camp.

Every morning the priest shall lay wood upon the fire of the altar. Upon this wood, the priest will then lay out the burnt offering and the fat portions for the peace offerings.

c6 v14-18

Grain Offering

One of the priests will take up a handful of grain. He will include oil with it and all of the incense. He will then offer it up on smoke on the altar.

The remaining portion may be eaten by Aaron and any male of the sons of Aaron. They may not add leaven to it and they are to eat it in the court of the tabernacle.

The LORD reminds Moses that this statute is not just for Aaron and his sons directly, but will be passed down to other generations.

c6 v19-23

Anointed Priest's Grain Offering

Aaron is to offer a specific grain offering for the day he is anointed. He is to offer 3/5th a bushel of grain upon the altar, half offered in the morning , half offered in the evening. As opposed to other grain offerings, Aaron is not giving options for preparation. He is to prepare this with a griddle, mixed with oil. It is broken into pieces and the entire sacrifice is offered onto the fire. The priests do not eat any portion of this offering.

c6 v24-29

Sin Offering

Here we learn that the priest who offers the sin offering is also to prepare it to be eaten. It is to be eaten in the court of the tent of meeting, by the priest and any of the other sons of Aaron. Whereas much of Leviticus has dealt with touching things which can defile a person, the flesh of the sin offer actually consecrates a person. If blood is spilt on any garment, it must be washed in a holy place.

We also see that any materials used to cook the sin offering must be treated. If it is boiled in a clay vessel, then it is to be shattered and destroyed. However, if the vessel is made out of bronze, it can be scoured clean.

c6 v30

Atoning Sacrifice

However, the priests are reminded that they are not to eat from the Atoning Sacrifice. If the blood has been brought into the Holy of Holies, this sacrifice is not to be eaten. It is supposed to be completely consumed with fire.

c7 v1-7

Guilt Offering

The location of the offering is the same as the burnt offering. Also, the priest will sprinkle the blood around the altar.

The priest will offer all the fat (from the tail, the portion that covers the entrails, the kidneys with their fat, and the lobe of the liver) upon the altar in smoke.

The rest of the offering is available to the priest who offered it and to any other son of Aaron, provided they eat it in a holy place.

c7 v8

Burnt Offering

The priest who offers the burnt offering is allowed to keep the skin from it.

c7 v9-10

Grain Offering

If a grain offering has been cooked, then it belongs to the priest who offered it. However, if the offering has only been mixed with oil, or if the offering is dry, then it belongs to all of Aaron's sons alike.

c7 v11-21

Thanksgiving Peace Offering (11-15)

When a thanksgiving peace offering is made, there shall also be unleavened cakes with oil, unleavened wafers with oil, and fine flour cakes mixed with oil. He shall also offer cakes of leavened bread. One of each loaf will belong to the priest who makes the peace offering.

The offerer must eat his portion of the peace offering on the day it is offered.

Thanksgiving Votive or Freewill Offering (16-18)

Though we do not know the exact purposes of a freewill offering, the details are the same as a peace offering that accompanies a vow. In each of these sacrifices, the offering may be eaten the day after the sacrifice as well.

However, no meat may ever be eaten from the sacrifice on the third day. If a person eats of the sacrifice on the third day, the sacrifice will not be reckoned for him and he will bear iniquity for his offense.

Cleanliness for Peace Offerings (19-21)

No flesh that touches something unclean may be eaten.

Anyone who is clean may eat of the flesh, provided it hasn't been defiled. However, no person is to eat of the peace offering if they are unclean, either by touching an unclean animal or any other unclean thing.

God takes this severely, for any person who violates these standards will be cut off from his people.

c7 v22-27

Fat and Blood Prohibitions

No person is ever to eat of the fat portions or take in the blood of an animal.

Any fat from an animal that dies naturally or is torn by a beast (and thus has not been offered to the the LORD) may be used for other purposes, but not for food.

Any person who violates this law will be cut off from his people.

c7 v28-36

Peace Offerings--Priest's Portion

The offerer is to bring the portions for the peace offering himself. He is to wave the fat and the breast before the LORD. The priest will then offer all the fat on the altar, but he will keep the breast for himself. The offerer shall also give the right thigh to the priest as a contribution for making the offering for him.

This contribution is to be given to Aaron and his sons throughout the generations.

c7 v37-38

The LORD commanded all of these offerings to Moses on Mount Sinai.

