Levítico 4

Levítico 4

Trapp says, "The sins of teachers are teachers of sin." The way of life is a revelation from God. A ladder let down from Heaven. So this sin-offering may be mentioned here, because it is the lowest step of the ladder, and the first with which we as sinners have to do. Like every other sacrifice— 1. It must be blameless (v. 3). The smallest physical deformity unfitted the ox or the lamb for the altar. The Lord Jesus was perfectly blameless in the eyes of the heart-searching God. In all His close and continuous contact with men and earthly things He remained untainted by the corruptions of lust and of the world. He could touch the uncle-in and yet be untouched with uncleanness. He was holy, harmless, separate from sinners. 2. There had to be imputation and identification (v. 4). The offerer laid his hand on the head of the offering, identifying himself with the sins imputed to the sacrifice, and also with the sacrifice itself. The laying of our sins on Jesus is not our act, but Jehovah's. "He laid on Him the iniquity of us all. It pleased Jehovah to bruise Him." We confess our sins on Him, and by faith lay our hand of appropriation upon Him. He gave Himself for us. 3. The life must be taken. "Kill the bullock before the Lord" (v. 4). The death of the offering had to do with Jehovah. The death of Christ was not an accident, neither was it only an example to us of patience in suffering. It was a death demanded by God. So His life was offered to God as a substitute for others. He died before the Lord. He offered Himself without spot unto God. 4. The fat was burnt on the altar (vs. 8-10). This fat was a sweet savour unto the Lord (v. 31). The fat is frequently referred to, and occupies a prominent place in connection with the sin-offering. It may represent the riches and preciousness of Christ as God sees it all yielded up as an offering to Him on the altar of the Cross, well pleasing. 5. The body was carried outside. The whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp and burn him (v. 12). Human reason of itself would never have suggested a change of procedure like this. Why should this offering be burnt outside the camp, and not on the altar like the others? Because it is typical of Him who was made a curse for us, and who suffered without the gate (Heb. 13:11, 12), and from whom the Father's face for a season had to be turned away (Matt. 27:46). God cannot look upon sin, but He looks with compassion on the sinner. 6. The blood must be sprinkled. "The priest shall sprinkle of the blood seven times before the Lord" (v. 6). The order in which the blood was sprinkled is sublimely beautiful, and perfectly consistent with the way of salvation as taught in the New Testament. It was sprinkled—(1) Before the Lord. (2) Before the vail. (3) On the altar of incense. (4) Then all that was left was poured out at the bottom of the altar of burnt-offering. The priest sprinkled the blood on his way out, not as he was going in on this instance, teaching us that the way has been made from God out to sinful men. Salvation is of the Lord. But on our approach to God we meet the poured out blood, first of all at the altar, which maketh atonement for the soul. Typical of Him who poured out His soul unto death on the Cross of Calvary— 1. AT THE ALTAR OF SACRIFICE we have atonement. 2. AT THE ALTAR OF INCENSE we have intercession. 3. THE BLOOD BEFORE THE VAIL speaks of access. 4. THE BLOOD SPRINKLED SEVEN TIMES before the Lord indicates a perfect standing in His presence. Thus we have boldness to enter into the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus. Let us draw near (Heb. 10:19-22). 7. The blessed results. The acceptance by God of the blood of the sin-offering brings within the reach of every believer— 1. THE FORGIVENESS OF SIN. As concerning his sin, it shall be forgiven him (v. 26). Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin (Rom. 4:7, 8). It is a blood-bought pardon. 