9.17.09 - Leviticus 1 - 10

Surely everyone has uttered the words, "I can't afford it." Some things are just too expensive. You simply can't pay for them. You can save up or borrow enough for some items, but others will always command a higher price than you can pay.
The first verse of Leviticus 1 says, "The Lord called to Moses from the Tabernacle." The next seven chapters contain what God said, including the first set of instructions for worship and rules regarding sacrifices and offerings. Its quite clear from reading Leviticus that sin carries a very steep price.

Since Creation, God has made it clear that sin separates people from Him and those who sin deserve to die. But because everyone has sinned, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23, God designed sacrifice as a way to seek forgiveness and restore a relationship with Him. Because God is filled with love and mercy, He decided from the very beginning that He would send His Son into the world to die to pay sin's penalty (death). In the meantime, before God made the ultimate sacrifice of His Son, He instructed people to kill animals as sacrifice for sin. That's why when God taught His people to worship Him, He placed great emphasis on Sacrifices (1:2). They were God's Old Testament way for people to ask for forgiveness for their sins.
Animals sacrifice accomplished two purposes: (1) the animals symbolically took the sinner's place and paid the penalty for sin; and (2) the animals death represented one life given so that another life could be saved. This method, picturing what Jesus would do on the cross, continued throughout the Old Testament times. It was effective in teaching and guiding the people and bringing them back to God. In New Testament times, however, Christ's death became the last sacrifice needed. He took the punishment once and for all for those who trust in Him. Animal sacrifice is no longer required. Now, all people can be freed from the penalty of sin by turning away from their sin, trusting in Jesus and accepting the forgiveness He offers.
Thank God for sacrificing His one and only Son for us. Then tell someone the Good News about God and His salvation.

The central idea of the burnt offering was entire consecration to God since the fire consumed the animal. It symbolized self-surrender of the whole person to God. Because of personal sin, it was necessary for the individual to die spiritually. There was no reservation since the sacrifice was yielded to the LORD on behalf of the individual.
Jesus Christ came to do the will of His father. What greater demonstration of that fact can we find than in the totally consumed offering of Himself on the cross? Jesus said, "I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me" (John 6:38). He came to bring to completion that work (4:34). He was completely dedicated to the will of God. He prayed, "Not my will; Thy will be done." It totally consumed Him. He set His face toward the cross and did not waver. It was all or nothing.
All of the animal sacrifices pointed to the death of Christ. Christ our consecration was wholly consumed on the altar by the fiery judgment of God. He was totally consumed by the will of God in order to obtain our justification.

Leviticus 3:1-17
Peace Offerings
The Peace Offering or zebach is also called the "fellowship offering." It is literally a "sacrifice of happiness."
It consisted of an ox, lamb or goat, male or female. The priest sprinkled the blood on the altar, while the liver, kidneys and fat were burned on the altar. God claimed the richest part of the animal. The priest was given the breast and right thigh. The worshiper was to eat what remained. It is the only sacrifice, which the worshiper shared by eating a portion of the sacrifice (7:15).
The peace offering was symbolic of the peace that already existed between the worshiper and God because of the atonement. Therefore, it was time to celebrate. It was never offered to obtain peace, but as a celebration of its existence. It is a picture of the fellowship between God and the believing sinner based on the blood sacrifices. This offering pictures the blessings and

Leviticus 4:1-5:13Leviticus 5:14-6:7
Sin & Guilt Offerings
The Sin Offering (chatta'ah) (Leviticus 4:1-5:13) was a compulsory offering for the covering of sin. It could be an ox, ram, kid, doves, or pigeon or even fine flour depending on the nature of the case. This offering covered sins committed out of weakness or waywardness, unintentionally. It did not cover sins of presumption in defiance of God, or open sins of rebellion. It did not deal with sins in general, but particular sins.

God required that Aaron and His sons be cleansed and set apart fir their duties as priests (8:1 -9:24). Although all the men from the tribe of Levi were dedicated for service to God, only Aaron's descendants could be priests. They alone had the honor and responsibility of performing the sacrifices. These priests had to cleanse and dedicate themselves before they could help the people do the same.
Leviticus chapters 8 & 9 describe the priests' ordination ceremony. It showed that holiness came from God alone, not from the priestly role. Similarly, we are not spiritually cleansed just because we have a religious position or come from a religious family. Spiritual cleansing comes only from God. No matter how high our position or how long we have held it, we must depend on God for forgiveness and a relationship with Him.

I try not to take my relationship with God for granted and slip into apathy or mindless routine. Stay close to the Father; he wants to be close to you.