Exposition

As this section concludes, we are reminded of the sacrifices for the priest's perspective. From 6:8 through 7:36, the burnt offering, grain offering, sin offering, guilt offering, ordination offering and peace offering have been reiterated. With each sacrifice we see a great deal of detail, both in this chapter and the preceding chapters.

In just looking at the fellowship offering (7:11-36) we can see some specific purposes. As with every page of Scripture, the primary purpose of the sacrifices is to point us to Jesus. A couple examples from the fellowship offerings:

Eating the sacrifice--Throughout Scripture, eating a meal is a synonymous with fellowship. In fact, one way you can show a person they are out of fellowship is to abstain from eating with him (1 Corinthians 5:11). Eating part of the sacrifice speaks to the fact that a person can have fellowship with God.

But how is such fellowship enjoyed?

Consider how Jesus juxtaposed faith and eating in John 6:26-58.

"Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal."

Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."

"For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world."

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst."

"For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day."

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life."

"I am the bread of life."

"I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh."

"He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."

Jesus equates eating of bread with faith with believing in Him. This is genuine faith. Not to simply know information or details. It is to truly take it in...make it part of you. The ability to fellowship with God is only possible when a person takes in the message of Christ, accepts His work on the cross on their behalf.

Three day prohibition--A thanksgiving fellowship offering must be eating before the next morning. A votive/freewill fellowship offering may be eaten on the second day, but must be finished before the third. Why the prohibition of eating the sacrifice on the third day?

Some will suggest this is simply for health reasons. God is trying to protect the Israelites from eating rotten meat. However, this does not make sense. The motive of the offering should not have an impact upon the shelf life of the meat. Clearly, the LORD wanted special significance attributed to the third day:

But if the sacrifice of his offering is a votive or a freewill offering, it shall be eaten on the day that he offers his sacrifice, and on the next day what is left of it may be eaten; but what is left over from the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burned with fire.--Leviticus 7:16-17

The LORD requires that any left over flesh be consumed by fire. In fact, we clearly see how seriously God considers this offense:

So if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings should {ever} be eaten on the third day, he who offers it will not be accepted, {and} it will not be reckoned to his {benefit.} It shall be an offensive thing, and the person who eats of it will bear his {own} iniquity.--Leviticus 7:18

If the person eats of the fellowship offering on the third day, his sacrifice will not be accepted, it will not benefit him, and he will actually bear iniquity for it. Why would this be?

Perhaps, Paul gives us some perspective in 1 Corinthians 15. Without the resurrection, our faith if void, our ministry is worthless and we are still found to be in our sins. In the same way that the fellowship offering is to be complete by the third day, God displays His complete pleasure with Christ's sacrifice by raising Him to life on the third day.

Broader Purpose

For the Law, since it has {only} a shadow of the good things to come {and} not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? But in those {sacrifices} there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, "SACRIFICE AND OFFERING YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED, BUT A BODY YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR ME; IN WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS AND {sacrifices} FOR SIN YOU HAVE TAKEN NO PLEASURE. "THEN I SAID, 'BEHOLD, I HAVE COME (IN THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME) TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD.' " After saying above, "SACRIFICES AND OFFERINGS AND WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS AND {sacrifices} FOR SIN YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED, NOR HAVE YOU TAKEN PLEASURE {in them}" (which are offered according to the Law), then He said, "BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL." He takes away the first in order to establish the second. By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.--Hebrews 10:1-10

Since the Law was intended as a tutor, we can see that not the details of the sacrifices, but the system as a whole are intended to point us to Christ. No sacrifice given, regardless of how perfectly it was performed, could ever accomplish salvation. The author of Hebrews reminds us that blood from a bull or goat can never take away the sin of a person. A true Israelite would see this. First, how could they possibly offer a sacrifice without blemish. God does not ask for an above average sacrifice, or even nearly perfect. He required a perfect sacrifice. Could such a lamb actually exist? Further, could they really offer the animal exactly to standard? Isn't it probable that something could be cut or severed accidently in the process? This is bloody, messy flesh, not an easily cut piece of wood.

Sometimes people ask where grace can be found in the Old Testament. The truth is, we see God's grace in the midst of the this ceremony. All sacrifices point toward Jesus Christ and even if "perfectly" fulfilled, they are still flawed. However, God graciously offers forgiveness through the work of Jesus Christ.

--Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, waiting from that time onward UNTIL HIS ENEMIES BE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, "THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART, AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM," {He then says,} "AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE." Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer {any} offering for sin.Hebrews 10:11-18

Conclusion

God beautifully displays the glory of Christ even through the sacrificial systems prescribed on Mount Sinai. We can see many of the details which point to Christ, but we assuredly miss many of the details. (Perhaps in glory, we will delight in worship as we see how all the details beautifully display the glory of Christ!) However, we should not miss the grace which is so obviously displayed. These offerers were not saved by their performance or by the sacrifices they made. These people received forgiveness the same way which we have, through grace by the sacrifice of Christ...a sacrifice once for all time.

Leviticus 5:1-6:7

Introduction

Though the terms repentance, confession and forgiveness seem simple enough, we have a way of making them complicated. Some have reduced these terms to mere lip service, a glib comment to make everything go away. Others believe it requires penance or priestly absolution; something extra to prove genuine repentance.

Leviticus lays out the procedures for the offerings, but does it give us any indication about repentance? What should it really look like?

Commentary

v 1
As the Lord introduces Moses to the guilt offerings, He begins by laying out four possible sins which would require such a sacrifice. The first could be considered a sin of omission. If a person hears a public call to testify, and they have the testimony of a witness, yet they choose to remain silent, that person becomes guilty.

v 2
Similar to the unintentional sins, a person may touch some sort of unclean carcass, whether beast or livestock or some other swarming thing, and not even realize they made contact with it. Once he realizes he made contact, he then becomes responsible to do something about his guilt.

v 3
It is also possible for a man to touch uncleanness from a man or woman. Again, if he becomes aware of this, he then becomes aware of his guilt as well.

v 4
The words that come from a a person's mouth can also acquit or condemn (Matthew 12:37). We typically only think of our words in regard to our motive. As long as we meant to be truthful, then it doesn't matter if it really comes to pass. After all, the circumstances are out of control, can God really hold us responsible? Actually, the Lord does hold us to our word (Ecclesiastes 5:1-6), so we should show humility in our speech (James 4:13-16). However, if a man does not guard his tongue (James 3:1-3) and he carelessly makes an oath which does not come to be, then he becomes guilty.

v 5
As mentioned in previous chapters, these are not merely indiscretions, but are sins which must be confessed.

v 6
The sinner is then to bring a female lamb or goat to the priest for a sin offering (see: Leviticus 4:1-35 commentary). The priest will make atonement for his sin.

v 7-10
God offers an alternative for those who cannot afford a lamb or goat. The offerer may present two turtledoves or two pigeons. One will be presented as sin offering while the other serves as a burnt offering. We see that the sacrifice is efficient, for verse ten concludes with the assurance that the sin has been forgiven.

v 11-13
Yet, if the person still cannot afford two birds (this may either speak to the frequency of this offering or to the absolute poverty of some Israelites), he is able to give a grain offering. Again, verse 13 reminds us that this offering, can be a faithful expression that results in his forgiveness.

v 14-16
Next, Moses addresses sins which violate the holy things which may be dedicated to the tabernacle. If an item has been consecrated to the tabernacle, and a man makes it unclean (by contact or use), he is then required to make restitution to the Lord. He will replace the value of the object, plus add one fifth to the value. This must be done in connection with offering a guilt offering through the priest.

v 17-18
Moses reiterates the necessity for the guilt offering. From these three verses, consider the following statements:

a person sins...

...he is still guilty and shall bear his punishment.

...for a guilt offering...

...the priest shall make atonement...

...he sinned unintentionally...

...it will be forgiven him.

It is a guilt offering; he was certainly guilty before the LORD.

Chapter 6 v 1
We are again reminded that these instructions are from the LORD, handed down through Moses.

c 6 v 2-4
We know see some specific sins, which are still against the LORD, but also take advantage of someone else. A person may cheat money from another in a variety of ways...

using someone else's deposit or security for your own gain

robbery

extortion

finding money and claiming it is your own

In any of these situations, restoration must be made.

c 6 v 5
To make restitution, the offender must offer 120% back to the victim. He must not only return that which he has taken, but he must also add 1/5 to it. He is also instructed that this must be done on the day of his sacrifice to the LORD. Jesus reminded us of this:

Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.--Matthew 5:23-24

c 6 v 6-7
As stated in verse two, the sin and unfaithfulness was against the LORD. Therefore, the offerer is responsible to bring a guilt offering to the LORD. He will give the ram to the priest, who will make atonement for him.