2. THE ASSURANCE OF THIS FORGIVENESS. "It shall." This is the promise of Him who knows the full value of the Blood of His own beloved Son. We are saved by His Blood, and assured by His Word. In the blood-shedding and blood-sprinkling of God's own Son there is provision made for the sins of ignorance (v. 2), as well as for the sins that come to our knowledge (v. 28). "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." Allen Ross - Old Testament Christology Leviticus 4 “Purification” Leviticus 4 legislated the Purification Offering for Israel, commonly referred to as the “sin offering.” But since it was offered for things other than sin, and since it is preferable to translate the names of the sacrifices for what they accomplish, I shall call it the “purification offering.” The fourth chapter details how this offering was to be made when it did involve sin. The chapter is laid out according to the status and significance of the person, the greater the person, the bigger the animal. But the very poor were not excluded, for they could bring pigeons, or even some flour from their gleaning. Verses 27-35 describe the procedure for the common people. If any of them sinned (a condition expected), they were to bring the animal to the sanctuary, make confession for their sin, then place one hand on the head of the animal to identify with it, and slit its throat so that it would die in their hands and crumple to the ground (these are people used to dealing with animals and life and death). The priest would catch the blood in a basin, daub some of it on the horns of the altar (symbols of power, and therefore the efficacy of the sacrificial blood) and pour the rest out at the base of the altar. Part of the roasted animal would be eaten by the priest to show the confessing worshiper the sacrifice was accepted, and the rest (without the fat, the symbol of good things) would be burnt up on the altar. Thus, there would be atonement and forgiveness for the confessing person, and purification would be made. The purification applied to both the sinner, and to the sanctuary into which the sinner was entering. The Purification Offering was also made for the person who had been ill or had some kind of disease (including pregnancy) or had come in contact with unclean things (Lev. 12-15). The ritual would be the same except that there was no confession of sin, for there had been no sin, and there would be no announcement of forgiveness either. Rather, the person and the place were purified, so that the worshiper could once again enter the courts of the House of the LORD. Isaiah 53:4-6 tell us the Messiah was to take our sins and our infirmities upon Himself so that we might have peace with God. And so in the New Testament we find the Purification Offering fulfilled in Christ Jesus our Lord. Hebrews 1:3 declares that Jesus made purification for our sins and then sat down at the right hand of the Father. And the writer tells us in 9:23 that it was necessary for Jesus to purify the heavenly sanctuary as well, just as they purified the earthly, for sinful and infirm people, who have been purified themselves, will be entering the courts of the sanctuary. And Paul states the general application from the Law, that “God made Him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin [or a sin offering] for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). Christ’s death purified us from our sin, and from all the effects of our sin as well, all of which had prevented our entrance into God’s presence, now in spirit and in the future in glory. (In His earthly ministry Jesus on occasion demonstrated that by healing the effects of the sin He was also forgiving the sin: “Which is easier to say, your sins are forgiven or take up your bed and walk?” [Matt. 9]). Thus, His death took our sins and our sicknesses away from us, so that we were rendered pure and declared to be righteous before God, as righteous as Jesus Christ because of God’s grace. Romans 12:1 “Living Sacrifices” After such great doctrinal themes that Paul has been developing for eleven chapters, the time has come for the apostolic exhortations. And true to his organization of the material around the sacrifices of Israel, he now exhorts the reader to make the dedication offering to God--the living sacrifice. In Israel the worshipers brought several sacrifices to God when they entered the Temple. They would first bring a sin offering (Lev. 4) so that there would be purification of sin and defilement. And this would be followed by the whole burnt offering (Lev. 1) that would bring atonement with God. These two sacrifices Paul united in Romans 3 to announce that Christ Jesus has made atonement by the redemption through His blood. Then the Israelites would offer the peace offering (Lev. 3), which was a communal meal that celebrated the fact that they were at peace with God. Paul used this as well to announce that because we have been justified by grace, we have peace with God. The church has adapted this sacrifice for holy communion, which is its communal meal that celebrates the fact that Christ has redeemed us. But