Day 44 – Leviticus 1-4

Talking Points

• Leviticus 1:1 starts — “Then” — the next thing to happen upon the completion of the tabernacle was for God to meet with Moses and lay out the terms for approaching Him. This process included offerings and the requirement for atonement to be made for sin. God’s presence was there, yet they could not enjoy it in their sin.
• Very specific instructions are given for the individual and the priest to follow. Described are the burnt offering, grain offering, peace offering, and sin offering. All but the grain offering required a blood sacrifice. As you read through the account, it invokes a somber, if not uneasy response, due to the shedding, marking, and sprinkling of blood. It really is gruesome. How telling that the cost of covering sin is a stark reminder of the ugliness of sin. The payment is no light thing. The currency (blood) indicates the height of the cost.
• A profound statement is found toward the end of chapter 4 with great Gospel implications: “Thus the priest shall make atonement for him in regard to his sin which he has committed, and he will be forgiven.”
  • “Atonement” means to make reparation, or to pay to set to even. The word “regard” means on account of or pertaining to.
  • This verse shows us that there is a penalty, a price to be paid for sin to be set right. In order for the “account” of our lives to be set to even, atonement must be made. We know the price of sin is death, with the New Testament declaring very clearly, “the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 3:23) As the sacrifice is made and marked by blood, atonement is made, and forgiveness is offered. The book of Hebrews, serving as a commentary on this process states, “…all things are cleansed in blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22)
    

Thoughts

With a culture so far removed from a tabernacle, altars, and sacrifices, these instructions can be difficult to read through, even seeming barbaric and gruesome. Ultimately, this all comes down to faith demonstrated in exact obedience. Anoint the priest this way. Bring this animal. Lay your hand on its head. Slay it. Sprinkle the blood this way. And, you will be forgiven.

See, faith is not some emotion to evoke. It is simply believing that God will do exactly what He said He will do, when we do exactly what He told us to. Because, there would be no reason to bring your best, highly-valued animal if you didn’t believe God. You would not lay your hand on its head, unless you actually believed God would see it. Never would you choose to slay an innocent animal and spread its blood and burn its flesh, if you didn’t trust that God would forgive you of your sins. These are acts of exact obedience which are a response to faith.

It is no different for us today. There would be no reason to deny yourself, offering yourself as a living sacrifice, if you didn’t believe God. You would not admit your sinfulness, unless you actually believed God would see your heart. Never would you choose to look to and follow a Man slain on a cross, said to have been raised to life again, if you didn’t trust that God would forgive you of your sins.

So, here’s the great part: “Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 10:43) Praise God — He is completely faithful, completely trustworthy, infinite in His love for us! Praise God for who He is!