Exposition

The text is clearly about sin and guilt. The words appear many different times within the text. However, the text does not simply lay out violations, in the midst of the offerings, this text is giving us hope, that sins can be forgiven and atoned for. Looking at the sins against the LORD's devoted things and the sins against a brother, we see another element too.

Again, it is so easy for us to think a person would sin and would then have to bring a sacrifice, as if the actions itself were all that was looked for. Like a person simply going in to pay a traffic ticket, we see there was a penalty and as long as it is paid, all sides are happy. However, sins against the LORD are not simply restored with fines. It is a violation of the LORD and it reveals a heart that is inclined against Him. Therefore, more than a simple "sorry" is needed. The person was not able to simply bring the sacrifice to the opening of the tent, drop it off and then let the priest do the rest. No the text shows us much more.

He must confess his sin. (5:5)

He must seek to restore that which he has violated. (5:15-16; 6:4-5)

He must seek the LORD's atonement. (throughout the text)

Put simply, this is repentance. A person must not simply feel bad, for the reason for the remorse could be many things. The person must see their guilt, confess their guilt and turn from their sin and to Christ. In our era, many preach about faith, but they seem to neglect repentance. However, saving faith that the Bible describes is faith which is accompanied by repentance. When a person truly turns to the LORD it must require that they turn away from their sin. The practice of the guilt offering, along with the restitution sought with others, is evidence of a person who has repented of his sin.

Conclusion

As I mentioned, repentance is not in vogue now. Many people worry that preaching repentance will scare some people off. Others foolishly do not understand how this is not a work. However, we are not speaking of some new effort on your part, we are speaking of a change created in your heart. Many people at baptism services have made a statement similar to the following:

Before I knew Christ, I used to sin, and knew I was sinning, but it didn't really bother me. Now that I have come to Christ, I hate it when I sin.

They do not say they have ceased from sinning, but their attitude is completely different. An attitude which should evidence itself in less frequent sin, as well. But the sinner loves his sin, therefore, the message of repentance is offensive to his ears.

However, to one whom repentance has been granted from the LORD, it is not offensive, but a beautiful thing. Consider Zaccheus:

He entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way. When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, "Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house." And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly. When they saw it, they all {began} to grumble, saying, "He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham.--Luke 19:1-9

So often we miss the beauty of this story because we only focus on the fact that Zaccheus was a short man. However, we see from his profession that his life was made up of the violations found in Leviticus 6:1-5. He cheated, he lied, he extorted, all so he could line his pockets. He encounters Jesus. It is a joyous encounter and during his time with Jesus, he promises to give back to those he robbed. Not simply offering the 120% payment, but a 400% payment! This shows he did not have a heart of drudgery, but instead was filled with joy.

You see, the guilt offering was not simply a fine the person was to pay to earn forgiveness. Forgiveness cannot be earned, it must be granted. The man was not even capable of performing the sacrifice himself, but had to depend on the priest to make atonement for him (a direct projection to the fact that Jesus Christ alone is our only means of atonement). The offerer did not provide his ram to earn himself salvation but offered it in response to the fact that salvation was possible! Then, having seen that the LORD is more desirable than his sin, he quickly turns from it and also seeks to restore any relationship with a person that may have been severed.

The beauty of repentance is not what we turn from, it's Who we turn to. Martin Luther understood that the Christian life is life of continual repentance, this was the message of the first of his 95 thesis. Their is great joy found in this. For God grants the repentance to us. God makes restoration possible. And God always forgives the one who forsakes his sin for the sake of Christ.

We must live lives of repentance. We should not do so as drudgery, but as a witness, we should show repentance to be a great joy of ours. What a praise that God would allow us to see our sin, see His beauty and grant us that we would turn from the sin to Him!!! Then, when a dying world notices this hope within us, we should not shrink away from repentance or try a less offensive way to speak of their sin. We should cry out to them to repent of their sin and cry out to God that He might grant it to them.

For our guilt can be forgiven and restoration can be found.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.--2 Corinthians 5:21