the Israelites also brought a dedication offering (Lev. 2). This was not an animal sacrifice, but produce--wheat, breads, cakes, or the like. It was a thank offering, to be sure, for the harvests and the crops. But it was also a means of dedication. For in bringing this basket of foodstuff the worshipers were saying, “Here we are dedicating ourselves to do the will of God; everything we are, and everything we have, belongs to God, for He has redeemed us by the blood of the sacrifice, and has claimed us for His own, and He has given us all the bounty of the harvest.” It was the natural response of those who realized that God not only redeemed them, but provided everything in life for them. They did not have to give it all to God, only a token of it to signify their submission to do His will. in that moment of offering a sacrifice to God, they were offering themselves to God. To make a sacrifice is to surrender the will What did the idea of sacrifice signify for Israel? It represented the worshiper who brought it; it was a substitute. And when the animal was killed in the place of the worshiper, the worshiper went free. But the worshipers knew that in that moment of offering a sacrifice to God, they were offering themselves to God. To make a sacrifice is to surrender the will. And so Paul draws on this whole image from Leviticus to tell Christians that because Christ has made the sacrifice for us, we have peace with God and freedom to live in this world. Therefore, our spiritual worship requires that we present our lives to Him as living sacrifices. We are not our own, but we belong to Him. And we must yield our lives to Him--body and soul--to do His will. All Christians must do this consciously and seriously some time in their lives. It may happen at the time of conversion; it may come later in life when more knowledge and understanding is gained. But the whole spiritual life depends on this act of dedication. Turning to God and saying in gratitude for all he has done: “Here I am. Everything I am and everything I have I give to you to use for you glory.” And He will take you at your word, and begin to develop amazing opportunities. Sermon Illustrations from the Bible (interesting book) - Keith Brooks Christ—Authority of (Mark 9:7). God's voice says we must listen to Christ's voice. Christ—Bread of God (Exod. 25, shewbread). __Exod. 25, shewbread__The shewbread speaks of the life-sustaining Christ. He is the "corn of wheat" (John 12:24) ground in the mill of suffering (John 12:27) and brought into the fire of judgment (John 12:31-33). We feed on Him as having undergone that in our stead and for our sakes. Christ—Captain of our Salvation (Heb. 2:10-11). Joshua a type of (Josh. 1, etc.). Comes after Moses (John 1:17). Leads to victory (Rom. 8:37). Our advocate when we have met defeat (1 John 2:1). Allots our portions (Eph. 1:11, 14). Christ—Companionship of (Mark 6:45-52). Though unseen, He is by our side. Comes to us sometimes in ways we do not recognize Him. If at sea, remember He is ever ready to come to your relief. Christ—David a type of (1 Sam. 16). David means "beloved"—type of "the beloved Son." Called from place of obscurity and contempt; so Christ came from humble walk. First anointed by God and later by the people. Christ anointed at His baptism, and at His second coming it will be ratified by His brethren and by all nations. Christ—Deity of—proved by demons (Mark 5:1-20). Demons believe in His diety and tremble before Him. Know that by His word they will ultimately be sent to chains of eternal darkness. Christ—His covenant with the Father (1 Sam. 20). Covenant of Jonathan and David illustrates that between God and the Son on behalf of believers (John 10:28; Rom. 8:32-39). Christ—His manner of coming to the throne (2 Sam. 4, see vs. 9). __2 Sam. 4, see vs. 9__God had hitherto helped David in his difficulties, and in coming to the throne, David would depend upon Him and not the devices of men to complete God's purpose. Jesus is coming to the throne not by devices of men to "bring in the kingdom" but by the hand of God Himself. Christ—His reception as King (2 Sam. 5). David recognized as king on three counts. Of their flesh (vs. 1). Christ (Matt. 25:40). Their leader in battle (vs. 2). Christ (Josh. 5:13-15). Designed by God (vs. 2). Christ (Rom. 3:25). Christ—His saving program (John 13:3, 4, 5, 12, 16). "Arose" from His place in glory, "laid aside garments" of majesty (Phil. 2:6-7). Took form of a "servant" (Phil. 2:7). Provides "cleansing" (John 15:3). Applies the