Bible Pathways 2/4/2001
February 4
Leviticus 9 -- 10
The Sin Offering and the Trespass Offering were mandatory and the first two offerings to be presented. They were not sweet savor offerings, but were required to restore the broken relationship between God and sinful man. Moses said to Aaron . . . offer your sin offering . . . and make an atonement for yourself, and for the people. . . . And he brought the people's offering, and took the goat, which was the sin offering for the people, and slew it, and offered it for sin (Leviticus 9:7,15).
The Lord spoke unto Moses . . . If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the Lord concerning things which ought not to be done. . . . he shall bring the bullock unto the door of the Tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord; and shall lay his hand upon the bullock's head, and kill the bullock before the Lord (4:1-4). This also served as a reminder that the innocent animal died in the sinner's place, signifying one life had been given for another. The animal's body was then taken outside the camp for burning.
This Scripture points out that ignorance is not an excuse for failing to know and obey the Word of God. As it was with the Israelites, disobedience to the will of God is an inexcusable sin. Sin breaks the fellowship between God and man. It must be atoned for to restore fellowship with God.
However, no mere animal could be an absolute substitute for a sinner, but could only provide a temporary covering for sin. Christ is our Sin Offering. In the fulness of the time (Galatians 4:4), Jesus died for the sins of all mankind, in the sinner's place. He (God) has made Him (Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (II Corinthians 5:21).
By nature, we all live in rebellion against God, His Holiness, His Law, and His Word, and are children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3). Because of this, the Sin Offering was mandatory. Since an animal has no knowledge or understanding of sin it could be made an acceptable atonement for sin until Jesus, the sinless, only-begotten Son of God, died for our sins (I Corinthians 15:3).
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).
Christ is also our Trespass Offering. He has forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us . . . nailing it to His cross (Colossians 2:13-14; also II Corinthians 5:19) that we might be partakers of the divine nature (II Peter 1:4).
The Trespass Offering was required not only from the lawbreaker, but also from any person who was aware of the crime and withheld the evidence. This person became equally guilty of the crime (Leviticus 5:1) and the Law required the offender to make restitution.
Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that bids him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds (II John 1:9-11).
Christ Revealed:
Through the sacrifice of a lamb without defect (Leviticus 9:3; compare John 1:29).
Word Studies:
10:3 glorified means highly honored; 10:10 holy and unholy means sacred and profane; 10:13 thy due means yours legally; 10:14 heave shoulder means thigh.
Government Official: Rep. Sanford Bishop (GA) · Pray for the Bible Pathway Internet Outreach and the Bible Pathway devotions in Arabic, English, French, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Norwegian, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish that are now online on our website. Let friends and missionaries overseas know that the devotional commentary is now available in these languages · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio broadcast sponsored by Mrs. Arthur Amburgey · Country: Taiwan (22 million) in eastern Asia · Major languages: Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese · Limited religious freedom · 93% Chinese religions; 4% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to reveal His perfect will for you (Psalms 25:4).
Optional Reading:
Mark 7
Memory Verse for the Week:
Colossians 3:5
