Leviticus 4:1-9:25

Good morning, everyone!

Here is today's installment of our "Through the Bible in a Year" series.

1) The Sin Offering: Ironic this was a part of the reading for Ash Wednesday. On a day of solemn confession and repentance, we talk about the offerings that were made for unintentional sins against the LORD's commands. One thing to notice here is that the blood of a lamb was shed as an act of atonement (to atone is to "make amends"). In essence, sins were forgiven when life blood was shed. While it sounds gross and on some level horribly unfair, it's the system under which the Old Covenant operated. It's not that God has bloodlust, or that God is some sick freak. Sacrifice reminds us of how seriously our sin has separated us from God, and how severe are its consequences - it leads to death. Animal sacrifice is meant to make us squirm - because it reminds us of the serious consequences of sin. It's supposed to gross us out - because sin is supposed to gross us out.

The only unfortunate reality is that sacrifice does not have the power to change people's lives - only God's Spirit can do that. In time, God will say things like "I don't take delight in your sacrifices... what I really want is you to 'love mercy, do justly,and walk humbly with your God'" (Micah 6:8). Thus, in time, God will work to accomplish both in His people - through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. Through him, the amends-making offering is accomplished through His life of perfect obedience through His suffering and death.

2) Uncleanness - the whole idea of being unclean meant that a person had been defiled before God by something they did or something that happened to them. God typically gave ways for a person to be cleansed again, however.

3) The various offerings - I don't have much to say about these really. But the part where they have to change clothes through the various parts of handling the offering made me glad I am not an Aaronic priest.

4) Ordination of Aaron and the priests - I found this scene to be interesting, how they consecrated the people and how the dressed them for service.

5) The LORD sends fire to consume the offering and the people stood in amazement and awe, and bowed down before him. I find this scene to be very neat, as well.

We will contrast this scene, where the fire consumes the proper offering, with the scene where the fire consumes those who offer an improper offering in Leviticus 10. But that will have to wait until tomorrow.

Blessings in Christ!
Pastor Nathan