cleansing water (Eph. 5:26). "Took his garments" again (John 17:5) and is "seated" (Heb. 10:12). Christ—His triumph over Satan (1 Sam. 17). David's victory over Goliath a type of triumph of Christ over Satan. Christ—In humiliation (Exod. 16). Bread of life come "down from heaven." A "small thing" (vs. 14). Typifies Christ in humiliation, having "no form nor comeliness." As such He must be received by faith. To think on Christ as He went about doing the Father's will is to feed on the manna. Christ—In resurrection (Gen. 39-41). Typified by Joseph. The one taken from pit into which he came through rejection by his own. He is coming to the place of ruler and will be a channel of blessing to the Gentiles. Christ—Intercession of (Exod. 31-32). Moses as a prince who had power with God illustrated the work of Christ as Intercessor whom the Father heareth always. Through His intercession we obtain constant assurance of the blessings of salvation. Christ—Isaac type of (Gen. 21). Name given before birth, birth predicted and supernatural. His offering by his father, voluntary. His deliverance from death, type of resurrection. Marriage—bride selected by father. The servant (Holy Spirit) calls the bride. The meeting of the son and his bride. Christ—Kinsman Redeemer. Boaz a type of (Ruth 3). Through His incarnation Christ became kin to us as a human being, that we through the Spirit, might become betrothed to Him. By sin we had forfeited our inheritance. Christ the only one who can take up the documents and restore us to position. Christ—Love of (1 Sam. 18). Jonathan's love illustrates the love of Christ for us. He stripped Himself to clothe us (Phil. 2:5-7). Christ—Made sin for us. Brazen serpent a type of (Num. 21; 2 Cor. 5:21). __Num. 21; 2 Cor. 5__Serpent a symbol of sin judged. Brass, type of divine judgment. Hence brazen serpent speaks of Christ bearing our judgment. See John 3:14-15. The race perishing in sin (Rom. 3:10-12). Christ the divinely appointed cure. Cured by a look (John 1:29). Sting of sin incurable by human means. Christ—Moses a type of (Exod. 2, etc.). __Exod. 2, etc.__As prophet (Acts 3:22-23). Advocate (Exod. 32:31-35; 1 John 2:1-2). Intercessor (Exod. 17:1-6; Heb. 7:25). Leader (Deut. 33:4-5; Heb. 2:10). Christ—Moses a type of (Exod. 2, etc.). __Exod. 2, etc.__Rejected by Israel, He turns to Gentiles. In His rejection takes Gentile bride, then later appears as Israel's deliverer and is accepted. Christ—Our Example (Exod. 12:8). Christ cannot be our example until He is our atoning sacrifice. The lamb must be "roast with fire" (not raw). Speaks of Christ subjected to fires of God's wrath against sin. Christ cannot be feasted on unless He is accepted as the sin-bearer. Made secure by His atoning work, we may feast on Him in peace. Christ—Our High Priest (Exod. 28). Our great high priest bears the names of His own on His breast before God, presenting them as those "accepted in the beloved." Christ—Our Intercessor (Deut. 10:10-11). Moses, intercessor and commander of Israel, type of Christ who ever lives to make intercession for His own, who has all power in heaven and earth to give us victory and who leads us by His Spirit. Christ—Our Light (Exod. 25, vs. 31). __Exod. 25, vs. 31__Candlestick a type of Christ shining in the fulness of the power of the sevenfold Spirit (Heb. 1:9; Rev. 1:4). Natural light excluded from the tabernacle. Must put out our own lights if we would have light of Christ. Christ—Our Mediator (Deut. 5:1-5). Moses stood between—type of Christ who stands between God and man as the true Mediator so we may hear from God and speak to Him without fear of the fires of His holiness. Christ—"Our Passover" (Exod. 12). Israelites, in offering lamb, recognized their inability to save themselves and necessity of placing another between them and consequences of sin. Christ "the Lamb of God." Christ—Our Peace (Lev. 3). Peace offering fulfilled in Christ who "made peace" (Col. 1:20), proclaimed peace (Eph. 2:17), and is our peace (Eph. 2:14). In Him God and a sinner can meet in peace. God is propitiated, the sinner reconciled. Note that this is at cost of blood and fire. Christ—Our Provider. Elijah a type of (1 Kings 17). Cf. vs. 13, "Bring it to me," with Matt. 14:18. Christ—Our Refuge (Num. 35). Cities of refuge type of Christ, sheltering the sinner from judgment (Rom. 8:33-34; Phil. 3:9; Heb. 6:18-19). Christ—Our Sacrifice (Lev. 1). Burnt offering speaks of Christ who offered Himself without spot to God in delight to do the Father's will even unto death. Fire symbol of God's holiness, which consumed the offering. Laying on of the offerer's hand (vs. 4) was to show he was identifying himself with the offering—speaking of believer's faith in accepting and identifying himself with Christ (Rom. 4:5; 6:3-11). Christ—Our Scapegoat (Lev. 16:11). One goat slain as token of satisfaction to God's justice. Other sent away as token of sin actually dismissed from sinner. Wilderness symbol of abode of evil things (Isa. 13:21; 34:14). Christ—The Shepherd King (1 Chron. 