Making Sense out of Leviticus #3

Today's Reading: Leviticus 4-5.

This passage gives us data on two further offerings, both related to unintentional sins committed either by leadership, corporate body or the individual.

The first addressed is the Sin Offering. This offering was specifically for anyone who violated one of the Lord's commandments unintentionally. The sacrifice was on a sliding scale, with the Priest paying the highest cost. It seems that the Lord considered leadership before before the people, God ordained and anointed, carried a high responsibility to love the Word of God and to keep it. So if they, even unintentionally violated the commandments, they had a more expensive sacrifice than the normal person.

All of this sacrifice was offered in two different locations. It blood was sprinkled in front of the veil and placed on the horns of the Altar of Incense. After each economic strata is identified and explained, we find this phrase, "In this way the priest will make atonement for them for the sin they have committed, and they will be forgiven."

When they realized they had sinned, they were responsible to offer the appropriate sacrifice. It was their personal involvement of taking responsibility for their actions. It always cost them to do so.

The second sacrifice is only partial dealt with in Chapter 5. This is the Guilt offering (or KJV - Trespass Offering). This was for those who unintentionally were unfaithful in regard to anything other than the direct commandments, i.e...in regard to the Lord's holy things, anyone deceiving a neighbor, if they cheated their neighbor... etc... This offering was always a "ram from the flock"

We will find more information as we move forward in the text over the next couple of days, as the text regarding them and various regulations regarding them continues through chapter 7.

Of course, we in the New Covenant are fully aware that these are only shadows of what our Lord would do for us on the cross. He became each one of these collectively and became the one sacrifice for all for all time. Hebrews 8, 9, and 10 would be good to read at this point.

Tomorrow's reading: Leviticus 6-7.