Leviticus 5, Survey of the Offerings (3)

The peace/fellowship offering (Lev. 3; 7:11-21,28-36) provided a free-will opportunity for the worshiper to fellowship with his God.  1 John 1 is a NT application of the principles of that offering, calling believers to fellowship with God as they properly deal with sin.  The offering could be a male or female because the emphasis is on the believers joy and not the need for the male sacrifice of atonement.  The animal did have to be without defect; fellowship is only through the perfect sacrifice (Eph. 2:13ff; 1 John 1:7).

The worshiper laid hands on the animal as it was killed, identifying with it in cleansing him that he might enjoy fellowship with God.  The animal was killed in front of the door of the tabernacle, the place of God’s dwelling.  So our fellowship with God is through Christ, a complete sacrifice (the blood was sprinkled on all sides of the altar).  Certain parts of the animal were offered to the LORD; the rest was to be eaten by the worshiper, a true picture of fellowship.

The law of the peace offering (7:11-21) notes two reasons for this offering: a time of thanksgiving and the completing of a vow (v11,16).  With the first, the offering was accompanied by a grain offering of a cake with yeast (representing the believer) and a cake without yeast (representing Christ).  In a time of thanksgiving the accompanying meal had to be eaten at once; after a vow the celebration could last for two days.  The priest also had a share in the meat (7:28-36).

This concludes the three “sweet savor offerings”: the burnt for justification; the grain for sanctification; and the peace for fellowship.  The last two offerings (sin and trespass) are “non-sweet savor offerings.  What is the relationship of the sweet savor to the non-sweet savor offerings?

Sweet Savor Offerings

Voluntary (for individuals)

Emphasis on Christ, the sin-bearer

Consecration: looks to the future

 

Non-Sweet Savor Offerings

Involuntary (required)

Emphasis on the sinner

Forgiveness: looks to the past.

What is the relationship of the burnt offering to the sin and trespass offerings.

Burnt Offering

General sinfulness (sin nature)

Value of Christ emphasized

Christ meets the demands of God

All the offering is burnt

 

Sin and Trespass Offerings

Specific sins are in view

Hatred of sin emphasized

Christ meets the need of man

Partially burnt, the rest eaten by priests

What is the relationship of the sin offering to the trespass offering?

Sin Offering

Emphasis: disobedience (e.g. 5:1-4)

Sins not involving restitution.

Confession and a penalty animal (5:5-6)

 

Trespass Offering

Emphasis: violation of rights (e.g. 6:2-3)

Sins involving restitution

Return item, plus value, penalty animal