17:7-8). David here a type of the Son of God after the flesh (Matt. 1:1; Rom. 1:3)—the shepherd king. In His first coming He took the shepherd's place in death (John 10:11), now in resurrection power (Heb. 13:20). Christ—Our Sin Bearer (Lev. 4). The sin offering shows Christ laden with the believer's sins, standing in the sinner's stead (cf. Isa. 53; 2 Cor. 5:21). Christ—Our Source of life (John 15). Vine and branches. We are branches in true vine from which we draw hourly the divine life. Draw all wisdom and strength from Him. Christ—Our Substitute (Lev. 17:11). Explains the meaning of the sacrifices. Every offering expressed the sentence of law upon a substitute for the offender, pointing toward substitutional death of Christ, which alone vindicated the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:24-25). Christ—Our Wilderness Bread (Exod. 16). Jesus the Bread of life is ministered to us through the Word, by the Spirit. He can be partaken of unreservedly, but we have no more of Him than faith appropriates (vs. 16). Christ—Power of (Matt. 9). Has all power in heaven and earth. Degradation and disease (vs. 20), demons (vs. 33), death (vs. 25), are subject to His rebuke. Faith in Him, the most priceless treasure on earth (vss. 2, 22, 29). Christ—Prince of Peace (1 Chron. 29:23-25). Solomon's glorious and peaceful kingdom a type of the coming millennial kingdom. His will indeed be "the throne of the Lord" (vs. 23). Christ—Prince of Peace. Solomon a type of (1 Kings 1:39-40). (See Isa. 9:6; 1 Chron. 22:9.) Jesus does not fulfill the Solomon type until after He has fulfilled the David type. Chosen before birth (Isa. 42:1). Rode into Jerusalem on a colt (John 12:14-16). Anointed (Acts 10:38). Peace will fill the earth when His reign is set up (Zech. 14:9). Christ—Reign of, delayed (1 Sam. 26, vs. 24). __1 Sam. 26, vs. 24__David's way to throne lay through multiplied difficulties. Christ, though anointed King with undisputed title, yet remains meek and lowly, awaiting the set time for His actual reign over all. Christ—Resurrection of (Matt. 12:40). Jonah a type of Christ who was buried and arose (1 Cor. 15:4), after three days. Both were buried that they might rise again to bring the doctrine of repentance to the Gentile world. Christ—Resurrection of (Num. 17). Illustrated in Aaron's rod that budded. Christ in His resurrection was owned of God as high priest. All authors of religion have died, but Christ alone was raised from the dead to be a high priest (Heb. 4:14; 5:4-10). Resurrection proves Christ the chosen one (Rom. 1:4). Christ—Satanic opposition to (Mark 14:32-35). From what "hour" and "cup" was Jesus seeking to be delivered? Does He pray for deliverance from the Cross—the very purpose for which He had come into the world? (John 12:27). Hebrews 5:7 shows His prayer was heard and answered. See Luke 22:44; Mark 14:34. Shows Satan was attempting to kill Him before He could accomplish His purpose in the appointed way. Luke 22:43 is the answer to His prayer. He was saved from death in Gethsemane. When the hour of the Cross comes, He asks for no angels or defenders and rebukes Peter for trying to defeat God's plan (Matt. 26:52, 53, 56). Christ—Saul a picture of (1 Sam.). Saul raised up to save Israel. Anointed, Acts 10:38. Although anointed, acted as servant of father, John 6:38. Touched with compassion for people, Matt. 9:36. Spirit came upon him, Matt. 3:16. Became salvation of his followers, 1 Pet. 3:18. Full of grace to those who had rebelled against him, John 1:17. Went down to Gilgal a second time. Was openly declared king, Rev. 19:11-16. Christ—Sovereign over every ailment (Matt. 8). Over physical ailments (vss. 2, 6, 14), emissaries of Satan and over sin (vs. 16; Matt. 9:5). Faith takes Him at His word and finds rest and deliverance. Christ, the Solver of problems—Joseph a type of (Gen. 41). Christ is the One who is able to solve all our vexing problems and relieve our hearts of all burdens. Christ—The resurrected (Josh. 3-4). Christ, our Joshua, went through the Jordan