01/02/2021
I have always found the Old Testament to be interesting to read. I know...nerd. But it brings the New Testament to life even more fully when your spiritual eyes are opened to the symbolism found there.
In order to fully understand the sacrifice of Jesus, we must understand the required sacrifices outlined in Leviticus. When we do that, we will see that Jesus did fulfill all of the law.
Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
I won't type out everything the Bible says about offerings, you can do that for yourselves. This study will mostly focus on those found in Leviticus. If you consider these points as you study, I think you will enjoy reading the Old Testament a bit more and the New Testament will be richer to you.
All but one of the offerings were sacrifices and required the shedding of blood. They were a figure of the ultimate sacrifice to be made once at the end of the age, that of Jesus on the cross.
Heb 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
Heb 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
The sacrificial offerings symbolized man's walk toward God.
One offering could give a complete picture of that perfect offering so the five offerings revealed different aspects of the one complete offering of Jesus,
This time, I want to study Leviticus Ch1, the burnt offerings.
Lev 1:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
These offerings were specific. Notice they are not carnivores, they are herbivores. They do not feed off of flesh.
This scripture outlines the offerings according to a person’s ability. If you had a herd, you were to offer up the BEST of your cattle, a male without blemish. If you were not that prosperous, you were to offer up your BEST sheep, goat etc., also a male without blemish. If you were poor, you were required to give your BEST of either turtle dove or young pigeon. It did not matter which kind, but it was to be whichever was in season, so it was in prime condition. If you were not in possession of these, you could purchase them. That only made sense since many traveled far to attend the yearly sacrifices.
Do we see the significance of this? Mary offered up fowl. See Luke 2:24. That family did not have much, but they gave their BEST. And when it came time, God gave the BEST, His firstfruit, male without blemish. And He did it for YOU!
In return, He does not require that we give more than we have, nor less than is required, only that we give our BEST. This does not mean don't give the 'church' anything you don't want yourself, but it means not to neglect first giving your BEST, according to the prosperity, talent, skill and increase he has provided you.
Jesus gave a perfect illustration of this in Matthew Chapter 25.
Mal 1:6-9 "A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" says the LORD Almighty. "It is you priests who show contempt for my name. "But you ask, 'How have we shown contempt for your name?' "By offering defiled food on my altar. "But you ask, 'How have we defiled you?' "By saying that the LORD's table is contemptible. When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the LORD Almighty. "Now plead with God to be gracious to us. With such offerings from your hands, will he accept you?"--says the LORD Almighty.
We ask God to provide and then we withhold from Him and ask Him to provide more and bless us, bless us, bless us. Things that make you go "Hmmmm."
Sincere giving comes from within. God wants us to WANT TO give.
Lev 1:3 If his offer ing be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.
We don't pass the plate here at River of Life Ministries and it is exceedingly rare for us to ask for help. This is because the Lord wants you to give of your own self. Not because of pressure or guilt. That would rob you of the joy of giving and of a job well done. There are lots of things that this assembly needs but your sacrifice must come from you.
Several years ago, we saw that at work from our neighbors and now very dear friends representing the LDS when they showed up after we have a massive flood that ruined most of the building. They popped over as John and I were outside at night, waiting for the insurance company to send an estimator. Needless to say, we were asking the Lord if this was to be the end of the line. They did the work needed without any expectation of reward except that given from the Lord.
And recently, we wondered the same thing when tithes fell short of the bills. But the Lord added to them via Paypal from people we never even met.
Many times during the life of this 'church', the Lord provided skill, labor and finances from people we didn't even know as well as from those who were attending at that time.
That is our fleece to God as to how long this building will remain functioning as a place of worship. So far, he has always come through.
He does not want our old, stale leftovers.
Lev 7:18 And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity.
He wants a sacrifice that means something to us. We must identify with the sacrifice that represents our sin. It should be US on that cross but Jesus took our place. We should acknowledge that when we come before the throne in prayer.
Lev 1:4-5 And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD:
The person providing the sacrifice didn't get to walk away and let the priest do all the dirty work. He had to lay hands on that animal and accept responsibility for the blood he was about to shed because of his own sin.
It is interesting to note that sheep or goats were to be killed on the northward side of the altar. Lev 1:11. Jesus was sacrificed on Calvary, on the north side of Jerusalem.
I hope to put up another Bible Study closer to what we now call Easter that will tell us even more about how Jesus was that Passover lamb.
But for now let's continue in Leviticus Ch 1. After the sacrifice was made, the priests had duties. We are kings and priests in this world Rev 1:6 and 5:10 so we should see what those priestly duties mean for us today.
Lev 1:5 And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
After we accept the sacrifice of Jesus, we must not retain that blood. We can’t consume it. We have to spread it. And we have to be certain where we spread it. We are not to cast our pearls before swine (preach to those who are not ready to receive). We have to spread it in a way that is edifying to others. That blood is holy. The life is in it!
Leviticus Ch 4. The blood was sprinkled 7 times ( number of completeness) before the vail and on the horns of the altar of sweet incense and at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering. The blood was handled very specifically.
Leviticus chapter 16 describes how the blood was applied to the mercy seat on the day of atonement. For more on this read the book of Hebrews.
Heb 9:24-25 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
The life is in the blood. As believers, everything we do, we do in the name of Jesus and we represent the shedding of His blood. In the way we don't just carelessly toss around the name of Jesus as an afterthought or profanity, we must use it in a way that pleases Him and uplifts others.
When Jesus sent his disciples out to spread the word, he instructed them not to preach where they were not welcome.
Luk 10:5-11 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
This is an example of being cautious of where you cast your pearls. Lay hands suddenly on no man. Let the Spirit guide you.
The priest had to cut apart the sacrifice away from the skin and examine each and every part of it to determine its perfect condition. This was not done carelessly or without skill. We must seek guidance of the Holy Spirit to use all our skill and care to dissect the word of God and apply it respectfully and skillfully.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
We need to examine our own selves continually.
2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
The priest had to examine that animal inside and out.
When we examine the head of Christ, we see he did the will of the Father, spoke the Father's words and had the desires of the Father. He had the heart of the Father, the Father's compassion and agape love. His steps were ordered by God and he walked with him always. Everything about Jesus pointed us toward the Father. He did not encourage us to worship Him, but rather to worship The Father. Everything about Jesus spoke of the Father.
Joh 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Since he was examined and determined to be without sin, he was accepted as the final, perfect sacrifice.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
God's portion of the sacrifice was the burnt offering.
Heb 13:11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. This was a sweet savor to the Lord.
Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
The priests portion was that which was designated for them and their families to eat. They also had the hides. They maintained the sanctuary and performed the ceremonies, They worked and the congregation provided.
Lev 2:3 And the remnant of the meat offering shall be Aaron's and his sons': it is a thing most holy of the offerings of the LORD made by fire.
The hide was evidence that the animal had existed and the sacrifice had been made. Like the hide God covered Adam and Eve with after they had sinned. It was a reminder that blood had been shed.
The sinners portion was....nothing except the acceptance of his sacrifice and knowledge that his sin was forgiven. Salvation is not about what we give to God but about what He gave to us.
Finally:
Php 3:14-17 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
There is always more to learn. This is only a brief clip and a little peek into what the Old Testament has for us.