of death, opening the way for all who would believe, to follow Him. Appointed twelve apostles (according to the tribes of Israel) by the memorial of the Gospel, to transmit the knowledge of this to remote places and future ages. Christ—The Resurrection and the Life (John 11). He is the fountain of life and the head and the author of physical resurrection. Christ—The Rock (Exod. 17:5-7, cf. 1 Cor. 10:4). He is the smitten rock out of which comes the "water of life"—the Holy Spirit's saving power. Until the rock was smitten, the streams of salvation were pent up. Christ—The True Temple (1 Kings 5). Illustrated in Solomon's temple. See John 2:21. God Himself prepared Him (Eph. 1:4; Heb. 10:5). In Him all God's spiritual children meet and through Him have access to God. Christ, the Wisdom of God—Solomon a type of (1 Kings 3 and 4). __1 Kings 3 and 4__Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge—hidden for a use—that he might be "made unto us wisdom." Christ—Typified in Joseph (Gen. 37). Joseph the beloved of his father, hated by brethren, his claims rejected, conspired against, in intent and figure was slain, in resurrection gains Gentile bride, eventually reconciled to his brethren, who are exalted with him. Leviticus 4:2 "Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, 'If a person sins unintentionally in any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, and commits any of them, through: Lev 5:15,17 Nu 15:22-29 Deut 19:4 1Sa 14:27 Ps 19:12 1Ti 1:13 Heb 5:2 9:7 which ought: Lev 4:27 Ge 20:9 Jas 3:10 THE SIN OFFERING (Purification Offering) Lev 4:1-5:13 Wenham - Most commentators regard this sacrifice as the principal expiatory offering in ancient Israel. It is the sin offering. Hertz writes: "it made the offender against the holiness of God fit to receive the Divine forgiveness." Keil says, "Sin-offerings were instituted for the purpose of putting an end to the separation between man and God that had been created by sin … and of restoring them again to the unimpaired enjoyment of the benefits of God's covenant of mercy and salvation." (NICOT) If a person - This verse is a general introduction followed by specific descriptions of "a person". The sin offering was required of all who sinned and thus this section deals with (1) the priests (Lev 4:3–12), (2) the congregation as a whole (Lev 4:13–21), (3) rulers (Lev 4:22–26), and common individuals (Lev 4:27–35). MacDonald makes an important distinction - The sin offering was appointed for a redeemed people. It does not speak of a sinner coming to the Lord for salvation, but of an Israelite, in covenant relationship with the Lord, seeking forgiveness. It has to do with sins committed unconsciously or unintentionally. Sins - It is interesting that this is the first mention of sin in Leviticus. Rooker explains that "Sin constitutes a violation of the covenant by a member of the Israelite covenant community. In the Old Testament there are two categories of sin, sins committed with a high hand and sins committed inadvertently. Sins committed with the high hand are not forgiven, while sins committed inadvertently may be forgiven or atoned through the proper sacrificial procedure. Sins committed with the high hand are discussed in Numbers 15:1-41 and are comparable to the New Testament concept of sins against the Holy Spirit (Ed comment: "blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven" = Mt 12:31, Mk 3:28, Lk 12:10, probably Heb 10:26, 29 "insulted the Spirit of grace")" (NAC) Guzik on unintentionally: The idea is not so much of an accidental sin, but of a sin committed by a person who basically loves God. The contrast to an unintentional sin is to sin presumptuously (Nu 15:30). Literally, this was “to sin with a high hand.” There was no atonement available for the one whose heart was so defiantly turned against the LORD in presumptuous sin. If your heart wasn’t turned towards the LORD, then all the animals in the world sacrificed on your behalf did you no good. (Woe!!!) Andrew Bonar on unintentional sins - These are not sins of omission, but acts committed by a person when, at the time, he did not suppose that what he did was sin. Although he did the thing deliberately, yet he did not perceive the sin of it. So deceitful is sin, we may be committing that abominable thing which casts angels into an immediate and an eternal hell, and yet at the moment be totally unaware! Want of knowledge of the truth, and too little tender. ness of conscience, hide it from us." (Leviticus Commentary - 500 page Pdf)